New survival Knife (Bush Craft/BOB)

I guess the real question is, What is the best aircraft crew knife, or just good bushcraft woods survival knife. Something that could break glass in a Suburb (Not necessary, just a thought), could survive on, and is an all-around great knife? It needs to be 5 inches or lower, however.
I'm also seeing: SOG Seal Pup Elite. How good is the heat treatment on the AUS-8? Still good steel?
Ontario ASEK-Aircrew Survival Egress Knife. This any good?
Ontario SP2 Air Force Survival Knife.
BK-17?
So many choices! I need a versatile, full tang, fixed blade, Do-it-all survival knife, under or at 5 inches. Preferably decent steel, and good quality. I have a 250$ Amazon gift card, so it can't be custom. Does anyone have the perfect knife?:D
More questions: ESEEs? Fallknivens are expensive, but are they worth it? Falk S1 vs S1 pro?
 
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I had an F1, but traded it off as part of deal for a katana :D. It was a really nice blade, but was expendable because I have a lot of others.

If I just wanted the most badass aircraft survival type knife, I'd probably get the ESEE-5, but there always trade-offs. The knife that can hack through fuselage typically isn't going to be optimal for carving a spoon, making feathersticks, or dressing game. Will it work well enough for all of those things?, maybe...

Hopefully others who have first hand experience with some of the specific blades you're looking at will be along soon and provide more input. I think a lot of the blades I've bought were "perfect" right up until I started looking for the next one, lol :p
 
I'm not a fan of the becker 22 or the LMF2. For reasons already mentioned. The bk 16 is my favorite fixed blade. And I would recommend a becker tweeners (15,16, or 17)

Don't get sucked into the trend of "needing" some overbuilt manly knife to "survive". Those knives are fun, but its much more useful to have knowledge and familiarity with a blade.

I also prefer to have different knives designated for different tasks. My camping knife is not one that I would chose to edc. Could I? Yes. Will I? Almost assuredly, No. There's no sense in making up some imaginary scenario where I need some perfect blade for any task.

I feel like I'm not explaining well. Hopefully someone else can phrase that better
 
The Swamp Rat Ratmandu is what you're describing. Can't get one on Amazon, though. Stay away from Gerber...except for maybe the Strongarm, as others have mentioned. Still, I'd look elsewhere.

Take a look at the Ontario SP2 (Spec Plus gen 2) line of knives in the blade length you'd like. They should have those where you're looking. Good steel, tough as nails, full tang, and adequate sheaths. Also, TOPS knives should have some choices for you...check out the TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft (BOB).

Good luck in your search!
 
That's a very reasonable budget for a good knife (or two!)
I second what Mingecutter said - RMD. It is not available on Amazon, but perhaps you can get creative with trades?
If you must buy retail, consider BK10. Not a fan of short fat hunks of steel (BK2 and Esee 5) personally, but it all depends on what you are looking for. You may not even know what you are looking for, and it is okay to buy a couple (at least a couple...) before you settle on one. or two.
 
There are some bark river bravo 1's on a certain large online retailer, though I'm not sure of the sellers reputation. I haven't personally used a bravo 1, but they are very well respected knives.
 
jfk1110 said:
Fallkniven S1 , Spyderco Bradley bowie or have member CharlieMike make one in the STEEL n style of your choice.
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This. Any knife from Fallkniven will serve you well. Just stick to the regular S1 so you don't have to sell your car to purchase one of the new ones (S1pro).

Something to think about... If you are going to stash it in a pack and forget about it untill you need it, I would look in stainless steel. Zero maintenance. Fallkniven does this very well via laminated VG10 steel AND syntethic (read, plastic) sheaths. Get an orange lanyard on it so you don't misplace it easily and you are good to go.

Mikel
 
Ben W. said:
The Fallkniven looks nice, but expensive. Worth it?
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Totally! I have the F1 and S1, both in zytel sheaths... and I love them. I think that with the PRO versions they went a bit over the top... with the price. Those improvements (blade steel, stainless guards, etc.) are probably worth it for some people. But not for me. I think those knives were good enough and had a fair price. With the new PRO versions I think they are not such a good value anymore. Also, I would wait a bit before purchasing any PRO knives... according to the issues that have arose regarding the guard loosening after chopping.
 
Ben W. said:
The Fallkniven looks nice, but expensive. Worth it?
Click to expand...

yep... carried/carry an F1 since about 2007 and is still my EDC work knife most of the time and I absolutely love it. liked it so much I bought an A1 and an S1.
 
A lot of good recommendations here but I'm in with Fallkniven camp. The A1 is what defines a survival knife to me. The VG-10 steel they use is amazing. I've beaten mine pretty good and it has yet to fail me in any way.

A12_zps0ykfs5yc.jpg
 
Take a look at the Marttiini full tang hunter (amazon has it). I have one and can't imagine what, in the realm of the remotely sensible, it would take to destroy it. It is a sharp, good looking, big ol hunk of steel. It is, however, stainless but I consider that a good thing for the purpose you describe. There's a you tube vid on it that's pretty good. Good luck. :thumbup:
 
Alright. I've narrowed it down into two blades. The BK-17 Tweener, or the Fallkniven S1. Should I get the Black coat, or keep the Satin finish? Which blade is better? Obviously, the 17 is 100$ dollars cheaper. With that money I could get some mods or something. What do you guys think? Also, for either knife, whichever gets the better ratings here, is the Spyderco Triangle 204MF a good sharpener? I have no experience sharpening, so is there something that would work better for me?
 
I have a Benchmade Bushcraft. It is a fantastic camp/hike knife.
Plus you get s30v steel!
 
Ben W. said:
Alright. I've narrowed it down into two blades. The BK-17 Tweener, or the Fallkniven S1. Should I get the Black coat, or keep the Satin finish? Which blade is better? Obviously, the 17 is 100$ dollars cheaper. With that money I could get some mods or something. What do you guys think? Also, for either knife, whichever gets the better ratings here, is the Spyderco Triangle 204MF a good sharpener? I have no experience sharpening, so is there something that would work better for me?
Click to expand...

if you are serious about the fallkniven and want to chat about it I can definitely give you a bit of guidance and help you out for sure. way too much to involve everyone else on here but email me at onlyroyce@hotmail.com and i'll give you a few options.

royce
 
Ben W. said:
I guess the real question is, What is the best aircraft crew knife, or just good bushcraft woods survival knife. Something that could break glass in a Suburb (Not necessary, just a thought), could survive on, and is an all-around great knife? It needs to be 5 inches or lower, however.
I'm also seeing: SOG Seal Pup Elite. How good is the heat treatment on the AUS-8? Still good steel?
Ontario ASEK-Aircrew Survival Egress Knife. This any good?
Ontario SP2 Air Force Survival Knife.
BK-17?
So many choices! I need a versatile, full tang, fixed blade, Do-it-all survival knife, under or at 5 inches. Preferably decent steel, and good quality. I have a 250$ Amazon gift card, so it can't be custom. Does anyone have the perfect knife?:D
More questions: ESEEs? Fallknivens are expensive, but are they worth it? Falk S1 vs S1 pro?
Click to expand...

Aircrew and bushcraft survival are handled by the BK10, as both roles are what it was designed for.
 
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