Best Survival Knife?

R

RattleSnake Jake

Joined
Mar 4, 2007
Messages
7
Greetings

My first post. This has probably been brought up before but I looking for a survival knife/I'm lost in the mountains type knife.

I was looking at the Gerber Silver Trident Double Serration knife. Any opinions on this knife or can you recommend one that you favor that would be better? Why the recommendation?

Thanks
RSJ
 
Supper said:
Best survival knife?


The one you have on you when you need it.
Click to expand...

Absolutely true!

However, there are an incredible number of good, solid choices starting with Rangers, Beckers and Fallknivens and running up to Chris Reeve (especially one-piece) and Busses and finally into customs (Doziers, for example). I prefer a nice, fixed blade for this purpose, obviously.

The more money you spend, the fewer compromises you will usually get. You can usually expect to get a more 'interesting' and potentially tougher steel (graduating from 440C into more knife-specific steels like CPM154, BG-42, S30V, or INFI -- there are many others). Handles and guards become tougher, more ergonomic, and sometimes more attractive. Then there is the warranty: the Busses, for example, come with an astounding warranty (you break it, they replace it no questions asked).

Do a little research around here and you'll find plenty of wonderful choices. And you can have the fun and satisfaction of deciding what's best for yourself! You're unlikely to make a bad choice, as there are a LOT of great knives around these days.

Do not simply be content with a Gerber. There are better choices.

[BTW, there are also a lot of really tough, capable folders. I just don't want to trust them for this purpose -- that's my own bias speaking.]

Happy hunting.
 
You should probably do a LOT of searches and gather this info on your own before posting this question.
 
JGarth said:
You should probably do a LOT of searches and gather this info on your own before posting this question.
Click to expand...

Also true. I just wanted to give him a little of the perspective I've gained...to make those searches easier and more immediately relevant.
 
JGarth said:
You should probably do a LOT of searches and gather this info on your own before posting this question.
Click to expand...


Garth, I don't need to be chastize for "not doing a search first." If you don't like the question, don't respond it. I also understand that I don't need to reinvent the wheel, if that makes you feel better.

I was just introducing myself to the board and trying to do so respectfully.

I'm sure most question posted here at this large of a community have been posted at one time or another. Still, to get some direct knowledge/answers from more experienced people in this regard (and even knowing the proper questions to ask in regards to a survival knife) would be helpful.

Possibly you were trying to be helpful, however, a hello first would have been more respectful than the tone of your response which appeared that my even asking a question w/o a search is annoying to you, IMHO.

=========================================================
OldPhysics, I do appreciate you comments and knowledge. Thank You.
 
RattleSnake Jake said:
Greetings

...
I was looking at the Gerber Silver Trident Double Serration knife. Any opinions on this knife or can you recommend one that you favor that would be better? Why the recommendation?

Thanks
RSJ
Click to expand...

Welcome to the Forums!

Not only have there been questions about the quality control of Gerber products for the last 5-10 years, but that design, while pretty, does not look like a "lost in the woods knife to me." With that large guard, that looks like fighting knife. And I think that 154CM, which is an excellent steel for edge holding, might be too brittle for a blade whose shape seems more suited for impact work than fine cutting chores. That does not leave much that the thing is useful for.

As Supper implied, a survival knife is only useful if it is with you in a survival situation. A big knife like the silver trident is so big that you are not as likely to lug it with you everywhere, so you won't have it when you need it.

As with the others, I would propose that you do a bit of reading. Here is a shortcut to the survival skills forum. I would think you would want to start there.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=692
 
RattleSnake Jake said:
Garth, I don't need to be chastize for "not doing a search first." If you don't like the question, don't respond it. I also understand that I don't need to reinvent the wheel, if that makes you feel better.

I was just introducing myself to the board and trying to do so respectfully.

I'm sure most question posted here at this large of a community have been posted at one time or another. Still, to get some direct knowledge/answers from more experienced people in this regard (and even knowing the proper questions to ask in regards to a survival knife) would be helpful.

Possibly you were trying to be helpful, however, a hello first would have been more respectful than the tone of your response which appeared that my even asking a question w/o a search is annoying to you, IMHO.

=========================================================
OldPhysics, I do appreciate you comments and knowledge. Thank You.
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dont worry about that response. valid question posted in a valid forum in a valid way.

imo, the term 'survival knife' is a bit vague. maybe some features you are looking for would help. hollow handle? blade length? price? steel type?

with chris reeve you will find a great selection, varying sizes, prices and styles.

doziers are a little harder to come by, but fantastic knives.

busses, my personal favorite, are the hardest to come by, but there are more variations of busses than virtually any company out there. the trick is picking on you like, then actually finding that one for sale. diligince usually pays off though.

