Did I make a poor decision? (RE: Survival Knives)

The Northwest Ranger is a pretty nice knife. I'd rather it did not have the serrations, but I still like it. Unfortunately, I have so many knives, it usually sits at home and others get chose first.
 
Seriously, I think the S1 could be fine. There's certainly nothing obviously wrong with it. If you use it, and decide that it just doesn't work for you, you'd only lose ten or twenty bucks letting it go to another knife nut. Think of it as a rental charge. I think we all do that sometimes, since it can be hard to find local dealers that carry all the cool stuff.

Oh yeah, I call dibs if you decide to ditch the S1. I'm always interested in a discount...
 
DutchV said:
Seriously, I think the S1 could be fine. There's certainly nothing obviously wrong with it. If you use it, and decide that it just doesn't work for you, you'd only lose ten or twenty bucks letting it go to another knife nut. Think of it as a rental charge. I think we all do that sometimes, since it can be hard to find local dealers that carry all the cool stuff.

Oh yeah, I call dibs if you decide to ditch the S1. I'm always interested in a discount...
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Thanks man, I'll keep you posted :P

Though I think I'll stick with it a while... hehe

Again, thanks everybody!
 
Lunch time here - Just had a look at dozens of knives in one of the few stores here that has a halfway decent selection.

They didn't have the S1 nor the F1 (I bought it a few months ago)

The most appealing knife left to me the Fallkniven WM1 the real little brother of the S1 - but I coudl actually see carrying it on my pack in the bush and using it for a lot of things!

The Fallkniven are not bad - have fun
 
I own the S1. If you are going to limit yourself to only one knife, then you are looking for something that can do it all, and the S1 is a great choice. As some said, it does have a thicker edge, but I thinned mine out somewhat. But you won't break it and you can definitely count on it for your life.

Now, if you're a two knife guy, it opens up more possibilities. A1 plus an F1 would be a nice choice, but at that point I'd lean toward adding an ax to your current S1 and a smaller finesse knife...maybe something like a Buck 110 or similar in a fixed version. There's nothing you couldn't do with that setup.

And you have to remember that the most important part of a survival knife is between your own ears. Some people would die with a hundred great knives, while a Barlow is all it would take for another to survive. Learn to use whatever you choose to stick with.
 
I know I'll be seen as a blasphemer and heretic here, but 99% of the time you could get away with a much less expensive knife. Not as cool, but just about as useful. That being said, you bought a good knife. Learn how to use it before you go throwing it away based on somebody else's opinion. If, after using it for a while, you decide that it isn't for you, sell it and get something else. But until you have actually used it camping, and out and about, you have no idea how it fits you. As for the ONE knife concept, I don't buy into that. Especially not for survival situations. I like having one good full-sized knife. I also like having a SAK or multi-tool. And a smaller knife for more delicate tasks. If I am going to be dealing with wood, I either bring a 12" machete or a cable saw. Use the right tool for the right job. That sounds like a lot of gear, but aside from the machete, it is all pretty small, and can be distributed around my belt and pack. I am not looking for a knife that will build a camp, skin a rabbit, and then defend me from a bear. Besides, if you lose your ONE knife and are in a survival situation, you are screwed.

-Mb
 
hector81 said:
keep the S1
get a machete ($20 tops) or a hatchet.
and a buck 110 or a SAK
and off you go!
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Great suggestion! The S1 is a great knife, although I like my F1 just fine for most camp chores/survival. Heck, I even carry my old Buck 119 sometimes and it works fine, but mostly use it as a hunting knife.
 
I myself really like the S1 too. I got one when they were released years ago. I then used the F1 for a long time but just recently I have started using the H1 instead. Although the H1 is not a traditional "camp knife" it fits me well. Not too big but can deliver more than I can ever ask from it. I use it together with a Bahco Laplander saw and a Leatherman Fuse.

So, stick with the S1. Get a folding saw (weighs less than a hatchet and is safer when you are tired and it is dark) and a multitool or small folder and you are well served tool wise.
 
I have been less than tickled pink over a knife once I received it in the mail. I learned another use - display! Okay, without the income some have (I am a retired college instructor.), I have to be careful of my purchases. Even a knife I was displeased with the moment it came out of the box eventually grew on me.

I have a display case my wife's collections outgrew - I inherited it after I sprung for a larger case for her. It's perfect for my knives - and, the 'exposure' has permitted me to mull over those purchases, a two-edged sword of sorts. Firstly, it was a visual reminder of what I didn't like - secondly, seeing it so frequently made me handle it more. Eventually, I found an appreciation for everything - and haven't sold even my greatest disappointment, a Benchmade 201 Activator+. It's D2 blade, as delivered, had to be batonned through typewriter paper! My only other BM, a 440C Grip, was bought new in a similar condition and remained in a drawer for years until I recently slicked it up on a Sharpmaker. That fb's D2 is a bit of a challenge, but I do like the 'feel' - and heft.

