So in the process of testing out my SOG Seal Pup knife, I quickly realized it wasn't going to live up to its intended purchase as a survival knife. Enter my purchase of the Gerber Prodigy knife. Before I begin, I must admit that I a bit biased towards Gerber knives. I have owned several over the years including the Mark II, LMF II, LHR, Big Rock camp knife, Gator, Warrant, as well as several folding knives, multi tools, axes, and saws and I have, for the most part, loved them all and the Prodigy is no exception. This knife quickly became my favorite survival knife, even surpassing the LMF II. This knife is extremely comfortable to hold, has a great weight, sturdy blade, and amazing sheathe. This knife shares the same sheathe as the LMF II, as well as about every other feature. The Sheathe is a kydex sheathe held by hook-and-loop (velcro) fasteners to the nylon main body of the sheathe which includes two separate MOLLE hooks and includes a lower leg belt (anyone who has ever used a knife in a drop-leg configuration will testify to how much better they feel). This sheathe has a double redundant hold down system for airmen (two nylon catches as well as a kydex holder) that prevent the knife from moving even under the most extreme conditions.
Next, the blade of the knife. The blade is a full 1/4 inch thick on this knife, made of 420HC (comparable to AUS6, but in my opinion takes an edge better), has a blade length of 4.75 inches, and is half serrated and half fine edge. The blade is extremely tough, and able to take a beating and keep on smiling. It takes an edge as it should, and has a black oxide coating which helps prevent corrosion. The final part of the knife is the handle. It has a plastic coating with a soft nylon over molding.
The rear of the handle has a sharp steel pommel which has a hole purposely designed to hold 550 cord. This knife has been refereed to as the baby brother of the LMF II, but in my opinion is a better knife. The LMF II has only two things that the Prodigy doesn't, holes drilled in the handle for lashing it to a stick to make a spear (if you can't lash a knife to a stick with out holes in the knife, you need to get out of the woods.) and a full steel pommel which can be used for pounding (it is attached to the plastic of the handle and not to the steel tang of the knife, so it can break off.
All in all, I would recommend the Gerber prodigy.
