Money no object

T

Temper

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Oct 30, 2002
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I am not really one for these kinds of threads, but away from the main forum it may not get silly.

What would you buy as serious survival knife and why?



I have just treated myself to a Fallkniven A1. I have become a big fan of convex grinds and usually use a F1 or a Bark River Highland Special (Yes, despite the agro with MS I still love some of the knives) But this A1 is one big momma and cuts incredibly well. I read Cliffs old test and I must say, I cant think of a usual situation where this would fail you. I spent an afternoon making fuzz sticks with it to see how well I could contol the blade and despite its length its just this side of too big.

My vote would be for the A1 or a similar NL Model from Fallkniven (or possibly one of Scotts if I ever get the chance to order one)
 
I would buy a http://valiantco.com golok as a serious survival knife. Why? I don't know of any other differentially heat-treated convex-grind blades with comfortable handles like the valiantco goloks. They've got soft spines, hard edges, are forged-to-shape and don't have full tangs that transmit impact into the hand when chopping wood. The tips are sufficiently curved for skinning.

And even if money isn't an object, they're very affordable.
 
If I had to choose only one it would be either of these. The Ranger has proven to be a tough blade and with the thinned edge, a fairly efficient cutter and slicer.

The old bolo has great chopping power and takes an edge very easy with stone or file. I think it was made from an old leaf spring as many of them are. Don't expect to fillet fish with one.

The bolo is not as easy to get unless you know someone overseas but the design is a proven one over many years and as a fighting tool among the native peoples.

Suprisingly, I found an all metal golok type blade in a Vietnamese market for about 7 bucks. It looks to be a leaf spring too and I've been beating on it with no ill effects to the tool. If you have an Oriental market nearby, check the kitchen tools for such items. They aren't pretty but they can be cleaned up to fit the bill. I wrapped the hanlde with inner tube and it works great.

rb4.jpg
 
Well I don't know about whether I would choose something else than what I already have if money was no object, but I too have the A1. Many knives may do some things better than than the A1, but the A1 seems bullet proof. Again, that is not to say that there aren't others that are equally up to the job, but given the quality, size, and price point on this knife, for me, it will be the first one I'd grab if my life depended on it.
 
Well I cant realy go past my Swamp rat camptramp or battle rat, but maby the busse mud razor I am getting (7" blade) or if I had the money and could get one, I would probably go for a Busse SFNO..
 
The A-1 is certainly a stout knife. I like mine.

If I wanted something in that size class and $$ was no object, I'd buy a similar Busse and send it to BRKT to convex it out. The result would be tougher than the A-1 and would cut better than the stock Busse -- an INFI cutter.
 
Thomas Linton said:
The A-1 is certainly a stout knife. I like mine.

If I wanted something in that size class and $$ was no object, I'd buy a similar Busse and send it to BRKT to convex it out. The result would be tougher than the A-1 and would cut better than the stock Busse -- an INFI cutter.
Click to expand...


I can imagine opening the box, there would be a ghoulish laugh and a crazed look to try it out on something :)
 
Busse, Swamp Rat, Valiant Co, Himalayan Imports, Fallkniven, Becker Knife, Spyderco (for folders) consistently have high owner satisfaction and this includes people that use these products for real and very hard. These companies seem to take responsibility on making a solid product. The previous choices should cover a broad budget spectrum from $ to $$$$.
 
Well, my dream knife has 4" scrimshawed Ivory handles, 01 full tang full convexed spear point 5/32" x 2" x 7" blade. Custom leather sheath.
 
I take a Ruana 95AD with better "handle". The one I have is too small for my hands and gets really slippery when bloody. My father's old 1930s Marble's Woodcraft would work just fine too.
 
hatchtjack, that's an awesome looking bolo. :thumbup:
Scott
 
Given a choice of no budget limit id go with a Beck WSK. its multifunctional and sturdy, and it will probably outlast you.
 
If money were no object, probably a Busse of some sort, along with a couple of Army Rangers or Navy Seals to carry it for me.
 
That have been doing full convex grinds recently as Busse figured out a way to machine them efficiently, but have always been willing to redo edges on customer request, both on order and regrinds after purchase.

-Cliff
 
I couldnt let this mornings experience pass without making a comment.

My FIL who is 67 and has a bad heart asked me to go and prune some trees for him in his front garden. I took a Bahco Laplander and the A1 with me. I wasnt too sure that I would need the knife but 'better to have it and not need it than..."

Well, I ended cutting a lot more than I thought, some of the trees were Maple and 'Kaki' (a type of fruit) most of the branches were around 1.5-2.5 inches in diameter. After cutting everything the crappy clean up had to start, I soon realised that it would be a monumental PITA to saw the little branches up so they would fit in bags for disposal. Out comes the A1 and holy smoke did I feel like one of those guys in a cane field. The brances even the very thick ones yielded with about 4 blows time after time. I maaged to strip off the little bits, get a good length of branch (maybe 10ft) and lop it into bits with so much ease it was a real joy. I just got home and checked the edge, nary a mark on it. I just tested it on some cheap copier paper, it sailed right through it!

The A1 to me is now the best bang for buck, bona fide Survival Knife out there. Way to go Fallkniven!
:thumbup:
 
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