Recommend me a combat/survival knife for use in the tropics.

DocNightfall said:
What I'm looking for is also going to be a fighting knife, so it should point well and provide good penetration.
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That is quite a different knife than a survival knife. If might help to know what style of knife defense you practice and the nature of your opponents to better match the situation.
 
tirod3 said:
That is quite a different knife than a survival knife. If might help to know what style of knife defense you practice and the nature of your opponents to better match the situation.
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My training was in stick and knife, under an instructor of Modern Arnis. I also received very limited military training on knife use. I was taught that with a short blade, thrusting deep and often would disable more effectively than cutting with the edge. In an emergency, I think that the training will probably take over so I really would prefer a knife with a good point,
 
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Possibly something like the Cold Steel Military Classic ? - AUS8a blade, stainless crossguard, Micarta grip, about $180. It's a repro of the Randall #1. Blackjack also made theirs and it can be found at gun shows as a collector item.
 
the CS Military will be too lite to chop and also has no serrations. but it is a great fighting knife well balanced and fast.

keepem sharp
 
Points out the divergent qualities of a fighting knife and camp knife. If both functions are desired something has to give.

I'd think a large fighting knife would only attract the collector instincts of the nearest Third World TSA agent or local policeman, so I'd just go with a Ontario RAT 7 and leave it at that.
 
I finally got around to checking out the local MOD store. Apparently they DO have something that fits the bill.

The Blackhawk Tatang
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I didn't see it because it's not on the MOD/Blackhawk website. Probably discontinued. I wonder why.

Chops nicely but the subhilt can be gripped close for fine work. Good point with a false edge. Points very well because of the grip angle.

Is 1095 a good steel for this kind of thing?

If it were an inch shorter and a quarter inch less wide, I'd have bought it already. It's a big knife.
 
and you sure know how to pick 'em!
And then some...
Try Polkowski Knives
-http://www.polkowskiknives.com
or go overboard with a Shiva Ki
-http://www.shivakicustomknives.com/index.html
A Jack Craine perhaps?
-http://www.crainknives.com/movieknives1.htm
Hope you find what you're looking for,.... eventually!
 
GIRLYmann said:
and you sure know how to pick 'em!
And then some...
Try Polkowski Knives
-http://www.polkowskiknives.com
or go overboard with a Shiva Ki
-http://www.shivakicustomknives.com/index.html
A Jack Craine perhaps?
-http://www.crainknives.com/movieknives1.htm
Hope you find what you're looking for,.... eventually!
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Eek. All very expensive stuff.

I'm wary of the SOG Tigershark because it is essentially a bigger SEAL knife. And Cliff Stamp's review of the SEAL knife suggests that there may be better knives in the same price range.

The Ranger RD's are blade heavy. Great choppers, but I'm willing to sacrifice a small amount of chopping power for a good point.

The CS Trail Master looks nice, except that it's even longer than the BH Tatang. Very big.

valleytinworks: Who, me? I'm just looking for a compact-ish survival chopper with a good enough point that I can fight effectively with it using the training I have had. If there is one knife out there that can do the job of the two I am using now, (for under $200) I would like very much to find out where I can get it. :)
 
Get your self what the locals are packing, they know why they have the blades their having. add a sak and if you wanna get steel heavy get one of them ontario randals. and remember it´s the user and not the knife that makes a difference...
matthias
 
The locals are packing machetes, of course. I think the best knife for the job would be a Busse Battle Mistress. Their latest model, the Fusion Battle Mistress is going for under $400 at this minute on the Busse site. They have 10 inch blades. Another possibility would be their Zero Tolerance BM which has a slightly thinner blade. You could also try to get one of their Steel Hearts which have 8 inch blades. You might try one of Siegle's blades which are always on sale here on the Knifemakers FOR SALE thread. Another goodie would be an ICC (Independance Custom Cutlery) blade which are available on his site. The ICC blade might have too long of a waiting time for you though. These are my "Best Picks".
 
You don't need serrations if you maintain your blade sharp. Get a kydex or Tactical nylon sheath because leather will not hold up in the jungle. Why not a kydex sheath with a holder built into it with an EZE-LAP diamond sharpener. Then you can always keep the knife shaving sharp. DMT sharpeners are great also.
 
Yeah, that's right.
Double Ouch!
The best there is, most definately cost more than what the average joe can possibly afford. I'll just say that you wouldn't want to mess with folks who "EDC" such brands!
So, what about considering the new Blackjack Black Panga instead?
-http://www.knifeware.com/blblpa.html
Looks alright. But not quite as cool as the high end ones.
A fair trade off if its just function you seek.
 
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