5.11 Tactical LMC recurve

Engineering by “Bladetech” and designed by Mike Vellekamp, the LMC Recurve features a blade of 3mm thick Aus8 high carbon, high chrome, steel that has excellent corrosion resistance and edge retention, combined with ease of sharpening.  This is hardened to 57-60 HRC and lightly hollow- ground with a secondary bevel that comes exceedingly sharp.

The blade incorporates a “thumb hole” for single-hand opening, a deep choil for a comfortable choked-up grip, and a thumb ramp that has comfortably rounded “grips”.  The blade pivots easily out of the flat FRN (Fibre Reinforced Nylon) plastic scales, which are shaped and textured for a surprisingly comfortable and secure grip; a lanyard hole completes the handle.  The blade locks securely into position with an ambidextrous liner lock and it is interesting to note that if you forget to remove your digit from the toothed liner lock mechanism when closing the knife, you won’t lose a finger, as the choil and kick close on you – not the edge!

The knife comes with a reversible/removable pocket clip, which, unlike most, I found not to interfere with grip comfort in use.

The LMC Recurve is practical and comfortable in use across a wide range of tasks. It is not the style of knife I am used to carrying, but it has proved itself to be easy to carry as it is very low profile, well-designed to fit into the hand in several different grips, strongly made and well-engineered, secure and unusually safe to use (I love the fact that it closes with the choil over the lock!).  It is also well detailed – as seen in the fact that while the thumb ramp detailing is rounded for comfort, the back of the blade is square for use as a scraper or the striker with a firesteel.