Recommendations for survival knife/emergency pack

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Brifly79

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Nov 29, 2013
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I am putting together a survival kit/pack, basically a bag I can grab, disappear into the wilderness & survive. I have been researching survival knives and I think I have it narrowed down to two finalists. I am strongly considering either the esee6 or SOG force. I would like to hear an feedback or suggestions because I have been told a good knife is one of the most important tools a person can have. Any other equipment that someone can recommend I would appreciate. I am not wealthy but I do not care about saving a few bucks when it comes to something that my life may depend on. Thank you for your help.
 
Check out survive knives GSO 4.1... I think a new batch is available soon and the cpm-3V Steele it comes in is an amazing for the price you pay. Large bump in quality, strength and edge retention.


Also a nice little tool to pack is a biolite stove.. Small packable camp stove that you use natural materials you find in the woods(sticks/twigs) to fuel. which not only boils your pot of coffee but has a USB port that uses the heat from the fire and charges you cell battery/radio. Just wanted to share as I owned for about 2 years and it works great.
 
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Before you can get a proper answer we would need to know what location/terrain/habitat you plan to bug out to. Such information would certainly effect what equipment you should have. If you're in the pacific northwest you might want an axe ,in the southeast a machete.
 
I looked into the GSO 4.1 and it seems like a very well made knife. My only concern is the thickness of the blade, because it seems a bit thin. I say this because the SOG force is almost twice as thick, but has AUS 8 steel. I am sure the type of steel has a lot to do with the strength of the blade, but unfortunately I do not know much about types of steel. Thank you so much for pointing out the biolite stove it looks incredible. Have you ever used the grill attachment? If so have you cooked meat,chicken, etc just as you would on a regular BBQ? Also what products would you recommend charging with from your experience?
 
TWBryan that is a great point. I live in the northeast, Long Island to be exact. So most likely that is where my journey would begin, but I would venture on into the wilderness. I have been looking into compact/folding saws, I like the trailblazer sawvivor 18 because it looks like it becomes very compact and appears sturdy. I would also be interested in hearing about any opinions on things like saws and tools as well.
 
Brifly79 said:
TWBryan that is a great point. I live in the northeast, Long Island to be exact. So most likely that is where my journey would begin, but I would venture on into the wilderness. I have been looking into compact/folding saws, I like the trailblazer sawvivor 18 because it looks like it becomes very compact and appears sturdy. I would also be interested in hearing about any opinions on things like saws and tools as well.
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Take a look at these and see if they'll fit your need. They're some of the most often recommended items for the outdoors where quality and value match closest.

Kelty Redwing (44 or 50)
BAHCO (BAH396LAP) 9" folding saw
Leatherman Wave
Fiskars 14" hatchet
 
Brifly79 said:
I looked into the GSO 4.1 and it seems like a very well made knife. My only concern is the thickness of the blade, because it seems a bit thin. I say this because the SOG force is almost twice as thick, but has AUS 8 steel. I am sure the type of steel has a lot to do with the strength of the blade, but unfortunately I do not know much about types of steel. Thank you so much for pointing out the biolite stove it looks incredible. Have you ever used the grill attachment? If so have you cooked meat,chicken, etc just as you would on a regular BBQ? Also what products would you recommend charging with from your experience?
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In regards to the strength of the 4.1 the designer named guy has a video of him repelling from a cliff with his knife in a tree as the anchor. It held well. The CPM-3V really lives up to its super Steele reputation.

I don't have the grill top for the stove unfortunately so I can't comment on its effectiveness but I have charged my iphone with it no problem... It took about two hours of constant burning fuel to get it fully charged but in an emergency if you need a power source it was effective. It's light weight and packable so always with me on my day hikes
 
ESEE, Becker, Survive all exceptional but don't overlook Falkniven.
The S1 is a lot of knife in a compact package. VG-10 is stainless so you wont have to worry about corrosion, it holds a decent edge and is easy to sharpen.
 
while I love the ESEE6, you need to get your hands on as many knives as you can before deciding what to buy -- what fits one person's hand comfortably may not fit yours. Becker BK16 is also a very nice "get out of dodge" knife and at only a 4" blade is not seen as threatening at the ESEE6 or SOG Force.
other options would include the Ontario TAK (1095 or D2), Knives of Alaska Bush Camp (or bush camp/cub combo), Knives of Alaska Xtreme Defense (D2 or S30V), Mora Robust. -- and there are several custom makers on the site with offerings well under $200. (for example, JamesTerrio linked in my sig is having a Black Friday sale)
 
There is no wilderness to disappear into on long island. The amount of terrain you would have to traverse to get to wilderness where your survival kit would be of any use is immense. That means stocking up on wilderness survival gear is not a primary consideration. There is not enough wild game to go around when the population density is 5,402 inhabitants per square mile (2,086 /km2) and moving around on foot during a bad social disturbance would be very risky. Wilderness survival skills do not come into play there.

