Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

GERBER micro-lite LST
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This is a very simple little knife. No fluff. This is NOT a multi tool.

It has a 2 inch body whan closed, and a 1.5 inch blade when opened. It looks like a standard hinged "jack" knife.

And it weighs a very respectable 0.4 ounces.

Thus, it qualifies as a light-weight tool.

It costs (about) 12 dollars. Not too bad.


*Please, if anyone finds anything LIGHTER (and still a quality tool) please lemme know. THis little baby comes close to perfect. Is there another product that's lighter???

Rating: 5 / 5

No Mike, nothing is simpler or lighter. I keep one (tied closed) on my climbing harness and another in my repair bag when backpacking. Unfortunately gerberstore.com informed me in May '07 that this model is discontinued :( so I bought extras. The larger and heavier, but still exemplary, Ultralight LST is still offered.

Rating: 5 / 5

I bought one when I was at one of those big outlet knife stores. They claimed to have everything. I remembered the Micro-lite LST from this review section and posts from a while back, I asked if they had the product. It took some effort to find it. The sales clerk told me that they sell out of them quickly, but found two. Cheap and light. Nice combo for a product. Although it was tempting to grab them both, I bought only one of them.

It is a pretty cool knife. It will be my primary protection against beast attacks (i.e., rabid polar bears, pizzedoff great whites, drunk bigfeet, etc.)

Edit: oops - my is an Ultralight LST
.6 oz, 2 in. blade in 2 1/2 in body

Edited by gmatthews on 04/27/2008 09:07:59 MDT.

Rating: 3 / 5

The new Spyderco Ladybug is even better. About the same size and weight, but better steel. Costs a little more. Shop online. Much cheaper than REI.

Rating: 3 / 5

The Gerber LST knife has been in ditty bag since 2004. Simple and reliable! (0.7oz.) Not a multi-tool like a Victorinox but perfect for weekend backpacking trip.

Rating: 5 / 5

The 2012 A.G. Russell Titanium Ultimate Pen folder is a lighter replacement at < 0.2 oz. Excellent 1.5" blade of VG-10 steel at 59-61 Rc. Ti scales. 2" closed length. Very well made. But it is not a lockback and is difficult to open with one hand. $19.95.

One perspective is that the Ti Ultimate is a reasonable alternative to a razor blade in a homemade sheath (0.1 oz). A razor blade dulls quickly, and handling can be sketchy.

The 0.2 oz Ti Ultimate is not in the same category as the larger, sturdier lockbacks e.g. Gerber LST 0.6 oz and Spyderco Ladybug 0.54 oz. With a little practice, the Ladybug is a snap to open one-handed.

For the record, the discontinued Gerber Micro LST Item No. 06095 has an excellent 1.5" blade. Outstanding is the safety of a lockback, a good grip, and the ability to be easily opened or closed with one hand. Closed length is 2". Weight is about 0.3 oz. Lateral strength is its only weakness but to be expected at this weight.

Edited by Distelfink on 08/15/2012 00:22:04 MDT.