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Second thoughts on Survival Knife
- Thread starter newknife
- Start date
I own relatively cheap knives and some fairly expensive ones.
I recently ordered a Crusader Forge Oberland02 for a backpacking/hog hunting trip in the Smokie Mountains on a family member's property.
Despite the maker's best efforts (which I applaud and appreciate) the knife arrived a day late and I was already gone.
So I carried my Gerber LMFII (LaPolice Gear for $60 w/sheath). No chopping was necessary, but I did split kindling--no problems. It was used to cut stakes for a makeshift rainfly. And ultimately it did an admirable job of dressing a small 80lb hog.
You don't have to drop ~$400 for a decent camp knife.
I would've liked to be able to use my new custom knife, but in the end my LMFII did very well (just as it has in the past).
I recently ordered a Crusader Forge Oberland02 for a backpacking/hog hunting trip in the Smokie Mountains on a family member's property.
Despite the maker's best efforts (which I applaud and appreciate) the knife arrived a day late and I was already gone.
So I carried my Gerber LMFII (LaPolice Gear for $60 w/sheath). No chopping was necessary, but I did split kindling--no problems. It was used to cut stakes for a makeshift rainfly. And ultimately it did an admirable job of dressing a small 80lb hog.
You don't have to drop ~$400 for a decent camp knife.
I would've liked to be able to use my new custom knife, but in the end my LMFII did very well (just as it has in the past).
Absintheur
Banned
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- Jan 31, 2008
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If you haven't ever tried to cut green wood with a hand hatchet you won't understand just how tiring it can be. The hand hatchets normally are not heavy enough to cut well, you really have to put some arm into it and that gets tiring quick. I would prefer a good folding saw over the hatchet in most cases.
I agree.
Even when I was backpacking on a regular basis I never carried a camp axe with me. Too heavy for a single purpose. I used to carry a folding saw and heavy bladed knife given to me by an uncle who made them. The way I figured it, I was getting more than twice the utility for less weight than a camp axe.
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I have a Hunter Revolver. It is an excellent camping/hiking knife. It has a saw blade that you can actually use rather then messing with a 3" or less saw on a SAK. I also carry a SAK; no saw blade. It's the Adenturer model which has most of what I need in a very compact package that you can use.
I agree with the OP in general, but I would skip the hatchet. They are tedious to use for anything other than pounding tent stakes.
Other excellent knives: Bark River Gameskeeper II http://www.knifesupply.com/eshop/10...://www.knifesupply.com/bark_river_knives.html
Most any Dozier knife, perhaps the Wilderness Knife model, SOG Seal Pup Elite (plain edge), or a RAT RC-4 or 6. Take your pick.
I agree with the OP in general, but I would skip the hatchet. They are tedious to use for anything other than pounding tent stakes.
Other excellent knives: Bark River Gameskeeper II http://www.knifesupply.com/eshop/10...://www.knifesupply.com/bark_river_knives.html
Most any Dozier knife, perhaps the Wilderness Knife model, SOG Seal Pup Elite (plain edge), or a RAT RC-4 or 6. Take your pick.
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- Feb 13, 2006
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Bark River North Star Is my "bush craft/ camping knife". My EDC is a Leatherman Wave, Case Sodie CV or Queen Copperhead D2 in pocket and a BRK&T Mini-North Star. I would trust it all to my Barkies! M
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Kinda funny topic to me , I have alot of FB Knives.. RAT Cutlery,Becker,Busse,Scrapyard,Swamp rat,Bark river,Ontario RAT's,KOA,Buck,CS,Schrade ,NWA,D.Koster and Yet to fit the perfect blade.
I say buy a few different Brands/Styles and see what fits your style best ,If it works for you it can't be wrong....
I say buy a few different Brands/Styles and see what fits your style best ,If it works for you it can't be wrong....
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- Oct 23, 2005
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Another vote for the Fallkniven F1, an excellent choice. Add the Knives of Alaska Hunter's Hatchet in S7 steel and you have unbeatable inexpensive wilderness survival tools.
