Lost with only one folder

yeah, i don't really use the blades on my multitools/saks often. also, i'd personally much prefer a leatherman to an sak. what do you guys think?
 
mjolnirman said:
If you were stranded in a survival situation with only one folder, how hard would you use it? Would you use it moderately or take the risk of breaking it? Would your decision depend on the terrain and the type of area you're in?
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Back in the 1970's, I was forced to ditch my military aircraft into the Cascade Mountain Range of Northern Washington because of a severe mechanical issue (to say the least). Extreme terrain (7500 feet...or so), and weather, prohibited immediate rescue either from the air, or ground for three days. I was able to maintain limited radio contact and had a good emergency transponder squawk on the descent for location.

The first evening out, I managed to break off almost 1/4 the length of the blade on my Camillus Pilots Survival Knife on a mindless task. All I had now, was one broken survival knife, and my Buck 110. I was able to open my 2-day supply of C-Ration cans with the 110 (no P-38 -- dumb), build an insufficient shelter, cut shavings for the night fire, and whittle away the hours to stay busy. I did do some light baton work on the spine of the 110, but getting abusive with the knife was just not necessary. We were taught to build other tools in pilots survival training, to save ourselves, knives, etc., from further damage. I never doubted the Buck 110 (best factory folder available in those days), however I did lose any respect for the poorly heat treated Pilots Survival Knife, at that time. *I tossed the broken survival knife into the bottom of my flight bag in absolute disgust. The remaining survival blade, sharpened aircraft components, etc., would have been a tool option if I had broken the 110 also. :)
 
I never doubted the Buck 110 (best factory folder available in those days)
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In some flavors, (ATS-34 BG-42 Custom Shop, S30V Cabelas) it's still one of the best factory folders available these days.:D
 
If the spirit of the OP was literally a single bladed folder, I would opt for either my Buck 110, or more likely, my Byrd FRN Cara Cara. The Buck speaks for itself, the Byrd has plenty of blade, is surely solid enough for steady, non-abusive daily work. It takes, and holds a very good edge. I also opt for the wisdom of making tools with my tool when possible.

If, however as some here have posted, a SAK type tool is acceptable, I would carry my Leatherman Wave, and have a plain & serrated knife, a saw, and other goodies as well, in a solid tool.

Beckerhead
 
More than likely I would have my Vic Farmer with me. I would use it as designed. To cut.

With it I can make plenty of other tools for other duties if needed.

Large stick for prying/digging if needed

Baton for hammering

Spear for..... well spearing I guess

ect......
 
i carry a sak- oht every day, you can open it easily the blade locks, and it has a saw, and a couple of other tools, atached to the knfe is a military match that will give me fire, not bad for a kit that fits into any pocket and does far outperform by weight any otheer combo i can think of that will fit in my pocket. i always have it with me so as usual the best survival knife will be the one i have with me.
as per brian jones, the next folder i would carry is the tops magnum 747, this is a beast of a knife. and will do a greart job as it is solid as a rock and the stout blade will do rough work. i would not hesitate to use this knife like a fixed blade.

alex
 
My SAK OHT (GA version). excellent tool if used as intended.

Couple that with my Gerber Yari, and I'm all set.:D
 
I would never get lost with only a folder, as I always carry a fixed blade, unless I'm just out for the express purpose of carrying just a folder, or no knife at all. If it did happen, then it would matter very little what folder I had. Cheap or expensive, folders are all folders, which means "broken knives" to me. A SAK Ranger would be my choice, because I like SAKs and find the extra tools useful.
 
Hey, Alex, how are you?

Yeah, I've split firewood with TOPS 747 Magnum - batoned the heck out of it - no worries. I really love my Magnum 747. It has taken me through many things and places and still going strong. I know I can rely on it almost as much as a stout fixed blade.
 
hello brian,
i am doing it every day, glad you took the moderator job here, i think you have done a great job,
that tops 747 is a beast of a knife, i agree that you would have to go far to find a folder that would handle what this knife will handle. it is as close to a fixed blade as you can get, i was hoping that tops would make it with a second saw blade, now that would rock.

alex
 
As always IMHO whether fixed blade or folder a knife is for cutting...I started t think over the past few months about the times I actually use a knife when in the woods, and the sad fact is that on most trips I have to make up reasons..that being said I'd never leave it behind..and I think knifecraft is part of being prepared for any outdoor excursion, I'd feel comfortable with a vic farmer or more recently my vic rucksack (nice long blade) good for scoopin peanutbutter...also I would not be upset at all if all I had was a case large stockman in cv,a buck 112, or a douk douk.
 
RescueRiley said:
As always IMHO whether fixed blade or folder a knife is for cutting...I started t think over the past few months about the times I actually use a knife when in the woods, and the sad fact is that on most trips I have to make up reasons..that being said I'd never leave it behind..and I think knifecraft is part of being prepared for any outdoor excursion, I'd feel comfortable with a vic farmer or more recently my vic rucksack (nice long blade) good for scoopin peanutbutter...also I would not be upset at all if all I had was a case large stockman in cv,a buck 112, or a douk douk.
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I use mine pretty much every meal time :)

when we go bush , it involves usually a bit of fishing and or hunting , so what ever knives we take definitely get used ..

I found that the more I got to do in the bush to live from the bush , the more I use my knives to do it , but when Im just packing gear in and then out again , yeah ... packet opening is about it
 
After re-buying a Victorinox Scout edition Sentry (single bladed red victorinox knife under the boy scout link), I realized how much I could do with just that little knife. Growing up in scouts, that knife along with the camilus knives were THE KNIFES to have. Good, inexpensive, and easily replaceable. I learned just about everything I know now with that knife and similar models. Amazing what such a small knife and some brain power can accomplish :cool:.
 
This makes me think of one of my favourite movies The Edge. He only had one little folder and made it do some remarkable things! :D

Yeah, I know, its only a move right?

If it were me lost in an Alaskan wilderness with just one folder, I would hope it was this one:

SOGTomcat.jpg
 
use as needed without going beyond the folders capabilities.no baton/chopping, me I would carry my SAK "hiker" or "champion"
 
I like SAK's, I have several of them and I keep one in my pack all the time. I think I mainly like the idea of the SAK. It sounds blasphemous I know, but I rarely actually use them. My Ruksak would probably be the most useful if I was stuck with only a folder. But I think I would rather have my BM940. It's the knife that's with me the most, has the best blade shape and best lock in a folder IMO, and I just plain like it.
 
Buffalohump said:
This makes me think of one of my favourite movies The Edge. He only had one little folder and made it do some remarkable things! :D

Yeah, I know, its only a move right?

If it were me lost in an Alaskan wilderness with just one folder, I would hope it was this one:

SOGTomcat.jpg
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Sweet gotta get me one of those!
:thumbup:

I have a first gen Tomcat that i bought the first year it came out.
So that makes it 20 years old and it still locks up tight as a bank vault!
I Just put a one hand opening button on it as well so i may carry it when i go hiking come spring.
That and my 110FG (with OH button attached) are my two favorite single bladed lock-blades.
 
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