Performance Oriented knives

[SBaker34]

Does anyone else feel like survive is in the minority when it comes to making knives to be used? There are people who suggest that using a knife to cut open a box is irresponsible abuse. And you see knives billed as super navy seal tactical knives where the warranty reads something like "throwing, batoning, prying, chopping, cutting or using the knife is considered abuse and not covered".

I preordered just based on the warranty and guys willingness to not only let people beat his knives but do it himself.

 

[VanDammet]

I couldn't agree more. A lot of knife manufacturers go so far as to belittle people who would ever use their knives to the point of failure...I've read several warranties that basically say they don't cover their knives against idiots who use them for anything but either slicing cheese or cutting paracord. Of course there's a difference between purposely trying to ruin a knife and a knife failing due to hard use, and Guy talks about this being the one and only limit in his warranty program, but the definition of acceptable hard use is pretty narrow for most knife manufacturers.

Even makers who put out knives of similar design/materials like BR/Ambush/others, seem more focused on how fancy their handles can look versus the actual performance of their knives....and SK approaches it oppositely, beginning the design around performance goals. Now, I personally have way too many fixed blades to ever actually "use" them all....I'm a collector, but the ability of the knife to perform is always a deciding factor in my purchases...I don't want to own a knife just because it's pretty.

 

[AmericanAsApple3.14]

...

Even makers who put out knives of similar design/materials like BR/Ambush/others, seem more focused on how fancy their handles can look versus the actual performance of their knives....and SK approaches it oppositely, beginning the design around performance goals. Now, I personally have way too many fixed blades to ever actually "use" them all....I'm a collector, but the ability of the knife to perform is always a deciding factor in my purchases...I don't want to own a knife just because it's pretty.

Totally agree - I tend to look at my knives much more than I use them - but knowing that I can use them if the situation calls for it is vital. I think it's also important to know which of my knives I couldn't use for certain situations as well. Some steels are more geared toward straight cutting and any even light chopping will just cause chips or such. These videos that Guy and others have put out are great and have definitely made me a fan. I'm confident that - if needed - I'll be able to count on my S!K knives.

 

[McVeyMac]

I couldn't agree more. A lot of knife manufacturers go so far as to belittle people who would ever use their knives to the point of failure...I've read several warranties that basically say they don't cover their knives against idiots who use them for anything but either slicing cheese or cutting paracord. Of course there's a difference between purposely trying to ruin a knife and a knife failing due to hard use, and Guy talks about this being the one and only limit in his warranty program, but the definition of acceptable hard use is pretty narrow for most knife manufacturers.

Even makers who put out knives of similar design/materials like BR/Ambush/others, seem more focused on how fancy their handles can look versus the actual performance of their knives....and SK approaches it oppositely, beginning the design around performance goals. Now, I personally have way too many fixed blades to ever actually "use" them all....I'm a collector, but the ability of the knife to perform is always a deciding factor in my purchases...I don't want to own a knife just because it's pretty.

I too own more knives than I will probably ever use. But the ones I own are capable of being used. But you are correct that Guy had designed hard use into each one of his blades, and this is first and foremost in each of his design changes that have come along. The one exception to this is likely the 4.5, which has specific bushcrafting chores in mind. Light battoning would be the most that I would probably subject that knife to. I have thumped on my 4.1 in M390 just as hard as one can possibly thump on a knife of that size. No problems whatsoever. I always try to limit as much as is possible applying lateral forces in any knife usage, but clearly I have exposed these knives to a bunch of it even without trying. This is the main reason that I was drawn to S!K in the beginning, and it is why I am still placing pre-orders and waiting for the product. I want to be part of the S!K success story as much as I am able. I don't even hold the move to potato land against Guy.

 

[SBaker34]

I've batoned with a 4.5 62+hrc 0.093 thick knife that had a 10 dps edge on it, yet some people won't stand behind their extreme duty pry bar?

 

[shellback7]

Totally agree with what you said. I used to buy a least one knife per month until I came across S!K. I stopped buying any other knives for the last 10 months other than S!K knives because I feel confident in Guy's workmanship and quality. I can't wait to receive my two 5.0 knives. But I'm sure the wait will be soon rewarded, hopefully in the next few days.

 

[Silver Needle]

Totally agree with what you said. I used to buy a least one knife per month until I came across S!K. I stopped buying any other knives for the last 10 months other than S!K knives because I feel confident in Guy's workmanship and quality. I can't wait to receive my two 5.0 knives. But I'm sure the wait will be soon rewarded, hopefully in the next few days.

:thumbup::thumbup:

Welcome! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and hopefully seeing some pics when your GSO's arrive!

 

[Silver Needle]

Also, to actually contribute to this thread.....

