Best survival folder?

The 110 might not be a bad choice but I would take either of these two knives over it, the Kershaw 1050 and the Schrade LB7+.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/kershaw1050htm.htm

The LB7+ has stabilized wood scales. I've seen lots of broken scales on the 110, never seen any on the LB7+. The LB7+ has a stainless steel pivot pin, the Buck has a brass one. Lots of guys like to loosen up the blade so they could flick their 110 open. Hard to do with a stainless steel pin. And the steel is 440C. And this particular one is amazing at holding an edge. Don't know if the newer LB7s are as good though. This knive is probably 15 years old and has butcher many deer. Yeah it is a Buck Imitation but Schrade at least didn't make a half a$$ imitation.

But I will still take the Kershaw over it as a "survival" folder. The spine is thicker and the blade is tougher. This is a knife I wouldn't be afraid to hammer on if I was trying to dig the heart wood out of a stump to get some dry tinder to start a fire or chop saplings for a shelter. The false edge on the 110 and LB7 would be less amenable to this.

We all know that in a real survival situation you have to make do with what you have. But I think that point is irrelevant to the "what if" question I originally posed. Sure, any ol' knife will HAVE to do, if that's all you have. That's really just stating the obvious. But, as the boy scout motto sez, "Be Prepared." And that's what "what if" survival scenarios are all about, anticpating the future and being prepared for it.

The brain IS the most important survival tool we have, but that also means we should use it BEFORE we end up in an unfortunate situation so that if we have to "make do," we have the best advantage we can plan for. A little forethought can save your life. A lack of a little forethought and too much complacency can lose it.

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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
From what I've seen, I would have to go with the Al Mar SERE series. The original was a chunk of cutting hardware, the 2000 looks even better!



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Plainsman
primitiveguy@hotmail.com
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Plainsman's Cabin Forums</A>
 
Microtech L-UDT auto.

Benchmade Axis 710 non auto.

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RICK - Left Handers Unite

[This message has been edited by RGRAY (edited 06-14-2000).]
 
Since the discussion about knives in the wilderness has stuck around a while, I'll add my second comment on survival tools. Should I be forced out into the woods, with nothing but a few sparse tools, I would trade that nice knife of mine for a one quart pot and a bic lighter anyday. (I'd even take a coffee can and a ferro rod, I can strike sparks with a rock)

A knife is nice, and will certainly make many things easier for me, but I can build a snare or a deadfall without a knife. I can build a shelter without a knife. I can build a fire without a knife. I can make a signal without a knife.

With a knife alone, I can probably improvise something to boil water and cook snared animals in, but it's not the easiest of chores. With a knife alone, I can, with mmuch effort, build a fire, but not in wet conditions, or even suitably damp conditions.

With a pot and a firestarter, I can have clean water to drink. I can build a shelter with my hands. I can signal to rescuers. These things will keep me going for a week or more. I can build fishtraps, snares and deadfalls without a knife to feed me.

All in all, I would rather have a good knife than a bad knife, but I'd rather have a pot and a firestarter than a knife. I would stick a knife in my pocket for my third chocie though, if it makes any of ya'll feel better...
smile.gif



Stryver, speaking heresy on Bladeforums
 
Hi All,
For the most part I'm with Stryver. But to answer your question..... SOG Tomcat. It doesn't do anything well, but it's like having a tank in your pocket, weight is about the same too
wink.gif
.
Dan
 
Originally posted by Stryver:
With a knife alone, I can probably improvise something to boil water and cook snared animals in, but it's not the easiest of chores. With a knife alone, I can, with mmuch effort, build a fire, but not in wet conditions, or even suitably damp conditions.

Stryver, speaking heresy on Bladeforums
Click to expand...

You make some very good points, Stryver, but I'm not sure they are really relevant to this particular thread. I never said anything about having only a knife. It was supposed to be a thread on folding knives that would be preferred for "survival" use (given a choice).

Your discussion sounds more like a previous thread "If you only had a choice of one or two things..." You might want to find that thread and revive it.

And I think this thread is relevant. There are many people who just prefer folders over fixed blades, so that is all they carry (I'm not one of them, btw.) But there are many people who ride horses into the wilderness and often carry folders instead of fixed blades because they are safer if you take a spill. And suppose you do take a spill? And your pony runs off. With all your food, and snares, and survival goodies. And all you have left is the folder on your hip and a Hershey's candy bar in you shirt pocket. And not a pot to pi$$ in.
wink.gif



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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman

[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 06-16-2000).]
 
Schrade "Uncle Henry" Bearpaw. Kind of a beefed up Buck 110. Its got a steel pivot pin instead of the brass one. I've carried one for about 15 years, one of my all time favorites. Throws a spark. Sharpens up nice. Voted "Best in the field" by BOSS (Boulder outdoor Survival School) This is one knife you can count on.
 
Originally posted by bill clancy:
Schrade "Uncle Henry" Bearpaw. Kind of a beefed up Buck 110. Its got a steel pivot pin instead of the brass one. I've carried one for about 15 years, one of my all time favorites. Throws a spark. Sharpens up nice. Voted "Best in the field" by BOSS (Boulder outdoor Survival School) This is one knife you can count on.
Click to expand...

Bill,
Check out my earlier post in this thread on this knife. There's a picture of the Schrade LB7 aka Bearpaw beside the Kershaw 1050. The Bearpaw 'tis indeed a great lockback.

