Recommendation? Best Survival Knife

A

Andrew124c41

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Mar 19, 2017
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I had a Randall #14 in stainless stolen from me some years ago. I need a really good custom or production survival knife, really tough. Not sure if I would go the stainless route again. I know there will be quite a few opinions
 
I would suggest checking out the Carothers Performance Knives as yet unnamed "not-a-survival-knife" it will be a few months before it rolls out, and they won't be easy to get your hands on, but take a gander at the Carothers makers forum. You'll find fun videos showing just how tough the knives are.
 
I will second abbydaddy's recommendation for the Carothers. I have one of his 3V Field Knives, and it's terrific. He has a special heat treatment that produces great edge retention while retaining the toughness that 3V is so noted for. The Field Knife is 9¾" OAL.

3Vfield_zpsvlbvufya.jpg~original
 
Here is a durability test video for Carothers' proprietary heat treatment of 3V. The knife he is using is the Light Chopper. I hope to one day get my hands on one of these beauties, but thus far the fates have not smiled on me on that front (I can't complain, the fates have been quite kind on most other fronts).


And here is a link to the (CLOSED) pre-order thread for the "not-a-survival-knife" if you wanted a better idea of what it will look like:
http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/...l-knife-pre-order-sale-thread-closed.1488732/
 
If you're okay with Stainless, take a look at Fiddleback Forge's Production Line. The Kephart (3.5" blade), Bushfinger (4" blade), and Duke (5.25" blade) are all made of S35VN and come in either Natural or Black Canvas Micarta. The Production Camp is 3/16" CPM 3V and has a blade that it nearly 6.5".

I have a Bushfinger that is great. Andy Roy's handle ergonomics are incredible. The 5/32" S35VN is confidence inspiring. Quite a few people swear by the Pro Kephart, too. As a bonus, they come with a leather sheath, unlike Custom Fiddlebacks.

They are also much easier to get in your mitts than a Carothers (of which I have no doubt are fantastic).
 
I love my FF knives.

But "Really tough" survival knife? Pretty sure Nathan Carothers is leading the science in and behind the edge. If I'm wrong on this, please, somebody correct me.
 
Phixt said:
I love my FF knives.

But "Really tough" survival knife? Pretty sure Nathan Carothers is leading the science in and behind the edge. If I'm wrong on this, please, somebody correct me.
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I never claimed that it was tougher. The only claim that I made was that it was easier to get your hands on. I simply suggested that the OP take a look at them.

What is it that the Carothers could accomplish in a survival situation that one of the FF Pros couldn't? You find many cinder blocks to baton out in the wilderness? I wish I had the cash to give you a FF Pro Camp, though. There is no survival situation in which you would break a 3/16" CPM3V blade. You'd be hard-pressed to break the 5/32" S35VN blade of my Bushfinger. I'd love to hear your thoughts about LostVikings Ka-Bar Utility thread/test.
 
Wurrwulf said:
I never claimed that it was tougher. The only claim that I made was that it was easier to get your hands on. I simply suggested that the OP take a look at them.

What is it that the Carothers could accomplish in a survival situation that one of the FF Pros couldn't? You find many cinder blocks to baton out in the wilderness? I wish I had the cash to give you a FF Pro Camp, though. There is no survival situation in which you would break a 3/16" CPM3V blade. You'd be hard-pressed to break the 5/32" S35VN blade of my Bushfinger. I'd love to hear your thoughts about LostVikings Ka-Bar Utility thread/test.
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'Whoa, duuude', I stopped reading at, "I never claimed that it was tougher."

Reread my post. "I love my FF knives."

Misinterpretations are a common thing on the internet. What's your blood pressure at the moment?
 
^All that AFTER my Ontario rec. Someone needs to open a pill bottle or take a nap, I'm not which. :D
 
Going to move this to General Forum.
Most knives termed "survival knives" in today's market have features that take them out of the Traditional Forum discussion realm.
 
