Buck "Survival" Knife?

thumbtack01 said:
The 110 to. I know it's not considered a "survival" knife, but I would be just fine if that's all I could have.
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It wasn't a 110, but a folding lockback worked for Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin in The Edge. It was the only knife they had with them when the plane went down. :thumbup: (Thumbs up was for the knife, not the plane going down. :o ) I'll add your 110 to the next tally.

the-edge-blu-ray-11.jpg
 
I've had a few inquires about the matchcase in my photo. In case anyone else is interested, it was a gift from Keith Lunders of K&M Matchcase. It is inscribed - 1 of 200, First Production Run, 1991. It did not have a compass when I received it, so I inlaid the top with leather. Firesteel and striker fit inside with the matches.
 
David Martin said:
Have you used your firesteel and built a fire with it?
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Yep, quite a bit, but not with the firesteel in the photo. That's a new one. It is not my first choice for starting a fire and I consider it a back up in case I run out of matches. I usually just use matches and a Coghlan's fire stick. Works every time. Do you like and use firesteels?
 
The Edge. Awesome movie. And that match case is very sweet TAH. Thanks for the pics. If only there was a knife with a built-in matchsafe...if I had any pics of a 184 I'd put them here.
 
On my wilderness river trip after a few swampings my waterproof matches got soaked. So, I resorted to my firesteel to build a fire. It saved the day for 2 nights of our trip. I'm glad I always carry several tools to start a fire. DM
 
Here's the latest tally...

060 Hoodlum - 3
065 Punk - 2
070 Thug - 3
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 1
104 Campadre Camp Knife - 1
105 Pathfinder - 1
106 Hatchet – 1
110 Folding Hunter - 3
120 General - 2
124 Frontiersman – 5
184 Buckmaster - 2
192 Vanguard - 1
317 Trailblazer– 1
620 Reaper – 2
639 Fieldmate – 1
651 Nighthawk – 1
863 Selkirk - 1
888 Buck/Strider – 2
 
Ok, my turn:thumbup:,

It's been fun watching this for awhile. Happy to see the 124 is in the lead. I thought of the 124, then the AG 110. However, if I can only have one sharp implement it would have to be the new Buck Froe. I do have one on order and will try it out removing brush, after that I may change my mind we will see. That thing would be able to do it all, shelter maker, firewood, skinner/butcher work, and self-defense.

jb4570
 
I already cast my vote for a 639 but I am very surprised that no one has picked a 119 yet, especially the new Brahma version.

jb4570, I just picked up a Froe on impulse from a local retailer. Have not used it yet but it's going onto the Mule for brush control and fenceline duty. Need to think of some way to mount it behind the seat with quick/easy access, not planning on carrying it. Hate the sheath, a simple nylon sheath would have been better. I can not see using it for any butcher work other than maybe quartering a carcass. It is too big, thick, and heavy. It would function more as a cleaver. If we could take 2, I think I would pick it over an axe as the second though. Just my take. /Roger
 
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Buck 486 - the Bucklite Max Large folder

Like many people here, I do things in the backcountry that could have consequences. Biggest threats I face are hypothermia (by far) and being injured in a fall. I struggle with the adjective "survival" being applied to my knife, since it equally applies to everything else I take - survival tarp, survival stove, survival clothing, survival pack, survival repair kit. I count ounces following Chouinard's addage that "speed is safety". Realistically, 90% of my use of a knife is for food prep. I prefer a single blade folder with a blade in the 3.5" range and it must be incredibly light. I carry this type of folder in conjunction with a Leatherman PS4 Squirt as a part of my Survival Repair kit (seems odd to say it that way, doesn't it?). The 486 was the best Buck that I've owned for this purpose to date. I'll also use my pocket knife to make wood shavings to start a fire in the rare place that can be done. Unfortunately both of my Bucklite Max folders died early lives. I would love it if Buck produced a flat ground folder in this size range that was more durable and south of 3 oz. Someday I'll try the large Vantage.

There is one kind of trip where I pack a fixed blade. On long remote ski tours that follow rivers (and thus stay down in the hardwoods mostly), I carry a folding fire stove (Emberlit) instead of a white gas or alcohol stove. Wood is plentiful and the Emberlit can be easily run for hours at a time with minimal energy spent on wood gathering and processing. I carry a folding saw and fixe blade with a 4" to 5" blade (weighs less than a fuel bottle). If I had to replace my old Schrade-Walden, I would be very interested in the new Selkirk. I would be even more interested in the Selkirk if they put that blade in a 100 series phenolic handle (or even a rubberized Bucklite Max handle) and made it in the US.

I have axes and hatchets and machete. None of them get carried in my pack. I just don't go places and do things that would justify the weight.
 
