best survival folder

Glad you found something that will work for you. Also glad you went with my suggestion. Unless something terrible happens, the Spartan will serve you fine for a long time.
 
Thanks for the recommendations. If all goes well, I'll let you know how the week goes. Loading the maxpedition/Condor up now.
 
I'm curious to here back about how the trip goes and if, in the end, you consider the Spartan to be "good weight".

I think MidnightFlyer has nailed it and that the course is designed around minimal impact techniques and skills. This approach will probably rely exclusively on stoves and tents and I strongly suspect the primary fire damage they are looking to avoid is not forest fires but fire rings and unsustainable wood harvesting.

Note, I'm not saying its always wrong to have a fire. Just noting that with good mountaineering/backpacking skills, they're unneeded even in nearly all emergency situations.

The guys who "wrote the books" on this approach were Colin Fletcher (The Complete Walker) and Harvey Manning (The Freedom of the Hills), both of whom carried SAK/camper style slip joints. Here's a quote from Manning's book:

"For special purposes a hunting knife is superior, as are double-bitted axes, cavalry sabers, Gatling guns, and dynamite, but a modest mountaineer contents himself with a modest blade."

As much as I dig the utility of the camper/SAK pattern, I prefer the feel of a single blade folder and the utility of a key chain sized multi tool. I carry a Leatherman PS4 Squirt in my repair/1st aid kit for the pliers (drive needles for field repair of packs) and scissors (cut moleskin and bandages).

My criteria for a knife be that it be light enough for pocket carry, long enough for food prep and easy to sharpen in the field. On long trips, I carry a DMT credit card stone for touch ups. The Opinel 8 meets all these requirements perfectly. So does the 9. Added bonus: it's an easy folder to push into battoning if utterly demanded. Just leave it in friction mode.

In the end, people can carry whatever makes them happiest.
 
Definitely one of the new Cold Steel Voyagers. Preferably the clip or tanto with plain edge, not the Vaquero.
 
I was thinking a zt then I said wait, who wants to thrash on such a expencive knife? Same with y'all's Adamas. Then it hit me (ouch) cold steel voyager xl clip point. Hate to break it to ya, but the triad lock way stronger than a frame lock or axis lock. Sorry!
 
Buck 110 Folding Hunter, it's such a solid option and at a price point that you won't feel awful if you really tear it up. Plus it's a nice heirloom to be passed down through the generations.
 
dragonram7 said:
I went to blade hq last night. I almost pulled the trigger on the zt 560 carbon fiber. I decided to go with the cold steel spartan. If i ruin it, I wont feel bad due to the price point. II went away from cold steel a number of years ago. I will take it with me in the mountains next week and report back.
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Looking forward to it.

JMO on what I figured based on the parameters handed you:

1. A medium to large blade to handle multiple tasks.

2. The blade length stated above would correspond with a FULL SIZED handle to minimize grip and wrist fatigue when used for long periods (a bonus if it would be very ergonomic with no "hot spots" in multiple grips).

3. Blade/edge geometry (including THICKNESS) should be able to address various tasks like FOOD PREPARATION (slicing/peeling/skinning), WOOD CRAFTING (notching/coring/splitting) and other sundry DETAIL CUTTING (cutting various materials to shape). A super thick blade sacrifices VERSATILITY for too much "strength".

4. As for EDGE RETENTION, I suppose it depends on what school of thought you want to belong; super edge holding necessitates for you to pack special systems or diamond abrasives. Personally, I just want something that touches up easy with a smooth stone in the field.

5. LOCKS in knives have 2 (yep TWO) aspects: obviously the first is STRENGTH then the comes the second; RELIABILITY. A lock may indeed be strong but if it has too many integral parts for it to function or might be affected by a ham-handed grip or affected externally (think DUST, MUD, SAND), isn't also good. Best rule is always KISS.

6. A outdoors saw like a pruning or pack saw or a Sven saw will exponentially make life easier around camp to supplement said folder.

7. . . . AND cost effective enough to be readily replaced.
 
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Hello!

Only talking about folders, my personal choice would be the Fox Pro Hunter:

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I also own a copy of the Spartan and find neither the bulk nor the blade shape particularily useful for "typical" outdoor jobs and things like preparing food. The steel is not too hard to sharpen, but mine needs to be resharpened all of the time after just a little use. Also, to me sharpening in the field would be easier without the pronounced recurve:

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May I ask, why no fixed knife?

Regards,
Alex
 
I was considering the samecthing. I'm sure the contego would be fine but I really bought for an edc. I've heard so much about the Tri-ad that inpicked up the Spartan. Per recommendations here, I secreted the bm 940 and a swisstool in my bag. I plan on using the spartan for everything. However, I have a plan b and c just in case. Looks like an early moring, we report tomorrow at 0715 hours. Its about 1 1/2 hours away.
 
I think you will find the Spartan tough enough, but not nearly as useful as a thinner blade.

Honestly, my initial post for the Recon 1 was because of the thinner flat grind.


Get an Opinel. Thin, and locking. Pretty tough, actually. Slices wood better than any other knife I have used. I convexed the edge on my little one, and it removes wood shavings like no other knife!
 
So how did the spartan work out on the trip? It's caught my eye with all the talk about it. Was wondering your thoughts on how it did.
 
A.P.F. said:
There are few things in the woods that one can't do with a Buck 110, a dash of knowledge and a pinch of common sense.
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I was waiting for that one. Still have the one I got in the Marines in the 70's. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. One bad folder still going strong. I use others as well but won't get rid of this old friend.
 
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