Need help buying a Survival Knife

P

pariah123

Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
3
I've searched the web alot for this and my conclusion is that I think the Fallkniven A1 or S1 would be good options for me.
I saw some Katz Knives and I really like the way they look although I cant find any reviews about them.
In particular I like the Black Kat and Kagemusha, although I dont know how they would serve as "survival" knives and the Fallkniven seem proven.
So please your thoughts
 
Where do you plan to use it?ie-location,climate

How big of a blade do you want?

Do you want a chopper or a slicer?

What are you willing to spend?

Decent survival knives range from $10 to $100's

Need more info...
 
Last edited:
JTR-
I don't want a big blade, something between 4-6", Im kinda leaning towards the S1 and the F1 also came to mind.
I live in Israel and I Hike alot, climate is usually hot, and the locations are from anything forest to the desert.
Thanks!
 
pariah123 said:
JTR-
I don't want a big blade, something between 4-6", Im kinda leaning towards the S1 and the F1 also came to mind.
I live in Israel and I Hike alot, climate is usually hot, and the locations are from anything forest to the desert.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

You can't go wrong with Fallkniven:thumbup:

Check out Bark River Knives also.They have a huge variety.A2 is an excellent tool steel.It's not stainless,but does not rust easily if properly maintained.They have a great reputation,as I've read on these forums.I'll be getting one soon.

Good luck with your search:)
 
A BRK&T bravo1 would serve you well.

Of course so would the fallkniven.

The bravo looks alittle less like a military knife though.
 
I looked into the BRKT Bravo1, it looks great.
Now my dilemma is between the F1 and the Bravo1.
Im hoping any of you can talk about personal experience with the knives, which is sharper and sturdier, and how comfortable the handle is.
Thanks
 
pariah123 said:
I looked into the BRKT Bravo1, it looks great.
Now my dilemma is between the F1 and the Bravo1.
Im hoping any of you can talk about personal experience with the knives, which is sharper and sturdier, and how comfortable the handle is.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I it were me making the choice between the two,I'd go with the Bark River.I don't own nor handled either though.From everything I've read about "Barkys",the F&F are outstanding,exceptional craftmanship,great customer service & some of the sharpest knives ever out of the box.Also since you're going to be mostly in an arid envirement,I don't see any reason to go stainless,when there are so many great carbon & tool steels out there.BTW,Bark River uses A2:thumbup:
 
Fallkniven or Bark River are similar in quality. It is just a matter of taste. I doubt one outperforms the other in anything important.
 
nodh said:
Fallkniven or Bark River are similar in quality. It is just a matter of taste. I doubt one outperforms the other in anything important.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:Agreed,but BRK are classier looking IMO;)
 
Last edited:
Smatchet- what the hell?

I would go with the bravo1, just stroop it on a belt with compound every once in awhile and it will stay super sharp.
Also its semi-thin slender blade is well suited to arid climates.
 
Pariah123 I Hike in Israel alot ,people tend to look at you funny if you carry a fixed blade when not on active duty,believe me, it happened to me last week in the Golan.So I carry A large folder on me A multytool in side pouch and A 5' fixed in pack .to answer you I just ordered an RC4 with the F1 as second choice.As I learned in the army a good secure sheath is as important as a good tool\knife .
 
go with the s-1 i'm extremely pleased with mine.its my go to knife and i have a lot of nice ones to pick from.good luck.
 
With the Bark River, you are getting a 'made in the USA' product - the Falknivens are 'made in Japan'. Also, the Bravo-1 comes, with man made handles, with a nylon sheath with Molle attachments, where the natural handled ones come with a fine leather sheath. I like Bark River - but I chose the Gameskeeper, a similar knife but with a finger guard and no thumb ramp, which some folks haven't been so fond of on the Bravo-1. There are many nice variants of Bark Rivers. My experience is limited - I have five (Number six is in the mail!) - but they are all better made than most custom knives - and available 'from stock' - somewhere. Look them over. My Fox River is a classic 'bushcraft' type knife.

Stainz
 
If I could add on something here.

The only 'Survival' knife is the one that you have with you when an emergency occurs. The more likely you are to carrry and posses that knife on your person all the time the better off you'll be. The more training you have in survival in general is worth more than anything.

That being said I fall strongly in the carbon steel camp and much prefer A-2 blades to the f-1's Stainless. Although I reside in desert terrain and I feel that with carbon I have the best of both worlds. Performance and 'stain resistance' :) If I lived in the rain forest or on the coast I may rethink that position.

The Bravo 1 is awesome. A tad thick tanged for my taste but an excellent performer.

+1
 
There is another thing too. HOW you carry your knife. It is like TV that adds 5 kilos, but a 4" knife becomes a 2" knife if worn in a fancy leather sheath, and it becomes a 6" Rambo knife if carried in a combat looking sheath.

Over here people walk around with their 3-4" hunting knives in their belt when visiting the food store. They might be dressed for the occasion (mostly green hunting clothes) but still, normal locals dont get offended by a knife hdangling from a belt in a leather sheath. However they might freak out if you had the same knife strapped to your thigh in a kydex sheath. That might be because people "normally" doesnt carry their knives that way.

It also depends on how people are used to knives and if they see it as a weapon. Most locals see a weapon when they see a knife that is not a pure kitchen knife.
 
My custom S-1
IMG_1106.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top