Fire steel knife and rod, and new knife help

S

seniordep2010

Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
309
Is there a specific type of steel that must be used with a fire steel rod or will any type do? I know I know, Im a newbie, but I gotta learn somehow right? Any brands of fire steel you would reccomend?

Also is a fire steel rod the best thing for making fire out in the woods or is there something else out there that works good too? (And I dont mean rubbing 2 sticks together :D)
-Thanks

P.S. Im looking for a new fixed blade knife, for hunting, camping, bushcraft and general usage for under or around ... say $75 any suggestions would help alot
 
I'm pretty sure the fire steel you're referring to is ferro-cerium. Tracy Mickley has some good info on them.

http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/...9.html?zenid=2e1f5ed95976b31fb9a11f2a467ee17c

I still prefer a cheapo lighter for starting fires, with a ferro-cerium rod as backup.

As far as fixed blades go, I'm no expert, but I love the Spyderco Mule. I'm not sure if they're under your budget, but they're very well designed and constructed.
 
Thanks for the link and I like the Spyderco Mule, looks like a nice knife, but I cant seen to find the price anywhere.
 
Senior - Welcome

Most people take several methods of lighting a fire. A cigarette lighter being a standard and easiest option - btu sometimes unreliable, the ferociem rod being avalaible as well - works when wet, cold etc - no maintenance. Couple this with a couple of cotton balls dipped in petroleum jelly, a fire lighter, a piece of car or bike inner tube ....

There are a lot of threads on this area - try googling but restricting the search to this sight. You will find an overwhleming mass of informed and expereinced opinion

On Knives - again search here there are some very experienced and informed threads

My summary
Lots of good knives - in fact too many, and generally massively over spec in many cases. It comes down to what features(uses) you want and taste

From
Mora (iconic and cheap) and Cold Steel Bushman

www.grohmannknives.com/pages/r3s.html boat knife and #1 knife - A practical knife issued to Canadian army. less of a pry bar than most military approved knives

Kabar full size and reduced size (work for some) -

Kukhari - big choppers

And pushing over your $75
Through to Rat RC3 up
Bark River Canadian Special, Bravo 1 and 2
Fallkniven F1 S1 A1

and many more

Questions
1- Do you want a slicer, animal skinener and food prep knife - coming to groshmann, some of the Mora's, and avoid thicker blades - and probably less than 5 inches
2- If you want a battener and Chopper go bigger
3 - ist also for impromptu Zombie killing? Bigger heavier
4 - Do you need a stainless steel? As non stainless is percieved by many as easier to sharpen

At that price range I'd be tempted to look at a Grohmann - #1 or boat knife - possibly with a high flat grind. (I don't have either though - I do have a number of the others mentioned though). To me it would be a good general purpose knife for those not neededing to fight zombies or hack down tall trees in a single blow - in some ways it is simmilar to the famous kephart bushman knife. The guy who owns BRKT generally carries a Canadian Special which is many ways a little similar

Bang for Buck a Mora is hard to beat

Ps. most also have a Swiss army knife or something else in the pocket as well

Let us know what you get and why
 
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Im no authority on the subject of survival or camp knives, but for the price my ka-bar becker bk-9 companion is tough as a coffin nail, and its not awkward to carry one bit. It seems to fit like a glove too.
 
First of all thanks alot for the informative and very helpful responses. Yes Im looking for something that I can skin a deer with, and split small peices of wood for a fire and or tender. Basically if I can skill large game with and its still ruff and tuff for everything else then that is what I need. BTW, I really like Rat Cutlery, the RC3 looks really good and the RC4 doesnt look too bad either. Oh and the Grohmann looks like a nice little knife, I gotta do more research :D.
 
Yes 1978, Ive been looking a Ka-Bar's line, they do have some good stuff. I was looking at a Ka-Bar USMC for around $55, but I dont know if it is really practical, seems more of a figthing and general zombie slayer more than anything, but they have some other that look good to me. The Becker Companion looks like a good, inexpensive knife on cheaperthandirt.com
 
For the amount of knife you get for that money, its one tough blade. Depending on what kind of hunting you do it might be overkill. I wouldnt want to dress a rabbit with it. As far as camping and bushcraft, you can beat the ever living crap out of it, dig with it, beat it through wood and still use it for cooking chores. That said, there is a right tool for every job, but this one fills a few of the gaps if I had to pick just one.
 
Ill keep it in mind for my wood beating, cooking, log spliting, bushcraft, and occassional zombie attack. :D. No doubt its a good nice though, if it wasnt our military would isuue them...I hope.
 
seniordep2010 said:
Yes 1978, Ive been looking a Ka-Bar's line, they do have some good stuff. I was looking at a Ka-Bar USMC for around $55, but I dont know if it is really practical, seems more of a figthing and general zombie slayer more than anything, but they have some other that look good to me. The Becker Companion looks like a good, inexpensive knife on cheaperthandirt.com
Click to expand...

Dont sell your soul to cheaperthanGOLD.com!!!
 
For a knife with a built-in firesteel striker check out the TOPS Shango. Designed by one of the moderators, in fact! :D I love mine. :thumbup:
 
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