How Big Is A Survival Knife ?

pitdog

pitdog

Joined
Apr 13, 2007
Messages
12,294
Since I was Knee high to a grass-hopper I have been into the outdoors scene and read survival books etc.
As a kid I'd go into the woods with my mate/s armed with only a Vic SAK and I thought I was prepared for any eventuality.
My dad convinced me that a fixed blade was the way to go so that's where my obsession began !
My early idea of blades started out with my NRA Snody, I thought this was a perfect sized blade and one that I could perform any task....
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I then started to carry my TOPS WolfPup and wondered if smaller wasn't better....
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I realised that this had it's limits and went one step further and got a Ka-Bar D2 Impact point...
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And then after reading posts on this forum I questioned the strength of my Ka-Bar and invested in a ScrapYard DM....
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At last the perfect blade.....but then there was talk of convex edges.....so...
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And then Convex was out and Scandi was in so....
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But still I went back to the DM...
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And then I found the Ratmandu and my world changed !!!
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I knew the RMD was a better knife but still I wanted to beat on the DM ?
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And then just when all was well I got a ChopWeiler....
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And this feels perfect, I keep holding it and thinking if the SHTF now and I had to grab one knife this would be it.....knife perfection.....damn, not so long back I thought 4" was just right !!! Man am I confused !!!!!
The only thing that I have been constant with is that Mora's suck !
Where will it end ?
 
Ain't no everytask knife, unless it is the only one you have with you when you have to everytask.

The NRA is just fine. Add a 12 in AK khukuri, or belt axe, or some light chopping tool and you are good to go.

But...

you just like to buy knives, don't you? C'mon now, you can tell us, we're part of the enabler's group. :)


some pretty stuff. :thumbup:







Kis
enjoy every sandwich
 
The thing is people say " yeah a 4" blade is fine just carry a SAK and an axe ", I ain't gonna carry an axe when hiking....hell most people I see don't even carry a knife !!!!!
 
The best way to look at it is carry and use what ever works for you. Your new RAT pair is about perfect in my mind to, but hey I like knives so I will have many users in all shapes and sizes.
 
The perfect knife is the one that feels comfortable and you are comfortable using. I carry everything from a small classic SAK to a SYKW DFLE and even a machete depending on what I am doing. 4" ia generally accepted as a middle length blade so I think thats why people recommend it so much.

btw pitdog next time im on the west coast you need to show me where you hike, its amazing country there :)
 
Pit?

you don't really NEED an axe, but you mentioned chopping. My small AK khuk weighs about 12 oz, and is very non-threatening to others.

And, it is handy to have.

have fun.

(Attached image is what I think of as my work crew: 15inch over-all AK (too big for some); 12 inch over-all AK khuk, handy and unassuming and 12oz; Sarge, a typical belt knife (I designed this one, but any would do), and the smallest is a "neck-knife" sized blade made from a file, about 4.5 inches long.)

workcrew.jpg


The smaller three would handle virtually all the issues you mentioned.

I'm not preaching, just responding to your first post.


Have fun.
 
A survival knife is as big as it is when you need it to survive. Maybe a bit smaller as time progresses.

The kid whose arm got pinned by a boulder who then amputated it with his cheap, dull multitool was using his survival knife. In his case, it was a knife that he bought because he knew that he ought to do it, but didn't take that idea far enough and analyze what a knife is for and what it ought to be able to do.
 
Hi pit dog give maisy a pat on the head and a good girl and tell the family hi to LOL.
I have been there to brother and the only thing that will settle this is trial and error
and doing what you are doing now which is buying and testing knives till you know
what is just right for only YOU bro. I know that really does not help but it is really
the only way to do I feel. I searched for years till I came up with my Pathfinder design
and now that is what I carry but I also carry another 5" bladed design and then still
another that I made the designs are different but the 5" blade for ME is as close to
perfect as it is going to get for me you just have to search till you know in your heart
what is all most perfect for you.