DeSotoSky said:
If we could take 2...
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I DIDN'T HEAR THAT! :D

pinnah said:
Buck 486 - the Bucklite Max Large folder

Like many people here, I do things in the backcountry that could have consequences. Biggest threats I face are hypothermia (by far) and being injured in a fall. I struggle with the adjective "survival" being applied to my knife, since it equally applies to everything else I take - survival tarp, survival stove, survival clothing, survival pack, survival repair kit. I count ounces following Chouinard's addage that "speed is safety". Realistically, 90% of my use of a knife is for food prep. I prefer a single blade folder with a blade in the 3.5" range and it must be incredibly light. I carry this type of folder in conjunction with a Leatherman PS4 Squirt as a part of my Survival Repair kit (seems odd to say it that way, doesn't it?). The 486 was the best Buck that I've owned for this purpose to date. I'll also use my pocket knife to make wood shavings to start a fire in the rare place that can be done. Unfortunately both of my Bucklite Max folders died early lives. I would love it if Buck produced a flat ground folder in this size range that was more durable and south of 3 oz. Someday I'll try the large Vantage.

There is one kind of trip where I pack a fixed blade. On long remote ski tours that follow rivers (and thus stay down in the hardwoods mostly), I carry a folding fire stove (Emberlit) instead of a white gas or alcohol stove. Wood is plentiful and the Emberlit can be easily run for hours at a time with minimal energy spent on wood gathering and processing. I carry a folding saw and fixe blade with a 4" to 5" blade (weighs less than a fuel bottle). If I had to replace my old Schrade-Walden, I would be very interested in the new Selkirk. I would be even more interested in the Selkirk if they put that blade in a 100 series phenolic handle (or even a rubberized Bucklite Max handle) and made it in the US.

I have axes and hatchets and machete. None of them get carried in my pack. I just don't go places and do things that would justify the weight.
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pinnah, you are a well prepared backpacker and I agree with your approach, but remember, in this scenario, the only gear you have is a firestarter, compass, stainless water bottle, a tarp and one knife. I'll put you down for a 486! :thumbup:
 
060 Hoodlum - 3
065 Punk - 2
070 Thug - 3
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 1
104 Campadre Camp Knife - 1
105 Pathfinder - 1
106 Hatchet – 1
108 Campadre Froe - 1
110 Folding Hunter - 3
120 General - 2
124 Frontiersman – 5
184 Buckmaster - 2
192 Vanguard - 1
317 Trailblazer– 1
486 Bucklite Max Folder - 1
620 Reaper – 2
639 Fieldmate – 1
651 Nighthawk – 1
863 Selkirk - 1
888 Buck/Strider – 2
 
I agree^. I'd name 3 different items as well. On our wilderness river trip my daughter carried her Buck 495 Ergo-hunter and liked it for everything she used it on. Said, she'd carry it again. It's a the gut-hook version. DM
 
Agreed too.

If I'm in the woods, I have this kit with me. The kit is actually quite small and fits into 2 small organizer pouches. They fit easily in any pack ranging from my smallest hunting fanny pack to a full sized pack.
http://home.comcast.net/~pinnah/DirtbagPinner/essentials-list.txt

Harvey Manning authored the first (several) editions of "The Freedom of the Hills". He carried an SAK, I believe. Later editions promoted the idea of "the 10 essentials".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials

Maybe you can add a SwissBuck to the list for Manning's sake?
 
David Martin said:
On my wilderness river trip after a few swampings my waterproof matches got soaked. So, I resorted to my firesteel to build a fire. It saved the day for 2 nights of our trip. I'm glad I always carry several tools to start a fire. DM
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I do not own a firesteel. Perhaps I should. I pack a magnesium bar with a flint/steel to ignite it. That stuff will light even damp wood.
 
pinnah said:
Maybe you can add a SwissBuck to the list for Manning's sake?
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Sure, why not. Colin Fletcher only carried a SAK as well. I'm pretty sure both of these guys knew a little something about wilderness living. ;)


060 Hoodlum - 3
065 Punk - 2
070 Thug - 3
102 Woodsman - 1
103 Skinner - 1
104 Campadre Camp Knife - 1
105 Pathfinder - 1
106 Hatchet – 1
108 Campadre Froe - 1
110 Folding Hunter - 3
120 General - 2
124 Frontiersman – 5
184 Buckmaster - 2
192 Vanguard - 1
317 Trailblazer– 1
486 Bucklite Max Folder - 1
620 Reaper – 2
639 Fieldmate – 1
651 Nighthawk – 1
863 Selkirk - 1
888 Buck/Strider – 2
SwissBuck - 2 (Posthumous votes for Harvey Manning and Colin Fletcher based on their years of experience and published contributions to backcountry travel) :)
 
DocT said:
I pack a magnesium bar with a flint/steel to ignite it. That stuff will light even damp wood.
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Doc, I own a Doan magnesium bar/flint and I'm terrible at using it. It takes me a long time to shave off the correct amount of slivers and then they burn out before I can get my tinder bundle lit. I'm convinced, it's the user, not the product. I find using a firesteel with fatwood shavings much easier.
 
I have to throw in for the Buck 110. Something about having a nice compact package and though the blade isn't as large, it's proven more than capable.
 
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