Back when I entered Army basic training in 1988 we were informed that we were not permitted to have a knife with over a 3-inch blade. We would be working with automatic rifles, belt fed machine guns and rocket launchers, but big knives were apparenlty too scary. With that in mind I hit the PX and ended up picking up a Gerber LST.
I hear you can’t have knives at all in basic anymore, so I guess I should consider myself lucky. Either way, it went on to become one of my favorite knives of all time. Now Gerber has done a revamp of the line and they’re offering three new models of the LST lockback.
The LST Story
The LST first came to market way back in 1980. It was brought about by Pete Gerber himself, along with renowned knife design Blackie Collins. It was one of the first knives to use an all polymer handle. The result was an extremely trim, light, and compact knife. The base LST had a 2.63 inch blade and weighed a feathery 1.2 ounces. It’s one of the few knives I don’t mind carrying loose in my pocket. It’s so light that you don’t even know it’s there until you need it. Gerber did make some runs of smaller versions as well, but the original size was always my preference.
Over the years I used that LST a lot, even after one-hand openers and pocket clip equipped knives came out. I picked up a few different variations including a limited edition one with Digicam scales that was released at the Blade Show as a Wounded Warriors fundraiser one year. I also picked up a Multicam model that was only sold at Army Post Exchanges a few years back. I have multiple basic black ones too. Suffice it to say, I like the design.
The New LST Series
Earlier this year Gerber announced a few new models of the LST. When I asked about I found out that the old ones were being discontinued in favor of the new models. I decided I’d best check out what the new ones were all about. If you want an original; one, you may want to grab one while supplies last.
The series consists of three knives, the new one that they’re just calling the LST, the LST Mini, and the LST Ultra. All three models use injection molded glass-filled nylon frames and have stainless steel lockback mechanisms.
While most of the original LST’s came in basic black, with limited runs of other colors here and there, the new ones come with a variety of color options. Black, gray, lichen green, mustard yellow, burnt orange, and urban blue shades are available. They’re nice muted shades that give you options to black, without being overly flashy.
The new LST has a 3.5 inch blade of 440A stainless steel. The blade has a full flat grind and a matte stonewash finish. Gerber calls the blade style a clip point but to me it looks more like a slightly pointier drop point. There’s an elongated hole in the blade, but it’s more of a nail nick than a one-hand opening hole.
Overall length is 6.3 inches open, and 3.7 inches closed. The weight is 1.3 ounces, very close to the original LST. Unlike the old LST, the new sports a removable ambidextrous wire pocket clip set up for tip up carry. MSRP is $26.99.
The LST Mini is a lot smaller than the LST. It has a 1.9 inch blade, is 4.6 inches overall opened, and 2.7 inches closed. Weight is 0.50 ounces. You truly will forget you’re carrying this one. I can see a lot of these going through the wash in pants pockets in the future. The blade is once again 440A and has a modified Wharnecliffe style. Like the bigger LST it has a nail nick slot in the blade. There’s no pocket clip on this little guy, but there is a lanyard with a fob on the end. MSRP on the LST Mini is just $15.99.
Now, here’s where I’m going to point out that these two LST’s are made in China. Like a lot of other companies Gerber still makes some stuff in China to stay competitive in the market. But if you’re set on a US made knife, read on, because the LST Ultra is the one you’ll want.
The LST Ultra
The LST Ultra is very close in size and styling to the basic new LST. It’s just a hair bigger with a 2.7 inch blade, 6.4 inch overall length and 3.8 inch closed length. Weight goes up to 2 ounces even. That’s more than the originals, but still extremely light. The blade on the Ultra is a drop point like the original model. This one is made from 420HC stainless steel and also has a stonewashed finish. There’s no nail nick or soot on this one, but there wasn’t on the original LST either. It too is fitted with a removable, ambidextrous wire pocket clip.
Color options on the LST Ultra are slightly different than the other LST’s. You can get black, gray, burnt orange, lichen green and drab red. There’s also a model available in coyote brown with a black finish blade as well. The Ultras are made in Portland, Oregon and run more than the LST and LST Mini imports (China) with an MSRP of $39.99.
Hands On
I’ve had the three LST’s for a few months and used them all off and on over that time. With that said, I used the Mini the least and the Ultra the most. All three models had excellent lock up with no noticeable blade play. The GFN handles are well contoured and have a light texture to them. I hate to say it but if you didn’t see the blade stamps you’d be hard pressed to tell which knives were made where.
The little LST Mini is neat, but for me it’s too small. In fairness I never really used the small versions of the original LST either. They’re a good key chain sized knife, or maybe something for an Altoids tin survival kit. And there are certainly a lot of folks who appreciate that, but I usually want something with a bit more handle and blade. With that said, it worked fine for light duty chores like opening mail, zipping open packages and boxes. In fairness, a lot of EDC tasks don’t require a lot of blade or force, just a sharp edge. For $16 the LST Mini certainly offers that.
Between the LST and the LST Ultra, I picked the Ultra more often than not to use and carry. These knives are very close in size to one another. The LST was fine. Its handle is comfortable, and big enough that I think it’s a lot more usable than the Mini. 2.5 inches of blade is planet for all the little chores that the Mini could do, but big enough that you can get into stuff like cutting apples up, doing some whittling, etc. You know; the important stuff in life.
The Ultra is just a touch bigger, particularly in the handle. That made it just right for me. It’s closest to the original LST, so that probably biases me since I’ve worked with those for over 35 years. The drop point blade is similar as well. Although there’s no nail nick on the Ultra the blade easily opens using a pinch grip. The differences between the LST and the LST Ultra aren’t huge, but I do give a slight nod to the Ultra. The fact that it’s US made is a plus in my book too. I’m not against import knives at all, but all things being equal, I appreciate that some things are still made in America.
Affordable EDC
The original LST is a classic design and was darn near perfection for an ultra-light, functional EDC knife. The only thing I ever wanted to see different over the years was a run with a little more premium steel. I’m not a steel snob, but I wouldn’t have minded seeing an LST with something with a little better performance. Even ATS-34 like my old Gerber EZ-Out (my first knife with a one hand opening blade or a pocket clip!) would have been great.
Times change though and I guess a 45 year run for the original is pretty darn good. The new LSTs stays true to that heritage of being affordable EDC knives that you’ll forget you’re carrying until you need them. They aren’t tactical blades, but not every tool in our tool chest has to be apocalypse-ready. Although if you need something like that, Gerber has some models that will cover you for that too.
Eh. I think prefer the older model.
But the new model looks perfectly serivcable …… just not quite as clean.
And I don’t need a clip on everything.
Good to have choices.
not that critical on the task level these are designed for, but the early ones have detectable blade play whereas these new ones may not.
sized for coin pocket carry, no clip really needed.
Not large enough. I carry open or concealed the glock 81 knife. It has a 7 inch blade.
very stabby. i for sure would go the ek route if i was carrying fairbairn style. i do like a medium fixie but some belly.
a small edc is a good compliment and these gerbers would fit the bill. all the blade shapes are decent (love the tiny wharny, but too small) but 440a or c is a little long in the tooth these days. at least sandvik.
Always liked Gerber stuff. I have a few of their blades. Good middy EDC knives.