Izula as main survival knife?

I guess it depends on your needs. I'm not much of an outdoorsman so
I don't know what makes for a good survival knife. I'd say if you don't
feel you need anything bigger than a 2-3" blade then yes, it's fine. If
you need to hack away at brush or something else that a bigger blade
would be better at, then the Izula would make a great back up. It certainly
is a very tough blade.
 
The Izula is perfect for most smaller tasks, (fire starting, food prep, splitting smaller wood for fires, cleaning fish & game) but you might need a another larger knife for battoning larger wood for fires or a saw.

I'd definitley carry another knife that is bigger for larger tasks and even self defense.
 
Does nobody carry an axe anymore? I sure wouldn't go out in the woods for any serious excursion without an axe...needn't be a big one. I have the Fiskars hatchet which is light, sort of tomahawk sized tool. I would prefer that to a knife for self defense against two-legged predators that's for sure.
 
Practice with it and you will be fine.:thumbup:

I will venture out with a pocket fixed that has a 2 3/4" cutting edge with no worries at all.

And guess what! It will baton through standing saplings with ease to make poles for stretchers, shelters,traps ..etc..:eek: Batoning isn't just for firewood you know.;)

Besides my SAK has a saw blade anyway.:D
 
I'd say pair it with a folding saw and you would have a good combo while keeping the pack light. I went for two hikes in the last 5 days and used the saw blade on my SAK at least 3 times, in conjunction with my Izula. Uses included: fire prep (tea break) and making a walking stick. You really have to ask yourself, what is the worst that can happen? Are you solo backpacking though uncharted bush? Doing SAR or other rescue work? People "survive" all sorts of emergencies with nothing but the clothes on their back. If you want to carry a survival knife "just in case", then be resigned to carrying the extra weight that a larger, longer, heavier blade will have. There is no magic bullet here. If you are looking a for a decent do-all survival knife with lower weight, then the ESEE-3 or even the 4 would have been a better choice. Absolutely nothing wrong with the Izula as long as it is used within the limits of its size and design. My .02
 
Thalestin said:
Depending on where you hike, you may not even need to process wood. It really depends on where you live. A good survival knife is great and all and we can debate on whats best till the sun comes down. In any case, if you dont have the skills and the knowhow of the area your hiking in, your just as good off without the knife.

For example, processing wood is all fine and dandy but pretty useless if you dont know how to start a fire without paper and matches. WHat will you do if your arm is broken? What do you do since your knife is in your bag, and you dropped your bag when you ran from the couger that ate your wife and your now lost in the woods?

Answers? Learn how to start fires in many different situations. The answer for question two...ill leave that one up to you :)
Click to expand...

This is why when I hike in cougar country (cougar attacks in the united states are few and far between) I carry a pocket survival kit in my pocket, that has a one handed firestarter, tinder, water tablets, compass, led lights, a few other things, and a Ritter MK5 knife.


Regarding self defense: I'm not sure that is really a necessity on a hiking trail. The only thing to really be afraid of are bears and cougars, and I'm likely not strong enough to kill a bear with a knife, and a cougar would likely be too fast, and attack from behind or the side without warning. I'm far more concerned with things like pack weight, comfortable socks etc. =)


SOG team leader: Is there a reason why that knife only shows up on their store, not under their fixed blades section? Is it discontinued?

-Freq
 
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What about the obvious? A larger Esee knife. You seem to like those?
Another choice might be a swamp rat with resperene handles. I've noticed the handles don't add much weight to the knife, and you'll be hard pressed to find a tougher knife or better warantee.
 
My reply should have been more complete.

I think the Izula would be a fine survival knife if one also had an axe. Today, it seems, the word "survival" implies the use of the knife for chopping wood as well as slicing and cutting and carving.

If I were allowed only one steel tool in the woods, I would go for a large knife of some sort.

If I could choose, I have a medium large knife, a small knife like a SAK, and a light axe.
 
freq18hz said:
This is why when I hike in cougar country (cougar attacks in the united states are few and far between) I carry a pocket survival kit in my pocket, that has a one handed firestarter, tinder, water tablets, compass, led lights, a few other things, and a Ritter MK5 knife.


Regarding self defense: I'm not sure that is really a necessity on a hiking trail. The only thing to really be afraid of are bears and cougars, and I'm likely not strong enough to kill a bear with a knife, and a cougar would likely be too fast, and attack from behind or the side without warning. I'm far more concerned with things like pack weight, comfortable socks etc. =)


SOG team leader: Is there a reason why that knife only shows up on their store, not under their fixed blades section? Is it discontinued?

-Freq
Click to expand...

Good stuff:). I didnt really mean for self defence, but more that its good to have a knife on your person. Since you do, thats all good:)
 
weigh your SAK and the little Ritter and then consider replacing them w/ a 3.0 oz Fiskars (or the like) folding saw and in combination w/ your Izula you should be in great shape for shelter building, fire prep, trap building, etc w/ little to no weight penalty

a small (quality) fixed blade AND a folding saw OR a small axe OR a machete (dependent on environ/season) is a very reasonable approach to insure your well being in the field
 
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