Looking for a good survival knife

As much as I like Esee knives and I own many. I would suggest getting something with better edge retention and corrosion resistance.

Try a fallkniven f1, s1,a1 (depending on what size you like) vg10 easy to sharpen and the convex grind is also easy to sharpen in the field. Care free handle and sheath as well.

Also Bark river, way to many models to choose from but, I would go with a g10 for survival or a micarta thats been polished. A 3v is great but, can run. Dont get a2. The cruwears suppose to be awesome. Get a gunny or bravo, bravo 1.5 as a few options.

But best bang for the buck and one of my all time favorite actual survival knives.
Made from spring steal- keeps a decent edge and is easy to sharpen. Decent corrosion resistance, light weight for its size. Rugged and versitle sheath, can be used as a spear, opens ammo cans, opens beer bottles, batons excellent, is designed to be a throwing knife. Comes with either a plain or saw back configuration. Glock knife!. I own a decent amount of fixed blades but, I typically take the glock knife with me more often than not for actually using it.
 
Unpolished micarta is rougher to the touch and some people feel you get a better grip on a knife with it (versus a polished or smooth handle).
 
For a folder THE knife is a HEST with several choices of blades. I took one into the Coronado Saguaro Forrest and actually pried open a car door with it to assist in the rescue of a WW2 vet who was trapped in his car. Didn't have to pry far but what was needed was really needed.
For a field knife I have a bunch but carry an older Randall #1, 7 inch blade most of the time. It chops wood fine.
 
ESEE, i will advocate it til the end!
For a camp knife the 4HM or 6HM,
if you don't like the coating, strip it and patina
 
TheRiggins said:
Hello everyone,

A friend pointed me to this forum because I've been searching for the right knife and have not been able to find one yet.

I'm looking for a survival style knife. I'm not into the tactical thing I just want a very well built tool that I can take with me camping and backpacking. I had looked at an ESEE 6 but after reading some reviews I no longer believe it is the knife for me. I'm willing to spend some money but I'd like to keep the cost at $300 or less.

Anything suggestions are appreciated and all opinions welcome. Thank you.

***Update***

Thank you all for the great responses!

I'd like to answer a couple of questions that were asked.
I'm looking for a blade length between 4 and 6 inches ideally.
The steel can be anything but stainless. A good tool steel would be great.
The thing that killed the ESEE for me was the coating on the blade. I don't like how it affects cutting.

Thanks again!
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:) Welcome Riggins ! You have already received a lot of great advise . If you are just going on a casual fun type camping / hiking trip with facilities and services available close by , then you won't be facing a survival challenge . Your skill set in bushcraft and wilderness survival will not be critical . Almost any knife and hatchet will do very nicely . Just have fun .:p

If you plan to embark upon some kind of true wilderness survival adventure , your skill set is the primary concern .:eek: No amount of expensive gear will avail you :confused:. Skills and knowledge must be developed before equipment will do you any good . :cool:
 
Did you say that you do NOT want stainless steel? If you don't want stainless, may I ask why?
 
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I really like the ESSE 4. You can get them without the coating.

When I'm true wilderness (far off trail) I carry it and a CRK Small Sebenza. The smallish ESSE is a surprisingly good chopper. I went coated for rust resistance. If I need to slice, I use the CRK.

I carried a K-Bar USMC when in the military (Light Infantry Scout). I put that thing through the paces and it held up great, so I'm pretty partial to 1095 steel. I still have it. I just prefer a full tang blade with micarta handles.
 
With a $300 budget, I don't think the OP is looking for something less than memorable like a Mora. I find them useful, but a bit too "cheap" for me unless I am dead set on minimizing weight and maximizing utility. That doesn't happen often in my wanderings.

That doesn't change my general recommendation of carrying two knives in the woods (a folder and a fixed blade). If chopping is your thing, go bigger, if general use is your thing, go with a 4-6" bladed knife.
 
Folks that are truly trying to survive in the woods will have an axe of some sort with them for larger tasks. But most of us are not trying to survive in the woods. We're just visiting and any reasonable knife will do. A small hatchet and a folder is a good combo as is a folder and fixed blade. Add a small folding saw to the mix. A SAK such as a one handed Trekker is all you really need in one package.
 
I have read several reviews on the Terava 110 and they have all been positive plus the knife is inexpensive. Another knife I have seen some reviews on is a Gerber Strongarm. Both of those knives are under $100 but they are not the sexy custom knives most people want. I don't have any experience with either knife other than watching reviews on YouTube, however, several guys have done some "destructive" testing on these 2 knives and were impressed with their toughness. I would suggest you just pick out a knife you like, check a few reviews to see if there are any glaring issues, and if all looks good then buy it. Knives are personal and what suits one person will be hated by another, so find what you want and buy it. If you like it you've done good but if you don't like it you can add it to your collection, or sell it, and buy something else. Like has been stated before, no knife is perfect, so in your search for that "perfect" knife you might just build up an impressive knife collection.
 
bdmicarta said:
Tell us what you are trying to survive and we can suggest an appropriate knife.
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This is by far the best post in the thread. It's impossible to suggest a survival knife without knowing what you're attempting to survive. I've never owned any of the knives that have been suggested, and I've been surviving for most of my life. ;)
 
I have one of the#10 Swedish forest 4 inch 02 steel scandi with curly birch that I think would fit the bill, it also comes in a longer version #14- 10 vs 14 centimeters blade length.

They have a few handle/edge/sheath/steel options.

More info/moving pictures here.

1234,,,:)
 
22-rimfire said:
Folks that are truly trying to survive in the woods will have an axe of some sort with them for larger tasks.
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That's more for people who are living in the woods.
They will also have other tools too, as well as a bunch of skill.

For a survival knife, it has to be sized so that you'll be carrying it with you all the time while doing whatever you might end up having to survive; an axe does not fit that description for most folks.

But some people do carry an axe all the time while hiking, camping, and whatever; for them it could be a great survival item.
 
:) I don't believe there is a widely agreed upon definition for " survival knife" anymore than for "tactical knife " or "hunting knife " etc . I think you must define what the actual uses the knife will primarily serve ,and the type environment and the person . There is no one knife that does everything best , everywhere , for everyone . Just think how much variation exists in "kitchen knives " . :eek: Boggles the mind ! :confused: That's why I'm trying to get one of everything . ;)
 
DocJD said:
:) I don't believe there is a widely agreed upon definition for " survival knife" anymore than for "tactical knife " or "hunting knife " etc . I think you must define what the actual uses the knife will primarily serve ,and the type environment and the person . There is no one knife that does everything best , everywhere , for everyone . Just think how much variation exists in "kitchen knives " . :eek: Boggles the mind ! :confused: That's why I'm trying to get one of everything. ;)
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This is truth. So we buy one of each to try and figure it out. ;) And most barely get taken out of the wrapper let alone cut something. But it's fun.
 
You know, if you're going fishing, or hiking, or hunting, or camping, or whatever takes you into the wild blue yonder, whatever knife you strap on while you're partaking in these activities, is prolly the knife, you're most comfortable with. It prolly won't be a big knife for comfort.
I'm thinking a Ratmandu, or a 4.1 Survive. Or something in this range. Strap a Maxpedition mag pouch on the outside of the Kydex sheath for your Survival goodies and you've just created your go-to knife. Let's face it, the only one that'll work for you is the one you're wearing when you need it.
You'll feel naked in the woods without it.
 
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