Need knife suggestions for emergency bags...

matthewdanger

matthewdanger

Joined
Jan 29, 2003
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I have been asked to build 2 emergency bags for someone. The person who owns these bags is a skilled outdoorsman and has asked that I track down fixed blade knives for these kits (the folder has been decided to be a Vic Farmer).

Here are the requirements. The knives will live full time in the kit so they should have a secure sheath to protect the fingers of those who may be searching through the pack. They should cost anywhere from 0-60$ and be usefull all-around knives with a blade length of about 4-7". They should be suitable for a variety of tasks including batoning. The person is also open to a combination of knives as long as they are light in weight. Stainless or carbon steels are both acceptable. The person will be purchasing at least 3 of them (2 for the kits and 1 to practice with in the mean time).

Here are the contenders that I am able to come up that I have used and think are of adequate durability and quality...

Blackjack Grunt - sheath is probably inadequate for use in a pack
SOG Field Pup
Gerber Big Rock Camp Knife
Moras - probably with a second knife or even another mora
Cold Steel Bushman
Benchmade Rant II
Kershaw Bear Hunter

What else would you guys recommend in this price and size range? Knives outside of the price range will not be considered since I am working with money that does not belong to me. I might consider something outside of the size range.

Thanks for your help!
 
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Buck 119, Buck Nighthawk, Ka-Bar Marine, Ontario Marine, Ontario Pilots knife and derivations thereof. Benchmade CSKII. Spyderco Moran DPT.
 
I am unfamiliar with the meaning of the word 'batoning' when it is applied to a knife.

A little description, please?
 
Sounds like a Mora would be a good contender for ya. Then you could add a fiskars hatchet and still come in right around 60.00 for em:thumbup:

With a fiskars hatchet, mora, and a farmer, you would be well prepared!
 
Mora, Cold Steel Bushman

Well under $60 and perfectly capable of any duties needed.
 
Stay away from the stainless steel Mora if there is even a chance you will use it in conjunction with a Ferro Rod. It won't spark. You will need the carbon steel Mora. Don't ask me how I know this (times 3).:)
 
go2ndAmend said:
Stay away from the stainless steel Mora if there is even a chance you will use it in conjunction with a Ferro Rod. It won't spark. You will need the carbon steel Mora. Don't ask me how I know this (times 3).:)
Click to expand...
A "ferro rod" (Hot Spark; ferrocerium rod; Metal Match; man-made flint) will spark with any hard, sharp edge. That includes glass, rock, and - most certainly - stainless steel. That is my personal experience, supported by the experience of hundreds of posters here. On the other paw, a rounded edge won't work, whether stainless or plain carbon steel. So try a Fallkniven F-1 or take a stone to your offending Mora until it has a sharp back edge.

Only steel that rusts works well with natural flint, where the spark is molten steel shaved off the piece of steel by the natural flint.

Note that, as per your request, I did not ask. :D

MD, if you include used knives, your choices within your price range go up. ePrey?
 
I would say Fallkniven F1 (4") or S1 (5.1") or even A1 (6.3").
They are really tough knives and can be used for batoning and scraping firesteels with ease. They are convex but really easy to sharpen with the mouse pad method.

I myself use the hunting model H1 which I find to be a perfect bushcraft/outdoor knife.
Yesterday I was out in the woods and split wood high and low with the H1 and a piece of wood (as a baton).

There are different shetahs available for these knives.
Leather (only while supply lasts): Wm1. F1, F2, H1, S1, A1, A2
Zytel: Wm1, F1, H1, S1, A1, MC1
Kydex: F2, MC1

Short explanation on the baton method:
You need two pieces of wood.
Place one as if you were to split it with an axe.
Place the knife where you want to split the wood.
Take the other piece of wood and pound down over the knife back. The bottom piece of wood will eventually split in two.
This is a much safer method than using an axe when it is dark and you are tired.
At about 1:30 on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXO30YHopw
you can see how it looks.
 