Even my least useful BR, a LE '07 North Star, has a home here. It was the closest thing to a BR disappointment I've experienced (I nicked my forefinger when it slipped during my first whittling excercise... I knew I liked finger guards & choils!). I really think, although I am not a Falkniven lover, that you should give the S1 a try. Of course, I also agree that a Buck 110 in the pocket - and a camp axe/hatchet - would be a great accompaniment, too. I remember camping with my Dad's old KaBar and an SAK (or Buck 301 or 110) - and having all areas covered - the added camp hatchet helped, of course. My 'enlightenment' wasn't cheap...

Stainz
 
The S1 is the 5 incher, right?
What is it that this other guy told you that you needed a longer knife to do?
Most consider the ideal bush knife to be the same length as the width of your palm, which for most people will be 3.5-4.5". Yours is just a little over that. Mors Kochanski gives +/- 1 inch on that measurement, in which case it's just fine. But again, these are other people's opinions. You need to go use the hell out of it and form your own opinions, because no matter what it is, there's going to be people that don't like it.

The only thing I can think of that a longer knife would be better at is wood gathering, or if you're in the desert (don't know what you mean by "dry"), slicing into barel cactus without getting pricked. To do any of that, you're better off taking a specialized tool (hatxhet, machete, kukri) and taking the S1 for your knife chores.

I've never been able to come up with one tool that does everything well. The least I got it down to is two.
 
22-rimfire said:
The Northwest Ranger is a pretty nice knife. I'd rather it did not have the serrations, but I still like it. Unfortunately, I have so many knives, it usually sits at home and others get chose first.
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My very thought. I like the SOG Tsunami also, but it doesn't get much use because of the serrations.
 
JTR357 said:
Not everyone can afford a months rent or mortgage payment on a survival knife.
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You can buy a Busse Skinny ASH-1 for $302. It's a fantastic knife and I don't think the price is excessive, considering the S1 is $125.

But I would be perfectly content with the Fallkniven! I have the smaller F1 and it is one of my all-time favorites.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
from the beginning of time to about 30 years ago nobody had that good of a knife, and somehow still managed to survive, amen.
 
The Northwest Ranger is one of my favorite all around knives. I have had mine for many years. The serrated part is small and has been very useful to me at times. Good choice you made on the S-1. The F-1 would be a equally good choice. IMO you can't beat teaming up a medium size knife with a good hatchet You are sure to have the bases covered that way. You can buy a darn good knife and a darn good hatchet for 100.00 and have enough left for lunch and a fire steel.:D
 
You know what? I think you should be content with your knife :D
I have a $60 folding knife, work the hell out of it, and it works. And like someone else had said, people before didn't have a knife CLOSE to what we have now and still managed to survive better than most of us can anyways.......
And always appropriate your tool for the job. A knife wasn't made to chop down trees in the first place. For that, use an ax. Or make an ax for that matter! (Now that's TRUE survival)
Now, I know that was a bit harsh, but if you wanted to, you could make your own custom knife that fits your needs perfectly!
 
Yep, after doing a lot more reading and experiencing a lot more, I really like my S1 :D

Will be getting a hatchet very soon to compliment it, and... I can't help it, I'm ordering a RAT RC-3 from NewGraham when they get it in stock.... EDC around town and also looks like a great, smaller knife.

By the way, I've gotten in touch with my Classic SAK and Trekker again lately :) Been EDCing the Classic along with a Serrated Spyderco Tasman Salt - one for utility use and one for SHTF.
 
I have a $60 folding knife, work the hell out of it, and it works. And like someone else had said, people before didn't have a knife CLOSE to what we have now and still managed to survive better than most of us can anyways.......
And always appropriate your tool for the job. A knife wasn't made to chop down trees in the first place. For that, use an ax. Or make an ax for that matter! (Now that's TRUE survival)
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Those are very good points. The definition of "survival" after all is learning to do without. If you can't get by without thousands of dollars worth of gear, is it really "survival"? ;)
 
Halbie said:
Yeah, I'm not a fan of those handles, either. I only buy their leather or wood handled knives. I looked at the A2 as a camp knife and the handle was the only thing that put me off. They'd do better with Micarta on those - they would probably look better, too. Guess, that means more $$, too.
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Weird but true. While in the whole Bark River family the cheapest models feature green or black micarta handles and the most expensive have blaze orange G10... in Fallkniven is the other way arround. The micarta handled models retail for almost TWICE AS MUCH as the Kraton handled ones.

Im am all out for the Kraton handles. Not pretty but I don't care. They have an excelent grip, protruding tangs and don't feel as cold as the exposed tangs in the micarta handled ones while using them in winter without gloves.

Mikel
 
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