Is this a good knife

Hi Survivor...

Had a look at the knife in question,,and well to be quite honest with you,,it's really something you need to stay away from...

This isn't a survival knife,,it's a Rambo Hollywood induced Gadget....


You be far better to go two brands down to Fallkniven,,but unfortunately they don't even have any in stock,,nor do they have half of the Fallkniven lineup...

Look into the Fallkniven AI or SI for your survival needs...By far they are better then what you are looking at now...

I understand that all these little features are interesting to have on a knife,,but All are prone to break,material are substandard and half the stuff is un needed...

Spend your money on a Good quality knife,,then start building your own personal survival kit...

If you have questions,,just ask the fine folks here.They will set you straight and show you what and what not to buy....

Please don't take offense to my post..I really only do have your best interest in mind....

Lookaround,,ask questions and you will surely find something much,much better,,especially at that price...

ttyle

Eric...
 
I agree with Normark about the quality of the knife in question. The FA-1 is a good knife, but if money is tight, you might want to consider what many in the Sweadish Army use. For less than $10US You can get a Frosts (of Sweaden) utility/survival knife from Smokey Mountain Knife Works. Then you'll have enough to get some real survival equipment that is worth having instead of that dime store crap.
Dan
 
Hi Survivor,

I agree with Normark that the accessories on this knife can look tempting at initial glance, but aren't to be taken very seriously without further verification of the knife's performance. Such All-In-One packaging (unless you do it yourself based on YOUR OWN NEEDS & EXPERIENCE) invariably involves some compromises in function or materials quality, especially as the price gets cheaper. And that is a pretty cheap package you are looking at. The fact that the ad for the knife deals more in hype than specifications is also a mark against it.

This is supposedly going to be a surivival knife to use when the chips are down, your life depends on your equipment & knowledge, and your equipment can NOT fail you. In that scenario, buying cheap or compromising can really hurt you badly.

Let's look at the specs of the knife one at a time and see if we can find some alternatives to look at. All prices quoted are in United States Dollars (USD).

"The unique blade is Esparcia’s tough 440 stainless steel and measures a whopping 21Cm (8 ¼")."
-- First off, it's not unique. It's a knock-off from one of Hibbens' Rambo knives. While 440 steels can be tough if properly heat treated, the ad says nothing of what grade of 440 steel is used & makes no mention of RC hardness. Thus they give us no indication of the hardness/toughness of the blade. So we have unknown quantities for two of the three elements in the Holy Trinity Of Blades (steel, geometry, heat treat). For a survival knife, the tip looks pretty fragile for digging & prying, so the geometry doesn't look all that appropriate to the intended use of the knife either.

While I think an 8.25" blade is within the range of usable survival knives, to call it "whopping" implies that the company hasn't studied bladeware much. Like they haven't seen kukris, bolos, bowies, or other large bladed knives, including larger specifically survival oriented knives like the Busse Battle Mistress, Becker Brute, Livesay RTAK, or Rinaldi Armegeddon and their kind. When I buy a "bet my life on it" blade, it is imperative that the company takes bladeware as seriously as I do. Esparcia's advertising says they do not.

For about the price point of this knife, you could look at some of the Ontario knives in 1095 high-carbon steel or for a few bucks more some of the Cold Steel offerings in AUS stainless. Above the Cold Steel knives are Becker, Livesay, Busse, Randall, and custom makers like Rinaldi, pretty much in order of ascending price. While the Ontario knives (including the GI $15 machete) aren't stainless, they are honest knives for their price window, which the Esparcia knife seems not to be.

"The back of the blade is lined with razor sharp teeth that can saw through just about anything."
-- Knifeback saws are notorious for not being very good saws as a result of the trade-off being made. If you must have a saw, buy a folding saw to stick in your pack. I recommend the folding saw from http://tashirohardware.com under "special items" for about $30 USD.

"The handle is rugged, coated steel and has a compartment with fishing gear, compass, Band-Aids and room for other survival necessities."
-- If the handle isn't an integral part of the steel billet from which the blade is machined (ala' Chris Reeve Knives at $$$), you have a hollow handle (i.e. not attached to the tang for the entire length of the handle) with a joint of unknown strength holding it to the blade at the ricasso. For carrying small parts of your survival kit, you can get a couple of 35mm film cans or a waterproof tin and make your own kit from gear that has proven itself in your own experience.

"Perhaps the most striking part is not the knife at all but the hi-tech sheath. The ABS plastic sheath doubles as a working crossbow! It has a pull out drawer that contains 2 arrows, a second survival knife (which can be lashed to a stick to make a fish spear) and other useful items for the hiker, hunter or outdoors enthusiast.
-- When you hype the sheath as the best part of your knife, you're really denigrating your knife pretty badly. If you must have a crossbow for your survival (I don't but YMMV), buy one designed to do its job well. Don't try to fake one out of your sheath.

