With a choice of two I would have to go with the Leatherman Wave as the folder and a Busse Zero Tolerance Battle Mistress as my chopper.
A few comments and some rationale.
Brian,
I find the small screwdriver sharp enough that it could probably be used in an emergency as an awl, with a little help from the tip of the a knife. It is however very handy for the repair of glasses, and having used it for such, I am not sure I would want to grind it into an awl. I would probably use the next size up, if I was going to sacrifice a blade. Further, it would have more room to play around with getting in a hole, which the best awls have, and a scalloped edge (NOT serrated--I mean the curve along the edge like the Victorinox have). I find that leaving off the awl a bad choice, but some might argue that the screwdrivers get more use. HOW could Tim Leatherman, though after spending all that effort on an amazing design, leave off the measurements?
They managed to stamp on the name.
------------Some optional rationale:
As a pocket knife the Rucksack is probably more manageable, but I would just miss the versatility of my Wave too much. Cutting carpet one time, the Wave worked fine, but I found it a little awkward peeling a fruit. The Pocket Service Tool (I know not a choice)might be a nice alternative, since the blade opens with one hand. Anybody give one of these a real workout in the woods/jungle? Here Victorinox left off the hole in the awl, it is heavier, and the blade design is a little odd. Since it is not symetrical it is harder to cut a straight line, although with some effort it seems to work. Sharp!! though. I am not sure where the weight comes in, maybe the different lock. A plus is that the screwdriver locks, which makes it more useful for scraping out that last bit of coconut flesh. The one handed feature is great. I would love to have a Rucksack with the only change being the addition of that hole, and then a junior version. Since you do not need to put your hand in front of the blade to unlock the Rucksack, a junior version would be just the ticket as a first knife. It would be my knife of choice at parties too, opens beer and wine bottleseven a can if necessary.
I picked the Busse Zero Tolerance Battle Mistress as it is sturdy and screaming sharp. (To quote Jerry.) Since the scenario suggests you dont have much else I would find it useful, versatile, and reassuring. Since the Wave might not be the best pocket knife I could use it a lot as a knife. The BK&T PATROL MACHETE as mentioned by Will (and pasted in here with his CAPS
)is great, but I would find it too long for much duty as a knife. I am not used to using a knife of more than 10". Since the ZTBM is 3/16" it wont be as heavy to carry as a regular Battle Mistress. By the way, the ZTBM rides fine in a High Desert Holster Kydex Busse Basic 9 sheath (or whoever made those sheaths). After getting the ZT set, no money for sheaths
but I am not complaining.
The BK&T 7" Combat Utility knife would be another good choice. It is a very versatile setup. My ferrocerium rod is already in the pouch ready to go. Further, the sheath also works great for my ZT Steel Heart. See I told you it was versatile!! I guess Ill have to return the BK&T 7 to its home and try it on some fatwood experiments this weekend, along with the ZTBM....after all I said I could use it as knife. I better make sure!
I also did not pick the SERE 2000, because it was not a choice. Great knife, and I love that pocket clip!
If you have been carefully paying attention to this ramble, you might wonder, what he did with his ZT Natural Outlaw. It fits fine in my regular combat grade Natural Outlaw sheath that I never used. The ZT version being thinner, is little loose, but the snap fastener holds it in. The Natural Outlaw itself is riding in one of Joe Chens great Kydex sheaths along with a clipped on ferrocerium rod.
