CPM 3V vs INFI, Survive 5 vs Busse SOB - Help me decide on my next knife

[ncrockclimb]

I am considering buying a new fixed blade knife. This is going to be a “bushcraft” (whatever that means these days) and camp knife. After a lot of research I have a few knives and steel types in mind, but am hoping that you can help me to both expand my list and select the knife I will purchase.

CPM 3V and Infi are the two steels that I am considering. Survive 5 or 5.1 and Busse SOB are the two knives I am considering. I am also thinking about Bark River's Bravo 1 or Bravo 1 Lt. I am open to any other knives in 3V or something similar.

So, I am guess that I am asking two things:

What other knives should I be considering in 3V or similar steel? What do you like about them?

Of the knives that I listed, wich do you prefer and why?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jbs121s]

I have the GSO 5, 5.1 and SOB. I personally prefer the 5.1 for user comfort. The bonus is it comes with a very nice sheath. In my opinion the infi is probably the better steel, but the advantages are minimal and Guys 3v is damn good stuff. If you are hung up on the infi then I would try to find a infi RMD in a knife that size. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices.

 

[ncrockclimb]

Thanks for the reply. Since you have two of GSOs, can you tell me where you purchased them. I have not done too much research, but it seems that they are our of stock everywhere I look.

 

[hhmoore]

You get to wait, like everybody else did, lol. Either that, or try to catch one on the Exchange.

 

[jbs121s]

You get to wait, like everybody else did, lol. Either that, or try to catch one on the Exchange.

This is correct, I was lucky enough to snag a few 5.1's before they sold out in less than 15 minutes when they were available about a month ago. Other than that I have waited or bought them on the exchange. I really like the Survive knives with the 5.1, 4.1 and 7/7 being my favorites. I have multiples of all those knives that I have acquired in the last year or so. I was trying to answer the question you asked and not make it more confusing because I know how hard it can be to choose just one.
I would personally go with the 5.1 over the 5 and like I said, if you are hung up on the Infi than find you a Infi RMD for a little more than a 5.1. Many will tell you that the RMD is their favorite knife in that size range.

If you want to talk about the other Survive knifes than the 7 is probably my favorite with the 4.1 in third after the 5.1. If I could only carry one and weight was an issue than the 5.1 would be a great choice. If I could take two it would be the 7 and a 4.1.

 

[Skrapmetal]

My two favorite steels, and the Busse family and Survive! are my favorite makers right now.

I find CPM3v to have a little better edge retention, and INFI to have a little better corrosion resistance. Never managed to push either one past the limits of their toughness, even when doing some silly stuff.