Anybody use thier survival knives?

Bill Siegle

Bill Siegle

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2000
Messages
6,809
OK, I am NOT looking for folks to spout their opinions of the concept. I AM looking to hear from folks who've actually used a Lile , Parrish, Crain(no discussing ethics please),or Randall. I have owned examples from each but have only carried the Lile SlyII(7incher) and a Parrish to the woods. I think they are cool knives plus I grew up with the Rambo craze so I know how you Iron mistress guys feel :D
 
Are you asking whether we've "used" our knives" OR Have we been stuck in a survival situation where the knife was needed and was used?

I own many knives, but only about 7 or 8 quality fixed blades and folders. ALL have been used (as knives are intended to be used) in either camping, hiking, or survival practicing. I don;t own a single knife that "resides" at home for fear of it getting scratched, dented, or dinged.
 
I have a Lile style knife made by Tim Britton. I used it some, but performance wise it pales by comparison to one of your knives, Bill, or say a Busse or Goode. The chopper I probably use the most when I do fly in hunts and fishing trips is a SRKWs Camp Tramp. It just works.
 
Bill, I use a 6 1/2" "Outdoorsman" from Bill Sanders. I would have to say it is my most favourite knife. I am not sure what finish he uses (I think it is a bearing blast - as opposed to bead) but it hardly takes scratches, marks or anything! The thing is bloody unbelievable...

Hollow handle, brown braided cotton wrap (12') and the cap is hardened for hammering and rests on a shoulder of the 304 s/s handle (which is thick walled). No compass on the underside. There is a seperate brass compass in the handle. Usual double cross guard of 304 s/s with thong / lashing holes...

Great thick leather sheath with stone under a flap at the back.

ATS34.

I love it!

did I say I love it?

Yes, I hear some of you, there is "Raker teeth" on the spine, but unlike most, they are staggered (offset) and super sharp. They grate tinder like nothing else I have ever used...

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I regularly use my large fixed blades (Bill Buxton, Busse, Chris Reeve, Mission, Sean O’Hare, and more), so that I’ll know what I can do with them if survival is an issue.
 
Does survival mean hollow-handle or just a rugged knife with little everyday function? If the latter, then, yes, chopping, cutting, digging, prying.
 
One of my Parrish Survivors is carried on my SWAT gear belt on a sheath made for me that holds my L-man supertool. Had to clear a few limbs for a sniper position a while back.

I use it for camping also.
 
Sorry for the post hijack, Gundy is there a way to contact you i was wanting to ask you about something outside this topic.
 
I have a Becks Tracker that I love and dont ever see getting rid of but to be frank....the TTW knife I make works alot better as an all around tool. Cant say it will saw, but for close work AND chopping a simple styled knife will always outwork a complicated one(in my hands anyway so maybe its the user :D )
 
I use my randall model 1, the sasquatch, and several other of the "survival" type knives. I bought them to use, not to sit around and derive great pleasure from it, especially the randalls.
 
I can vouch for Brian's TTW. It works very well indeed. The only problem is it is alot better looking than my Camp Tramp and a bit more expensive so when I go on trips where the camp knife might get used by several guys I leave the TTW at home and take the Tramp. I have had several so called survival knives over the years, including hollow handle versions, and I don't see the advantage.
 
Steelhed said:
I have had several so called survival knives over the years, including hollow handle versions, and I don't see the advantage.
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there is no advantage only a disadvantage.... but i think every1 knows what im talking about and it would be like beating a dead horse.
 
U.C. SEAL machete in ATS34. Birdsongs Black T coating, RC right about 58. Designed by Frank Lainhart. I think that is his name. This is an old style U.C. knife and truth be told never ever thought I would use a knife made by U.C.. This this is the real deal though when it comes to camp/survival knives. I have carried it alot strapped to my catquiver when stump shooting with my longbow.

Also used it a ton after the last major ice storm we had a few years back. Did a ton of chopping of downed limbs etc. I have used it camping as well as has my son. Great design and very good heat treat on the steel used. Coating has held up very well. Comfortable grip too. Sheath is suspect but is still working so I guess it can't be all that bad. Anyways this is about the only real large camp/survival knife I currently own. Keepem sharp
 
I use a Fallkniven F1 for a survival knife in my flight bag. Great little knife. It doesn't have to be a huge, Rambo-esque knife to be useful.
 
Pilot1 said:
I use a Fallkniven F1 for a survival knife in my flight bag. Great little knife. It doesn't have to be a huge, Rambo-esque knife to be useful.
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I totally agree. What you need is not a big knife, but a good knife. And whatever Fallkniven you pick, you can't go wrong (IMHO). I've been "playing" around with a F1 for some time and I've become addicted to it. Top quality and reliable. :)
 
STAGE 2 said:
Gundy, is your knife a 1 piece design?
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No mate, however, it is a very interesting connection method. Screwed threads and then a locking nut, however the handle also screws to the guard. it is not going to break unless I decide to peel off the top of a hummer....(yes, we do have those down here).

I spoke to the maker and challenged him about breaking it, he said "be my guest, but you will not"...

I believe him, the thing feels rock solid than others I have owned, even, dare I say it, better quality than my Randall 18.
 
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