Scenario: Survival Folder?

My first choice would be a Sebenza, large or small. The cheapest would be the Buck 110/112.

Paul
 
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(Just kidding Paul ;) ) I agree with you 100%. :D :cool: (see my post on p. 1)
 
we sometimes over look that we might need to build a shelter. and a folder won't do it efficently. so I make sure at least one of the knives on my has a saw blade.

leatherman supertool

sak trailmaster


I see the saw as a prerequisite.
 
Spyderco Chinook. Wide, sharp bowie-style blade, simple and strong lockback. Built heavy and strong yet rides flat in the pocket. Can be had for under $100 if you look hard enough.
 
My EDC since my last post has significantly changed ... I now opt for the Benchmade Griptilian, a Victorinox Pioneer (basically a Soldier with a saw, and not imported into the US), and usually a small slip-joint (currently a great Robeson in ATS-34) or a mini razor blade knife. With these, a mini-kit, and my level of skill/ability; I'm quite confident in most situations.

Yes Chris, we need to keep in mind that building a shelter in the wilderness may be a priority, but I don't feel a saw is a prerequisite. Handy, yes, but for a field expedient shelter, I for one am probably not going to waste time or energy to make square cuts. I'll throw together a shelter sufficient to break the winds and protect me from precipitation by using available materials. Where the saw does come into it's own is in the area of tool making and fashioning traps / trap triggers - it's just that much more efficient that it deserves a place in your kit.

Here's the Pioneer -

fdf34b37.jpg


Here's the Griptilian and one of my minikits -

fdf4123e.jpg


Mike
 
Strider AR, its QUATER INCH STEEL, i dont know how you compete with that.

SEE ASLO, Wilson/Ralph Tactical Elite
CR Sebenza
Emerson Commander
And others.

For me a survival Folder has a simple lock and reliable lock that be easily cleaned. Thickish steel .125 or better. Edge geometry that makes it very strong (no spydie military even though it can probably outcut 99% of other knives), A rugged Handle (G10, or all metal), and ergonomics that allow a variaty of grips.
 
For most camping I would go with a SAK or a multitool and a neck knife (tucked under my shirt if needed for PC). A locking blade folder is O.K., but never as strong as a fixed blade, more likely to fail in some way, or get clogged with dirt, and more difficult to keep clean for food prep.
 
that pioneer looks great, next time I am in switzerland I'ma getme one!

advanced kits are color coordinated,

spring survival fashion color "orange" looks great!:cool: you need an orange day-glo condom;)to really accentuate your style in an emergency

I wish I had a scanner :(

I have have last years survival fashion color "duct tape grey" out of date. they don't make duct color condoms for that construction worker in you.(that doesn't sound right!)

OD never goes out of fashion!
 
Chris,

The basic premise here was to support my EDC items and have a minikit that was with me constantly. It had to be unrecognizable as a survival kit, but contain high visibility items. Wherever possible, I used 3M reflective tape dots to improve visibility, ie. on the whistle, Sparklite, mini-BIC.)

I started with a translucent plastic trial sized QTips container that happened to fit into my cordura nylon latex glove pouch. I wanted this carry system, as it will fit on any belt I happen to be wearing, it will fit on my pack straps, and its comfortable to carry in a pocket. So far, the system contains:

Number / Item / Quantity
01. 3M Antibacterial Bandages (4)
02. J&J Butterfly Bandages (2)
03. PDI Alcohol Prep (1)
04. Zee Antibiotic Ointment (1)
05. Fresnel Lens / Magnifier
06. mini-BIC Lighter
07. Sparklite
08. Ferrocium Rod (1/8"x2" from Simply Survival)
09. Striker / Hacksaw (2" from 32 tpi blade)
10. TinderQuik (5)
11. Cordage (20' Cortland Planer Tow Line 135lb test)
12. Brass 24ga. Wire (3’)
13. Potable Aqua Tabs (20 in glass vile from Barry Schuchart)
14. Condom
15. Button Compass
16. Phone Card (ATT/WalMart 60 min.)
17. Pencil
18. Post-It Notes (10 - 1.5"x2")
19. ACR Whistle
20. Surveyor’s Tape (10’ Orange)
21. Mirror (1" round)
22. Swiss Army Knife (Wenger Mandarin Executive)
23. Knife Sharpener (1/8"x2" Ceramic Rod)
24. Sewing Kit (USGI Desert Storm surplus - 3 needles, 3 pins,
OD thread, 2 buttons, needle threader)
25. Awl Needles
26. CR2032 Battery (1)
27. Electric Tape (24”)
28. Handcuff Key
29. Personal Medicines (Ibuprofen x 2 / Zantac x 2)
30. Fishing Kit (pretied 10' sections 4lb test line w/ ice dots x 3)

Everything but the condom, phone card, pencil and SAK fit into the QTip container. The pencil and SAK lie in the bottom of the cordura glove pouch, the condom in front of the QTip container for padding, and the phone card behind the container for shape.