:)
 
That's a huge question... my choice would be a fixed blade of about 4" long with a good grippy handle: Falkniven's F1 was designed to be a survival knife. The tang extends out a bit so you could hammer on it, and the steel is reportedly very strong (VG-10 in mine; newer ones are laminated and supposedly even stronger). That's large enough to do cutting and prying and light enough to be able to carry. Lots of others will fall into that category. Enjoy your search... I'm still looking for the 'perfect' survival blade and I got my Eagle Scout badge around 1960...
 
Alberta Ed said:
That's a huge question... my choice would be a fixed blade of about 4" long with a good grippy handle: Falkniven's F1 was designed to be a survival knife. The tang extends out a bit so you could hammer on it, and the steel is reportedly very strong (VG-10 in mine; newer ones are laminated and supposedly even stronger). That's large enough to do cutting and prying and light enough to be able to carry. Lots of others will fall into that category. Enjoy your search... I'm still looking for the 'perfect' survival blade and I got my Eagle Scout badge around 1960...
Click to expand...

good choice and reasonably priced. a friend has the laminated version, very sharp!! very usable blade shape and length. tougher than i expected as well.
 
You need to be a bit more specific as to what constitutes a good survival knife for you. In a general sense, a one-piece Chris Reeve Survival knife is an excellent (if expensive) choice. The Aitor Jungle King II and Brewer Explorer are two much less expensive models, but don't fall into the "Cheap Rambo Knife Copy" category.

Instead of inside the handle, a small belt pouch can be used to store survival items. In that case, something like a Ka-bar USMC knife becomes a very good choice. If chopping isn't a priority, a smaller fixed-blade could be used. It would be a bit easier to carry around on a belt, and is generally handier than longer blades for some survival chores. A Benchmade Rant Bowie is one good emaple of such a knife.
 
Jake,
OK, sorry I hurt your feelings ...
HELLO, Jake ......
I was just attempting to get you to take the initiative to do some preliminary research.
Searching, reading, compiling, and attempting to comprehend this information would add a considerable amount to your initial request. Plus, it would make you feel good about gaining some knowledge on your own, which is always a good thing.
Take Care,...
JGarth
 
I've been considering the ranger rd knives, and the the ontario rat line also. I think they're worth a look for what you may want.
 
My requirements would be for a survival knife...
1) fixed
2) flat ground blade
3) at least 4 inches but probably not more then 7
4) A carbon steel like 52100 or INFI or along those lines but a laminated
stainless would also do the trick.
I guess toughness and edge retention is what I'm getting at.
6) Guard on the bottom but not on the top.
7) A comfortable grip
8) Full tang construction

I have a BK 7 to fill the 'survival' niche. But I would rely
on my BM 710 also which goes against the rules above. :-)
Mostly 'cause I'm more likely to carry it. Having any knife
is better then no knife. And for EDC I carry smaller knives
that obviously aren't pry bars or choppers but are good knives
and I'd be comfortable with them.
 
It really depends on how you've been trained and what area you are in or expect to be in. A large chopper is great for the amazon but won't help a lot in the sahara. So look around and then come to a decision about size, features etc. that you find appealing. Some folks are gonna advocate a larger knife (busse) and some are gonna go for a smaller (opinel). You'll find that a lot of the requirements for a basic user are also there for a survival knife, including price!
 
JGarth said:
Jake,
OK, sorry I hurt your feelings ...
HELLO, Jake ......
I was just attempting to get you to take the initiative to do some preliminary research.
Searching, reading, compiling, and attempting to comprehend this information would add a considerable amount to your initial request. Plus, it would make you feel good about gaining some knowledge on your own, which is always a good thing.
Take Care,...
JGarth
Click to expand...

No Problem

You're right about the search button.

I normally would have taken that route however, pressed for time, I was trying to get a little info on this knife and other survival type knives (watching to much "survivor man" on TV) as I felt I needed to make a decision soon.

I spend time alone in the Rocky Mtns and was wondering if my Cold Steel Voyager would be up to the task or would a survival knife (fixed blade) be more appropriate.

RSJ
 
RattleSnake Jake said:
...for a survival knife/I'm lost in the mountains type knife...
Click to expand...

Then it must be a knife that can kill a cougar, chop the wood, or dig a pit. IMHO, this knife has to have a 7 inch minimum blade length...a SRKW Camp Tramp or Ratweiler would not be a mistake Jake.

:thumbup:
 
Jake,
Good Luck...agree about one thing....min 7" reliable blade.
Look at the KaBars.
JGarth...
 
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