But you know, I'm still hankering for a more beefy blade with flat grind. I think the 1050 is getting there. Don't know about a lot of the knives also mentioned in this thread. I have great expectations of the Busse folder coming out, though.

Also, does anyone the spine thickness of the spydie Military and the new Al Mar people are mentioning?


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Hoodoo

And so, to all outdoor folks, the knife is
the most important item of equipment.

Ellsworth Jaeger - Wildwood Wisdom
 
If there was a possibility that this survival situation could go on for an extended period of time my first choice would be my Mission MPF Ti. A big super strong knife with a beta ti blade, titanium slabs and a bulletproof frame lock. All this and it's corrosion proof and weighs 40% less than a comparable steel knife.

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Semper Fi
 
My personal favorite is my Spyderco Wegner. It's large enough to be useful in a wide variety of situations and small enough not to be cumbersome. It is also tough as nails! It has thick scales and a great blade profile. The lock has never come close to failing me. Now if only they made one in D2 instead of ATS34......
 
Hoodoo,

Very true. Personally, I carry a spydie native most everywhere. Unfortunately, I have not yet found a suitable folding pot (But would be open to suggestions should someone else know of one).


Stryver
 
I agree with Hoodoo and Clancy. My Schrade LB7 is reliable to the max and is a great survival knife. A friend of mine has a Spyderco Catcherman (folding filet knife) and he loves it. I must admit, he can do alot more with it than I thought a filet knife could.
 
Originally posted by Stryver:
Hoodoo,

Very true. Personally, I carry a spydie native most everywhere. Unfortunately, I have not yet found a suitable folding pot (But would be open to suggestions should someone else know of one).

Stryver
Click to expand...

I think a folding pot would be doable. You ever see those cone-shaped collapsable metal cups that fold absolutely flat and then you slide them open and kinda give them a snap to seal them at the bottom? If someone made a pot that way, it might be just the ticket.

Or [brilliant flash of insight coming]...you could do like Johnny Appleseed and wear a pot on your head. It worked for him.
wink.gif


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Hoodoo

And so, to all outdoor folks, the knife is the most important item of equipment.

Ellsworth Jaeger - Wildwood Wisdom
 
When I got the Carnivore in my hands two years ago at the SHOT show. My first thought was "this is the S.E.R.E. folder of the decade". I have carried it almost every day since then. I have not changed my mind. Once for once it is the strongest, most comfortable knife I carry.

Cheers,

ts

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Guns are for show. Knifes are for Pros.
 
Stryker,
I agree with the firestarter..but a pot?
In a true survival situation I feel more than comfortible cooking small animals directly on the fire, propped up on a primitive reflective slab, or jerk larger pieces of meat. I'm afraid I'd probibly drink water that might give me gastric problems later, just to get by butt out alive. (I contracted "Beaver fever" in the early 80's and it took some time for the modern medical profession to diagnose it.)
I might even trade the knife for a sheet of plastic to keep myself warmer and dryer. A crude knife I can fabricate, but not a waterproof sheet.
 
There's been some interesting folders suggested here. Keep 'em coming. If you have any data on the knives, that would be nice too like blade length, blade material, blade thickness, scale material, etc. Or post a photo of your knife or a link to a photo. I'd be interested in hearing about what's out there in the world of custom folders as well. Gotta be someone out there making ruff tuff folders, I would think. Kit Carson comes to mind.


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Hoodoo

And so, to all outdoor folks, the knife is the most important item of equipment.

Ellsworth Jaeger - Wildwood Wisdom
 
Few thoughts over the topic:
I like my Buck 110 (especially with its finger grooves). It is a rustic, nicely made sturdy classic but HEAVY. Moreover, the extra weight of the nice brass bolsters goes into the handle instead if the blade. Also, I read opinions that its tip is weaker than desired for a survival blade. Because of the extra weight it tends to stay in the car on more demending trips.
Instead, Gerber Gator (plain edge) made it into my survival pouch. I found it sturdy enough and light weight. Gerber stainless steel has been bashed by many but it fills the need. Further advantage is that I can easily open it with one hand. Good point when the other hand is busy.
I also have a SAK (actually multiblade).
Well, if we step up in price, Sebenza by Chris Reeve has been long time praised by knife nuts. Simple easy-to-clean mono lock, drop point blade, titanium handle (light and strong). Single hand opener too. And has a lanyard hole!
A good compromise -in my humble opinion- between Sebenza quality and prize is Benchmade Pinnacle. Kind of Sebenza knock-off and similar construction. If everything goes well, I might be a happy owner of one this year
smile.gif

For everyday carry, I have a small (~3 inch) Schrade Old Timer Green Bruin in my pocket. It is not a survival blade but a small flat lock-back pocket knife with cool retro-looking GREEN slabs and shiny brass bolster. It has a very practical flat ground drop point blade of a comfy size. In a pinch, I could use it for self-defense or survival.
In my opinion, both Buck and Schrade are widely available economical blades of good quality. Gerbers are inexpensive too.
Best to all,

HM
 
If I could have only one folder with me in the woods, it would be the large Kit Carson Model 4 with a blade in 420V, that I have ordered. Since they are pricey and hard to come by, I'd probably take Chris Janowsky's (World Survival Instutute), advice and go with a large Benchmade AFCK. The new SERE 2000 seems to be a winner, but that remains to be seen. High on my list of hopefuls are the soon to be made Busse Combat Folders, and the Livesay Folders.
 
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