In as far as it being color coordinated, well it is. It has items that I will be able to see if dropped or misplaced. I'm not expecting combat anytime soon, so I'm not in a stealth mode. I'm prepared to meet a severe upstate NY winter head on.

Weight of this kit, complete, is 5oz as weighed by the USPS. The only addition not depicted is the addition of 2 ranger bands to the plastic case.

BTW - The Pioneer is available through www.swiss-knife.com ... There are 6 or 7 variations of this model, click "Original" when you go to that site. Prices are great, but overseas shipping adds enough to make the prices basic US retail.

Mike
 
I always wanted to try a plain edge Spyderco Goddard Lwt
but never got around to getting one
 
Put me down as a ditto on the Leatherman Supertool, even though we seldon look at them as a folding knife.

The Large Buck-Strider Spearpoint would be one of my top choices; as would the Sebenza. Interestingly enough, the cheapest choice award goes to one that would have been on my favorites list anyway - the Buck 110.
 
well the postman left a nice little box for me.

my sak trailmaster special ordered via rei they have great customer service.

the ergonomics are better than I expected.

the saw is long and sharp though some of the burr is still attached.


This is my wilderness survival folder for sure. it is going right in my BOB. along side my hatchett. I always have a leatherman supertool on me. so the trailmaster is my back up in the BOB.

I don't like to disagree with sgt mike often cause he is a seasoned dude but I think a saw offers alot more than making square cuts for trap triggers.

for example: In the survival situation I was in making a shelter out of branches on the ground wasn't an option since there was snow and Ice so I had to hack off some limbs which burned alot of calories and made my arm sore. if I had a saw or a larger knife the job would have been a bunch easier.

also some survival situations might warrant a walking stick or making a stretcher. so I think a saw is top prority.

I am stating my point with much respect to sgt mike.
 
For a single blade folder, TOPS CQT Magnum all the way. Performs to fixed blade standards for many tasks, 4.75" blade bowie blade, huge hinge-pins, rock-solid stainless steel liner lock (you have to really push the hell out of it to even disengage -- very cool), coating that never seems to wear, 154 cm 60 Rc steel, six-inch long aircraft aluminum contoured handle for various excellent gripping modes and great hammering or impact/trapping tool with folder closed. Can do small to medium chopping chores with it or big ones using a baton (I smashed the crap out of it with a baton to cut the fender off a lady's car so she could drive away -- no coating came off, and blade still pushed hair off my arm). The Strider AR or GB looks and feels like it would perform same.

Multiple-blade folder: Leatherman or Gerber, or SAK Rucksack.
 
Quarterstaff,
For a single bladed folder, that I possess, I would rely on my Sebenza or SERE 2000 (less expensive). These and some other choices have already been mentioned. A couple of others I might consider would be my Gerber Paul knife, because it has given me a lot of good use over the years, and the Benchmade 940 (comment 1 on this one inserted below). The best bargain might be the Camillus EDC (see comment 2).

I only agree with part of your premise. Yes, in heavily used parks near urban areas, your rationale re: having a handy single bladed folder makes sense. You are, however, limiting yourself too much. No one, who would overlook your single bladed folder, is going to comment if you also have a multi-tool such as a Leatherman Wave, or a Victorinox Rucksack, as an additional backup. The Rucksack only weighs 3.7 ounces. If you are going to rely on a folder, it might be wise to have something in reserve. By the way, it is not single bladed, but the Victorinox Pocket Service Tool, has a one handed blade. The Pocket Service Tool SAK is heavier at 4.6 ounces. You can read more about it here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1423618

Personally, you now have your handy folder ready for use, a fixed blade unseen in a fanny pack along with your snack bars, ferrocerium rod, etc., won’t excite much comment. It might be of questionable legality??? Considering this last, if you stand out for some reason, such as, have purple hair, carry around a beer bottle in your hand, dress in a ghillie suit, and have a nasty expression or like to get into fights, forget about also tucking in that sanitary snack bar cutter. ;)





-----------Comment 1
I said this about the 940 somewhere else:
It is in a middle range for use. Light enough to easily carry. I find it a little long in the pocket sometimes in bending, and it can hit my keys, although it has not seemed to affect the finish yet. Mine is royal blue.

