Is there really a Survival Knife?

Great thread all. IMHO (not that it would apply to anyone here
smile.gif
, a survival knife is build to withstand the incompetence of the potential user. A skilled operator can make use of inferior tools and understand their limitations and a knowledgable person can rely on their brain to a great extent. However, in a survival situation the only person left to help may be the one with the least experience in either or both of these areas. In such situations a knife must be able to withstand the abuse such a person may subject it to WITHOUT HURTING THEMSELVES or anyone else.

A good surival knife will survive ITSELF to do its job whoever uses it. This is the mark of a real survival knife.

Just MHO.

Tom Lagan
 
Unfortunately, we tend to get cought up in the hype.

Given any specific task, the performance distribution for all available knives in performing that task would probably be something like 10% above average, 80% average, and 10% below average. If you go with a knife of reasonable quality it will probably perform adequately 90% of the time. No, I wouldn't recommend a 4" fillet knife to build a log shelter, nor an axe to fillet fish. But for most of the task we perform every day, and most of the task we are likely to perform in a survival situation (whatever that may be), any decent knife should suffice.

Unfortunately, I like knives. So in order to survive I feel it best to have a specific knife for each temperate zone, for each diameter of twig, for wet and dry environments, for martian invasions, etc., etc., etc....
wink.gif


[This message has been edited by not2sharp (edited 01-18-2000).]
 
If I wandered outside right now, with nothing but a knife, and the clothing on my back. I'd break a window and come back in, 'cause it's cold and snowy, and I'm in a pair of sweats and a T-shirt.

But, were I to suddenly find myself outside, in the clothing I wore when I was outside a few hours ago, I'd have had two knives on me, and with both, plus the metal match in one pocket, and the flint&steel box in the other, I could have started a roaring fire, dug me a snow-cave, snared a few bunnies, and shown back up in time for work tomorrow...

Now, if we're talking survival, there's a few things I want to be able to do. If you limit me to a single tool, make it one that can do all of them (My swisstool can, but not all very well)

I want to be able to make small shavings for tinder.

I want to be able to get to the middle of a standing tree, for dry wood in a downpour (Saw or chop, I don't care)

I want to be able to make a flat piece of wood, and cut a notch in it (A fire board, for a bow and drill)

I want to be able to sharpen my blade (I can use a smooth stream-stone if need be, and the blade will take the edge)

I want a blade I can wield deftly enough to carve a figure four deadfall trigger.

And last, but definately not least, I want a blade with a built-in emergency transponder, so every time I pull it out of it's sheath, all the local authorities know I'm lost and need help...
smile.gif



Anyways, as I said, my swisstool can do all of those (Except that last one anyways), though some take more ingenuity than others (Instead of using the knife to split wood, I can carve a wedge, and use it to split wood). Any blade/tool that can accomplish those things, is one I would be happy to carry with me, and feel as comfortable as possible surviving with. One that doesn't, merely means I haven't improvised enough yet...
smile.gif
(Thanks Greg, before long, We'll be improvising things out of pocket lint, river ice and a toothpick
smile.gif
)

So you asked about a survival knife. I know a few people that have survived different places, and some carried odd and assorted things (I'd love a shovel, though not the Ox-sashimi). You could ask them what they carried (Though you should shy away from anyone who runs at the marines rescuing them, waving a 9mm) but for me, I'll take whatever is on hand that will accomplish those tasks, and if someone else is paying for it, the more expensive, the better...
smile.gif



Stryver, who wonders if he can fit a tin of altoids in his survival kit...
 
Is sharpening really an issue with a survival knife. In my mind survival is a very short term thing. Perhaps 24 to 48 hours to remove yourself from whatever situation you have gotten yourself into and move to a place where rescue or help is available.
 
"survival" is for as long as you are stuck where you are with what you have WITHOUT help or rescue.

IMO, my Busse Steel Heart Varient or my Mad Dog ATAK would suffice very well as "survival- do all blades..."
Especially the Busse...what a knife!
Jess

------------------
"By the power of Grayskull..."
 
I just love this question - since it can elicit answers from the sublime to the ephemeral...