The urbanite has two options in a bad situation. Shelter in place at your primary residence or travel to a well stocked secondary location outside the affected area. To be able to travel safely you would have to get out ahead of the rest of the population since traffic always gets backed up when a lot of people try to move at once. Are you equipped to shelter in your home for 3 weeks without any outside assistance? Do you have friends and family you could stay with or a recreational property within striking distance where you could go during a bad event? Until you have those bases covered your basic 10 dollar Mora knife (clipper or utility)will get everything done in the woods you need to do. Having a stash of emergency funds is also a very good survival strategy.

In general trying to survive alone in the wilderness is madness. Very few people are up to the task. Here is a video you might find interesting. This fellow tried to make it alone in the wilds of canada for a summer with a backpack full of gear. [video=youtube;FPbz5TDy6fs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPbz5TDy6fs[/video]
 
I would recommend either the Fallkniven S1 or the Swamp Rat Knife Works Ratmandu over the RC-6. I have the Fallkniven S1 (smaller version of A1) and the RMD and like both better than my RC-6. Mainly because of the ergonomics, steel, and overall feel. Even though the S1 and RMD are smaller I would take either of them over the RC-6. The thickness of the steel behind the edge on the RC-6 is too thick to excel in fine tasks and the lightness of the blade makes it less than average at chopping. IMO, the size and feel of the RC-6 is, for the lack of a better word, weird. Its a large knife but is light so it doesnt perform like a large knife while at the same time is large so it doesnt perform like a nimble small knife. Esee should have made the RC-6 be 1/4" thick and make the width of the steel behind the edge finer while keeping the FFG. This would make it more adequate at chopping while at the same time making it better at fine tasks. They should have put more time into shaping the handles better, along the lines of the TKC scales. I have found that a smaller knife along the lines of a RMD or S1 (both very proficient in batonning kindling and make feathersticks) plus a folding saw and a small folder like a SAK/Leatherman is best for me. I would not be caught dead in any kind of outdoor situation with one blade. I can't speak to the Sog Force but thats my two cents on the RC-6.
 
I looked into the products you mentioned and there are some really good suggestions. I like the kelty packs a lot they look really well thought out. I already own a northface terra 35 & 60 which seem like good packs but it doesnt have many compartments it basically has one big compartment. I like the BAHCO 9" folding saw it looks well made I wonder if they replacement or different blades. The fiskars 14" hatchet also looks great they make two different 14" models I like the X7 better. I have some woods experience such as camping for a few days but my intentions for this pack are different. I realize I lack experience in a situation like this so that being said do you think I could replace the BAHCO 9" and the Fiskars hatchet with a larger folding saw? Of course you cant split wood with the folding saw but I cant see either the BAHCO or the Fiskars being able to handle logs greater than 6". I ask cause there are so many things I want to put into this pack and weight is obviously a concern. I have heard you do not want to hike for long periods with more than 20-25% of your body weight. What would you recommend I carry to keep knives,hatchets,etc sharp?
 
Brifly79 said:
I looked into the products you mentioned and there are some really good suggestions. I like the kelty packs a lot they look really well thought out. I already own a northface terra 35 & 60 which seem like good packs but it doesnt have many compartments it basically has one big compartment. I like the BAHCO 9" folding saw it looks well made I wonder if they replacement or different blades. The fiskars 14" hatchet also looks great they make two different 14" models I like the X7 better. I have some woods experience such as camping for a few days but my intentions for this pack are different. I realize I lack experience in a situation like this so that being said do you think I could replace the BAHCO 9" and the Fiskars hatchet with a larger folding saw? Of course you cant split wood with the folding saw but I cant see either the BAHCO or the Fiskars being able to handle logs greater than 6". I ask cause there are so many things I want to put into this pack and weight is obviously a concern. I have heard you do not want to hike for long periods with more than 20-25% of your body weight. What would you recommend I carry to keep knives,hatchets,etc sharp?
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Here's one thing I would suggest: slow down. You're getting yourself caught up in all the gear talk. You'll overwhelm yourself, burn yourself out... and then lose interest. Make it more interesting (and challenging) and adapt the gear you already have - learn skills. Be honest with yourself, figure what you know and what you think you know... go on a day-long hike or plan out a route you'd take from your house... see what sort of basic gear you'd really need instead of what you think you'll need. You'll run off to the woods and then what? You'll stay there? Forever? Heck, I'm surprised you're not thinking "boat" since you're on L.I. j/k. ;)
 
