Recommendations for a sub $40 survival knife

Though the Mora/ Machete combo does sound like a good idea, I'd rather not carry a machete since I don't intend to regularly chop wood unless it's an emergency (in that situation I'm sure I can muster up the strength to chop enough branches to start a small fire).

Smokingape, can you clarify what you mean? On the video reviews for the GI Tanto, it appeared as though the knife did cut through wood, albeit more slowly than a machete.

Right now I'm between the GI Tanto, the Condor Hudson Bay, and the Ontario SP1. From what I'm seeing in the video reviews of the products, the medium length blade (~6-8in) seems like a nice compromise and relatively easy to carry. My one concern about the Hudson Bay is that the leather sheath might become slightly damaged in the presence of heavy rain or snow. If my fear is unfounded, then I'll probably go with that knife.
 
I'd probably opt for the Condor Hudson Bay personally. I would suggest you use a pocket knife for scratching rocks; much more convenient. (A SAK works great.) If you want to up the price a bit, take a look at the Kabar Becker BK-7 or BK-9.
 
Go with the Mora Robust and stop there, you wont be disappointed. There is a lot of wood just laying around in the woods. If you feel you need to cut wood for some reason just notch around the wood and bend and break the wood in the y of a tree or if its a small standing tree just bend it, it should break at your notch, I've done this with a pocket knife before. this works really well and you wont destroy your edge. With the money left over pick up a sodbuster and your set.
 
Go through the sofa for change. Add $5 and pickup a Schrade SCHF9. There are few reviews up here.
 
whenhen said:
Smokingape, can you clarify what you mean? On the video reviews for the GI Tanto, it appeared as though the knife did cut through wood, albeit more slowly than a machete.
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It's a fine knife for the money, tough, actually a good sheath, and decent edge retention considering. Though I would sharpen out the secondary tip like dingy did to his, no need for a tanto in the wilderness. Also maybe some grip tape on the handle, they're slick when wet.

It's not the best chopper cause it's light, but when it's hanging on your belt all day you be happy it's not so heavy.
 
If weight is not too much of a concern, for $40 I'd get a Fiskars X7 hatchet and a Mora knife. Lots of survival potential there.
 
Thanks Markpmc for the recommendation. I just ordered the Shrade SCHF9. Seems to be exactly what I'm looking for.

Everyone else, thanks for the recommendations and feedback. I may pick up the Mora in a couple months based on the almost uniformly positive opinions on this thread and the broader forum.
 
whenhen said:
Though the Mora/ Machete combo does sound like a good idea, I'd rather not carry a machete since I don't intend to regularly chop wood unless it's an emergency (in that situation I'm sure I can muster up the strength to chop enough branches to start a small fire).

Smokingape, can you clarify what you mean? On the video reviews for the GI Tanto, it appeared as though the knife did cut through wood, albeit more slowly than a machete.

Right now I'm between the GI Tanto, the Condor Hudson Bay, and the Ontario SP1. From what I'm seeing in the video reviews of the products, the medium length blade (~6-8in) seems like a nice compromise and relatively easy to carry. My one concern about the Hudson Bay is that the leather sheath might become slightly damaged in the presence of heavy rain or snow. If my fear is unfounded, then I'll probably go with that knife.
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Here is a video I did showing a simple carving task, it was a total pain...

[video=youtube_share;0HxnAMW-o0k]http://youtu.be/0HxnAMW-o0k[/video]

I am sure it batons well and will pierce, but its just not an all around camp knife...

Here is a tip test video I did as well, it performed much better as you would expect from a tanto...

[video=youtube_share;hHEeINuG-Hw]http://youtu.be/hHEeINuG-Hw[/video]
 
whenhen said:
Thanks Markpmc for the recommendation. I just ordered the Shrade SCHF9. Seems to be exactly what I'm looking for.

Everyone else, thanks for the recommendations and feedback. I may pick up the Mora in a couple months based on the almost uniformly positive opinions on this thread and the broader forum.
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Thanks for posting your conclusion. Usually, you never hear from the OP and the thread goes ad infinitum. Have fun with your new knife.
 
Machetes are primarily used for brush clearing, with heavier wood chopping being a secondary concern. Personally I find myself needing to clear a site or cut a path through grasses or dense underbrush much more frequently than I need to do heavy woodcutting, and when I do the machete works fine with adapted technique and can still do the other tasks just dandy. A hatchet or axe is pretty much a dedicated tool for felling, limbing, and splitting of saplings and trees, and anything smaller or more flexible will be a pain in the butt to tackle to the point of being unfeasible. While not the best tool for a limited set of tasks, it's hard to beat a machete when versatility is a chief concern.

Just my thoughts.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Machetes are primarily used for brush clearing, with heavier wood chopping being a secondary concern. Personally I find myself needing to clear a site or cut a path through grasses or dense underbrush much more frequently than I need to do heavy woodcutting, and when I do the machete works fine with adapted technique and can still do the other tasks just dandy. A hatchet or axe is pretty much a dedicated tool for felling, limbing, and splitting of saplings and trees, and anything smaller or more flexible will be a pain in the butt to tackle to the point of being unfeasible. While not the best tool for a limited set of tasks, it's hard to beat a machete when versatility is a chief concern.

Just my thoughts.
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Danny Trejo approves this message.:):thumbup:
 
skyhorse said:
Danny Trejo approves this message.:):thumbup:
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jdk1 approves both:thumbup: I know the OP has already decided, but for future reference I'll say when on a budget and for what the OP wants, a 14" Tram and Mora type knife would be perfection. Heck, you can even dig with the machete. And, I too see cutting light undergrowth a much more likely need than chopping. It may be more common than the OP foresees. The weight penalty is nil and it'll fit in a small pack til needed. Good luck.
 
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