$20 survival knife

Joben

Joben

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May 22, 2009
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What would you buy if you had a $20 budget? (+/- $5, ignoring shipping)

The knife should be a fixed blade, fairly large, 5-7" blade, and able to withstand batoning and general rough use.

I already know about the Cold Steel GI Tanto and Bushman.
I'm just wondering if there are other similar options in the price range.

Thanks. :)
 
Only one I can think of is something from the S&W line of fixed blades. They are said to be tough and well made for the price. Another option would be to a to get a cheap bayonet somewhere. Something like an AK 47's bayonet would be good. IMO though, none really apeal to me, $20 isnt enough for a decent survival knife. Either save up for something from fallkniven, BRKT, etc, or get a mora and a hatchet for survival use.
 
Not in that size range, I don't think. But for what it's worth one of my favorite choppers ever is a 12" Ontario cutlass machete, and it's in your price range. A Mora #2 is almost 5" and might also suffice.
 
machetes would perform well and most of them are less than 20 bucks (a Tramontina costs about 6 or 7 dollars).
but if you're looking specifically for a knife then I would suggest the bushman.
 
Eight Trigrams said:
Not in that size range, I don't think. But for what it's worth one of my favorite choppers ever is a 12" Ontario cutlass machete, and it's in your price range. A Mora #2 is almost 5" and might also suffice.
Click to expand...

Also check out the larger Moras. The wood handled ones go up into your size range.
 
Laugh all you want, but I picked up an Ontario old hickory 8" butcher knife for $15 from a hardware store about 3 years ago... the thing is simply amazing. I've used it in the kitchen to chop up veggies and meat (which it does with ease) and I've even taken it camping where I've hacked apart small logs and batoned through fairly thick wood with it. It takes a shaving edge fairly easily (I use a 1200grit japanese water stone and leather belt for stropping) and holds it surprisingly well. I looked recently, and it's actually made of heat treated 1095 carbon steel - pretty decent stuff for the price. My only complaint is the handle, which isn't great considering that it's meant to stay in the kitchen.

That aside, I really can't think of anything that would beat out the bushman in the $20 price range... maybe a mora, but they strike me as too thin to baton with.
 
Boker have a 'Camp Bowie' in their budget Magnum range, which might be worth looking at. It's clearly modelled after the Becker Companion, but with inferior steel. Apparently with a bit of work though it'll take a reasonable edge and is a tough user.

 
You could get a Tramontina machete and a Mora for $20 shipped. Not fancy but very capable. Far more capable than the price would indicate.

Frank
 
blan said:
Cheaper Than Dirt Rough Use Knife
Click to expand...

Ha! I was just about to post that, and my son interrupted me for something.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/DBA443-1.html

I had one, and beat the everlovin' daylights out of it. I gave to a friend who needed a camp knife; he still has it, it still holds a workable edge, and it holds up well. My only real complaint was the sheath. It's serviceable, but I'd find a better one later on.

Another one is this one:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/DBA057-1.html

It's $5. more than your $20. limit, but for a good camp chopper, it works very well. It is pretty heavy. BUT - the sheath for this one is worth far more than the knife, as far as I'm concerned.

thx - cpr
 
You can get surplus USAF Pilot Survival Knives for $20-$30. Those sometimes have shortcomings, especially w/ the edge, but they can be re-edged and made very functional.

There is a variety of Moras that you can get for less than $15 that would fit your bill. They are not the toughest knives, but they should handle most woods tasks just fine. Especially the new Swedish Army model.

While I have never personally used them, Cheaper Than Dirt markets a "Rough Use Knife" for $10 plus shipping. Normally I am leary of ultra cheap Chinese knives, but this particular series has gotten surprisingly good reviews in all its configurations.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/DBA444-1.html
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/DBA445-1.html
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/DBA443-1.html
Here is a BF review:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488736
Knife Tests ReviewL
http://www.knifetest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60&page=2
Destrution Test on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7TWkLJ8ZmY
 
Jack Black said:
Boker have a 'Camp Bowie' in their budget Magnum range, which might be worth looking at. It's clearly modelled after the Becker Companion, but with inferior steel. Apparently with a bit of work though it'll take a reasonable edge and is a tough user.

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Click to expand...

That looks interesting. Have you seen them in stock anywhere?
 
Machete + Mora (or SAK) will cost about $20

All that you really need.
 
i believe Cold Steels khukri machete runs arround 20 bucks depending on where you buy it, im thinkin about getting one
 
btw, I should clarrify, I have a Becker BK9, Ka-Bar, Izula and soforth.
This will not be relied upon as a survival tool...this is for my young nephew...

He insists he wants to buy a knife of his own. I'm leary of the cheap junk fixed blades you can find for a few bucks on places like Smokey Mountain.I want to steer him toward something that is unlikely to flat out break if he uses it while learning to baton and whatnot.
 
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