best survival folder

[JasonG]

Edited: couldn't be bothered .

 

[midnight flyer]

I'm still not understanding what this "graduate school residency" is and why there are so many rules about what can be carried or even what the OP is going to be doing out in the woods. Is this some kind of survival challenge?

I would imagine that these requirements are more for the protection of the environment and fellow students than to limit the utility of the devices they can bring. Ever take your boy scout troop or a group of guys camping that aren't experienced? They saw and hack on things, they try to chop with their knives for no other reason than they can, they use the magnifying glasses to start fires, and on an on. Less experienced or less concerned people tend to do these things and a lot more.

The organizers had to set a baseline of their descriptions set to be easy to understand, too. Regardless, someone will disregard the rules or try to break them because they feel they are unfair or stupid. To make that point, look at the responses that have been made here. Do what you want, screw the rules, or at least make them enforce them.

There is probably no multitool because many have saws. I am sure that same logic is used for the ferro rods. In all the areas that have been destroyed by irresponsible fire handling, why would you want to put fire starting equipment in the hands of a bunch of guys that probably don't have a lot of outdoor experience? No fixed blades as someone would no doubt bring a sharpened crowbar crowned "the battle mistress BMF" on the camping trip. As you can see here, it becomes a competition to see what you can get away with, pushing the limits of the rules.

This thread is interesting as it has gone from OP's week outdoors with other college students that will be temporarily without cell phone use (*gasp*) to assuming you will need all manner of near survival capabilities placed on one knife. The fear of the outdoors is so great that some are advocating bringing just about anything they want, anything they can sneak in.

It makes me wonder how we got along as "rough campers" in the early 60s with just a boy scout knife in our pockets. We gathered firewood, made our tinder as shown above by breaking and splitting small wood branches (also, it is amazing what a 20 pound rock can do to a 1" branch) and didn't need to carry a separate bag just for cutting instruments and survival gear. Even for a 10 year old boy, the 2 1/2" blade did all of our craft (lean to shelters, rope cutting and weaving, fire starting competitions, carving and whittling, etc.) projects and everything we needed when coupled with the other blades and a good helping of common sense.

If I was the OP, I would take quality blade that I liked, one that rode easily in the pocket that was sharp as the dickens. After all, it is only for a week. And even more important to realize, if it was a true survival camp there would be few restrictions on the equipment and some of the items purposely excluded would probably be mandatory.

Robert

 

[Smokinape]

If I was the OP, I would take quality blade that I liked, one that rode easily in the pocket that was sharp as the dickens.

Totally agree, dickens sharp is the only way to go in a scenario like this...

 

[Torm]

...

Robert

There really doesn't seem to be any call for such a condescending post towards anyone who chooses to use a fixed blade or who takes responsibility for their own safety. After all, anyone with a shred of common sense should have a method of making fire while in the woods and not entrust something so basic to someone else's care. You also mention damage from fire handling right after a statement about ferro rods. While neither one of us can pull the stats on how much damage has been caused by fires started with ferro rods I'd put money on it not being too many, in fact far less than matches or lighters. Even if a fire was started by a ferro rod how exactly would that differ than a fire started by a magnifying glass or any other method? It doesn't matter how its started so long as the result is fire and its started in a safe place. If someone wants to start one with a magnifying glass then great, that's now a valid skill they've practiced rather than just read about.

In short, my point is that if this is a week to get out and learn then the only way to do so is to learn the proper methods for using the equipment they choose, not having someone else do it for a fella like he's in cub scouts again. And if that equipment shows itself to be ill-suited for the task at hand then all the better since the fella would learn that from experience, not from someone's seemingly arbitrary (and bizarre) rulebook.

 

[Lee D]

all discussions aside, Id like to add...I hope the OP has a good time. whenever a man gets off the grid and gets to enjoy the outdoors, it is time well spent....be safe

 

[theaxel]

im not sure if someone has said it already but you could look at the wildsteer wx this looks to have one of the biggest lock ive ever seen

 

[Ford1911]

Lots of people have had their Axis lock knives rendered non-locking when the teeny tiny springs break. Benchmade makes pretty, smooth opening knives with liner locks, but not durable ones due to the "weakest link" being that spring. Compared to a Compression Lock, which is one strong piece of spring steel, the axis is far too complicated and fragile.

An axis lock is one of the last designs I'd choose for the woods, or anywhere else I wouldn't be able to mail my broken knife to benchmade to have more springs installed because they refuse to sell or send out springs.

I would argue that lots of people have had the axis lock rendered non-locking by the omega spring breaking. Both springs would have to break for that to happen. I think the odds of both springs breaking at the same time would be pretty high.

 

[dragonram7]

One of the guys at work offered to let me take his cs rajah 1. He carries it to work everyday in a mini bug out bag. I have always been a kukhri fan. I stepped away from cs a few years back. I also looked at the cs spartan. Due to work, I had to shift my blade hq day to thursday. I think the consideration isnt a week in the woods. I always try to carry the best equipment in case things change out there quickly. I'd rather be over prepared than take a product which is all hype. Granted there are many choices out in the market place. I think thats why I can for recommendations based on use in the field.

