Lost in the wild. Which knife?

Quite a few have picked the Buck 110 or some other dedicated folder as their survival knife. That was my first thought, too, but now I wonder if it was a kneejerk reaction. Lost in the woods does not mean your only encounter would be with natural materials. Traces of human activity can be found almost anywhere. You might come across wire that needs cut, a shack with a lock to be dealt with (after all, it is an emergency situation), repair or modify something you find or have on you, or some other project that requires a tool other than a blade. So, while a good knife could be helpful, some kind of multi-tool would prepare you for more possibilities.

All considered, in the given scenario I would rather be over than under prepared, so I would go with my Leatherman Core ($32 on sale at Target.) It's all speculation, anyway, because I've never been in a situation like that.
 
Chazzy151 said:
Spyderco Military BG-42 or Benchmade 806d2 or Microtech SOCOM manual, all pretty tough folders.
Click to expand...

Have fun sharpening that BG-42 in the woods :D

I didn't know that the Voyager comes in Drop point, i thought it's Tanto and Clip Point only??

I think the buck 110 looks a little thin for survival use.. but maybe it's just cause I don't like the fingernail opening thing.

For me, probably either a classic Kabar (you can get one for 50-60$), or if it HAS to be a folder, probably a good Byrd (with G-10) or a cheaper Spyderco.
 
Tobacco_Spit said:
If you were lost in the bush and could cary only one folder, has to be a folder, which one? Ah but another twist 50 or under in price. I'm sure this scenario fits many who have gotten lost.:jerkit:
Click to expand...

Wouldn't a cell phone be a better option? Most of them fold in half.
 
Pocket Bushman. Simple, durable, and most importantly, I have it by my side most of the time.
 
Case whittler, or a sak with a saw. A lot of the knife work would be around making a fire and snares such as figure four or even triggers for spring snares or trying to catch fish. Much of this depends on the environment ( i.e. mountains desert, jungle?) I've always dreamed of the one all around folder but does it really exist?
 
Spyderco Endura that I snagged in the 35 dollar range, and an opinel 6. A large and small blade should cover me, though I would like to pick up a multitool with a saw on it for situations like that. If I am stranded with my car(like on the side of the road and have to camp) then I automatically have access to a Buck 119 in my trunk.
 
One with a GPS?

No brainer for me, the CS Rajah. Although a good Multi tool would be a great choice as well.
 
Last edited:
In the under-fifty range, I'd have to take the Delica or Endura 4-series---a no-brainer in my mind, unless I could find a very good deal on a Military. Perhaps something in the Salt series would be good as well...
 
This would be my pick. I have the model without the thumbhole in the blade and love it. It has a nice sturdy lockand the saw cut's through wood like Buttah!

SwissKnife.jpg
[/IMG]
 
znapschatz said:
Lost in the woods does not mean your only encounter would be with natural materials. Traces of human activity can be found almost anywhere. You might come across wire that needs cut, a shack with a lock to be dealt with (after all, it is an emergency situation), repair or modify something you find or have on you, or some other project that requires a tool other than a blade. So, while a good knife could be helpful, some kind of multi-tool would prepare you for more possibilities.
Click to expand...

Agreed; I would choose a Swisstool or Swisstool X.
 
The OP said a "knife", so I'll skip the multitools - which are the obvious choice.

Endura 4 is my pick.
 
Tobacco_Spit said:
If you were lost in the bush and could cary only one folder, has to be a folder, which one? Ah but another twist 50 or under in price. I'm sure this scenario fits many who have gotten lost.:jerkit:
Click to expand...

Bugger staying lost! I'd want a combo folder with Firesteel, GPS, EPIRB, Sat Phone, mirror and flares - oh and some sort of blade might be useful too - not sure what's available in the <$50 price range though - maybe something made in China? :D
 
Ok, if the Leatherman was out of the question, then I would have to go with a SAK of some sort. Like the Rucksack or Huntsman because of the saw and blades and yes scissors. Along with the tweezers and toothpick I think I would be ok.
 
this question has come up a million times and you will get as many answers. The truth is carry what you like, know it's limitations and yours and don't go beyond them. You will not end up with a broken blade if you know the limits of you and your tools. Your brain is your most important tool, so get the knife you like most and get proficient with it.;)
 
Wildone39 said:
Ok, if the Leatherman was out of the question, then I would have to go with a SAK of some sort. Like the Rucksack or Huntsman because of the saw and blades and yes scissors. Along with the tweezers and toothpick I think I would be ok.
Click to expand...


If multitools are verboten, then I'd got with a big SAK like the Vic Outrider. It has basically the same tools as the Huntsman, but on the big, 111mm chassis with a locking blade. I had one for awhile but traded it because it wasn't getting much use (I usually favor a multitool paired with a small fixed blade).
 
Dustin Golat said:
Yeah, i had to edit the end. I'd say the average backpacker is ill suited to really be "stuck in the woods". But yeah, that endura 4" looked like it might be about the most knife you could still get with good quality and reasonable steel.
Click to expand...

I might have to disagree with you here, being an avid backpacker...Considering what we're carrying in our packs (clothing, shelter, water, food, knife, etc.), I can't think of anyone else BETTER prepared to be stuck in the woods...

And to answer the O.P., I would choose my current folder - Benchmade Griptilian 551S
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top