Best Survival Knife?

[JackBauer24]

I recommend having 2 knives on you for wilderness survival purposes.
1. Have a good Swiss Army Knife (Victorinox or Wenger) with you. I personally go for the Camper or Bundeswehr Mauser Pattern knives for this purpose. Out of those two, I usually pick the camper. I like having the second, small knife blade. It's good for really fine cutting and carving. For a wilderness SAK I think it's cumpolsary to have a saw. Having a lot of features, being a wonder SAK, isn't really necesary. Most of the stuff probably won't be necesary and the bulkier the knife, the less likely it is that you'll keep it handy.
2. Your other knife will be a fixed blade. It would be very convenient to tell you to get a BK-7 and be on your way. Unfortunately, the Camillus closure has caused prices to skyrocket and availability to decrease. The exact specs are largely going to up to you- the steels and grip materials, etc... Some people swear by carbon and others by stainless. Whoever said 4-7" blade- you're right on the mark. A little more or less is ok but You don't need a Rambo knife for this sort of purpose. The Kabar Marine knives will work well and are high quality at an affordable price. Some people really like Ontario's RAT knives. Full tang is definetely the way to go. Despite this, many folks, myself included, find Mora's to be very handy and affordable knives. They will handle most of your camp tasks, however I wouldn't use one for chopping or heavy batoning (though I have used partial tang knives for such in the past). Busse knives are expensive, aqnd the people who have them swear by them. They are designed to survive extreme abuse. I would call them the AK-47 of knives, but they're too expensive and not plentiful enough for that title. You might find that a Buck Pathfinder or Nighthawk will work for you, and it very well may. Either would probably be decent for this sort of role. Another popular knife is Cold Steel's Bushman. I just ordered one that I'm having customized. The deal came to $21 delivered. The Bushman has a pretty good reputation, the main problem being with the sheath. Luckily that's not a biggie- many companies make viable sheathes. There are a lot of other moderately priced knives thast will work too.

I agree. If I had to choose even one of the two, I'd prolly go with the SAK and make a good whopping or poking stick right off the bat for self defense.
Someone mentioned a leatherman surege earlier. While it's my multi of choice daily, it's not anywhere near reliable enough for survival.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

I find that a good mid-sized fixed blade such as a Mora or my beloved RD-4 with a good SAK or Leatherman will accomplish any conceiveable task minus chopping down the forest.

 

[kresky]

personally, I think that weight is a significant concern. Sure, you'd be better off in a survival situation with a bigger knife, but the trouble is that you probably didn't intend to get into a survival situation. I mean, I could come up with an ultimate survival kit that would see me through almost anything, but if it would weighs 75 pounds I won't be willing to carry it consistently, so I won't have it when I need it.
If you are actually going to carry a 1 1/2 pound knife, then more power to you. But if you find yourself leaving it in the car when you know that the trip is going to be short and easy... well, then you need something lighter or you might find yourself knifeless when you're in trouble.

 

[Kav]

People asking about survival knives often have that faraway, blued eyed look of Danny Kay mumbling " ta-pocket ta-pocket ta-pocket" as Bart the Bear roars on cue from his humans holding a vanilla icecreme. For an anecdotal argument, read THE LONG WALK by Slavomir Rawicz and note his brief description of his party's one knife and axehead and their grief in losing it. Rawicz didn't exactly have the internet to order XYZ from Knife Outlet. You have stated your eco-niche for 'survival.' Usually I have to ask folks 'what are you planning to survive' and receive blank looks. Obviously a Machete won't do in a northern hemisphere arboreal clime, yet ironically a little further north makes a splendid snowblock cutter. The fact is we are spoiled by literally hundreds of fine knives that work splendidly regardless of their sorceror's cauldron wunder steel, $20 paracord custom handles, cute firesteels in a sheath with dreamcather logo or endorsment by SGT ( ret ) Grizzly 'Bo' Wannabe, brother to the Winnebago. I have to ask: are you investing as much thought into your sleeping bag? Sometimes a bag will keep you alive when a hundred fossil ivory, damascene beuaties won't mean diddly. I would do what several field instructors are issuing. Buy a few nice Moras: Learn to sharpen, carry without losing, cut without snapping the knife or a tendon and realise if you have limits a simple piece of steel does too. Then start looking at a more robust knife. My personal carry? um; Fallkniven F1, WSI Ranger, Reeves Aviator and several shiny Magpie trinkets still on my wishlist- if I remember to pack one. I have those lousy $11 Moras scattered everywhere. Just this past week on a dayhike I was chided for carrying my 'WEAPON.' lady fell and broke her leg. My mora and 9x9 siltarp gave her shelter from the elements while people were literally reaching for bandaid filled first aid kits. I gifted 4 of my former detractors with moras. I expect them to register here soon and argue my choices in 3 months.

