GSO 4.7 vs 5.1?

D

Doctor Jenks

Joined
May 31, 2015
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Hey guys, sorry for making another one of these "this knife or that knife" threads. I have little experience with fixed blade survival knives, as this will be my first besides a cheap Gerber. Most of my good knives are folders.

Any advice deciding between the two? I'm looking for a general purpose survival knife that I could use for batoning on occasion. In either case, I'm very excited to pick up a Survive! Knife.
 
There is a significant size and weight difference between the two. Do you have a general size range you prefer to carry?
 
Honestly, I don't have much point of reference when it comes to larger fixed blade knives. Most often, I carry a zt 566, which will probably continue to be my primary EDC.

This knife will primarily be used for those times I do venture into the outdoors. Hiking, hunting etc. I'd like it to fill the role of a general purpose, high quality survival knife. Capable of batoning. Maybe I'm expecting too much out of a single knife, but since this will be the only one I can afford for awhile, I'm trying to decide on the best all purpose blade

I was leaning towards the 5.1, but have started to question if the added size and weight would be worth the trade off. On the other hand, I wonder if a few additional ounces would really make much of a difference, assuming the blade provided additional utility.
 
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Welcome to the Survive! Knife forum! I suggest that you go to a gun show or a higher end hunting/sporting store and check out knives with and without choils at similar lengths as the 4.7 and 5.1. You might find that you like or dislike the choil and you might find that you would rather have a smaller knife. Who knows but this exercise will give you a general idea of length and feel.

My first knife was a GSO 6 and I thought it would be too long for me but I found it to be very manageable Soon after I bought a 5.1 and found that I really like a choil but I also love my 5. I don't think you can go wrong with either knife and both will fit your bill. I prefer my 7/7 or something bigger to baton wood. The 5.1 is a little longer than the 5 and it might be a little bit better for batoning because of the longer length. You can still baton with the 5 though you might have more hits on the handles, which WILL NOT void your warranty if you damage them. I doubt you'll really hurt your handles much, I've banged pretty hard on my 7/7 scales with little signs of damage but it's good to know that S!K will stand by their products. Nonetheless, I would rather not hit or minimize the hits on the handles while batoning wood and would use a 5.1 over a 5 for this task. Just my opinion.

Long story short, I don't know which is "better" for you but either will serve you for generations and both are some of the best knives made today.
 
If you want to split firewood then longer is better.
If you want to choke up and aren't nervous about having razor sharp steel right next to your finger then choils are better.
Of the two I'd rather have a 4.7 than a 5.1 because I don't split firewood and I don't like choils.
I'd really rather have the 4.5 bushcraft because I like thinner knives.
 
OBX351 said:
Welcome to the Survive! Knife forum! I suggest that you go to a gun show or a higher end hunting/sporting store and check out knives with and without choils at similar lengths as the 4.7 and 5.1. You might find that you like or dislike the choil and you might find that you would rather have a smaller knife. Who knows but this exercise will give you a general idea of length and feel.

My first knife was a GSO 6 and I thought it would be too long for me but I found it to be very manageable Soon after I bought a 5.1 and found that I really like a choil but I also love my 5. I don't think you can go wrong with either knife and both will fit your bill. I prefer my 7/7 or something bigger to baton wood. The 5.1 is a little longer than the 5 and it might be a little bit better for batoning because of the longer length. You can still baton with the 5 though you might have more hits on the handles, which WILL NOT void your warranty if you damage them. I doubt you'll really hurt your handles much, I've banged pretty hard on my 7/7 scales with little signs of damage but it's good to know that S!K will stand by their products. Nonetheless, I would rather not hit or minimize the hits on the handles while batoning wood and would use a 5.1 over a 5 for this task. Just my opinion.

Long story short, I don't know which is "better" for you but either will serve you for generations and both are some of the best knives made today.
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You are probably right, I'll likely be happy with either one of these great knives. considering my limited experience with longer blades, I probably won't be able to guess which I'll prefer until I've had a chance to hold one, or both of these.

I tried checking a few similar knives out at sportsman warehouse, but they have limited selection. I may try a dedicated knife store. Bladehq is nearby.
 
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Fancier said:
If you want to split firewood then longer is better.
If you want to choke up and aren't nervous about having razor sharp steel right next to your finger then choils are better.
Of the two I'd rather have a 4.7 than a 5.1 because I don't split firewood and I don't like choils.
I'd really rather have the 4.5 bushcraft because I like thinner knives.
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Yeah, I'm not sure what I think about choils. Might use it for very fine work, but would have to see. I liked the bushcraft knife, but think I want something with a thicker blade this time around.
 
Welcome,

I would describe myself just as you have. New to fixed blades, with the some experience with sporting goods store knives. I just got a 5.1, and honestly didn't think I'd be comfortable with a knife that big. I am a woodworker, and make grips for pistols and knife handles, and wanted to get a good knife to make a set of scales for. Survive!, for a host of reasons (great knives, great reputation, good price point, fantastic values as a company... to name a few) was just the kind of knife I was looking for. I strictly bought the 5.1 as a project knife to showcase my grips, and am more and more thinking this knife will stay with me. Yes, it is large, but it is so well made and clearly a fantastic piece of hardware, I keep thinking of all the ways I want to use this thing. It is not too big, and I do think it would suit your purposes very well.