 

[Fanglekai]

Robert

Well the problem is the OP never stated what he's going to be doing, if anyone else is bringing firestarting gear or whatever, if they're going to be camping or in cabins or what. For all anyone knows he's going off into the middle of bear country to camp in tents for a week. Or they could be going to cabins with electricity. The OP has not clarified anything even though I mentioned this twice already in the thread. Without knowing what the parameters are there's no way to give good advice.

 

[dragonram7]

The parameters are unknown to the class. Wish I had more information. They gave us an equipment list ( very concise) and were told to bring sleeping bags, water 2 liters, hoody or fleece jacket, baseball cap, wool cap, light hikers/trailnshoes, dry wick clothing, and a pocket knife. We signed waivers which mentioned wild animals. Listed medical concerns. I researched the 3rd parties involved and they are more survival based outfits. I thought id try to be prepared for that. In my training over the years, the reliable knife is really the only tool I need in the woods. If I have that, everything else is icing. Again, wish I had more information. I figured an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure. That is why I thought I ask the forum.

 

[Grateful]

I skipped to the end of this thread so forgive me if I missed something important. My first choice would have to be my Victorinox Fieldmaster. Saks are just so useful and I feel like the Fieldmaster or Huntsman is the perfect balance between size/utility and pockability.
My second choice, and my choice if saks are not available would be......well I can't choose. Either my Spyderco Endura 4 or my Case cv blades 3254 Trapper. Two very different knives but both folders I am very fond of. Either one would serve me, and most other people, well.
Just my humble opinion but trying to split wood with a folder is crazy talk. My 2 cents.
Jim

 

[chambelona59]

If limited to a 'folder', my Bravo 1, can dig, pry, cut.
If allowed a multi-tool, my Surge.

 

[dragonram7]

I forgot about the pohl. I look atvit on Thursday. Thanks

 

[Thomas Linton]

I carry a Vic "Farmer" almost all the time out of the house, but I would not count on it staying sharp for a week -- so would have a sharpener if a SAK is the choice.

I could think of many more damage-resistant folders that are still capable of cutting, from a Manix 2 up to the monster Lone Wolf Harsey T3 (I bought it just to deal with fixed blades being all so big and dangerous as compared to any fixed-blade.).

(Given a choice, I would have a 4" fixed + a SAK.)

 

[SoCal_kid]

SAK





Why?

The OP is going to spend a limited amount of time in what I assume are mountains in Utah/Wyoming.
This time of year, the weather shouldnt be too bad for carbon steel with proper care.
I saw no stipulation against bringing a small piece of cloth or a rag AND one of those micro-bottles of BreakFree for wiping the blade after use.
With proper care, I see no problem with bringing for example a carbon blade as opposed to the SAK, that I suggested myself.

I like both rust resistant knives and carbon steel blades, but in this case would not see rust retention as being a huge factor, as the OP should be able to circumvent that problem with (relative) ease hence the advantages of a carbon steel blade MAY outweigh the advantage of rust resistance.

NB Im not disputing your guys comments - Im asking.

I was just trying to narrow down some knives for him. I've had knives rust in my gear in a day before I could get to it with break free and a rag. Once a knife starts pitting it never seems to be the same to me. I'm speaking from personal experience so I'm biased by that I guess. I like a knife that I don't have to worry about being pitted by the end of the day AND I like a knife that stays sharp for a while and rakes an edge relatively easily.

 

[D-R0CK]

ontario RAT model 1 folder. it is really easy to sharpen.

Agreed. The Rat 1 is extremely comfortable, ergonomic, cheap, has decent steel that can be sharpened in the field and is at home preparing food as it is chopping boughs. Bonus if you can sneak in a para-cord lanyard like this one.

 

[JayGoliath]

I'll take my SOG PowerAssist at any time, maybe the Paratool.

If it has to be a folder then it will be ZT MUDD.

 

[razorsdescent]

This kind of question always strikes me as a goofy mindset, but I guess I'll play too.

If multi-tools are allowed, my leatherman WAVE is my first choice. A locking blade, and a locking saw are godsends in almost all environments.


If I have to rely on an actual folding knife, then its a toss up between my sebenza insingo or my Greyman Satu,

 

[dragonram7]

Unfortunately Multitools were not on the very narrow equipment list. I have the wave, supertool, x6 juice, and swisstool. It'll be difficult to leave them as they would be a go to with my fixed blade. I get one pocketknife.

 

[chambelona59]

Agreed. The Rat 1 is extremely comfortable, ergonomic, cheap, has decent steel that can be sharpened in the field and is at home preparing food as it is chopping boughs. Bonus if you can sneak in a para-cord lanyard like this one.

I have to say/admit, I really was not familiar with The 'Rat' and owned nothing from this company.
But last month after reading some reviews, I decided to purchase a 'Rat II'.... I'm really surprised just how much I like it,
absolutely superb fit, finish, razor sharp out of the box, perfectly even bevels, centered blade.... it literally flies open with just a minimal push
on the thumb stub, I am really amazed that a made in China $27.00 knife could be so good!

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1071938-EDC-III-Which-knife-or-knives-are-you-carrying-today?p=12440456#post12440456