Outdoor survival knife

B

Bladesboy

Joined
Feb 5, 2013
Messages
4
Ok this is what im looking for:
-A survival/outdoor knife with a 5-6.5 inch blade
-With a micarta handle
-Blade steel of something like a 1095 or similar Atleast a 57 hrc
-Good sheath(not leather)
-Less than 85$
Any ideas??
Ive seen the esee knives or the ontario but they are all slghtly different from what i want
What would you recomend???
 
Becker BK tweeners and a set of Mircata handles would all fit the bill. 3 choices of blade style.
 
The Becker BK 15, 16, 17 are <$85 standard, but micarta scales will probably exceed that and only the 17 meets your blade length requirement.

The Schrade "Extreme Survival" blades include a 1095 steel knife but it's scales aren't micarta (SCHF9), or a micarta-handle knife with 7Cr17 steel blade (SCHF3), neither made in USA.

Most of TOPS' offerings are out of price range and you may not like their designs either. Buck and Gerber both offer USA made knives with 420HC steel or even S30V steel in the price range, but not with Micarta handles.

Svord and Mora offer some budget-priced knives with excellent steel but again, not micarta.

Condor's knives are 1075 steel and they meet your other specifications, particularly the Garuda and Toloza: http://www.baryonyxknife.com/condor-tool-amp-knife.html

EDIT: I forgot to mention the Boker Plus line of chinese-made knives - inexpensive with quality materials.

Personally, I'd wait on specifying a steel-type and handle scale material and instead find a design you like that is in your price range. Also consider why you like that particular design (including choice of handle & blade materials) and if you mightn't change your mind. Why 1095? Why micarta? Why not 420HC or some Chinese steel? Why not fiberglass-reinforced-nylon?

Not that I am trying to make it harder for you ;)
 
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Welcome.

If you would, please define what "survival" means to you. What do expect to do with the knife?

That will help everyone help you.
 
marcinek said:
Welcome.

If you would, please define what "survival" means to you. What do expect to do with the knife?

That will help everyone help you.
Click to expand...


Survival knife is one that is good for trapping, skinning, and chopping. One that doesnt break or bend easily. Ovrall, it has to be able to take a beating and still perform in a crunch.
 
An ESEE 4 is about perfect for the job. You don't want to be skinning with a 6" blade; this is an instance where smaller is actually better. It batons and chops well, comes with a nice sheath, and is within striking distance of your price range.
 
Ontario has some good affordable blades. They come in 1095 and usually have Micarta. The sheaths are meh (budget cordura) but that can be worked around. I have an Esee 4 that I LOVE. Is a bit above your price range but you won't regret the purchase, unless you have monster sized hands. Becker BK-7 is another good option it has a 7" blade and is more than proven here on BF.
 
Becker BK2

You might try searching the forums. This question is asked at least once or twice a month. You will dig up lots of good opinions that way.

Really it just depends on what you want to do with it or what you think you are preparing to survive. Personally, my go-to knife is a Becker BK2 with micarta scales. I love it. It does everything I could ask of it. It meets all of my expected and unexpected needs in the field. I can skin game (used it for a rabbit and a chicken). I can chop and split wood. I can build a shelter and start a fire with it. All that good stuff. Plus, it has a particularly calm and reassuring heft to it.
 
Good luck finding a knife that will be good at both skinning and chopping. It doesn't exist, the best you'll do is something that's merely passable at both.
The Ontario Ranger RBS-6 or RBS-7 knives are probably the closest you'll get. They're cheaper than the Beckers, come with Micarta scales, and fit within your specs. But neither of the knives will be the do-everything-well knife that you're looking for.
The Becker BK2 or BK7 would work as well, but with aftermarket Micarta, they're over $85.
 
Dan57 said:
Good luck finding a knife that will be good at both skinning and chopping. It doesn't exist, the best you'll do is something that's merely passable at both.
Click to expand...

This... Buy a Esee Junglas and an Izula (or any similar pair), not a knife that can sort of mix the two.
 
Swamprat Ratmandu from swampratknifeworks.com

Tops B O B fieldcraft knife theknifeconnection.com

The Ratmandu uses a better steel, I convexed the edge on mine and it is a very efficient cutter. Very tough knife, but doesn't come with a sheath.

The Tops Fieldcraft uses 1095 steel (very good in it own right) with a scandi grind with convexed edge. Comes sharp, and is blazing sharp after a few minutes on a strop. Comes with a Kydex sheath with a couple extras. It is a very good knife for your stated purpose....so is the RMD.

The knife isn't going to make you survive. The skills you gain through practice and working with the knife are what will aid your survival. The best designed survival knife in the world....will be nothing but a boat anchor in the hands of one who has no knowledge nor skill in its use. The most important survival tool you have is between your ears.

Buy a good knife...get some good books (Northern Bushcraft by Mors Kochanski is a good start) then get out and practice.
 
Ditto what grease said, plus you get two knives in the bargain.:D. Plus, I have seen a lot of comments going to the nessmuk trio, an ax, a belt knife, and a small folder to meet all your needs. I think the phrase "nessmuk trio" has been a good way to say what three things anyone would need to meet their outdoor needs.
 
I agree with the posts suggesting a bit more info on what you are doing / what you mean by survival knife. IMHO, the MORA knives are pretty handy for the price - I have bought a few recently and if you want a knife on hand for general camp use, the MORA "Robust" knives are extremely durable and sharp as you need for around camp. However, a Mora knife, while an incredible bargain at about 14$, is somewhat limited for some survival applications. I own a Becker BK2, which is a great knife at about 60$, also have the obligatory Ka-Bar, which is pretty good but also somewhat lighter. finally, the Schrade SCFH9 has impressed me with its size, grips and blade thickness - pretty impressive at around 40$. If looking for a pair of knives for camp and for "bushcraft" stuff, a MORA "Robust" plus the Schrade SCHF9 would be a great combination and total cost would be about 55$. (don't forget a decent folder!)
 
One knife isn't gonna be very good at skinning or field dressing game and chopping.
For your price range here is what I would do.
Buy a Becker BK9, or a BK7 is the 9 is to large. I would recommend the 9 though.
You can get the BK9 for under $80. Then either buy a Becker Remora for about $25 or for a skinning knife I like the little Ka-Bar Johnson Adventure Piggyback for $10.
The Piggyback will fit in the small pocket of the BK9. I can handle everything but cleaning small game with my 9. That is the only time I use the pigyback.
 
Esee 5 is a good sized blade

Bark river bravo2 has convex edge and beautiful micarta work.......chops like a beast.. Which ever works
 
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