Help me decide on a fixed blade for BOB (surplus sog or something else).

S

Samot

Joined
Nov 1, 2009
Messages
103
I've made some 3 day emergency survival bags for my girlfriend and I, and one of the things I included is a fixed blade attached to the left shoulder strap for easy access. I used two knives I already own for this purpose: My sog seal pup on my GF's bag, and my beautiful cold steel san mai magnum tanto 2 on mine. The problem is I love the tanto and can't stand the thought of putting it on an emergency bag in the trunk of a car and (hopefully) never getting to use it. So I now have a casual interest in purchasing a less awesome, but still good quality, fixed blade for permanent emergency duty.

This is where the sog comes in. The surplus store I frequent has a well used surplus sog seal team (elite I think) that looks a little dirty, but is in fine working condition. It looks like the tip was slightly reshaped to be stronger, and honestly I like how it looks. Also, it comes with a very nice molle capable sheath which would work great on my emergency bag. This knife is $80.

The alternatives, however, are plentiful. I'd like a knife of about the same quality as the sog (or perhaps a cold steel or Kabar), but I'd obviously like to pay less. It would greatly help if it had a molle sheath or if the sheath fit under the molle straps of a backpack strap. I also prefer tanto/tactical styles to outdoorsman/hunter types.

I recognize this is research I could do myself over time, but I'd like to use it as an excuse to discuss fixed blade knives for this purpose and to see your favorites which fall into this category.

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
I'd go with a BK2. It is a tank of a knife, and won't break the bank ($60.00-$65). Personally, tanto blades serve no purpose in a survival knife role.

STP85523.jpg
 
The whole becker series seems like a great quality and just about the range I'm looking for, especially the tactool which is my favorite, but I don't like the handle material. Something rubberized like the sog, or something in micarta(which is probably too expensive for my request) would be better.
Thanks for the reply.

Edit: Been doing more research. What do you guys think of the Sog Tsunami (for 50 bucks) or the Cold Steel Recon Tanto (for $64) I particularly like the look of the tsumani, but don't know what kind of sheath it comes with.

Also, what companies am I missing that have product lines in this price range? I've looked at cold steel, kabar, and sog so far.
 
Last edited:
KaBar sells micarta handles for the BK&T series of knives and they're really not that expensive.

I'll second Becker Knife and Tool. They're great knives.
 
Wolf_1989 said:
KaBar sells micarta handles for the BK&T series of knives and they're really not that expensive.

I'll second Becker Knife and Tool. They're great knives.
Click to expand...

Wow, I saw those on a knife and though they were custom. It's really awesome that they make those available, but if i purchased the tac-tool for $75 (or even $65 for my second favorite, the bk7 combat utility) adding $40 on top takes it well out of my price range. That doesn't mean I don't have my eye on them now to add to my collection, but I don't think it's my answer to this question.

Anyone had any experience with the Sog Tsunami? I think it's the frontrunner so far. I'm going to go search for some reviews.
 
I doubt the tip on that used Sog was reshaped to make it stronger.The tip of the blade broke and someone reprofiled it.Paying $80.00 for a blade that broke already doesn't sound like much of a deal to me.I agree with Vanguard,a tanto blade would be my last choice for a bug-out bag knife.The Buck 119 or an Esee would be two other options.
 
Samot said:
...
Edit: Been doing more research. What do you guys think of the Sog Tsunami (for 50 bucks) or the Cold Steel Recon Tanto (for $64) I particularly like the look of the tsumani, but don't know what kind of sheath it comes with.
...
Click to expand...
It seems you talk about survival but in fact has made up your mind about buying a tactical knife. Nothing wrong about that - just state clearly what exactly are you looking for?
I do not know about tsunami. But I have had CS Recon Tanto and found it mostly useless. It is not designed for cutting I believe. Only for chopping and stabbing.
For the purpose you have described I would consider something like Ka-Bar Mark 1.
 
Condor Rodan would be nice.
Condor makes a bunch of good knives at very good prices. Check em out.
 
The only issue I have with the standard BK&T handle material is it gets a bit slick when bloody. I've been using a Magnum Camp for about a decade for slaughtering & butchering and know first hand. The material is durable, but gets slick. On the other hand, Becker's design locks well into my grip and is very naturally comfortable.

You could always just get a Becker now, then later when funds allow, upgrade the handle to micarta.
 
Poez said:
It seems you talk about survival but in fact has made up your mind about buying a tactical knife. Nothing wrong about that - just state clearly what exactly are you looking for?
I do not know about tsunami. But I have had CS Recon Tanto and found it mostly useless. It is not designed for cutting I believe. Only for chopping and stabbing.
For the purpose you have described I would consider something like Ka-Bar Mark 1.
Click to expand...