It would be too large for routine hunting duties, I'd say. But more knowledgeable people may disagree. But a knife with game processing and skinning tasks as the main purpose would be too small for most camp chores that the 5.1 will handle with ease. So depending on the tasks you are imagining, step up to the 5.1. I have no experience with it versus a 4.7, sorry, but I can offer the comparison to more conventional hunting knives. This thing is amazing and you will not be disappointed. Just my $.02.
 
That's good advice. That was my main concern, that the 5.1 would prove to be a little too bulky However, I think I would prefer a longer blade for this first one. I think I'll try to snag one over the next few weeks. Thanks for all the great responses!
 
The 3.5 & 5.1 are a great combo if you can afford it.
Excellent balance, handle great...one for smaller detail work & another for heavy chores.
If I could only have one tho...it would be both!
 
To start off welcome!

I got my 5.1 and it is typically my go to camping knife. With that said I still bring a smaller blade. I think either would suit your applications as an "all a rounder" check out some of the threads here. Riz! Has a video of him filleting trout with his 5.1, so game processing is feasible if in the right hands.

I love my 5.1 and have never second guessed my purchase. It is a great knife, and in my opinion the weight is not bad at all. (But I lug a tool belt on my hip most days) It is a very versatile blade that I find to be very nibble in hand for a longer blade.

Another question, sorry if I missed it above, what is your steel choice?
 
Texas_toothpick said:
To start off welcome!

I got my 5.1 and it is typically my go to camping knife. With that said I still bring a smaller blade. I think either would suit your applications as an "all a rounder" check out some of the threads here. Riz! Has a video of him filleting trout with his 5.1, so game processing is feasible if in the right hands.

I love my 5.1 and have never second guessed my purchase. It is a great knife, and in my opinion the weight is not bad at all. (But I lug a tool belt on my hip most days) It is a very versatile blade that I find to be very nibble in hand for a longer blade.

Another question, sorry if I missed it above, what is your steel choice?
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I'll have to check out that video from Riz, sounds interesting. I'm planning to get 3V. Sounds like the best steel in my opinion. Especially considering the images they've shown recently of the rust resistance of the low tempered steel.
 
Or..... you can get a 4.7 for medium duty tasks, an 8 or 10 for chopping, a 3.5 for everyday carry and a 2.7 as a backup-backup.
I'm just spitballing ideas though! These knives are like pistachios. You can never have just one.
 
Standard78 said:
These knives are like pistachios. You can never have just one.
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Nice quote!

Gotta remember that.


I don't have much else to contribute other than what's already been said. I think the main considerations are your feelings on the choil and if you really need that extra inch of blade length for the things you'll be using it for.

Either one is a great knife that will do A LOT of work for you :thumbup:
 
what are the chances of even picking up a 4.7? I have been looking as well, trying to decide between that and the 5.1, but they seem somewhat elusive.
 
Texas_toothpick said:
To start off welcome!

I got my 5.1 and it is typically my go to camping knife. With that said I still bring a smaller blade. I think either would suit your applications as an "all a rounder" check out some of the threads here. Riz! Has a video of him filleting trout with his 5.1, so game processing is feasible if in the right hands.

I love my 5.1 and have never second guessed my purchase. It is a great knife, and in my opinion the weight is not bad at all. (But I lug a tool belt on my hip most days) It is a very versatile blade that I find to be very nibble in hand for a longer blade.

Another question, sorry if I missed it above, what is your steel choice?
Click to expand...
That sounds cool, I'll have to check out those videos from RIZ!

I've decided on 3V, it seems to me like the best choice, especially considering the recent pics posted for 3V corrosion tests using low temper.
 
Texas_toothpick said:
To start off welcome!

I got my 5.1 and it is typically my go to camping knife. With that said I still bring a smaller blade. I think either would suit your applications as an "all a rounder" check out some of the threads here. Riz! Has a video of him filleting trout with his 5.1, so game processing is feasible if in the right hands.

I love my 5.1 and have never second guessed my purchase. It is a great knife, and in my opinion the weight is not bad at all. (But I lug a tool belt on my hip most days) It is a very versatile blade that I find to be very nibble in hand for a longer blade.

Another question, sorry if I missed it above, what is your steel choice?
Click to expand...
That sounds pretty cool, I'll have to check out that video.

I'm interested in the 3V. It seems like the best choice to me, especially considering the recent pictures of corrosion tests of 3V using a low temper.
 
Texas_toothpick said:
To start off welcome!

I got my 5.1 and it is typically my go to camping knife. With that said I still bring a smaller blade. I think either would suit your applications as an "all a rounder" check out some of the threads here. Riz! Has a video of him filleting trout with his 5.1, so game processing is feasible if in the right hands.

I love my 5.1 and have never second guessed my purchase. It is a great knife, and in my opinion the weight is not bad at all. (But I lug a tool belt on my hip most days) It is a very versatile blade that I find to be very nibble in hand for a longer blade.

Another question, sorry if I missed it above, what is your steel choice?
Click to expand...

That sounds pretty cool, I'll have to check out that video.

I'm interested in the 3V. It seems like the best choice to me, especially considering the recent pictures of corrosion tests of 3V using a low temper.
 
Texas toothpick, having a little trouble getting the quite function to work on tapatalk.

That sounds pretty cool, I'll have to check out that video.

I'm interested in the 3V. It seems like the best choice to me, especially considering the recent pictures of corrosion tests of 3V using a low temper.
 
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