Choosing a survival knife

[flatgrinder]

Well, low end compared to Cowry-x, INFI, CPM-3V, CPM-A2, SR-101, etc....

Because something has a good bang for the buck though doesnt mean its high end either. Frosts Mora knives are a great bang for the buck. Are they high end?

BTW, I agree, RAT knives are GREAT. They are probably the biggest bang for the buck of any of the knives I listed.

1095 (with the correct heat treat and a soft back draw) will outperform Cowry-X in a hard use survival knife situation. Cowry-x is nice for a slicer, but it isn't known for it's strength.

 

[axtalan0]

So you're sayin' I should trade all my zombie knives for Powerball tickets, right?

Crap...

Well, a strong, diversified stock portfolio, some in-hand precious metal, an offshore account, a back-up residence in another country and dual citizenship (with passports) will guarantee your chances of 'survival' much, much better in the long run than all the knives, guns and sexy survival gizmos out there. Throughout history, societies have always collapsed over a couple of centuries, these "Hollywood" disaster scenarios are pure fantasy. Things just don't work that way in the real world.

But setting all that up would take actual work and a TON of effort and know-how, so its not much fun to discuss. Hell, I almost fell asleep just typing that

Waaay more fun to go play in the woods with cool toys and pretend like you are preparing for the end of civilization! I will never give up my zombie-choppers!!

Getting back on topic, I always thought the perfect 'survival' combo would be a kukri, a medium-small skinning blade and a Swiss Army knife.

 

[cziv]

Well, it IS wise not to blindly trust what people say, especially a manufacturer about their own products or some such thing.

But if you don't, how are you supposed to know what is the sexy, new, must-have steel?

They're obviously not going to put up info that'll put a damper on sales. Makes one wonder who to believe.

I'm thankful to a lot of the members who post links to their chopping videos like Ankerson, off the top of my head and many others who do written reviews and maybe post shots of a knife with some split wood.

BF is great for learning this stuff as well as the testing site which I don't know if it's against the rules to mention. They have a lot of chop-off tests but nothing as brutal as their forum founder does.

 

[Micro-Bevel]

1095 (with the correct heat treat and a soft back draw) will outperform Cowry-X in a hard use survival knife situation. Cowry-x is nice for a slicer, but it isn't known for it's strength.

Well, the 1095 I have had experience with, apparently is pretty bad. (Ontario Pilot Survival Knife)

I did not know that when I made the OP.

What do you think would be the ultimate performance manifestation of 1095?

Would it come from a custom maker or RAT/ESEE?

And what is a back draw? Is that like a recurve? lol. But seriously, I am not familiar with that terminology.

 

[GrinderMcgee]

Now, onto the checklist of what I consider to be the best survival knife.
1. Full tang, also known as the SANDWICH tang.
2. High performance steel:
CPM-3V (My favorite steel)
INFI (Better than CPM-3V, but is only available through Busse Combat. This is hands down the highest performing steel I have EVER tried, nothing even comes close, its CRAZY!!)
CPM-S30V (Most so called knife experts say to stay away from stainless steels, but this modern stuff is really a different ball game, my S30V Benchamde Rukus [610] hugely out-performed my Ontario pilot survival knife [1095 CARBON steel])
CPM-A2 (Not as good as either the INFI or the 3V, but tougher than S30V, and a lot cheaper to buy. Not a stainless steel.)
There are other great steels out there, like Cowry-X, Vascowear, CPM-D2, SR-101, SR-77, A8, etc..
Just a heads up, these steels arent cheap, so be prepared when you see the prices !!

I disagree. Also, carbon fiber scales and no guard? I'm glad you don't do my knife shopping for me.

Don't take it wrong, it is great you share your opinion. I would just rather read a review/comparison of your two favorite survival blades than a blanket statement about "survival" and what it means to you.

 

[Micro-Bevel]

I disagree. Also, carbon fiber scales and no guard? I'm glad you don't do my knife shopping for me.

Don't take it wrong, it is great you share your opinion. I would just rather read a review/comparison of your two favorite survival blades than a blanket statement about "survival" and what it means to you.

You disagree about what in particular?

What is wrong with CF and no guard?

When I get enough free time, I will do a comparison between my 2 fav. surv. blades.

Thanks for commenting