Best knife for survival ?

Here are some decent real world choices - sort of $40 increments from L-R: Buck 119 (~$35 @ Wally World), Benchmade 201 Activator+ (~$75 mail order), Bark River Huntsman (~$115 mail order), Bark River Gameskeeper (~$155 mail order). They go from SS (420HC) to D2, then A2, L-R. Also, they migrate from long bevel hollow ground to pseudo-convex to real convex ground for the Barkies. Les Stroud, TV's 'Survivorman', carries a 119 - when he carries a separate knife from his usual multi-tool - for his week-long solo sojourns into the bush, deserted island, etc. It can also be pushed into service in the kitchen, my current use for my basic 119.

I still have the other three... the BM is an oddity - too many 'almost's' in it's use/description. The BR Huntsman fits a pocket sheath for a great woods walking companion, while the Gameskeeper is just a heavy-made good knife. Yeah, the 119 would serve as a great 'survival' knife. All four are US-made, except for the 119's sheath.

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You don't need to spend a fortune... familiarity with use/capabilities would be more important, I would think. Actually, I went for years thinking my Buck 110 was all I needed in the woods. Sadly, today I would have such angst deciding which new knife to carry, I'd probably do as I did last weekend... stay home and watch the tube!

Stainz
 
murderedsongbird said:
does anyone have a site for the Ranger Bush Knife?
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Ranger doesn't really do a "bush knife" if you're referring to mine that I posted above. What those of us who have a variant of it have done is asked Justin to modify his Shiv design. The Shiv was designed as a skeletonized low profile carry. However, it's a good start for a bush knife. The big modification I had done was to modify the blade profile to move the tip up and bring the edge all the way back to the handle. This makes more of a belly, and is more the scandinavian puuko-ish profile. Then slap some micarta on it, and you're good to go.

His site is http://www.rangerknives.com
 
Those shivs are pretty neat. Definately worth their salt. I will always recomend a ranger!
 
Here's my "weapon of choice" :)

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J.P. Peltonen, Ranger Puukko.

I originaly bought this more out of curiosity than necessity. I also used to think that this is way too big (over 6" blade) to be handy for general outdoors use.
Now that I've used it a couple of times in the woods, I'm totally convinced. Just last weekend I used it at an overnight hiking trip, and I couldn't be happier. It's incredibly handy for such a big blade.

Edit: updated the pic
 
I hate the fact that a knife the TB Tracker was used in a movie and automatically it becomes a gimmic knife , a novelty ..if every knife that was in a movie that you own and you found out it was in those movies ..would you call them gimmics?..novelties.. No you would still think it was a great knife. to this day i still dont understand everyones lame issue with the tracker (jack of all trades master of none ) blah blah blah their are people that way to ( jack of all trades master of none) you gonna call them useless too???
 
udtjim said:
One thing is for sure. If you can't survive with a 20-40 dollar knife, you won't make it with a 500.00 dollar knife either. A person with a little skill and knowledge can survive with a SAK or even no knife at all. Get a decent knife and learn how to use it, save the hype for mall survival nuts.
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+1 and as much perfect practice as you can get in. :)
 
First of all, was there not a more more recent public execution of the TBTracker that you could dig up? I was starting to get disappointed when no one was mentioning one of my knives, but then I noticed that THIS THREAD WAS LAST REPLIED TO BEFORE I MADE KNIVES. lol!

OmegaRadikill said:
I hate the fact that a knife the TB Tracker was used in a movie and automatically it becomes a gimmic knife , a novelty ..if every knife that was in a movie that you own and you found out it was in those movies ..would you call them gimmics?..novelties.. No you would still think it was a great knife. to this day i still dont understand everyones lame issue with the tracker (jack of all trades master of none ) blah blah blah their are people that way to ( jack of all trades master of none) you gonna call them useless too???
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To answer this, I don't recall anyone talking down about of any of the Ka-Bars or the other many knives used in this movie, because they are practical. Most people refer to the TB Tracker as gimmicky because there are gimmicky features on it, such as a "saw-back" that would take about 11 million times longer to use than to just chop through the wood.

There are a LOT of movies out there with good knives in them that never gave the knife itself a gimmicky reputation due to it's cameo. The TB Tracker is considered more gimmicky because of it's design as a "do-all survival knife". I hate to say it, but you're definitely paying a higher price for that knife because of hype. Also, if you're wondering why no one attacks the gimmickiness of all the other Tops knives or "survival do-all" knives, it's just because they aren't brought up or defended by someone every couple of months. Believe me, they still fall into the same category. You just don't see it as often.

As was said before, there are plenty of people out there who like the TB Trackers and enjoy the good aspects of the design. I'm sure that's true for the first two Rambo knives, the Predator machete, and just about everything on the Frost Cutlery channel.
 