The idea of a second smaller knife is actually a very good idea in my experience. I really like the big/small combo idea. The big one is your chopper/digger/beast and the small one is your cutter/slicer/dancer for delicate work.

On the cheap side of the big/little combos, you could get an Ontario Spec Plus blade for big ($35-$60) & a Camillus or CRKT neck knife for small ($20-$40). A bit more expensive could be a Cold Steel semi-big ($50-$100) & a Livesay neck knife for small ($25-$50). Next would be a Becker Brute for big ($90-$100) & a Spyderco Moran or Fallkniven WM1 for small ($60-$80). On up to Busse Basic 9 for big ($200) (or Busse Battle Mistress at $350) and Rinaldi or Dozier for small ($150-$200). Or mix & match according to your needs, priorities, tastes, & budget. :)

Shop the web to get the best prices. Since your from Down Under, here's an Australian Sypderco Moran link: http://www.outdooredge.com.au/catalogue/spyderco/billmoran.htm But since you're shopping the web, it really doesn't matter where the vendor is. He's just out there in cyberspace somewhere. :)

HTH,
Greg
 
Hey Rok...

Pretty decent explanation....

I agree with alot you said...

To the original author of this thread though...
It's good that you have brought this up....

I understand that most people,,especially people who are maybe just starting into knives can't afford knives such as Busse, CRK, and similar higher range blades...

This is why we are here at Bladeforums, to give each other advice and lead the new knife knutts down the right path to knifedom....

I suggest that someone gets themselves a firm price range to spend, think about what they really want the knife to do,or do with the knife, then ask the question..

I have X-amount to spend and would like to use it for (This purpose) Could someone give me some suggestions....

Exactly what you have done...

You then take that list of knives and track them all down. 99.999% of the knives listed will be easily found with a couple clicks of the mouse...

Look at each knife, look and study the Specs, then start knocking the list down, until you have what you like...

A good majority of these "types" of knives are built to be interesting or even Scary looking. Very few knives,,especially ones with "gadgets" on board that call themselves "Survival" knives are actually good for anything... The stuff that comes with them are dime store crap worth little more than pennies...The Onboard saws are of little to no use at all,,unless all you need to do is score the wood...

Buld yourself a system,starting with the knife and or knives for that matter..Yes some of use survivalistas use upwards of 3 even 4 knives sometimes...

For anything serious when I go out it's my Busse Battle Mistress, Fallkniven F-1 and my Swiss Army RUK model.. This is bare bones for me..I could easily add to that and often do...

The Battle Mistress is housed in one of my Concealex belt sheaths with onboard mini survival kit, and on my other hip is a full sized Nite Ize pouch that holds my Leatherman Wave, AA mini Mag, SAK RUK and Swedish army Firesteel. Also in that kit is a mini kit including three different types of tinder,cord,snare wire, basic first aid..

Here is a picture of the Battle Mistress and Steelheart.

bussepouch.jpg


Both of these knives carry full blown mini kits onboard..Survival items that I find useful and needed..

Build your kits to your own needs and fill them with the best quality stuff you can find....

Hope that helps..:)

RANT MODE
**OFF**

ttyle

Eric...
 
As has been pointed out, Survivor, you can get a LOT more for your money, and better gear as well, than by going the "surival knife" route.

For the $90.00 they want for that knife, you could easily set yourself up with a whole slew of goodies that WILL do what that "knife" claims to do.

$35.00 gets you a good main blade, The USAF Pilot's Survival Knife. Made by lots of companines, you can get them new from Cammilus and Ontario. It comes with a darn good sheath for a mil-issue blade, especially if you're left handed and tired of right handed-only knife sheaths. It has a saw back on the blade, and it actually works fairly well, so long as you don't try to build a house with it. Use it to score wood while building traps, and it's perfect. While some people don't care for this knife, it's actually a good value, and a good basic knife. Certainly better quality than you'll find with that other knife.

$10.00 or less gets you a decent folding saw. You can spend a LOT more on a folding saw, but a cheaper one will work well enough until you can afford someting bigger.

$30.00 will get you a very versatile knife, one that you should never be without: the venerable Swiss Army Knife (SAK). They makes lots of them, but I really like the Rucksack model. Locking main blade, saw, awl, screwdrivers, can and bottle openers. Whatever you can't do with your Pilot's Survival Knife, you'll do with this one.

$10.00 If you really need a folding missile weapon as part of the kit (and it's not a bad idea, really), buy yourself a Wrist Rocket folding slingshot. This would be much better than that horrid little "crossbow" thingie. Of course, that money could be better spent on kit contents.

