Recommendations on Blades and Compasses

S

SKrash

Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Messages
3
I'm new to the forums, but have been inhaling the great deal of information here on the forum!

I am looking to purchase a good fixed-blade knife. After reading a lot of information from this forum, and several others, I believe I have narrowed the choices down to the Charles May "FireAnt" (I really like http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491577), the RAT-3, and the Fallkniven F1. What I am looking for is a "knife for life", so to speak; something very reliable. I'd like something that is not necessarily perfect for everything, but very well rounded. I already have a good SAK (Vic Tinker) and a Leatherman Charge as my EDC. I'm of medium build, and am sometimes limited as to what I can carry (office environment at work), which is why I'm looking towards the smaller knives.

Secondly, I am in the process of putting together my PSK. I'd like some information on several small compasses, including the Suunto Clipper (http://www.suuntowatches.com/Suunto-Clipper.pro), the Marbles Pocket Compass MR-1147 (http://www.knivesplus.com/marbles-compass-mr-1147.html), the Tru-Nord Compass (http://www.trunord.com/about/products/). Preferably, I'd like some tales of real world-experience using one of these. I realize the limitations of such a small compass, and again I am looking to buy things once--so I want something that will hold up and be very reliable.

Thanks for any input!


- Joe
 
I carry the Suunto Clipper daily, it is fine. I am not terribly impressed, but it does work. I do not know if the fact that it works puts it head and shoulders above the others or not. There is a larger Suunto wrist compass that looks pretty nice.
I have a Silva baseplate compass I rather like that has an adjustable box for declination adjustment.
As far as the Rat 3 goes, you might check out the RC-3 by Rat Cutlery. It has a really nice fit and finish, and is a well thought out design that is quite thin but still comfortable.
 
I like the clipper compass as you can dial in and shoot beirings. Not nearly as easy with the others you linked.

A fine small compass. Mine is the glow in the dark model not sure if they still make it.

Skam
 
Looking for a compass for the long haul, consider one with a clear rectangular base plate to use on a map and in the dark. Adjustable declination is too helpful to not have, it simplifies things that are very important when you need accuracy under stress. Wear it on a neck lanyard. The little ones are for quick reference, not very good for navigation or accurate travel and especially not for determining your correct position on a map, OK in areas with a lot of roads but not in areas where it's easy to get serious lost. Confidence in your compass is very important when you are uncertain of where the rest of the familiar world went. The standards are Suunto and Silva. Just my observations...:)Regards, ss.
 
straitshot said:
Looking for a compass for the long haul, consider one with a clear rectangular base plate to use on a map and in the dark. The standards are Suunto and Silva. Just my observations...:)Regards, ss.
Click to expand...

He is looking for a micro compass for a pocket kit. Agree on your standards.

Skam
 
I prefer a simple silva compass, lasts forever and easy to use either with or without a map. as far as the knife goes pick whichever one suits you the best, it doesn't matter which one you pick in a year you won't have it, or if you have it,it will have lots of company. good luck.
 
Skam- yes. He mentioned real world experience. The little ones are Ok for a backup at best so I answered he should consider a navigation compass because it wasn't clear if he already has one. Just an attempt to be helpful. I wish this had been here years ago when I answered my own questions mostly by trial and many errors at considerable expense with much trepidation:D. :) Regards, ss.
 
I'd rank your possible knives as follows.

Charles May Fireant
Fallkniven F1
Rat-3

You really can't beat a custom knife and the fireant is a good choice. Well worth the extra cash. The F1 is a proven winner that will serve you well. The Rat-3 is a decent knife as well, but IMHO not as nice as the other two.

But a word of caution, once you start buying customs you'll want more. Once you head down the custom road production knives just don't cut it anymore.
 
I don't know how you plan to store your PSK, but my opinion is that you'd be better off with a "small yet full size" base plate compass.

Once upon a time, I also owned this one (ranger 27):
http://www.silva.se/templates/Products____80.aspx?epslanguage=EN&productId={9A560A0C-8C3E-42C9-972D-ED0CE287E5A8}
which while being pretty small (4x4cm, about 1.3/4x1.3/4 inch) proved to be OK.
At least you'd be far better of than with a button compass.
 
I don't know about the other compasses. What I can say is that I would stay away from the Marbles. I bought one of their pin ons back when they were made in the US. I don't know if the seal cracked or what, but in less than a year, there got to be a big bubble (or several little ones) in it. They would get underneath the dial, put upward pressure on it, and cause it not to spin.

To make things worse, I saw one in the store and the package says they are made in China now!
 
Great choice of knives, but I must also say look into bark river as an option.
From your other choices I would suggest the bark river mini northstar.
945b_1.JPG

And the site here, pics not as good though.
http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/bushcraft/mininorthstar/index.html#
Reliability wise I would have to give it to the RAT3, probably the toughest of the bunch but is a bit tactical looking if thats a concern, the fireant and Bark River would be more likely to wow then frighten. But please, don't let sheeple sway you.:D
 
First of all, if you like the RAT-3, I'd suggest you get the RC-3 instead, or wait until the RC-4 comes out (Mid January, I think). Other than that the Bark Rivers look real nice, Falkniven has a great rep. I can't speak to customs as the only custom blades I own are kukris, and I won't recommend or talk down a custom maker unless I have their products.

I don't know enough about small compasses to give good advice.
 
Silva Ranger is a high quality compass with adjustable declination - not just a declination scale. Here's a picture of mine - Notice how the Browning is throwing it off - always check your immediate surroundings, and it's good to have a method of redundant verification - I use a Silva compass watch as well as the little one in my hiking stick :)

SANY0008.jpg
 
Pocket-sized compasses vary greatly in quality and accuracy. I suggest going to a store with a decent selection and bringing your personal and reliable higher end compass with you. Check the accuracy of each compass against your already proven personal compass. Be careful to place the compasses in a spot that is free of metal objects or magnetic fields to ensure true readings. You'll find the accuracy will be different in many models. Remember, these pocket sized compasses are not designed for accurate navigation but simply general wayfinding.

I have a few pocket sized compasses that I like. My favorite is the Tru-Nord. It is a bit heavy and takes a while for it to settle on North but it is accurate and very durable.

I also have a small Brunton button compass that is exceptionally packable but not the most reliable. It is off by 10 degrees or so but it would provide a general idea of what direction I am headed.

Suunto is another excellent choice and I'm looking to pick one up for another small kit I'm assembling. THe nice thing about one of their models (I believe it is called the clipper) it has a luminous bezel and needle after you charge it with a light.

As for the knife selection, that is a very personal choice that is best made with knives in hand. For me, the BRKT line is tops and the Fox River is my go to knife. For custom knives, I couldn't be happier with Scott Gossman's work. His PSK and PSK Jr. knives are now my constant companions in my kit. Scott stands by his work 100% and I've had the pleasure of being with him during a few of his product testing trips. There is no hype to his knives and each is totally practical for its intended purpose.
 
Thanks for all your feedback! As mentioned, the compass is just for my PSK (similar to an "Altoids" PSK, but in a slightly larger box (I'll probably post its contents, etc. to look for some feedback on that later). I will be looking for a full-size compass as well. I will be attending an orienteering class in late January (I'm a firm believer in reading to gather info, attending classes/workshops to learn how to put the info to good use, and then practicing to make sure I can!) At this point, I think I'm going to go with the Suunto Clipper for my PSK. Still up in the air on the knives, though!
 
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