I've had a BK7 in my car kit for a while now, but befor I had a Ka-bar 8" tanto in there, they both worked fine. Got the car stuck a few times and had to cut some traction poles, even went camping and forgot my main pack(rite by the door I might add) and the tanto work fine for the weekand.
 
I'm confident there isn't much that will challenge the Grunt for what you have in mind. I posted on them in another thread recently. That you can score a hat-trick of them for less than $60 USD sets a tough act to follow when you consider the design and the materials. There just aren't many convex blades at that price point, and with approximately = / > AUS-10 with a decent handle none unless you throw many more bucks at it. If you're going to beat on it a bit that big tang is going to come in handy too.

“Blackjack Grunt - sheath is probably inadequate for use in a pack”

I'm guessing that's an everyday error there, but in case. Older Grunts, Japan, have a pretty good leather sheath. I doubt we could be meaning those 'cos of cost. The newer ones have a pretty standard looking effort with a dubious webbing loop. I'd be peering at the stitching of that. As a slip for “in a pack” I'm sure it's adequate. :-)

I see the appeal of the Rant II. As a utility cutting instrument it looks happy. Thinking of the requirement for use as with a baton though I'd be paring something this size with something heavier. On that, I'd be going back to the Grunt for more of an all round job. That said, I avoid smacking my primary cutting tool with anything unless it is very necessary, so I don't see how this size could be wrong for most chores.

Knives outside of the price range will not be considered. Roger that, and it usually irks me something shocking when contributors just do a brain dump seemingly without having read and understood the parameters. However, I'm going to take a chance at pissing myself off 'cos this is a bit of an oddity:

EKA W11 Nordic Hunter I spotted these at $14.95 over your budget. Full tang wooden handled job that works very nicely. A friend of mine has one and it cuts extremely well, like a knife [nope, not a laser, a scalpel, a cheese-wire, or any of those epithets]. I'm not surprised about that as it is from the same stuff as my Big-Swede [the only single bladed folder I bother with in the sticks with any regularity]. It makes for a first class field knife that no doubt could take a bit of stick. The Bubinga gives a very solid grip too. [Ragweedforge calls it cocobola ]. That said, although I like my amigo's one, I don't appreciate wood on users. If it had G10 or Micarta instead of wood I'd already own one. And I'm certain that if I convexed the edge of that as I have my Big-Swede it would be truly superb in the field. There's a great deal of potential in this one if you like good wood...

eka-104752732.jpg

eka_105447731.jpg
 
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Hum, 0 to 60. I'll bite. He's a woodsman, butchering etc. How about a carbon Mora and a used Old Hickory butcher knife if you are concerned about the money. Total less that 20.00 if you buy the Old Hickory carbon knives from the junk store. You can baton them without worry. Use the extra money on other gear. Loosearrow
 
The Benchmade 10502 Rant drop-point is available for around $50. I just got one, and I'm impressed at the quality. It's 440C which is a proven performer in stainless. The sheath seems adequate for storage, but tight for use on a belt. The knife seems like a mix between the Fallkniven F1 and Cold Steel Master Hunter.
 
I would go Mora and fiskars hatchet, I don't own either one but have played with them and for price range this is what I would go with.
 
An overlooked knife that I've been really pleased by is the Marttiini Condor Martef. About 4.25" Blade 9" overall. Fearsomely sharp stainless coated with Martef for extra hygiene and scratch resistance.The knife is dishwasher proof...
Outstanding ergonomics,sure grip on heavy duty rubberized scales.the knife is thick enough for batoning yet can take on food prep and more intricate tasks.Above all, the sheath is really good,excellent quality and a tight fit with a plastic liner,good dangler strap too. Totally safe in a pack ,groping about in the dark etc.Check various dealers or e-bay and look at marttiini.fi which also has an English version. You will NOT be disappointed:thumbup:
 
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