This type of interchange occurs CONSTANTLY on all the forums- Knives, Gadgets, Flashlights, Camping Gear et al
Not sure how to spread the word in a manner that will stick but I'll keep it simple if long:
Before someone can get good advice from a panel or forum of 'experts' they must frame their need in a manner that allows advisers to help them efficiently and effectively.
When the inevitable "What's the best survival knife for the woods" question comes up, without an outline of the need- I'll assume that the questioner is NOT seeking advice on a survival knife but rather wants advice on a TROPHY knife that looks like it might be a survival knife. The same goes for all the other toys in all the other domains Gadgets, Flashlights, Camping Gear et al.
Three Types of Need:
-Probable need - what is very likely to be needed
-Possible need - what might be needed
-Fantasized need- what we wish was needed but isn't needed or likely to be needed
Analysis of Your Probable Need
- What are the specific scenarios for your envisioned needs?
- Describe a few 'what if' situations clinically outlining your envisioned predicaments or challenges
- Discuss situations in your past or in someone else's past that have taught you that you were not prepared for emergencies that did crop up
Matching Solutions to Challenges
- Now outline what you feel the solutions might be
- What tools, techniques or advice do you need to have in order to mitigate or resolve specific challenges when they confront you?
Solutions Requirements or Profile
- List the characteristic features of the method and the tools that you feel will resolve the envisioned challenges
- List any exclusions or restrictions on the tools and methods
Zero-in On The Target Solutions Based on the Profile
- What products, training and instruction are available that will deliver the profiled solutions?
- Ask the questions of the forum members and do some of your own research as well
NOW you've narrowed the field of possibilities down to around a handful of viable options. After you've done all this you may then pose your question:
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In a Wilderness scenario with the following characteristics:
- Deciduous forrest in Pacific Northwest of the North American Continent
- Event is a 3 day backpacking trip with nightly camping
- Season is Winter around December/January- Heavy snowfall is predicted to fall over the existing 12 inch base
- Fire-making is envisioned to be from fallen seasoned timber plus back-up stoves.
- We have tents (or Bivys) but may engage in some shelter building from available timber
- The region is known to be inhabited by Mountain Lions and Brown Bears
- We'll be fly fishing the larger river- known to contain Salmon
- The party is comprised of A 35 year old Male a 30 year old female and a second female of 20 years age
- The Male's level of backwoods experience is very good
- The Accompanying females have had little experience in weekend backpacking trips of this duration or difficulty.
- All the tools needed are known and on hand except that the largest knives carried are average Swiss Army type folders.
What ( if any ) would be the most appropriate larger bladed knife to ensure:
1) Self-defense in the event of an attack by wild animals or crazed humans
2) Effective processing of timber for shelter building and fire-making
3) Effective processing of Sockeye Salmon
4) Effective rope cutting
5) Effective last ditch digging or use as an ice-pick in an icy ascent?
My Budget is $
I don't care about steel types, brand names or aesthetic styling.
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The answer for this particular scenario.....
I'll let the rest of the forum pitch in ....
My carefully considered choice would be the newly minted
Ranger Knives Outdoorsman
Sporting a 5.5" 1/4" thick ATS-34 Blade with a carefully designed profile that combines an all purpose cutting edge with a slight drop point that allows for numerous bushcraft as well as defense possibilities.It can filet a salmon, skin small and medium game and the point can be pressed into service for detailed work. The lower edge is straight and curves gracefully for the ideal chopping/carving/skinning combinations of tasks. The grind is a hollow grind with a robust convex cutting edge. This combination has the following advantages:
- The Hollow main grind lightens the blade a bit while providing relief from friction in woodworking tasks. In addition, the hollow acts as a 'blood groove' facilitating a blood channel and mitigating suction or adhesion.
-The straight blade back facilitates effective batoning to split larger logs.
- As 1/4" is rather thick, these features are essential in an all purpose survival blade geometry. The thick convex secondary grind at the cutting edge combines edge strength with ease of field sharpening and effective cutting angle. The use of ATS-34 as a steel type is a compromise that balances cost with effective mitigation of corrosion. The substantial choil, combined with aggressive thumb jimping allow for its effective use in skinning and other 'close-to-the-edge' manipulation.
-The grip geometry is simple and yet specifically designed to promote a good grip even with cold, bare and wet hands- potentially made slippery by slime, blood or other outdoors lubricants. The gently belly coupled with respectable fore and aft notches ensure a secure grip in both push and draw actions.
-The use of Linen Micarta is a modernization of plain wood handles. Unsealed Linen Micarta wicks away some surface wetness, promoting better contact between hand and grip - especially when perspiration or environmental wetness are part of the usage scenario.
- The straight grip back and rounded pommel, minimize friction hotspots that can cause fatigue or a poor hold on the handle.
- The lanyard hole allows for the attachment of a lanyard tether that mitigates loss, especially in disastrous or emergency situations.
- The recommended sheath is manufactured by Spec-Ops and is called the Survival sheath. This sheath has all the characteristics of an effective tactical and survival sheath and is suitable for the Ranger Knives- Outdoorsman.
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.
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OldPhysics, I do appreciate you comments and knowledge. Thank You.