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I am very happy with mine that was inspired from the original drawing from 1982, which was way before the movie you are referring. I have taken two of Cody Lundin's classes through Yavapai College. The saw teeth are for notching, not sawing. They are a larger version of a SAK. They are also useful for working with bones when the blade is stuck in a log. And for it being overpriced that is entirely subject to opinion. I make my coffee at home. A six dollar cup of Strarbuck's foo-foo every day will set one back $2190.00 a year. And no I don't own a Rambo, Preadator or Frost anything... As for experience JEST, 5th MEB DET M, 11th MEU(SOC).

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OAL: 13 inches Blade: 6 7/8 inches Spine Thickness: 0.245 inch Weight: 19 1/2 oz. Blade Steel: D2
Blade Hardness: 60 HRc Blade Width: 2.49 inches
Handle: Black Canvas Base Micarta, Copper/Stainless Loveless bolts and Copper Thong Tube
 
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I have the Tracker T1, and I love it. I will admit the price is out of sight. Also, it is an "advanced" knife. Most people are totally off set by the design when they get it in their hands. It is to most a turn off. If you get one, you will know what I mean as soon as you hold it. Personally, I love the design. It is my EDC. A ward of caution, if you can check the knife out before you buy it, do so. If you buy it, and decide you don't like it, it is not easy to get rid of. They do sell on auction sites, but you will not get what you paid for it.

With all that said, if you want more information on the blade's design and each individual feature's functions, I would be more than happy to help you.
 
sheepdog229 said:
The Tom Brown Tracker is a joke. Why don't you get this instead?
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No, it isn't. There is no blade with a 1/4" thickness, a length of roughly 5," sabre grind, and made of 1095 steel that is a joke.

Give me one GOOD reason, the Tracker is a joke. And, it better be good.
 
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Here is the article on the original design from 1982.

http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/trackerknife/trackermag/thetrackerv1-2pg11.html



And information on the current TOPS version which Dave Canterbury recommend prior to his Pathfinder knife.

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For the higher end budget I would have to recommend the Tom Brown Tracker1.
snip

http://www.wildernessoutfittersarchery.com/Pack_and_Carry.doc

http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/trackerknife/index.html



Instruction manual for the TOPS Tracker

http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/trackerknife/TrackerKnifeManual.pdf


In my opinion the best ones currently being made are from Tim Horan.

http://www.horanknives.com/index.php?itemid=2
 
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I also agree with some of the fellows here and say that the Tracker is kinda gimmicky. My prefered combo for the last 25 years has been a Swiss Army Huntsman (has a saw) in my pocket and a Ka bar USMC on my belt when venturing into the N.C. back country to Flyfish. For closer to home trips I substitute the Ka bar for a mora. Either one of this combinations has covered every single base every single time. The best part is that all three knives together cost around $85.00! Can't beat it in my opinion.
 
CM_Rick said:
No, it isn't. There is no blade with a 1/4" thickness, a length of roughly 5," sabre grind, and made of 1095 steel that is a joke.

Give me one GOOD reason, the Tracker is a joke. And, it better be good.
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Well since you asked politely...


At almost 2 lbs (that's right 1lb, 12oz) it has a 4.25" blade AND cost $299. Compare that to the BK2, just for example. It has more reach, more capability, much less weight, and can be had for around $55. Plus, the BK2 is not embarrassing to own since it hasn't been over-hyped in a crappy Hollywood movie.

http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?products_id=155

I stand my ground. The Tom Brown tracker is a joke.
 
Im undecided on the tracker design,

in theory it sounds good, you get a hatchet/knife in one package. I think the design lacks in general utility when compared to the standard knife design tho. I think skinning and boning out an animal would be a pain in the arse although possible to do with the tracker. For survival you need a knife that can chop wood, prepare game, build shelter and if its the only tool you have do all the said tasks to a reasonable standard. I dont believe you would gain anything in these areas with a tracker.

the above being said, people who's opinions I respect like CM Rick and other good friends of mine who own and use the tracker really like them and use them amazingly well. So I really dont know. For me Ive used both the 1/4 inch and 3/16 inch thick models and I cant say I would part with my cash to own one.

for a survival knife I wouldnt buy one as my first knife, they require more skill and understanding of the design concept to use well compared to a standard design.

heres a list of where I would be looking for a good first survival knife

production knives:

esee or becker make great knives for a great price, time tested designs, good quality and easy on the bank account make me come back to these makers again and again

if you want to spend more falkniven and bark river make nice blades, also scrapyard, busse if your rich.

I really believe the esee 4 and the BK2 are the best bang for the buck as a woods/ survival knife, the esee 4 is light, well made and does all bush craft/hunting tasks to a good standard, take a look in the esee forum if you dont want to take my word for it.

the BK2 is the closest thing Ive found to the best alrounder for the woods, I used to be into high end customs until one day I used a BK2, even tho it's a 1/4 inch thick the grind is quite thin compared to the esee 5 making it a good slicer but an amazing wood processing tool, the only area it lacks in is game processing as IMHO its a bit thick

if you want to go the custom route, this forum has some amazing knife makers, they have great reputations and they activly test there knives in forum events and support the community here, Ive dealt with a couple and I would have to say they were the best knife buying experiences Ive ever had.

good luck on the decision,

regards,

Stew
 
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