Knife blade seems fairly robust, but feel the aluminum scales could be a weak point for heavy use, if you torqued the handles heavily. The stainless liners should add some support. You have to give up something for beauty, weight, and price. The only reason I comment is the knife is so nice and the blade so functional, it lends itself to a lot of use.

Lest anyone feel that it would be lacking in a emergency, one might want to see the threads on the Benchmade forum regarding the abuse...errrr I mean use ;) that Sniper7369 put his Osborne Benchmade 940 through.

http://192.41.25.213/ultbb/Forum1/HTML/001584.html

http://192.41.25.213/ultbb/Forum1/HTML/001707.html

Great knife! :D

-------------------Comment 2

The Camillus EDC is a good basic single bladed pocket knife, that in its least expensive incarnation had a 420hc blade. I just read that steel has been discontinued, in favor of 154CM. I have and like the 154CM version, which is apparently going to be the standard, for the same suggested retail of $69.95, which means less on the street. It has a lock similar to the Sebenza. Further, like the Sebenza it is easy to clean. It fits well in a pocket, even clipped to my suit pants. The clip is great, but like all clips, it can get sprung, as happened to mine. The Sebenza comes with its own allen wrench so this is no problem–and I probably had one anyway. The Camillus EDC’s clips are held on by number 6 torx screws. A T6 driver is hard to find–none at Home Depot or smaller Sears. To be fair, at the smaller Sears, I checked, the sales person said I was the second person who asked, so he had ordered a couple. I kept wondering if that other person had a Camillus EDC. :) Now if you want to spend more, there is an EDC with a Talonite blade.

I did find a T6 bit as part of a set on sale at a very large Sears tool section (in Sarasota–a one of the largest per the sales person). So now I have a nice new driver and lots of bits, also good for fitting in my Leatherman Wave tool adaptor. Some get the Benchmade torx set or other ones on the Internet.

If you wanted a larger knife, in addition to the TOPS mentioned (which is likely thicker/sturdier) there would be the new large Camillus CUDA MAXX 5.5 and the Rekat SIFU. Brian has a fuller version of his stories elsewhere on using the TOPS folder, and they make good reading! :)

I like taking my SIFU out for a walk, but note that the front of the blade has a ding in it where it contacts one of the handle pins. It is easy clean, in that it is open like the Sebenza and Camillus EDC. It is a good slicer, but I have gotten a couple of comments when slicing food with it, so it is probably not what you are looking for. After all, it is larger than several of my fixed blades. On the other hand, it does clip to my pocket.

I have not handled the Camillus CUDA MAXX 5.5 as it is not out yet, but should be out soon according to a post I just read. I don’t think it will satisfy your needs for an unobtrusive knife though, and I quote: “This is Darrel's original MADD MAXX, the 5.5" bladed bowie.” Apparently, people notice it ;) Since I have them at hand, a couple of links are here including the imminent ship date in March 2002:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=192121&highlight=max

and for pictures, including the lock area which also looks like the Sebenza, here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=188069&highlight=max
where I also learned of the 154CM upgrade becoming standard for the Camillus EDC.


_________Comment 3
Mike, now I know which model Pioneer you were talking about. I’ll have to go back and check for “original.” I did see the number of different versions.

I feel a saw is very useful in a couple of areas not explicitly mentioned by you and Chrisaloia. If you need a strong sapling/branch as a walking stick, it is much easier to saw it off with a Leatherman Wave, SAK, or similar saw, than to cut it off with that type knife. Breaking it off will not work as you may get splintering on the end. This would also be true with one for a bow, although that is not what I was originally thinking of. It is also useful in getting a good strong baton to pound on things. For instance, breaking off the branches the Chrisaloia mentioned. I believe it is at www.equipped.com that suggests that in an emergency, such a method is safer than using something sharp that might cut you. Thinking further, one might follow Christopher Nyerges, who carries a pair of Florian clippers as a more effective and safer alternative to shelter material gathering, etc., then a large knife. (Not as much fun ;) , but they are effective.) The only problem with clippers, apparently, is that everyone ends up wanting to borrow them. ;)
 
I never realized that this thread would pop up again after a year of being dormant. This is proof that the archives is a great collection of information. Back then I started to explore rural areas and enjoy the outdoors. This was a simple post: I had a limited amount of money and wanted a single blade folder that would stay at my side and perform well in a wide arrange of tasks.
 
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