Hunting/survival/utility knife?

S

spittle8

Joined
Jul 7, 2007
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I don't know jack about knives, so I come to y'all for advice. I'm looking for something that would be durable, hold an edge well, be adept at field-dressing large game and generally be useful in survival situations as well as something I could hammer tent stakes with and sort kindling. The Fallkniven A1 has caught my attention so far http://www.fallkniven.com/a1f1/a1_en.html as has the S1, but it's fairly pricey. I'm not willing to pay more than the $220 the A1 would cost, suggestions/input? Thanks,

Ross
 
JK knives (Stomper here on bladeforums, check his knife maker's subforums) has a couple of knives that might fit the bill for what you're looking for. His prices are great and his product is loved over in Wilderness and Survival Skills. Check it out, he's super easy to work with and will tweak any of his designs or start one from scratch for you.
 
Like cmdionne said, be sure to check out the maker's subforums; I'm sure you could find something you like there. As for all-around production knives, I love my BRKT Bravo-1 and also suggest you look into the RAT RC-4 and Fallkniven F1 (I've heard the A1 and S1 are good too, but I don't own either). All three could do the things you mentioned, and all three are easily within your price range. Good Luck! :thumbup:

My go-to, the Bravo-1.
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Look at Bob Dozier's knives!

www.dozierknives.com

I have a Dozier "General Camp and Hunting" model ($205) and it's one of the best knives I've ever owned.

D-2 tool steel, and that legendary Dozier quality.
 
spittle8 said:
I don't know jack about knives, so I come to y'all for advice. I'm looking for something that would be durable, hold an edge well, be adept at field-dressing large game and generally be useful in survival situations as well as something I could hammer tent stakes with and sort kindling.
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First off, you will need to accept that one knife to do all those tasks is going to involve some compromises. For skinning game you generally want a thiner blade with a fine edge. For battoning wood you want a heavier knife. For general camp chores a modest sized, well balanced knife around 4.0 or 4.5 inches might be best, while for chopping or pounding a longer blade with more weight forward would work best.

Still, there are lots of examples of knives that try to do it all, and some don't do a bad job.

As for some possible suggestions, the RAT RC-6 (6.5 inch) might not be a bad choice ($120-140). Another possibility might be one of the larger Bark River Knife blades, like the 9.5 inch Bay de Noc Camp Knife ($190-200).
 
Still leaning towards the Fallkniven A1 with the RAT RC-6 close behind. Obviously I want full tang, something very durable and sturdy that will go through at least a decades worth of abuse.

mdauben said:
First off, you will need to accept that one knife to do all those tasks is going to involve some compromises. For skinning game you generally want a thiner blade with a fine edge. For battoning wood you want a heavier knife. For general camp chores a modest sized, well balanced knife around 4.0 or 4.5 inches might be best, while for chopping or pounding a longer blade with more weight forward would work best.

Still, there are lots of examples of knives that try to do it all, and some don't do a bad job.

As for some possible suggestions, the RAT RC-6 (6.5 inch) might not be a bad choice ($120-140). Another possibility might be one of the larger Bark River Knife blades, like the 9.5 inch Bay de Noc Camp Knife ($190-200).
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Yeah, that's why I'm interested in the Fallkniven. It isn't too big; I don't want a big bowie or anything, something that I can comfortably carry with me that won't give people the impression that I'm "touched" in the head. I don't expect it to be perfect for everything, but I want something that is small enough to be capable of detail work whilst being robust enough for more survival oriented chores. Ideally I'll take a hatchet with me on any serious expeditions, but if I just decide to go for a 10 miler one day and something should happen, I want to be sure my knife will be serviceable for most every task.
 
I used an old KaBar 'utility' or 'fighting' knife for camping, etc, for years. The 1095 steel takes a great edge and is Parkerized to protect most of the carbon steel. The pommel isn't meant to be used to hammer tent pegs - but it worked. Not a fishing knife, but it cleaned it's share of bream and catfish - even a few flounder and stripers. That was my late Dad's old WWII S. Pacific friend (Marked USN - he was USCG.). Current versions run $60-$70 and are still made in Olean, NY. I usually had a SAK or Buck 110 with me, too.

The Gerber LMFII my son gave me last summer has promise - and is intended to be used as a hammer - there go those tent pegs. Not fond of those partial serrations, however. I admit to not having used mine much at all. Expect $70-$100 and a Molle sheath with sharpener - stainless blade.

I have some nicer bushcraft-ish knives - Bark Rivers/Bucks/Gerber/Marbles/Northwood ($75-$165). Way too nice to beat a tent peg into the ground with. I have an old Plumb camping hatchet that excelled for that - and making kindling, too. It and a bushcraft knife would cover a lot of needs. For straight survival, probably just that LMFII could suffice.

Stainz
 
Trust me. You need a Fallkniven.

If you going to do a lot of chopping and use in cold weather then get the one with a Kraton handle. If not, then perhaps get a Fallkniven A1 (full tang) and put a custom handle on.
 
I'd take an RC6 over the A1 because of warranty, and handle material. Or, if you want a smaller knife but still big enough to do almost any job, the RC4.
 
I can't rate the Fallkniven A1 against the others because I have no hands on experience with them. I am sure all the recommendations made are 100% solid.

As an owner and user of the A1 I will say it is a knife that will not disappoint and will give it :thumbup::thumbup:

I also agree that you should be able to find one for less than $220 if you shop around.

Kevin
 
barkie,fallkniven,rats i owned all 3 brands you cant go wrong with any ,my pesonal fav. is the barks,the only knife thats not part of this 3 brands that i realy like an can do it all is my M-95 sissipuukko ranger knife
 
Dag-nabit said:
I can't rate the Fallkniven A1 against the others because I have no hands on experience with them. I am sure all the recommendations made are 100% solid.

As an owner and user of the A1 I will say it is a knife that will not disappoint and will give it :thumbup::thumbup:

I also agree that you should be able to find one for less than $220 if you shop around.

Kevin
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I have the A1 and it is the most practical, useful knife I have EVER used.

Prices for the Fallkniven are going up by 30% I think so you better be quick.

Of all my knives if I had to grab one and run then it would be the Fallkniven A1. You can use it for almost ANY purpose: Camping, Survival, Kitchen, Tactical whatever.
 
Take a look at the Benchmade Rant. Made in the U.S., blade has a thin enough grind for detail work, but the spine is stout enough for batoning and heavier work. Less than $100, so abuse the hell out of it and not worry.
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PV29 said:
Take a look at the Benchmade Rant. Made in the U.S., blade has a thin enough grind for detail work, but the spine is stout enough for batoning and heavier work. Less than $100, so abuse the hell out of it and not worry.
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That's a nice knife too. But a different class to the Fallkniven.
 
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