Guy's designs and philosophy are great. I do love the look of his designs, but they're straight forward and functional. I don't know too much about other companies' warranties, especially some of the fancier brands, but it does seem like batoning is generally frowned upon. I remember an early youtube video by Guy talking about his warranty and I was surprised by how open he was. He really seemed like he wanted people to get out and use their knives as hard as they needed and he believed in their performance all the way.

When I first held my 3.5 I was hesitant to use it, but once I started using it, I just went harder and harder and now I really believe that there is nothing I could do to it in normal use that would actually damage it.

 

[Texas_toothpick]

I've pounded pretty dang hard on the 5.1. No rolling chipping or any damage on the edge, to the naked eye. I used the necker II to strip 5 panels in with 500-750 thhn. This usually wears my 1095 out after about 2-3 panels. My razors are usually toast after one. The 20 CV never blinked. 10-20 strokes on a fine stone it was shaving again.

 

[chiral.grolim]

I greatly appreciate the effort Guy puts into making an excellent product. My two favorite knife companies are Survive! and Swamp Rat, but Survive! has the "edge" when it comes to providing a knife that is ready to go - with an excellent sheath and an edge needing no re-profiling to show its excellence. The Ratmandu is still my favorite "all around" knife, but the two i own both required some work on the edge to get them thin enough to perform the way i wanted - that company sports strength/durability over cutting performance, and that works for them. But when i compare how a Ratmandu reprofiled to 15-dps at 0.030" behind the edge performs next to a GSO-5.1 at 0.020" behind the edge... No contest, the GSO is the better cutter, and that slightly thinner edge has proven sufficiently durable for all I need it to do.

 

[Eric@DLT]

I couldn't agree more. A lot of knife manufacturers go so far as to belittle people who would ever use their knives to the point of failure...I've read several warranties that basically say they don't cover their knives against idiots who use them for anything but either slicing cheese or cutting paracord. Of course there's a difference between purposely trying to ruin a knife and a knife failing due to hard use, and Guy talks about this being the one and only limit in his warranty program, but the definition of acceptable hard use is pretty narrow for most knife manufacturers.

Even makers who put out knives of similar design/materials like BR/Ambush/others, seem more focused on how fancy their handles can look versus the actual performance of their knives....and SK approaches it oppositely, beginning the design around performance goals. Now, I personally have way too many fixed blades to ever actually "use" them all....I'm a collector, but the ability of the knife to perform is always a deciding factor in my purchases...I don't want to own a knife just because it's pretty.

I think you have a false argument against Ambush knives and most of the BRK line. While there are several variations with nice handles, they still have the same blade and are predominately sold with micarta and similar handles. Function is still first, regardless of handle material and we still have our "common sense" warranty.

Most of the guys buying both brands are like yourself. Having a knife that can perform is important but being able to get a great looking wood handle with fancy pins and liners makes it that much better. If Guy could product more blades and do similar handles think of how much wider the market would be for him.

 

[SBaker34]

I think you have a false argument against Ambush knives and most of the BRK line. While there are several variations with nice handles, they still have the same blade and are predominately sold with micarta and similar handles. Function is still first, regardless of handle material and we still have our "common sense" warranty.

Most of the guys buying both brands are like yourself. Having a knife that can perform is important but being able to get a great looking wood handle with fancy pins and liners makes it that much better. If Guy could product more blades and do similar handles think of how much wider the market would be for him.

I love me some pretty knives don't get me wrong. I just think some people. And companies forget that knives are tools, ESEE honestly comes to mind. They will flat out call their customers idiots for throwing and such. I've also seen a picture of a broken ka-bar and people attacked the poster saying he should know that batoning is abusive and he should have used an axe. And also that appearently ka-bars are strictly fighting knives and shouldn't be used hard

 

[Eric@DLT]

I have seen such posts as well but to name Ambush knives or Bark River as looks first is a false argument. While I have only handled one Survive knife, I would definitely say it looks like a user. The reviews to their performance speak for themselves.

 

[Standard78]

I have seen such posts as well but to name Ambush knives or Bark River as looks first is a false argument. While I have only handled one Survive knife, I would definitely say it looks like a user. The reviews to their performance speak for themselves.

Does this mean we'll be seeing some hard use torture test videos coming from the Ambush Knives camp?

 

[Eric@DLT]

We do need to get our videos started but we don't have any up yet. I have no doubt the larger two models will take a beating, as shown in the pass around that was done on these forums.

I don't want to take over this thread, I just wanted to chime in on what I didn't feel was accurate.

 

[Standard78]

We do need to get our videos started but we don't have any up yet. I have no doubt the larger two models will take a beating, as shown in the pass around that was done on these forums.

I don't want to take over this thread, I just wanted to chime in on what I didn't feel was accurate.

[emoji106]🏻Good to hear!

 

[Skrapmetal]

I'll keep my opinions about the other company/companies mentioned here to myself... but I do not think Survive! is alone in making knives meant to be used.

I do, however, think they have made some knives that fit my needs as well as any other brand ever has.