Sideways, I look forward to checking out the video you posted but I dont have 2.5 hours at this moment. Yes to live off the land on Long Island is laughable a large chunk of uninhabited land around here is one square mile and has nothing but polluted water, racoons and squirrels. That being said my sister in the next town lives on the great south bay has two boats and 3 jet skis hanging in her backyard so my plan would be get the F@%$ off the island. Most likely I would hit land again in connecticut, which is not ideal but gives me a decent shot because I would be closer to Vermont and New Hampshire or upstate NY. I have to formulate a better more precise plan at the moment I am at the earliest stages of planning, thank you for the feedback.
 
I agree. I'm surprised how many hikes I go on where I only use my pocket knife a couple of times and never take my fixed blade out. On the other hand, I use my small axe (SFA) a lot.

100 times more than any of my cutting implements I use my sleeping bag, inflatable pad, and tent (or hammock). If you haven't been in the wilderness much, get a Mora knife or two and had out for a few dayhikes. When you're ready, go overnight and you'll learn what you need.

As far as being prepared, make a car kit to get you home (walking shoes, water, hat, etc.) And amass enough water and food to hang out for a month...
 
A quick list of things you would want. It's a quick list so it's not all inclusive but everything I list, while inexpensive, will do the job. The spendy survival knives and other gear are cool and all but they're really not going to be the end all be alls that you want them to be. I have 100's of dollars in "survival knives" and I still use a mora and a SAK.

First aid kit. Bandaids, few meds, and some duct tape.
Whistle for signaling
Compass with mirror for signaling and direction(the spendy one on this list)
2 lawn leaf bags
pot to boil water
water bottle
Wool socks
rain jacket/poncho
tarp
cordage. Paracord is cool but some good synthetic rope from the hardware store is fine too.
bic lighter
firesteel/matches for backup
petrolium jelly mixed with cotton for tinder
mora
imacasa/tramontina machete OR estwing/fiskars hatchet OR bahco/silky saw and you probably won't need any of them.

Your first line of protection is your clothes so make sure your clothes are appropriate for the worst case weather scenario for that day/week.
 
Weight has become my primary consideration if you plan on bugging out on foot. I have been able to get my hiking pack down to 14 lbs right before I quit going so much, and I found it to be much more enjoy able - of course that was switching to a hammock (not very effective for the long island winter), ditching everything but the necessities, eliminating all redundancy, and making many sacrifices. After you get some experience though, you see what you can do without (just keep increasing your hikes and use as little of your pack as possible. If an item doesn't get used after a few times, put it away).

If I have enough time tonight I will make a short list, after 3 years of not hiking though, my gear has melted back into tool boxes, kitchen drawers, and storage. Some of it is fairly expensive, but some of it was free. I still have a tent and camp stove, but unless I was in a vehicle I would probably not pack them.
 
Thank you everyone for your time and knowledge. Unfortunately I do not have the time to respond to each post due to work,family, and life in general. I am continuing to due my research and the posts here have pointed me in the right direction. Shotgun, definitely a good/interesting list. I can think of ways to use them of my own but just curious what would you use the lawn bags and tarp for? You mentioned some meds what did you have in mind? My aunt is a nurse so I was going to get some prescriptions for antibiotics, the type that would be used to prevent infection in the event of a deep cut or severe burn. I also got my hands on some liquid novacaine and suture kits for obvious reasons. I see you mentioned a pot to boil water. I have been considering purchasing a GSI bugaboo camper or pinnacle camper. It looks like a good set up but I wonder how well it would hold up over time? Any thoughts on this? Would you recommend getting a stronger more durable pot to boil water? Also what size pot did you have in mind? I actually just ordered a fiskars X7 14" hatchet. It looks good but I dont like the kydex sheath I want to find or have made a leather sheath. I got the 14", although it is not very large weight is a concern of mine.
 
A Justice, weight is a big concern of mine as well for comfort, mobility, and being able to cover long distances as fast as possible. I would like to hear peoples recommendations on packs, not so much models, but internal or external frames. A Justice, i am sure you are busy like I am but if you find yourself with some free time if you could compile a list I would be very grateful. THat goes for anyone with a good list.
 
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