Outdoor Knife that last

[timbo813]

Choose your blade length and grab a becker BK2, BK7 or BK9.

Or, spend some more money on an ESEE to get an equivalent knife with the best warranty in the business. You break it they will replace it.

There are lots of other good options too but these may be the best bang for your buck.

You could also combine a folding saw (corona or silky are a couple brands) with a smaller knife like a becker BK16. I personally would carry a second blade like a mora companion or SAK Farmer just because they are cheap, light and very functional. For a true survival situation if you are really that hard on your knife you should have a backup just in case.

 

[Shotgun]

Can still get chips.
I had to sharpen out some chips on my brother's Rodent Waki.
He uses the hell out of it...and lets anyone who's around use it too.
So it's hit more than a few rocks along the way.

The chips still sharpened out, and it was good to go again. :thumbup:
There will be more dents and chips in the future, though.

Yep. I got edge damage stabbing an aluminum can with my Swamp Rat M6. Edge damage, especially on a survival trip, is always possible when hacking away at stuff no matter the steel used.

OP, honestly I think you may benefit more from a machete. It's softer steel so it won't break and chip so readily and is a lot easier to fix on the go. You can bend the steel back with a rock in some cases. Imacasa/Condor and Tramontina are good brands. I also believe that most machetes do fine work really well. I have a condor that is among my best fuzz stick makers. If you have to have a knife ESEE and Becker are both good choices. Survive and Busse are great if you have the cash.

Sounds like you guys have fun trips. I would also recommend learning how to sharpen. It's one of those things that's easy to learn but hard to master. But, even a crappy edge by a beginner is better than a really dull knife.

 

[Greykilt]

Terrio Handmade Knives Growl model. Mr Terrio hosts a knife makers forum right here in BF and he has his own website. I don't think even one of your "Non BBQ" weekends can ruin one of his blades.

 

[LostViking]

 

[LG&M]

I know exactly what you need...
But I can't figure out how to let you know without giving you my $.02

 

[ocnLogan]

No you don't.
I use silicon carbide wet/dry paper on a granite floor tile...the floor tile was $6, and the silicon carbide paper is pretty damn cheap.

I use the same thing, but use an old piece of glass as the base from an old picture frame. The wet dry sandpaper costs a few $ for a variety pack that last for what seems like forever.

That said, I'd go with a Becker of some sort as well. Reasonably priced, reliable, and comfortable handle designs. Choose the one that fits your desired size, and go enjoy it in the woods some more .

I also would say that among your friends, maybe you could split up some of the tools? I LOVE folding saws for camping light, but if you're in a group, you don't all need one. Maybe one of you can carry the folding saw, another some sharpening gear, another the axe, etc. Divvying up the weight should help you take most of what you need, without adding much weight to an individual. Just an idea .

I like my Mora, and a BK9 to go with my folding saw, and would also love a BK10 or BK16 at some point as more of a "do most things" knife.

Good luck with whatever you do.

 

[Moondrop]

I know exactly what you need...
But I can't figure out how to let you know without giving you my $.02

Too funny.

 

[ncrockclimb]

I own and have had great experience with Survive or Becker. I do not own but would recommend Esse or Busse. I think you will have a VERY hard time destroying any one of those knives.

 

[sd550]

Hi Everyone,

I need a good (SERIOUS) recommendation on a heavy duty outdoor / outdoor survival knife that will handle cutting, slashing, chopping, sawing and last for 5 years. For the past 18 years my friends and I would go on to multiple outdoor survival camping trips. We'll pack very light, no more than a backpack, a sleeping bag and a knife.

Almost every other years I'll have to purchase a new knife. Reasons... handle had broken off, Blade had a large chip, cost of sharping is more than a brand new knife etc, etc...

Example.
My last / current knife is a Boker USA Arbolito Timberwolf, tip had broken off.

Any recommendation???

Thank You All

PS
I do not abuses my knife/s and **YES** I do know how to use it and take care of it.
So keep your 2 cents to yourself.

WOW, y'all are just too dang tough for me to give any suggestions, maybe John J. Rambo will come along and help out.

 

[FordRanger]

You know how to take care of a knife, but you can't sharpen a chip out? Or even sharpen at all?

That said, Becker.

