Need help choosing survival knife

I doubt you'll find anything more suitable than the BK7-that 1095 CroVan steel is so easy to maintain with just a piece of sandpaper, and it's sufficiently resistant to rust... plus the blade is stout enough to accomplish all your camp tasks, but not overly so. The Condor Kumunga would be another option. I don't find the BK7 to be noticeably heavy for packing long distances, I don't think I'd go without a knife that size regardless of the miles I'm putting on.
 
Of the three mentioned in the OP post I only own the Buck 119. I picked it up for $35 at walmart and tried it out at some outdoor chores. It did well but the handle definetly needs modified to provide more grip. Me I would go with the ESEE6. It seems that a company that teaches survival skills must know what it takes to make a good survival knife.
 
Mr Patti said:
Seems like I'll be getting the esee 6 then. Just to clear things up. I already have a really nice leatherman multitool and am not interested in carrying a machete. Please don't tell me I can't handle the weight. An extra pound on my belt isn't going to make or break things. I routinely hike with a pack that weights about 50lbs.
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+1 on the extra weight issue. If you hike with alot of weight already like we both do then the knife weight is not a big deal. I only think about size of my main carry knife as in how easy it is to carry.
 
pitdog said:
Hey I've been thinking about this, how about e-mailing one of the makers..JK Knives, Koyote,Mark Wohlwend, Fletcher knives etc and asking if they would lend you a knife of the size you want and in return you would photograph it's use on your hike and post a review up on the forum before returning it to them to touch up and sell !
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That sounds like a good idea ! Heck you could probably purchase one from these guys in that price range ! Another great guy to check with is Bryan Breeden (Sicily02 here on BF) . If your gonna go with a production blade of that size...Ka-Bar/Becker BK7 or ESEE6 the up sideto the Becker is you also get the little BK13 with it !
 
The BK13 is an awesome little pocket blade, handy as all get out. One of Koyote's skinny trail knives or leukus in 15N20 would be super light and perfectly capable for splitting wood and such...
 
Steve aka Blunttruth4u on youtube hiked just under half the AT and he took a RAT Izula and a Spyderco Native. He said he never needed anything larger.

I'm not sure on knife laws out East, but I'd make sure a knife that big is even legal to carry with you.
 
lots of concern with weight. a extra 15 oz. does not make a issue for me. i can cut my load in other areas.
 
An izula is more than enough, I take mine along but most hikes on established trails I don't even pull it out of my backpack.. There really aren't many camp chores on long distance hikes. You just set up you shelter, fire up your stove and cook. I'd suggest you check out sites like whiteblaze or backpackinglight to get a better idea of what trails like the AT are like. I'd never head out on that long of a trip with a total load of over 30 pounds including food and water, right now I'm down to around 20 and I could easily lose a little more with a shelter change.
 
Mr Patti said:
Any other suggestions or does the esee still seem to be a good choice? Also whats a lightweight way to sharpen in the field.
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Weight is the key, at least to me... I've hiked sections of the AT and met many through hikers. By the time they get to New England (north bounders), they have dumped 1/2 or more of what they started with. Met one guy in VT who needed to open a can, didn't even have a can opener at that point. He had this tiny little knife, swiss mini and that was it for blades! I lent him my swiss army knife (spartan I think) so he could open a can.

I'll probably get some grief, I'd recommend a good swiss type multi knife that has scissors and a fixed blade. A good general purpose knife is the Buck Woodsman or the Pathfinder.

Woody
 
jeff_c said:
Im reminded of a time on Springer Mountain when I was watching two GUNG HO people off to hike the AT.

My buddy looked at me and said " I just want to walk behind them and pick up everything they discard".
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Ha ha ha... I've talked to several thru hikers that told me stories that after the first week, people literally leaving stuff behind... clothes, rain gear, etc weight does matter.
 
I am not a big backpacker or thru hiker, and I do agree that weight does matter doing these long distance hiking. However I think piece of mind also matters, and if Mr. Patti feels more comfortable with a big knife on his side than he should by all means have it; and the ESEE 6 is a helluva choice!
 
If you're worried about needing protection,carry a gun.I know it's probably illegal,immoral,and fattening;but it's better than ending up like Ned Beatty...
 
mainewoodsman said:
Ha ha ha... I've talked to several thru hikers that told me stories that after the first week, people literally leaving stuff behind... clothes, rain gear, etc weight does matter.
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That's what I'd heard buddy. If ya read the book ' A walk in the woods ' by Bill Bryson, that is about his attempt at the trail and he mentions a store that trades all the heavy stuff that people find they can't carry !
 
The good part about gear or the woods in general is you're totally free to make any decision you like. But if I may, why do you perceive that your needs would be best met with a 5.5" or greater blade? Or put another way, what does a blade this size do that a ~4" blade would not?
 
Yep not uncommon. I have seen 3-4 pairs set of with matching gear and boots not even creased. Do people not research this trek! LOL.

Thats a great book by the way. LOL Love the coffee filter "Scene".
 
TWBryan said:
If you're worried about needing protection,carry a gun.I know it's probably illegal,immoral,and fattening;but it's better than ending up like Ned Beatty...
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Couldn't agree with that more... a nice titanium .357 magnum revolver would work fine.

When the AT was first cut, they navigated it by road maps... read Walking with Spring by Earl Shaffer. in 1948, while hiking the AT, he carried a a hatchet/axe, cast iron pan and other stuff that by today standards you;d think the guy was crazy.

Carry what you like, like what you carry... Regarding the whole weight thing, to the OP carry whatever the he$$ you want. ;) Ultimately, it's your back.
 
jeff_c said:
Yep not uncommon. I have seen 3-4 pairs set of with matching gear and boots not even creased. Do people not research this trek! LOL.

Thats a great book by the way. LOL Love the coffee filter "Scene".
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Awesome book, and some of the people Bryson meets...
 
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