If you had to choose one...

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coraxis

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Nov 23, 2014
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Hi everyone, i'm new to this forum and i'm learning about the different metals and steels.

A quick question: if you had to choose one "survival" knife between a Benchmade Rant Bowie and a Linder Super Edge II, which one would it be and why?

Or if your answer is "neither", what do you think about the Cold Steel Master Hunter?

I only mentioned these 3 because there weren't many to choose from that meet my requirements (fixed blade, full or semi-full tang, inox or semi-inox, about 4", light, good grip, not expensive, rust-resistant and not too difficult to sharpen... :eek:)

Thanks in advance ;)
 
As was mentioned above, if you can elaborate on what YOU think a survival knife would be used for, that will help a lot with the answers that you'll get. Is it a major requirement for the blade to be stainless or semi-stainless? Unless you live around salt water, you can usually do just fine with a carbon steel knife as long as you keep it dry and oiled. You'll find a LOT of knives in carbon steel with the other requirements that you listed, as long as stainless isn't a major consideration. Another question.....what is your budget? What do you consider to be expensive? Even if stainless is a requirement, you'll be more likely to get some good recommendations if you can provide a price range for folks to work with. :)
 
The Linder for me.

I've a soft spot for simple stainless working knives with rubber handles. A couple of years ago I went to a store to buy a Super Edge 2 but they had sold out. I had to have something to take my mind off it, so I walked away with a Super Edge 3. That was a bit too pokey for what I wanted, but it was a good knife. The handle on the 3 looks the same as the 1 +2, so there is leverage on me right there. I still think the slicey blade of the 2 mounted on that would be great for me.

I didn't know a lot about Linder before I looked into these, save for that they made the F1 for Fallkniven before the manufature went to Japan.

I don't have any problem with Benchmade, although I've not owned much made by them. I do prefer the simple elegence of the beefed up slicer blade of the Linder though. The Benchmade looks like a perfectly agreeable blade shape too, but a bit like a compact version of a larger knife with a nod towards skicking for me. The Linder's blade looks more versatile for stuff I put value in.

I see the Benchmade is 440C, and I thought they were in D2. Mebe they were once. Mebe I'm just wrong. Arguably the ATS34 [154 CM in drag] of the Linder is a step up on the 440C of the Benchmade. I wouldn't trip on that though. Personally, if it was the other way round and the Linder was the one in 440C I'd still take it over the Benchmade, because of the shape.
 
It depends on your budget as well. With the limited info you have provided I suppose I could suggest a Survive! GSO 4.1 or 5.1 in Duratech 20CV steel. They are pretty general purpose and are "inox" or stainless as we normally call it. They are a little more pricy than your suggestions but are very good knives. Some cheaper options but some really well made knives are the ESEE series, however they aren't stainless.
 
Look at falkniven. They make great wilderness blades. I would also recommend the master hunter. I've had mine for a while now, and it's held up very well so far. I haven't been in any "survival situations", but I feel confident it won't all of a sudden break just because what I'm doing with it will help me to survive......

You see, most of us knife guys don't like the term "survival knife" because it implies a distinction between using a knife for outdoor recreation and using it for "survival". While there is a huge difference between those two situations, the knife you choose shouldn't be used any differently in a survival situation than it would be if used for regular outdoor recreaction. You should buy a knife that's good at doing what you need it to do, and just because you go into "survival mode" doesn't mean your knife should suddenly become a pry bar, hammer, splitting wedge, and screwdriver, if that wasn't what it was made for in the first place....

If you need those other things, then buy them. Scissors have one purpose, forks have one purpose, hammers have one purpose, screwdrivers have one pupose. So why should knives be able to do everything? They too have only one purpose. To cut.

Some members more than others like to get caught up in the semantics of "survival knives", but most of us understand the basics of what your talking about. You want a quality jack of all trades medium fixed blade that is good for wilderness stuff and could get your ass out of a bad situation if you happened to find yourself in one. There are MANY knives that fall into that category. Almost any falkniven would work well, but the f1 is the one I would recommend you take a look at.

It's too bad you won't consider non-rust resistant steels, because some of the best knives in that philosophy of use are made from carbon steels. They are typically much tougher than stainlesses (or "inox"), and are easier to sharpen in the field, both of which are qualities a good wilderness blade should have IMO. The ESEE 4 would be my recommendation if you DID decide to include carbon steels.
 
I'd suggest something in carbon steel, with a full tang (not rat-tail tang), 4-5" blade with a 90 degree spine, and with a full and rounded (i.e. comfortable) handle. As long as it meets those criteria, any knife - regardless of maker or model name - will perform well as a "survival" knife.
 
Since you mentioned it, I'd go with the CS Master Hunter. I've got an old one in Carbon V, I really like it. The blade has a nice length and thickness, with a full flat grind and it taper towards the tip. Good grip, decent sheath. It's just a great all around knife. I'm not sure how good VG-1 is for fixed blades (I've only got a couple of VG-1 folders), but I don't think you'll have any issues.
 
I do a lot of camping and I've carried a Cold Steel SRK every time. I don't recall that I ever used it for anything. My normal folding knife normally did all that I needed to do.

If I really did have to pick a knife to use as a last ditch survival knife I would choose something more like an ESEE or Becker, or a Carbon V Cold Steel if you could find one. There are some tradeoffs you make when you choose rust resistant qualities and I would go the other way to optimize toughness.
 
Thank you everyone for your help! I didn't mention my budget because it would be in euros (about 100-150), I doubt I would get the same prices where I live.

Anyway, about my very personal definition of a "survival" knife... Usually I'd carry 2 or 3 different knives for outdoor recreation, but for "survival" I mean a single knife you can take with you in the wilderness in an emergency situation (social, economic, natural disaster, etc). One that you can use to do some heavier work (e.g. batoning) if needed without breaking it (hence the requirement for a non-folding, full or semi-full tang, thicker blade). Also you probably don't have all sorts of oils and sharpening tools with you, so it should be rust-resistant (not carbon) and should be easy to sharpen (on a wet rock, etc.)
 
baldtaco-II: thanks a lot for specifically answering my question.

Silvanus: hmm, I can't find any GSO in 20cv steel here :(

link2derek: unfortunately carbon steel has limited corrosion resistance and requires oiling...

Krissig12: I avoided the F1 as I've heard it's hard to sharpen, but then again I've never tried VG-10 knives.

bdmicarta: I'll have a look at the ones you suggested.
 
baldtaco-II said:
Arguably the ATS34 [154 CM in drag] of the Linder is a step up on the 440C of the Benchmade. I wouldn't trip on that though. Personally, if it was the other way round and the Linder was the one in 440C I'd still take it over the Benchmade, because of the shape.
Click to expand...

My only concern is the lower corrosion resistance and higher difficulty of sharpening the ATS-34.
But I've seen several enthusiastic reviews and videos about this Linder, so i'll probably buy this knife if i can't find something better.
 
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Fallkniven has my vote. You could probably get one second hand if price is too much on some models. Good luck with the search
 
There seem to be a lot of discussions and reviews on German forums about the Linder SE vs Fallkniven F1 comparison. After spending some time there with the help of Google Translate, i finally settled for the Super Edge 2. Thanks for your help and time.
 
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