To address the original question - in context w/ the many good points re: intellect, improvisation, etc. - I'm a big supporter of the Mora-type knives from Sweden (kudos to Chaii Cutlery & Ragweed Forge - I'm not alone) - this is what I insist my survival clients purchase & carry on my courses. Why: the blade shape has been proven in NW Europe for about 400 years, it's inexpensive ($8-12, buy 10 or more for the price of a 'hot' brand name), razorsharp as is, light, durable, & made w/ a FLAT bevel - which is easy to sharpen (600/400 grit emery paper stuck to a board w/ carpet tape - forget the gadgets) & allows anyone to do fine knife work like paper-thin feather sticks. Now, using the appropriate techniques, this humble little blade will fell a wrist-thick green sapling in less than 30 secs & a 10cm (4") tree in about 3 mins - if you don't know how - ask.

I do own a Machax (superb summer tool), a couple Gerbers & a Chris Reeve Mtneer I (which BENT on the edge while splitting logs), but the knife that I'm most likely to have on me anytime I'm outdoors is a Mora on a neck string - and having a knife you're likely to always carry is a rather important qualification for best knife.

Later, Dudley Driscoll
 
I've enjoyed reading every one's comments! I really like the "survival" knives that they are making now!! Their place, though, may only be under the seat in a small plane, which is used in remote country. I have carried a Randall survival knife, the one with the hollow handle, and it was no fun! I ended up getting a lot more use out of the 4" Buck that I carried, than I did out of the bigger knife I wouldn't!!
But under the seat in a small plane over Alaska? Fine!! Although you would be better served to put a small axe or machete and a good fixed blade utility knife instead!!
But don't get me wrong, I think the survival knives are cool!!!
 
One of the most active hunters /fisherman I have ever seen used a stanly utility knife.the type with the disposible razor blades.I've seen him clean fish,butcher deer and cattle and generally cut the heck out of a lot of stuff. Don't misunderstand,he also had a lot of larger knives that he used but it was his skill with that razor blade knife that was amazing.He always said that you had to learn to cut right or the blade would break,he broke very,very few.Always sharp,cheap if lost or stolen and no problem getting a good edge.
 
As has already been said in this thread, hoping to have your favourite expensive tool is a bit much.
I'd probably hope for a machete in most situations, alternatively, an axe North of the Arctic Circle in winter, a floating filleting knife in a liferaft or an entrenching tool in the desert.
I doubt there's an ideal survival tool other than the desire to survive and the sense to recognise one's skills and limitations.
Just my opinions of course.
 
My choice for a survival type scenerio would be any type of combi tool [leatherman,gerber,buck,sak ect],CS trailmaster and a firestarter.Also a logical approach with a logical brain will do wonders.

------------------

have a"knife"day
 
All this time I thought that a 'survival knife' was the one you had with you when the defecation hit the oscillation...
wink.gif

A wise man once said:
"Better to have what you don't need, than need what you don't have."
Also does Tom Brown Jr. have a website? I am a big fan and would like to get a new copy of 'The Tracker' for my daughter.

------------------
In the long run, luck is given only to the effecient.
-Helmut Von Moltke
 
The biggest problem I have with "survival" stuff is that I can never quite figure out when I am supposed to stop enjoying myself and start "surviving." Usually, when I do something, whether its a drive to the corner gas station or a week long hiking trip, I consciously, and probably subconsciously, build in a number of redundancy plans.

When driving to the gas station, I usually wear a safety belt, carry a cell phone, and have a credit card and triple A card handy. If there is a problem I would rather resolve it with the tool on hand than have an anxiety attack and declare a "survival" situtation (whatever that is).

If we are concerned with survival we are concerned with the wrong issue. What we need to be aware of is the need to plan our trips clearly, and to develop a number of alternatives that would be available if things do not go according to plan. The key is to check periodically to determine that you are on schedule and in the right place with the necessary conditions in place to continue as planned, and the dicipline to take the necessary action to get to an alternative if they are not.

Most of the time when people get into trouble, its not because they lacked equipment and skill, but because they either didn't take the time to plan the trip, or didn't have the discipline to overcome their enthusiam and take an alternative course when they failed to adhire to the plan.

Its the classic guy in the four wheel drive going deeper and deeper into the back country until he finally does get stuck. The problem isn't with the vehicle, nor with his driving skills, but rather with his judgement.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top