CS Bush Ranger as a "survival knife"?

G

Ghecko

Joined
Aug 31, 1999
Messages
280
I guess the title says it all... Is the CS Bush Ranger (Carbon V version) suitable for heavy duty use in a survival situation? Specifically some chopping of hard and soft trees & limbs, possibly some defensive use and maybe some light digging in addition to more mundane cutting activities. The areas I'm thinking of are mostly in the Appalachian/Blue Ridge Mountains areas of northern GA and eastern Tennessee although northern Minnesota is not out of the question.

There are several things I like about it (only half a pound, excellent handle, handy size) but don't know that the 3/16" spine can hold up to serious torture...

Jon
 
I have a Bush Ranger, unfortunately my idea of a survival situation is when my computer crashes, or when no bathroom is within eye sight after eating at taco bell. I think the Bush ranger is the best knife for it's weight and price, and it should be able to chop through branches and stuff better than any other knife which doesn't have a full flat grind. The edge does seem a bit thin for prying, and the tip really can't be abused, but I think it is the best knife for survival in that price range.
 
If your survival kit includes DEET it shouldn't include a knife with a Kraton handle.

-Cougar Allen :{)
 
Cougar,

I'm assuming the Junglee Tactical Drop Point's handles are Kraton (at least they feel like it) and I've exposed 100% DEET to its handles during testing.

Completely submerged for 10 minutes...no problem.

Thin layer of DEET and air dry...no problem.

Now, the Junglee could very well have a different composite that's not reactive. As you stated, I've used other Kraton handles and had problems.

------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com

 
I have never used my bush ranger chopping branches but I have used it to chop some pretty hard salami while camping. Probably about as hard as spruce or pine branches. The salami was harder on our teeth than on the knife. The use of bug repellent ( about 30% DEET) did not seem to affect the handle one bit ( it didn't keep the blackflies away either). A good knife that holds up well.
 
did anyone really abuse the knife? The SRK held up well cutting Kiawe wood (Very Hard wood) cutting and skinning goats. Tip chipped took awhile toget it out. The SRK is about ten years old handle still holding up.
 
Fot those who don't know...kiawe is really really big mesquite trees that grow in Hawaii. They get really big because it rains alot. First time I saw them, I didn't recognise them as mesquite I'm used to the drought stunted scrub we have in Texas. Beautiful wood, very hard/
 
I would not rely on a knife that did not have its handle very securely fixed. I have had kraton handles come loose in the past under heavy usage. Jerry Younkins mentions this in his book on knife tests regarding the Cold Steel ATC.
 
Bill, thanks for explaination about kiawe, although I've never seen Mesquite. except in carcoal bags.
 
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