reccomendation inexpensive survival knife

Any knife we carry needs to be considered a 'survival' knife. For example, I live in Memphis. We are located on a faultline (New Madrid) which is way overdue for a big ole rumble. It isn't like I can carry a Junglas and a 18" machete around with me. What I can due is make sure the knives I do have on me (usually a locking folder and a SAK Camper) are taken care of and are as sharp as possible.
 
First off, the KaBar was originally made in answer to the wartime (WWII) need for a 'utility knife'. It makes a great camping knife, although it is a bit large for cleaning smaller fish, etc.

Les Stroud, TV's 'Survivorman', showed how utilitarian a Buck 119 was in several of his survivor episodes. You can pick one of those USA-made goodies at a local discount store for <$40.
Very useful. Top, below, is a KaBar. Bottom, below, is a Buck 119.

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The Buck 119 has a 6" x .175" SS blade of 420HC - the KaBar is 1095 carbon steel.

Stainz
 
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CWL said:
You can find new Bucks for under $50.

A Buck Vantage can be had for $30.
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The classic Buck 105 Pathfinder can be had for under $50. A Buck Diamondback for ~$20 or $25 as well. The Diamondback is a little thin at the tip but overall it's a well built, simple user.
 
i don't ever think hard about a "survival knife"...to me it's WHATEVER knife i can get hold of at the moment.
 
Shame on all those companies selling knives that cost $50 or less, those are death traps that fail in the lightest breeze. The only knife worth trusting requires you to take out a second mortgage.

And the SRK is around $60, still a deathtrap.
 
marcinek said:
When you are talking about "survival"...you are talking about surviving, right? Saving yourself from death? Worst case scenario kinda thing....with only your trusty survival knife on you to get you back alive?

And the most you want to spend on it is 50 bucks?

"I want to survive....but not if it's gonna cost me more than a Grant."
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agreed, glad someone said it,still,any knife is better than no knife,would the op buy blanks for a gun because they are cheaper
 
hardheart said:
Shame on all those companies selling knives that cost $50 or less, those are death traps that fail in the lightest breeze. The only knife worth trusting requires you to take out a second mortgage.

And the SRK is around $60, still a deathtrap.
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:D:thumbup:

Remember--survival is more about skills than gear. And there are plenty of knives out there that cost very little yet are quite rugged. It's not tough to find inexpensive knives that'll get you home in one piece. It's up to YOU to get yourself home alive. The knife is there to help, but it's not going to save you without you knowing how to use it right. A cheap $5 Wal*Mart chef's knife is plenty tough to handle batoning and would be a lot better than nothing in a survival situation. More expensive usually means better but how about more than good enough? ;)
 
Well, for a dependable survival knife I would highly recommend the becker bk2 made by kbar. For the money (around $60) you can't beat it. It has a quarter inch spine and full tang. Its a beast! I believe that it has been well proven. Check out these 2 threads on this forum of its testing!

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ting-the-BK2-to-the-test-so-you-don-t-have-to...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/839944-BK2-test-the-final-part-(LOTS-of-pictures)

Here's a bk2 I did some custom work on to make it even more effective in a survival situation. The stippled hand grips and jimping help with the grip in wet conditions, while I can still chop with out getting blisters since I faded the stippling out to the smoother lower portion. I also put the Veff serrations on the belly of the edge so that way it will still rip and tear long after most survival knives would have gone dull. ( yes, I know I still have to finish touching up the edge, but I've been running out of time! Lol) oh, and the cerakote is one of the most durable paints to protect against rusting.

I say all this to tell you that you can do all these mods yourself! It is a very versatile knife! Hope this helps.

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Get a Becker BK2 - survive for a while, pass it on to your kids / grandkids - let them survive a bit and so on. You won't go wrong with it.

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Beckerhead #42
 
Several good options have been mentioned already that are $50.00 or under. You dont have to spend a fortune to get a quality knife. Everyone has a budget and you buy within it. Yea there are more expensive and nicer knives to be had for more but you can still do good at your listed budget. If I couldnt get by for awhile with the right $50.00knife then I highly doubt that a higher priced one is going to do much more for me.
 
A "Survival Knife" is one you have with you when you need it. ;)

Most hikers and backpackers "survive" outdoors for weeks or even months at a time with a Swiss Army Knife. You can get a nice model like the Recruit for $15 or less.
When I took a survival course (21 days) years ago, the instructor carried an Opinel, and my own knife was a BuckLite. They both were perfectly functional as "survival" knives.
The Colorado logger who was in news recently "survived" with an Old Timer pocketknife.
 
marcinek said:
When you are talking about "survival"...you are talking about surviving, right? Saving yourself from death? Worst case scenario kinda thing....with only your trusty survival knife on you to get you back alive?

And the most you want to spend on it is 50 bucks?

"I want to survive....but not if it's gonna cost me more than a Grant."
Click to expand...


"Only a $500 knife will save you!!!" What a rube! How many folks that REALLY survived a life threatening situation were quoted as saying "Thank goodness I had my $50000 survivomatic knife with me!"

Any quality knife will work. There are a ton of great knives under $50.

You are a marketing department's dream.
 
Following the topic about the logger in Colorado? He "survived," literally saved his own life, with a used patina-covered Old Timer. Although some models did sell for over $50 when new, you can buy them (used) all day long on eBay for $20 or less.
 
+1 Scouter27!
In that price range I'd say bk2 if you choose to have only one edged tool. If you're looking for the best combination for under $50 go with a Rodan / Golok or Parang. Just my 2¢ worth.
 
Anything you are willing and able to carry that keeps an edge.

That being said, Marble machete ~ $17, comes sharp from the factory... big honking ORANGE blade!
 
Dude dont listen to the rubbish about how much you spend....Check out onatrio airforce survival knife, kabar usmc, and the becker line by kabar......Mora's are great.
 
Don't get me wrong, I love Moras and Trams and Vic SAKS for enjoying spending time outdoors. If that's what the OP is talking about, they would be great choices.

But since we are talking about extreme, non-stop, life and death "survival," I wouldn't go out of my way to nickel and dime. When your life's on the line 24-7, you don't skimp on equipment.
 
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