Your post was condescending, as if FF knives were not "really tough" (your quote, exactly). I don't care if you like your FF knives; it's of no concern to me. My rebuttal is that FF knives are plenty tough for any survival situation. Do you disagree? What can't their knives do?
 
A few months ago, this question came up in the Buck forum: "If you could have only ONE Buck Knife in a Surival Situation, which one would you choose?" They had a poll. 1st place by 1 or 2 votes was the Buck 119 Special. Something like 115 chose it.
Second place was the Buck 110.
Third place was 20 or so votes below the 110.
You can fell any tree using finesse over brute strength. A beaver can fell a tree without chopping, so can you.
 
What can one not do with a 12$ Mora and a hatchet ?
I only say this because I always see people focusing on how much that can hammer on or abuse a knife without it breaking.
I own a good hatchet and because of this could easily rely on a dollar store paring knife for my fixed blade tasks.
 
Phixt said:
I love my FF knives.

But "Really tough" survival knife? Pretty sure Nathan Carothers is leading the science in and behind the edge. If I'm wrong on this, please, somebody correct me.
Click to expand...
Imo you are correct and I don't see that as a slight to ff. The delta 3v will hold an edge on par but will be tougher.
 
Carothers knives are great. I have a FK and light chopper. Good Edge retention, edge stability, toughness, and corrosion resistance. I have been very impressed with these knives!!

I just got a Z-FiNit survival knife, that steel, I was blown away! Extremely tough, holds a good edge, amazing stain resistance, very good edge stability! Just wish more people would make fixed blades out of this steel.

Gollik is on the forum selling his knives. He will make a knife out of Elmax or Sleipner steel. I am considering ordering one of his knives, I hear good things and they seem designed for function. He has very good prices too.

Other makers on the knife maker for sale area here.

Survive! knives if you can find one for sale, or if you are patient, you can order from them when they have some.

Robert Martin at tearofthesword, I have a slimline machete of his made of 3V stock. I love it! It is tough as nails and holds a fantastic edge. I use it more than any knife I have, including folders. He has great prices and will make the knife you want, if you have a design in mind.

As to your question, what is the best. There are too many great blades nowadays to choose from. I would say the one I have from Robert Martin for me, because I use that about everyday. For a smaller survival knife. Carothers, or my Z-Finit of which I can give you info on the maker if you want. I have not got my survive! knives yet, so can not say anything about them, but I hear they are fantastic.
 
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craytab said:
Imo you are correct and I don't see that as a slight to ff. The delta 3v will hold an edge on par but will be tougher.
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Thanks, Craytab.

When I quoted, "Really Tough," I thought it was painfully obvious that I was quoting the OP...since those were Andrew's words n all. I dunno why Shawn is accusing me of putting words in his mouth, or why me referencing the proven science that can be found throughout Nathan Carothers' posts has anything to do with a video where a nail and concrete are being batonned in half.
 
It depends on what you want the knife to do, and the environment you want it to do it in.

For me, I'm not worried about salt water or being on the water, so I prefer carbon steel. 3V is all the rage right now, and I own a few knives in 3V. I prefer A2 or O1.

Perfectly serviceable and rugged knives can be had from Bark River, LT Wright, Becker, just to name a few.

Figure out what you need, then match the tool to it.
 
Wurrwulf said:
Your post was condescending, as if FF knives were not "really tough" (your quote, exactly). I don't care if you like your FF knives; it's of no concern to me. My rebuttal is that FF knives are plenty tough for any survival situation. Do you disagree? What can't their knives do?
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Shawn, that's completely untrue; now you've really gone ahead and twisted my post & words around. I have no bad blood with you, nor do I seek it.

FF, CPK, Ontario, Buck...everything that's been mentioned are reliable and sensible. It's all good. I honestly feel as though you've misinterpreted my two-line post. Take care.

-Doug
 
:) Just now saw the 3V Cold Steel Master Hunter for <$100 on Am . Prm ! :eek:

I could probably struggle by with that . :rolleyes:
 
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