Actual Experiences with tough "survival" blades

JW Knives

JW Knives

Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
566
I'm looking to purchase a full tang, fixed blade, plain edge knife to use on my outdoor adventures. My buddies and I do a lot of fishing/hiking/camping and until now I have always had a small hatchet and a Spyderco Endura for the trips.

I'm looking for some guidance and in particular, any true stories that will back up your suggestions...

Thanks
 
My survival knives have been tested at home to make sure they will work if needed. A survival knife is not a user knife, they are far too valuable to risk dulling, loseing or breaking. I will not use any of them again untill there is an emergency, and then only maybe. Any other fixed blade at $50 or above will work as a user.
 
Never had to "survive" in the wilds. With what is packed in my daybag and my head, along with my location, at most I would end up having an unplanned overnighter or two. And be quite comfortable as well.

However I am confident my F1 would perform if needed to. I have performed a variety of tasks with my outdoors knife to know it will not fail.

Just a few examples, I don't photograph everything I do.

Trap making..

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Wet weather fire starting.

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Tool making (spoon in this case)

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I know it's not exactly what you are asking for, but I would suggest to start by adding a light weight $10-$30 Mora to your current carry. It will go very well with the hatchet. Carry this for some time and then try one of the "tough survival" blades and see what works better for you.
 
winbag338 said:
My survival knives have been tested at home to make sure they will work if needed. A survival knife is not a user knife, they are far too valuable to risk dulling, loseing or breaking. I will not use any of them again untill there is an emergency, and then only maybe. Any other fixed blade at $50 or above will work as a user.
Click to expand...

What do you mean not a user knife? Just how can you be comfortable using the knife if you don't use it? Don't you know its limits so you won't break it? Don't you know how to sharpen if it gets dull? As to loosing, heck I have never lost a knife.

The F1 in my photos has been my go to knife for years. I know what it can do, because I use it everyday.
 
Fallkniven: A1, A2, S1, F1... (pretty much any Fallkniven will do). They are all tough as nails and require very little maintenance. Best stainless steel survival type knives money can buy. Period.

Bark River: Bravo 1, Bravo 2, Aurora, Canadian Special (make sure to keep them oiled as they use A2 carbon tool steel). If you like carbon, Bark River makes awesome bushcraft knives

ESEE: Any will work fine for outdoor adventures, but the steel is pretty ordinary (basic carbon 1095). Easy to sharpen but watch out for rust. Blades are coated which is helpful but edges are not. Rust can attack the edge, travel under the black coating and mess up the whole knife.
 
JW Knives said:
I'm looking to purchase a full tang, fixed blade, plain edge knife to use on my outdoor adventures. My buddies and I do a lot of fishing/hiking/camping and until now I have always had a small hatchet and a Spyderco Endura for the trips.

I'm looking for some guidance and in particular, any true stories that will back up your suggestions...

Thanks
Click to expand...

Do your friends carry knives or cutting tools? Perhaps you could choose something to compliment what they have or don't have?

I'm not knocking Fallkniven or ESEE, but for the price of one of them you could buy a fish filleting knife, a machete, a Mora and a folding saw. I think for the activities you do these would be far more useful than just one blade (however nice it is), and with your hatchet and lock knife you'll be set for just about any adventure!
 
For the price, you could buy other tools. But they add weight. But if you loose one, you're okay because you have other tools. If all you have is a knife and you loose it, you're skrewed. It's something to think about.

But.... if you're looking for a tough fixed blade with full tang, look at Busse and Swamp Rat. I've beaten the snot out of my Busses and the only damage I've ever done to them (which is only minimal) is when I've hit nails (accidentally) and it rolled the edge, and I use my NMSFNO as a thrower sometimes. I had a throw get away from me and the tid drilled a cinder block. Only managed to fubar the edge (still sharp, but it's got serrations from where the INFI got mashed), and a little work with some sandpaper and it will be good as new.
 
Yeah, I chose the word because when the average person thinks of a "survival" blade they think of fixed blade, full tang design...
 
You've got the right idea, full tang, slab handles. There's a lot to choose from as mentioned above. It really comes down to what you like style wise. I'd suggest you also look at SwampRat's knives as they are very good bang for the buck. Good steel, good heat treat, decent prices. Available at their website and on the exchange.
 
winbag338 said:
My survival knives have been tested at home to make sure they will work if needed. A survival knife is not a user knife, they are far too valuable to risk dulling, loseing or breaking. I will not use any of them again untill there is an emergency, and then only maybe. Any other fixed blade at $50 or above will work as a user.
Click to expand...

i really don't get your line of thinking here...

as for my "survival knife"; it's a zt100...i have stuck that blade in rock cracks and used it as a stepping stone; it is a TOUGH knife, it gets USED.
 
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