Best SERE survival blade?

sideways said:
Honestly something like a mora 2000 would be perfectly adequate for survival vest carry. With the money you save pick up a personal locator beacon. The goal is to be found, not to make smores with the grizzlies.
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Very good point.
 
Since you will be working extensively around saltwater, I would agree with Mistwalker that stainless would be a good idea to think about.

You might want to take a look at Gravelle Knives, they are customizable and made by a Blade Forums member. I have not had the opportunity to handle one of his knives myself, but I have heard only good things about him and his knives. His field knife has a 5" blade, comes in S35VN or 3V with G10 or Micarta handles. He makes the field knife with full flat grinds as well as saber grinds, so you can decide if you want to optimize for strength or slicing. And his knives come under your upper limit. Custom made knives are not out of the realm of possibility in your price range.

One other piece of advice for you to take or leave, is don't be afraid to buy a less expensive knife to dip your toes in these types of knives. When I was getting ready to pull the trigger on my first $200+ knife I bought a number of less expensive knives that had some of the features I was looking at to see if those features were actually what I wanted. For example you could pick up the Buck Selkirk, they can be found in the $50 range, and it looks like a solid knife, stainless, versatile sheath, and ferro rod. The steel is Buck's standard 420HC, and the knife is made in China, but it would allow you to try out a solid survival knife for less than you might pay otherwise. And who knows, it might be just the knife for you.
 
craytab said:
Very good point.
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We carry survival beacons on our persons when flying, and the aircraft itself is fitted with a few extra

Due to the remote locations, search and rescue may not be able to reach us for 1-2 days. Maybe even longer.

I haven't heard of a lot of these companies, only the standard ones. Definitely checking these out!
 
lew272 said:
We carry survival beacons on our persons when flying, and the aircraft itself is fitted with a few extra

Due to the remote locations, search and rescue may not be able to reach us for 1-2 days. Maybe even longer.

I haven't heard of a lot of these companies, only the standard ones. Definitely checking these out!
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Glad to hear that.

About the stainless recommendation. Not a bad idea. The GSO you are looking at comes in 3v which is semi-stainless. I have a couple knives in this steel and it is currently my favorite. Haven't had any rust issues and here in the NE during the summer it is very humid. Just a very fine bluing patina. Sort of attractive really. If you went with one of the more traditional stainless options S35VN would be my choice.
 
I'm really surprised that Canforces doesn't equip you. Pilot survival knives have been around for a very long time in many forms.

If you want to become a knifenut there have been many great suggestions made.

But if you don't there is the US pilot knife Ontario Model 499 (my father carried this when he flew F-4 Phantoms off aircraft carriers) as well as the Ontario Spec Plus SP2 Air Force Survival knife.

The sawbacks on the spines of these knives might actually be useful in sawing Plexiglas or non-structural aircraft skin.
Modest prices and good-enough quality mean you can sew one to your vest and buy another for practice. The 499 might be a little better in that it has a big metal nut on the pommel which can be used for hammering things (like canopy shards).

I've carried an SP2 for truly hundreds of hiking miles over the last 20 years. Never really had to test its durability but it was there if needed.
 
unimogbert said:
I'm really surprised that Canforces doesn't equip you. Pilot survival knives have been around for a very long time in many forms.
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I'm guessing he's a commercial pilot. There are a lot of helos around there moving people or equipment to worksites.
 
Google 'pilot survival knife' and read the willowhavenoutdoor.com review of the Ontario 499 written by a former USAF survival instructor.

Note that the USAF (and USN) also equips their crewmembers with a 4 bladed pocket knife. (Camillus is the one my father has) Awl, spear point blade, can opener, and bottle opener/screwdriver blade.

Of course in this case ERE is to evade, resist and escape from BEARS! I'm not so sure a knife is sufficient to that task.

Are there legal issues with large blade knives in Canada? (just asking because I don't know)
 
unimogbert said:
Ah. That would explain it.
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I'm in the Canadian Forces. They don't issue us a specific fixed blade knife. There's plenty of gear on board for us to survive with, however they don't issue the individual a fixed blade.
 
lew272 said:
I'm in the Canadian Forces. They don't issue us a specific fixed blade knife. There's plenty of gear on board for us to survive with, however they don't issue the individual a fixed blade.
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Must be a cultural difference. Or policy or something.

But since you're shopping you obviously can carry an individually supplied item. Which is good.

I failed to mention that Ontario also makes something called the ASEK which is the modern US military version of the Ontario 499. It includes a seat belt cutter which is a major functional difference (and probably a good idea). Sure would hate to slash your jugular when you only meant to cut your shoulder strap while hanging upside down, eh?
 
That's why they call it "Stores", it's for storing. If they wanted you to have that stuff they'd call it "Issues".
 
A lot of great knives listed here, Love the Beckers and Esees, I don't know what you mean by don't break the bank but schrade has a few very budget friendly options around $50. They do tend to be quite thick behind the edge so maybe not the best cutters (some of the Beckers and Esees would have the same problem).
Good luck with the search from a fellow Canadian
 
I have seriously looked at the ESEE 5, and the BK 12. I don't plan on stripping the coating off and hopefully that will protect the majority of the blade from corrosion.

I am planning on picking up a GSO 5.1 as soon as I can for my personal use. I dropped the ball and didn't order one back when they were taking pre-orders.

Thanks for all of your suggestions!
 
I think you'll love the GSOs. There are some great suggestions above and I am sure you'll be happy with any of them but in the mean time you need a good sub $100 knife. I'd suggest a Condor Knife and Tool, maybe a bushlore. They are about $60 to $75, made of 1075. If you need something cheaper then I would get a Mora Heavy Duty for about $15 to $17, basically 1095 steel. You'll get a great knife that will be a good back up for the 5.1 that you'll get later this year. If you want spend a bit more money then I would suggest an Ontario SK5 for about $125 to $150 and it comes with a sheath. It's stainless steel but it's supposed to be a great knife.
 
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