 

[wetwork]

personally I'm lookin to get the Fallkniven H1 (http://www.cutleryscience.com/reviews/H1.html)

small enough to carry anywhere (4in, hopefully legal if not then concealable hehe)
full tang
drop blade
strong blade
good thick grip
can pretty much cut food and wood or be used as a pry

anyone hear anything good about the Tom Brown Tracker series of knives?

 

[Jamesh Bond]

Well, I'm abashed to admit it but It's my design and the prototype is headed my way any day now. It's a custom but can be ordered. Let me or Ranger Justin know if you're interested in one.


Dude, that is NICE! Post pics when you get it, man!

Welcome Jake! I don't have any other input that hasn't already been covered by these knowledgeable folks. You will find good advice and conversation here.

 

[hunterfisher808]

get a fixed blade with a nice sheath...shop around till you see somthing that kinda takes your breath away then buy/spend just a little out of your means....you won't regret it lol...aloha mk

 

[spyken]

the Dozier Professional Guide in the FS forums right now would be a good survival knife. YMMV.

 

[Moodino]

** MOD- Please move if this post is on the wrong thread.**
Well, I got to make some photos of my first blade design.
Meet The Outdoorsman! I'm hoping to make it my 'Middle Size' blade for Survival. It's a Custom but if interest is strong, it may go production.

(Above- pictured strapped onto Maxpedition Pigmy Falcon pack)

(Above- the original concept illustration)


The Outdoorsman
Design- Well, Me.. with Justin's special flair for details
Fabrication-Ranger Knives
Survival Sheath- Robert Humelbaugh- Survival Sheath Systems
Blade- 5.5"Long X.25" thick Hollow ground (High) ATS34
Handle- Custom Contoured (Linen Micarta)
Sheath- Custom fitted Kydex in Cordura

© 2007 Imägo Media LLC

 

[hatchetjack]

I like a mid sized 5.5" blade also. This is a Ranger I picked up in a trade. It was covered in Humvee paint which I removed and just added some cold blue for a little extra protection.

It's 1/4" thick so it stands up to a lot of pounding and the edge is thinned enough that it is a decent slicer too. I like the 9" choppers but they can get a bit long strapped to a belt.

 

[auto veritas]

i carry a stainless endura and a gerber multi tool in my pockets with an ontario tak 1 in my back pack and i can't think of anything else i would need as far as steel goes ... im thnking of replacing the endura with a rat 3 because i prefer fixed blades but im not sure yet

 

[The General]

A 4" or 5" fixed blade in carbon steel like the Bark River Aurora or a handmade Woodlore type knife in O1.

Back it up with a lightweight but very usable folder like the Spyderco Endura or Delica and the lightest SAK with the full saw blade.

It would be highly advisable for the sheath to have a firesteel and perhaps room for a small hone or second small knife as a backup.

Big knives do work well, but sometimes you need to spend a week hill walking to appreciate what overkill is. It does not have to be big to be strong and correct batoning will be much more effective than a heavy bowie and a chopping action. As well as far safer.

Love big knives, but I carry them less and less.

 

[Moodino]

Hey that Ranger does look like a 'Kissin cousin' to the Outdoorsman. Is it a custom or a production Ranger? Got a better side-on view picture?

I like a mid sized 5.5" blade also. This is a Ranger I picked up in a trade. It was covered in Humvee paint which I removed and just added some cold blue for a little extra protection.

It's 1/4" thick so it stands up to a lot of pounding and the edge is thinned enough that it is a decent slicer too. I like the 9" choppers but they can get a bit long strapped to a belt.

 

[hatchetjack]

Here you go. It has thumb serrations along the top ridge of the spine, choil and butt end. There are also some slight grooves in the scales.

I got it in a trade from a soldier who supposedly took it to Afghanistan. The Spec Ops sheath has a desert camo pattern painted into it as did the entire knife when I got it. I'm assuming it is a custom job as I have not seen any others like it. Justin doesn't recall the blade but by the style, it is a Ranger.

I was thinking os sending it to Scott Tanguay for a makeover but it get's more use in it's current beater config.

 

[tka1]

The Outdoorsman
Design- Well, Me.. with Justin's special flair for details
Fabrication-Ranger Knives
Survival Sheath- Robert Humelbaugh- Survival Sheath Systems
Blade- 5.5"Long X.25" thick Hollow ground (High) ATS34
Handle- Custom Contoured (Linen Micarta)
Sheath- Custom fitted Kydex in Cordura

Moodino, i think you should start your own thread for this knife. i think it looks awesome!