$5.00 to $15.00 (depending on whether or not you bought a wrist rocket). A few basic survival items, many of which you'll likely already own if you hike, hunt or fish. A small basic fishing kit, a compass, some matches and a couple other means of starting a fire. A small pouch to carry it all in. A canteen and small pot would definitely be a wise choice. So look around a little and buy what you NEED, not some goodies kit that only looks like what you need.

If you go this route, you'll get much better tools, suited to survival, while not making some chump with an overactive imagination rich by buying the wrong knife.
 
I'd only buy the Esparcias survival knife, if a coffeemaker would be included in the handle;) .

seriously:
I agree to all the points mentioned above. What you need, is a strong blade, and it is fine to carry a smaller kife as well. I carry a Fallkniven A1 and a Swiss Army Knife (The above mentioned Rucksack).
Most of the things you need for survival can be found in nature.
Learn how to make a fire with nothing in your hands but two pieces of wood; how to make a bow; how to design traps and so on.

Regards from Liechtenstein.
Mrkus
 
I would also recommend a Fallkniven, either a A1 or a S1. For real survival skills I would take the A1, it's a better chopper and splitting firewood is really easy. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THE A1!!!
 
I am amazed to note that this knife is listed as being 'Out of Stock'. People are actually buying this POS.

I agree with what everyone has said. These all-in-one survival knives are usualy junk. Instead buy a good sheath knife (the ones mentioned above are good, I use a 4" Helle), a good folder/multitool, an assortment of first aid and survival items and a pouch to put everything in.
 
Josh which Helle?

I use the Eggen.

Pretty knife and cuts like the dickens for only $40.
 
You can find something way more reliable though not as hollywood for the same amount of money.


good luck
 
Hey Ben....

Could you post some pictures or a link for these "Helle" knives??

Interested in seeing some..

ttyle

Eric...
 
For the money, its hard to beat the BK&T line of knives made by Camillus but just as several folks have said the Fallkniven line of knives (F1, S1, & A1)are tops in my book for knives to stake your life on also. PLEASE, stay away from gimmicky junk that could cost you your life instead of save it.
:rolleyes:
 
... and a few other hollow handled survival (read gadget) knives. The Esparcia is a poor example of this type of knife. If I remember correctly the crossbow was about as useful as a paper clip and rubberband, and just about as sturdy. I enjoy it, becuase I like the innovative way these fantasy pieces are put together - and becuse it adds a little more color to that part of the collection. But, despite the name these should never be confused with knives intended for survival. Stick with one of the Camillus/Becker knives, Randall Made Knives, or Busse and you will be much better off.

BTW, if it really has to be a Rambo styled "survivor knife" then get one of the better production examples from the likes of Buck, Gerber, Aitor, or Marto; or better yet get a good quality benchmade example by Chris Reeves, or Randall. About the best thing that can be said for the Esparcia is that it is a LITTLE better than the classic Tiwan made examples with the bubble compass for a pommel. But. at 10-20 times the price. you would be better off with the silly bubble compass - even if it does fall off the knife every time you turn it point up. :)

n2s
 
bensano,

I have a Harding. I bought just the blade ($14) and made my own handle and sheath. Holds an edge better than any other knife I've ever owned.

Normark,

I got mine from Ragweedforge (www.ragweedforge.com).
 
Victorinox are the best company for Swiss army knives they last for ever (So does the gaurantee) And they come in every possible combination. My Outrider is not the standard style Knife and this design is really cool. At 3inch it is the largest I can legally carry in the uk. The blade locks and it isn't really too expensive either (Especially if you go to switzerland to get one like I did)

Stoned Elf

Check out the outrider here >>>

http://www.victorinox.com/home_en/best_en/werk/09023/

The only thing I don't like about it is you need two hands to get the blade out so I'm gonna get a thumb nut knife too.
 
Hey Stoned....

Ohhh ya the Outrider is,,maybe the best SAK going...

Unfortunately it is little known here in Canada and the US..

However I have made many neck rigs for the Outrider for SAK Outrider lovers....

Anyone that likes the RUK model,, will absolutely love the Outrider..Slightly larger,, but Definately more useful...


Excellent suggestion Stoned..

ttyle

Eric...
 
Boy, you guys are right about the Outrider. As much as I like my Rucksack, the Outrider is even better. I really like the SAK scissors, and that would be a big plus. The long phillips I could take or leave (though it could come in hady at times) but the scissors make that a great knife. I wonder if anybody around here sells this model? Time to do a search.
 
Hey V....

Yaaa you got that right....

The problem with the Outrider is that you don't see it too often..I'm not sure why....

If anyone is interested in one I know a store close by that sells them for $65.00CDN...The last time I priced them they were $65.00USD..

Let you US money work for you...

ttyle

Eric...
 
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