Padawan - Knife Suggestions

S

SupaMonkey

Joined
Sep 27, 2010
Messages
1
Hey everyone,
New to knives so bare with me :)

Im looking to get two knives, a fixed blade and a folding knife.
The purpose/use of the knives? A "survival" knife. So something I can take into the middle of nowhere and be able to do 'everything' with. From chopping to skinning, etc.

Brand? Well, Im not a brand-ho - but I like to pay for quality when its worth it :)

Like I said, Im not clued up in this area - but after a little bit of research - I am inclined to go with (in order of preference from the research Ive done):
- Spyderco
- Cold Steel
- Benchmade

Budget? Hmm, obviously I dont want to just burn money - but for both knives? 1k U$D in total if Im getting what I pay for (which is a pretty damn good budget I think? Thats not to say, just because I CAN spend that much, that I want to use every last cent for no reason) :)

I was looking into the Spyderco Chinook (fold) and the Spyderco Warrior (fixed). Other ones that also caught my eye were the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter (fold) and Cold Steel Trail Master (fixed).

Ease of Sharpening/Rusting? Well this is tricky, I want it to be able to get wet without a problem and dont want it to rust. At the same time, a sharp tool is always a must. Since its for use in the bush in the middle of nowhere, I should be able to sharpen it with what nature has to offer and not require fancy sharpening tools/etc.

I hope this answers at least some questions? If you need to know more, please let me know :)
 
I'm a big fan of (and own several) Spyderco, so I can wholeheartedly reccommend any of Sal's stuff. Another folder you might want to look at for "hard use" are the Kershaw Zero Tolerance line. I've just recently gotten a couple, but they're TANKS. I'm a bigger guy (6'3" ~200lbs) so the fact that they're a little bulky for some people's taste doesn't bother me a bit, and they're some of the toughest folders I've seen.

For fixed blades, I've been VERY impressed with the ESEE line. The ESEE 5 or 6 are both developed as "survival" blades, and my 6 is a workhorse. ESEE warranties them forever, "no questions asked" but my experience says that I'll never need the warranty, because these knives are TOUGH. I've seen the 6 batonned through knotty oak. I've used mine to cut just about everything you've ever been told NOT to cut. There's a post on the ESEE forum with pics where Shotgunner cut through a steel drum to make an improvised camp stove last weekend.

The ROWEN/ESEE 1095 heat-treat is worth a look, IMO.
 
SupaMonkey said:
Im looking to get two knives, a fixed blade and a folding knife.
The purpose/use of the knives? A "survival" knife. So something I can take into the middle of nowhere and be able to do 'everything' with. From chopping to skinning, etc.
Click to expand...

No pair of knives is going to be able to go anywhere and do anything without compromise.

But! Your two knife system is going to serve you INFINITELY better than the "I want one survival knife that will do everything" approach. The "one knife" thing only works in Rambo movies.

I suggest a SAK with a saw blade (like the Vic Farmer) and a Fallkniven S1 or Becker BK2. That's about "as do it all" as one can get.

Though...with your budget, I'd go three knives. A SAK, a 3-5 inch fixed blade slicer/bushcrafter like a Fallkniven F1 or Bark River NorthStar, and a big ol chopper/basher like a big Becker or Ranger. And throw in a decent kitchen/food prep knife like a Forschner. And throw in a Leatherman and a Stanley Fubar.

Then you would be hooked up for anything, anywhere.
 
With a budget like that, you could go custom folder + Busse and still not spend all of 1k....

If I were going to buy 1 folder and 1 fixed right now:
Folders
ZT551 (if you can still get on the list for one)
ZT300/350 (depends if you think the 300 is too big)
Strider SNG/SMF (pick your size and go)
CRK Umnum
CRK Sebenza
A custom

Fixed:
ESEE RC4 or 6
BRKT Bravo-1
Swamp Rat Ratmandu
Busse CABS (currently avail, looks like a great outdoors blade)

Edit: I have to mention that while I love the spydies I own/ed - and my Manix 2 is my go-to edc knife most of the time - If you were only going to buy 1 folder to do it all - I wouldn't pick up my manix... so i can't recommend it personally...
 
Last edited:
hatchet + Mora + LM Charge TTI + Pocket Chain Saw
that will cover, pretty much, everything "outdoor"
now compare the shear bulk of the gear VS "do I really need all that gear" :D
 
With 1K budget you can get a Busse for fixed blade and a good multitool like Leatherman Charge TTi. The Charge TTi comes with a S30V blade. You'll probably use up only half of the budget.
 
Do (mostly) everything sheath knife: Becker BK-2......... approx $60.
Do (mostly) everything else folder: SAK Vic Huntsman.... approx $30.

Change left over to throw a party for your BF buddies...approx $910.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top