Take care all

Bryan
 
Dear Mr pitdog,

I'm really sorry I have to say this but you are completely wrong about one thing - :(

pitdog: The only thing that I have been constant with is that Mora's suck !
Click to expand...
:(:(:(

I have been playing in the woods for years and years, working at learning wilderness survival/primitive skills techniques and the one constant for me is that I have yet to find a better bushcraft knife. I own others, just none that are better at carving trap parts, cutting arrow shafts, crafting atlatl darts, etc., etc., etc. and general all around bushcrafty things.

This is not to start a Mora vs ____________ (fill in the blank) argument, it's just to make the point that although low in cost, a Mora can do anything you ask of it with the exception of prying and chopping. I have also used my Moras (I have 4) for batonning with no problem at all. I understand the drive to buy bigger and better, damn I'm infected myself :o , but never underestimate the Mighty Mora!

Doc (exiting his soapbox).
 
I apologize for not reading the whole thread.I'm just answering to the title.
IMO,experience & preference I would like a 6"+ blade thinly ground convex edge.Also ergos & sheathing system are a big factor.It must be comfortable to work with for extended periods of time.It should have a full bellied drop or clip point blade with a convex grind(didn't I already say that0/.The blade materials in my preference would be 3V or S7.I am in no way knocking 1095 or 52100(which are both excellent steels),I just prefer these two steels over the rest.
BTW,I'm considering this a camp knife & not a hunting knife,which would have several different characteristics.

Plus my zt0200 never leaves my side,during my excursions.

Also...NO cord wraps.I hat em'

Good day!
John
 
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pitdog said:
The only thing that I have been constant with is that Mora's suck !
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I think it's safe to say that everyone is familiar with my loyalty to the Busse Family of knives. However, I have REFRAINED from uttering those words. This is due to the fact that I have not abused, or even held, a Mora. I would caution you to reserve your judgement until you have had the chance to evaluate that particular knife, and then form an educated opinion. As a result, I spent a whopping $30 and bought 2 Moras to evaluate.

With that said... SWEET SWAMP RAT TRIO!!!

DOC-CANADA said:
I have been playing in the woods for years and years,
Click to expand...

That's something of an understatement Doc... :p

DOC-CANADA said:
I understand the drive to buy bigger and better, damn I'm infected myself :o , but never underestimate the Mighty Mora!

Doc (exiting his soapbox).
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it better myself...

Well said...

Here here...
 
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SOGJasonSOG said:
lol I wonder what is that purple melting looking thing is??
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Oh, come on! Everybody know what that is...it's definately one-eyed, one-horned flying purple people eater poop!

Well the good thing that as we each "evolve" with our own needs for blades, be they big or small, we continue to expand our knowledge, skill and experience. I love this continuing journey to find the right knife:D HOWEVER, the only "perfect" knife will be the one on you when you truly need a blade.

ROCK6
 
My ratmandu is near the top of the list, but it does have its limits.
coupled with a light and excellent slicing mora all my bases are covered.:D
 
While your knife taste and mine are a bit different, I love seeing your threads. They always contain interesting pics. They're always packed with the outdoors. And I always get to see knives getting USED! Keep it up. Your knives work well for you. Thats whats key!
 
I have a DM, DMLE, HR, SS4, RMD, SAR5 and others. They are all nice for survival but the one I keep going back to is the Bark River Bravo-1. Perfect size and the A2 convex blade is strong and easy to maintain in the field with a piece of cardboard and stropping compound on it.
 
Give me a tough blade in the 4.5” to 5” range with full convex geometry and it’s all I need for most bushcraft/survival tasks.

When it comes to steel, I like A2, Sanvik 12C27, Bohler N685, and have started to appreciate CPM S30V.

For extending backwood outings I generally like to add a big chopper into the mix, but the smaller blade is the one I use for most tasks short of serious chopping.
 
"a survivial knife is only as big as the will and ingenuity of the user" Pt I don't bring an axw when hiking I do bring a folding saw...They cut alot for thier weight and size (same size as Real big folder)
 
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