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Tag "combatives"

Gerber_LHR
Gerber has finished work on what they hope is the Army’s next generation combat knife. We saw a prototype of the L.H.R. (Larsen, Harsey, Reeve) last year and were impressed with the combat specific features. Unlike many tactical knives on the market, the knife is pedigreed from it’s inception for CQB right down to the retention scabbard. The thumb operated quick-release makes it easy for you to draw, but nearly impossible for an adversary to use against you.

Changes to the knife since we last saw it include a grippier scale material, called TacHide, improved placement of the scale attachment screws, and a black non-reflective coating. The knife will come ready for drop-leg wear and include a PALS compatible option for placement on body armor. Between now and the time you see it in the PX early next year, Gerber may offer it in other colors.

Straight from the spec sheet: The knife is made from 420 high carbon steel and with a blade length of 6.87″ and an overall length of 12.25″. It weighs 11.20 oz. Made in the USA. MSRP $200

Gerber_LHR_with_Sheath

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The LHR Combat Knife from Gerber is the brainchild of Army combatives program inventor Matt Larsen. He realized that there wasn’t a knife and sheath combo on the market that would allow soldiers to fight effectively in close quarters.

THE LHR, named for the knife’s fathers, Matt Larsen, Bill Harsey and Chris Reeve, addresses two shortcomings in most current knife setups. First, the sheath has a special weapons retention thumb release for quick drawing while preventing an enemy from drawing the knife. Second, the blade design should be long enough to get under body armor and punch up into the important parts of your opponent while the 3/16″ thickness, maintained halfway down the length of the blade, will keep the blade intact even if abused.

The photo shows the prototype, though the blade and handle material haven’t been chosen. The cost will end up between $150 and $200 and should hit the street in July 2009. Here is a video of Matt Larsen describing the use and design of the knife.

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