 

[jordan_masson]

Assuming you are hiking/backpacking/camping/portaging.... why not bring two knives?

There are survival situations where you suddenly have a situation thrust upon you and are reletively unprepared...and then there is spending time in the woods purposely.

If you are planing on spending time in the mountains, you might as well bring two. One bigger for chopping/digging/prying, and one smaller for bushcraft/food prep/feild dressing etc.

Another alternative would be to an axe or hatchet of some sort. The Firestone Belt Axe is a very popular and reliable tool. Also bring along a 4 to 6 inch blade and your set.

 

[Moodino]

Actually and depending on the situations between two and three blades make sense. As you say, a 2.5" - 3.5" blade for detail work and a 4" to 5.5" for everything else. The third blade would be the chopper and that would really depend on where you are what you plan to accomplish. Based on preliminary research, there's a 'dead zone' for survival ( not all blades, just wilderness survival) I'll repect those that will disagree with this. The No-man's zone is 6.5" - 9" long blades. These impressive looking 'weapons' 6.5" - 9" are too unwieldy for close-up tasks, in most case skinning and they are too short and light to be formidable choppers. Like I said, I respect disagreement on this and would like to be proven wrong. If I was facing a long long stay in the wilderness and did not have to trek more than 10 miles a day, and there was a jungle to pass through or plenty of timber to chop- my third blade would be a mach~axe 13" around 600gr. If lots of chopping was in order, then a compact axe/hatchet instead

 

[koyote]

I know for fairly sure i could get by in anything temperate with a Victorinox Outrider. But that's training more than the tool.

Add a SOG government, Kabar, or equivalent. I *really* like my goverment, and it's been in the field in uniform.

If I was knowingly going into a situation where there was a reasonable chance I'd be needing to make my own to live, I'd *definitely* add a Gransfors Bruks axe- either the #420 small forest axe or (and I'll hump this thing ANYWHERE it's so nice) the #430 Scandinavian Forest Axe.

Anything beyond that would be homesteading, but hell-

a "Handy Mattock" which is basically a pulaski with a short 5 inch mattock end, a hori-hori, and a 3 pound sledge.

 

[Stubai]

Excellent survival blades:

1) Swamp Rat Camp Tramp
2) Dog Father
3) Any blade from the Busse shop

 

[AV8R]

Rattlesnake Jake:

Greetings and welcome to Bladeforums. Sorry you get chewed out by some for asking for a knife recommendation on a knife forum. Things get pretty goofy around here sometimes, but you'll also find a lot of knowledge and experience here. As far as your original question goes, NO, I personally would not choose the knife you asked about in your original post. The reasons boil down to economics and also personal preference. From a money standpoint, you can get just as good a knife for almost $100 less by looking at SOG, Cold Steel, and others. You can get a MUCH better knife by spending $100 to $200 more. Chris Reeve one piece (Project 1 is a great knife), Busse or Swamprat is excellent, and more. "personal preference" reasons I don't like the knife you mentioned is that I don't think you need an excess of serrations, a knife like the CRK Project 1 has about 1" serrated on the bottom and that's enough, I like a simpler handle (less pieces) that I know won't ever break or seperate even if you pound with the butt of the knife. Again, the Project 1, Busse or even the SOG SEAL knife. I want a flat blade spine that I can pound with a log or a rock, so no sharpened top spine. I want a 7" to 8 1/2" blade. You asked about "lost in the mountains" survival. I want a big blade. BTW, your carry system means a lot. The right sheath tie downs and/or belt can make a lot of that knife weight disappear. A big knife flopping around on your belt is miserable. A good sheath mounted correctly can make a fairly big knife go unnoticed. For years, I did A LOT of off road motorcycling out West. I carried a Camelback and also a fanny pack that had a nice, wide belt to it. The fanny pack rides higher than a regular belt would. I had a multitool in the fanny pack. I strapped a SOG SEAL to that belt on my right side with the leg strap around my thigh. It was really comfortable and unnoticeable. BTW, I beat the piss out of that knife, made no attempt at all to take care of it and it took the abuse without a whimper. Numerous times I went off a trail with the heavy bike (XR600) upside down in brush and had to cut and chop it out, I pried with the knife, dug holes (hitting lots of rocks), beat on stuff with the handle, practiced "knife throwing" when I was bored, stored it in the sheath forever. This is a knife that I bought for $100 and would trust completely. If I were you, I get a SOG Seal (the big one) or a Chris Reeve Project 1. The CRK is better, the SOG is good enough. Let us know what you decide.

Pete