This. Seriously, a "survivalist" should be able to "survive" without getting someone else to sharpen his knives. I'm not trying to insult you, but the best survival tool is between your ears.

But from what you're asking, sounds to me like you need a hatchet, a saw, and a machete. Then get a sak, sodbuster, Opinel, or any other good, reliable pocket knife for all your finite tasks and you'll be set. All for less money than an expensive huge knife, and probably a similar total weight. You said you take nothing but a pack, sleeping bag, and a knife, well put the machete sheath on your belt, put the saw and hatchet in your pack, and the pocket knife in your.. erhm.. pocket! If you're talking about the type of "survival" campouts that a lot of people like to go on to test their skills, then thats all you'll ever need. Actually if you know what you're doing that's all the blades you'd EVER need in the wild. People have made do with less for thousands of years.

I like to combine a 4-5in sheath knife with a good thin edge and good belly for food and small tasks with either a hatchet or machete and a large stockman knife so that I never have to use my knives for things they aren't meant for. The added bulk is worth never breaking your knife.

 

[cricketdave]

Well as has been said Esee or Becker makes a great knife with great warranties. You really shouldn't need to take a knife to a shop to get it sharpened either, just learn to sharpen better than you can now. It takes practice and a few simple tools. Personally I like Busse, Swamp rat and customs for my heavy user outdoor knives.

 

[Battleship]

Mora or a Becker and learn how to sharpen a knife.

 

[Sonnydaze]

There is also Survive! Knives. They even have survive in their name.

Check out their GSO series...SurviveKnives. I've had the GSO 4.1, and two of the GSO 3.5's. About $200, but it's a lifetime knife. I would reco choosing the CPM-3V bladesteel...about as tough a steel as you can find. My newest 3.5 is in CPM-3V, and it's the sharpest knife I've ever purchased.

 

[EChoil]

$$$ - Cold Steel Trailmaster, Busse or Swamp Rat

$$ - A good Nordic leuku/puukko rig. IMO nothing better for the wild. Tops B.O.B. or something similar from a quality maker, Bradford, Bark River, etc.

$ - Kabar anything, probably a USMC being the most basic; ESSE, Ontario, etc.

Have heard good things about the GSO and GO knives.

 

[6.5swedesniper]

Becker

 

[utahsam]

noswad0208...
When a knife has a large chip in the blade, to fix it I'll have to sharped it out. Small chip is easy, if the chip is large than 1/16 of inch to 1/8 of inch deep.....
That is A LOT of steel you'll have to sharp out.

Also, enable to have a laser like sharp knife you must take it in to a knife smith 2 or 3 time per a year... Unless you have the equipment at home.

Do keep in mind this is a survival camping trip not a weekend BBQ camping trip.

The "Equipment" required to sharpen a knife should fit in most people's home...

 

[Steve6387]

So... Looking for suggestions, but don't want anyone's opinions?.?.
Knows how to take care of a knife yet sends them to others to be sharpened... . I'm confused..
We're you open to my $0.02, I'd suggest a Becker bk16 and a multi-tool. Ultimate in functionality with minimal weight.
If you think you need something bigger to chop with.... You don't. If you WANT something bigger to chop and battoni with, by all means. Get a monster blade. . Just don't kid yourself. You don't need it.. You want it.

 

[TheRadical]

As has been mentioned above, ESEE would be a very good choice for you. If you have the money, an ESEE 5 would be able to hold up to anything you through at it. The blade is a quarter of an inch thick, and with a 5.25" blade it is long enough to handle just about whatever camp tasks you would have for it while still not being to big to carry comfortably. If money is an issue, then ESEE does have some shorter knives, like the 3 or 4, which can be baught at about $30 to $40 cheaper. Also, you mentioned above that you have broken the handle off of a knife, and ESEE has replaced a knife under their warranty after a guy shot it repeatedly, so I think you should be covered there as well. The only part that might be an issue is the sawing aspect, and for that you can get a folding saw for cheap if it really is needed.

 

[cricketdave]

Or if you really want one that can saw as well as chop I highly recommend Newt Martins custom MCE2 in s35vn steel

It will run you a bit more money that most of the others recommended.

 

[Liberando]

Get a Buck 105. A superb knife at a good price, it will last a lifetime and is backed by Buck's great warranty service.