Looking to buy my first real survival knife, could use some input

[PropThePolecat]

An ESEE is a good choice but there are many other brands as well as customs. Let me just say that if you have only ever spent less than $20 on a knife before then I will also guess that you don't use knives all that much. Buying an expensive knife without really developing the skills to make it useful is sort of like buying a toaster without having electricity.

I say, stick with your price point. Buy a mora allrounder ($17) and then a swiss army knife (e.g. victorinox farmer or one-hand treker). Spend some extra money on a book, like Bushcraft, and begin learning some knifework as it pertains to firecraft and shelter building. As you work through your skills you will begin to appreciate the things that your environment and your habits require the most in a knife. Build up from there.

Chances are, if you buy a fancy knife right now and you begin on the journey recommended above, you will abandon that initial knife choice for something different once you begin buying based on your experience.

That right there, is excellent advice.

Also ask yourself what you intend to use it for. Id take a different blade with me for a multiday winter hike below the tree line than i'd do on a summer dayhike.

No matter what you buy, always have a Victorinox Farmer in your pocket. You'll thank me someday.

This too! A Victorinox is just about the most useful knife you could ever buy.

And then you get a Fallkniven

 

[NothingCoherent]

The words "Survival knife" often brings the image of a big heavy chopper with a long blade to mind. I disagree with this; a knife is meant for /cutting/, even in survival.

Get yourself something with a small blade, good steel, and proper cutting geometry (!!!). Big, thick knives are overrated. They aren't as efficient at what knives are supposed to do (cut) when compared with something like a dedicated hunting or bushcraft knife.

"But NC, what if I need to build shelter and cut firewood!? I can't do that with a 4" blade!"

Carry a folding saw. Problem solved. They weigh less than a knife and sear through wood way faster than trying to chop with a big knife. That's your real survival tool if shelter and fire is ever a concern. And what else would you ever need to do with a big bad survival knife if you aren't chopping wood up?

In a knife, convex grinds are king. Scandi is nice too, and cuts wood like no other, but the often thin edge can be damaged too easily for my liking. Convex bites nearly as good as scandi in wood, and much better in every other material -- food, game, you name it. There's a lot more steel behind the actual edge, and there are no sharp angles for the blade to hang up on like on conventional V grind knives. This means a smoother slice and a stronger edge. I do not consider any other grinds to be particularly useful -- there's scandi if you want a dedicated wood worker, and convex for everything else. Of course this is just my opinion and others will disagree.

I recommend getting yourself a Bark River or a Fallkniven. Or even take a peak at the custom maker forums here. A custom knife can often be had for a reasonable price, and most knife makers agree that a proper convex grind is the best all around knife grind, so finding one of those shouldn't be too hard.

 

[roknjs]

That is so very nice!

How about a Mark Wohlwend Booshway !

By pitdog2010 at 2010-08-10

By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-21

 

[SouthernCross]

G'day Stoop

....and want to get a nice survival knife in a oh crap moment stuck in the mountains......

I've spent nearly 4 decades in genuine wilderness areas & I still don't understand what is meant on the internet these days by the term "a survival knife"?

Is it something that has come about by the various "TV personalities", that pretend they show "real survival" (putting aside for the moment that most of them have a camera crew with them :jerkit: ).

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but it seems to me that these days the term "survival" is nothing more than a marketing term designed to scare people & get them to buy something.

If you want any further evidence of this, have a look at the numerous internet sites that focus on "survival".

What they all have in common is the fact that the regulars focuss on gear & yet provide little evidence that they actually venture into wilderness areas where "survival situations" maybe a reality.

IMO, real survival has always been more about knowledge & skills, than it has been about having the right gear.

Obviously others milage do vary.



Kind regards
Mick:grumpy:

 

[EMT_Lee]

G'day Stoop


I've spent nearly 4 decades in genuine wilderness areas & I still don't understand what is meant on the internet these days by the term "a survival knife"?

Is it something that has come about by the various "TV personalities", that pretend they show "real survival" (putting aside for the moment that most of them have a camera crew with them :jerkit: ).

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but it seems to me that these days the term "survival" is nothing more than a marketing term designed to scare people & get them to buy something.

If you want any further evidence of this, have a look at the numerous internet sites that focus on "survival".

What they all have in common is the fact that the regulars focuss on gear & yet provide little evidence that they actually venture into wilderness areas where "survival situations" maybe a reality.

IMO, real survival has always been more about knowledge & skills, than it has been about having the right gear.

Obviously others milage do vary.



Kind regards
Mick:grumpy:

Ok. I'll go ahead and correct you on that. The term "survival knife" comes from the USAF Pilot Survival Knives for use in downed aircraft. It's got nothing to do with any TV host.

 

[coolhand68]

If you're new to knives and don't really have a huge interest in them, try something low maintenance (won't rust easily and easy to sharpen) like any Fallkniven knife such as an F1 or S1. Great steel, convex edge that is easy to sharpen, don't rust as easily as 1095 or other high carbon steels. For just over $100 you've got a great knife that'll last you a lifetime.

Oh, and if you ever decide you no longer want it, you can get back most of your money if you decide to sell it later on. They hold their value very well.

 

[tradewater]

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the knives suggested. My personal favorite would be a BK7 convex ground. The main thing is (IMHO) when you make the decision and get a knife, use it. Whittle, fiddle, and learn it. Sharpen it, and use it some more. Baton it, make practice fires and know 10 different grips with it and what each one is good for. Be able to use it blindfolded. Make it feel so natural in your hand that you can do things without thinking about them. Then you've got something that will help you out in any situation. :thumbup:

 

[joshuabl]

This is a nice knife that is available from the busse combat site currently. Thin, but plenty tough and with a convex edge.