I do apologize. My initial thought when shopping for the knife was just to find something I liked for a reasonable price. My preferences have always tended towards tanto points, for mostly asthetic reasons, however I like having "two edges" often used for different purposes (careful work vs large cuts) and the idea of a strong tip. I recognize there are practical issues when it comes to choosing a knife desiged for survival. I'd be interested in seeing references to discussions about tanto vs other style knives for the purposes of survival, but I don't think the topic needs to be discussed here.

twl said:
Condor Rodan would be nice.
Condor makes a bunch of good knives at very good prices. Check em out.
Click to expand...
The condor knives look really interesting, thank you. I'll look them over.

Wolf_1989 said:
The only issue I have with the standard BK&T handle material is it gets a bit slick when bloody. I've been using a Magnum Camp for about a decade for slaughtering & butchering and know first hand. The material is durable, but gets slick. On the other hand, Becker's design locks well into my grip and is very naturally comfortable.
Click to expand...

That was the issue I was afraid of on those handles. They look as though they'd get slippery when wet. They look comfortable, but I'd prefer something grippier.

Edit: I neglected to mention I already have a Ka-Bar kukri style machete attached to the bag, meaning this knife does not have to carry the "survival" burden alone. It's intended as much for general use and self defense as it is a part of a BOB.
 
Last edited:
Samot said:
That was the issue I was afraid of on those handles. They look as though they'd get slippery when wet. They look comfortable, but I'd prefer something grippier.
Click to expand...

Slip a few ranger bands or tubing over the stock handle and you're good to go, but I don't mind the Grivory and lanyard set-up. Becker's a great choice... :thumbup:

camp01.jpg
 
I've got my esee on my B.O.B. in my trunk. I actually use it quite a bit still. Its proved itself to be amazingly tough, and doesn't weigh much which is handy when you have to travel fast and light. But a bk2 would be my primary choice! You don't need the micarta handles, and you can even try to make them yourself if you really want, they're not that hard.
 
My brother has a BK-7 Combat\Utility and he roughened up his handles with coarse sandpaper. It looks a little crude but it works.

I'm just holding out to micarta-ize one of mine first to see how I like it.
 
It looks like I really can't ignore the becker line, with so many positive testimonies. Does anyone have anything nice to say about the tac tool (not really for self defense, but i still wouldn't want it swung at me) or the combat utility? I'll be honest, I don't like the wide bladed look of the BK2. I know it's silly to put form before function, but if the world ends I don't want to have to look at an ugly knife every day. :)

I also looked through the Condor line. I like their designs, especially the Toloza, and I'm impressed by their ability to include micarta on a knife in that price range. Anyone have any experience with it? How does 1075 steel compare to AUS 8?

Edit:
EricV said:
I've got my esee on my B.O.B. in my trunk. I actually use it quite a bit still. Its proved itself to be amazingly tough, and doesn't weigh much which is handy when you have to travel fast and light. But a bk2 would be my primary choice! You don't need the micarta handles, and you can even try to make them yourself if you really want, they're not that hard.
Click to expand...

I know the ESEE knives are great quality. I was very impressed with them when I worked at a cutlery store for a few years. But my favorite size, the ESEE-5, is considerably more expensive than my target range. If I had one laying around, I'd certainly put it on the bag, but I can't justify the cost.
 
Last edited:
Actually the BK2's blade isn't that much wider than the rest of their line-up, and helps make it more stout for chopping uses. If you're looking for a good general purpose survival knife, "Generalism" is the key as it is a better strategy than "Specialism". This means a knife designed for many uses is better for survival than a knife which is only meant to be used as a weapon. For example a british commando dagger, although a deadly weapon, is virtually worthless as a survival tool. The BK2 is a stout medium sized knife, with a rugged and wide blade for chopping, a nice high grind for slicing, and a sharp point for sticking.

As for the BK7 combat-utlity, I have one of those too, and it fills the same niche as the venerable USMC KaBar knife but IMO is a bit of an improved design. My brother was in the Marines and collects KaBars, but his favorite knife is his BK7.
 
If you're really looking for a tanto, than what about one of the tanto USMC Kabar's? They come with the rubbery grip and a plastic sheath.
1245_h_lg.png
 
I like the look of tantos, but I'm not immune to reason. I can't deny I still like the Sog Tsunami, but the becker bk7 and bk2 are growing on me, and I like the condor toluza as well. One problem I have is I hate buying knives without touching them first. I've liked every sog fixed blade I've handled before, so I'd feel comfortable buying the Tsunami online, but I've never seen a becker or a toluza in person. I'd have to handle them before I could buy one. My area has lost all of its knife stores, so I'll have to keep an eye out for a place that might carry them.

Thanks for all the feedback and advice. I'd be interested in hearing more opinions and options, and I'll be keeping an eye on the marketplace for an inexpensive esee, but otherwise I think I have all the information I need.
 
Truck BOB is a Ontatrio RC3 & axe, House BOB BK9 & Busse SAR 5, wifes car Mora and whatever $10 knife Winchester sold at Wally world that is full tang. She has a tendency to clean and I end up never seeing it again so no big $ on that one. Bwtween it and the Mora I should have enough knife to get home. Hunting pack CABS, SAK, Regulator and rotate a Rodent Solution in/out with the CABS. BK2 is on the wish list.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top