NJ
NJ
If I were limited to just the "survival knife," I'd pick a small 3.5"-4" one like the Fallkniven F-1. If I could bring the whole "kit" then I'd add a small hatchet/axe like the Estwing Sportsman's or Camper's, a folding saw like the Sven 15" and a pocket knife like the SAK Victorinox Fisherman. The scissors, toothpick and tweezers can be real assets, often more useful than the knife blades themselves. If you've ever had a major splinter, the tweezers become your #1 tool. All of this is really nothing more than most people have always carried into the woods for camping/fishing/hunting/canoeing, etc. When we were kids the quality wasn't as good but the concept was the same, and we survived in the woods for weeks at a time with nothing more. Had a great time actually. You can probably get by without one of these tools, but then some otherwise easy tasks become real chores.
Regarding that Timberline hatchet. It looks a bit too small and light for the job. I've used similar and they tend to bounce off the wood. I also don't care for those finger grooves. I think that they will tear up your hands under hard use. Check out one of the Estwings. They work great and last practically forever.
Regarding that Timberline hatchet. It looks a bit too small and light for the job. I've used similar and they tend to bounce off the wood. I also don't care for those finger grooves. I think that they will tear up your hands under hard use. Check out one of the Estwings. They work great and last practically forever.
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The Estwings are good hatchets. They have sufficient weight to do some chopping with. The only problem I have heard of is that you can break the head off of them if you are really pounding with them. I use their rock hammers and it happens.
I usually take a small axe not a hatchet. I carried hatchets years ago and after cutting many trees down, I choose to leave them home now. The axe is for something like a base camp where hopefully you carry the stuff in with an ATV or truck. A good saw is part of the package. I have the Gerber hatchet/small axe. It is a little light, but okay for what it is.
I usually take a small axe not a hatchet. I carried hatchets years ago and after cutting many trees down, I choose to leave them home now. The axe is for something like a base camp where hopefully you carry the stuff in with an ATV or truck. A good saw is part of the package. I have the Gerber hatchet/small axe. It is a little light, but okay for what it is.
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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I suggest that anyone new to the woods bring a saw rather than an axe, at least until you've had a chance to play with one at home. Cold, tired, and hungry is a bad time to be swinging a heavy lump of sharp metal into your shin. Saws are much easier to control and even a relatively small folding saw can be very productive.
This is very good advice. A friend split his kneecap in half with a hatchet on a camping trip. Don't know how he did it, but he did! Carrying him out was something I don't want to repeat.
Wow! You broke the head off a solid steel Estwing tool! That is some real pounding. Didn't know it could be done. Well, maybe my brother could do it. There are many stories of Estwings lasting 50 years and more under hard use. My hatchet was lost some time ago (by my brother, maybe he broke it) but I still use the Estwing hammer my Dad bought in the 40s.
I seem to be really harping on this topic this week, but I guess I have alot to say about it. Learning your way around any tool is important. I spent a fair amount of time around an axe and hatchet in the Boy Scouts and at home with my dad. Until you have some experience using either a hatchet or a larger fixed blade for chopping, the weight and such is just not worth it. I will repeat what I said earlier but with some added suggestions. Go find yourself a cheap Machete, a Tramontina or Ontario. Something in the 12 inch range. Should run you 5-20 bucks. Also buy yourself a mora - 9-12 bucks. Go get yourself a stack of wood of different sizes and try some things out in the back yard. Try your hand at chopping with a large blade, try various techniques, batonning, etc. Plenty of resources here. The thing in the OP post that really encourages me, is he questioned the value of that which he desired. With a small investment he can find out whether a larger knife is something he will actually use (need doesn't necessarily come into play) or if a smaller one would suit him better.
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Survival.............OK I won't step up on that soap box.
What are good knife choices for carrying while hiking. I like to carry at least three.
First choice would be a SAK. I carry a Ranger but most will do. You will come to appreciate the tweezers.
. Second
A fixed knife with a blade length around 3"-6". I prefer full flat ground blades they just seem to cut better. It doesn't need to be a pry bar it just need's to cut really really well and hold an edge. This is the knife you will most likely use most of the time. Take your pick there is a lot out there. Examples would be Busse group knives, Bark river Benchmade Cold Steel just to name a few who offer something that will fit the bill.
Third
There are two different way's you can go here. One is a good small axe the other is a large knife designed for chopping. A good axe would be along the lines of a Gransfors bruks mini hatchet or wildlife hatchet. There are others but these are the best.
If you go with a large knife you will want it to be as tough as possible. Good edge holding is a plus but not real necessary. You won't need this one a lot but it will be called on for the tough jobs, Cutting tent poles clearing camping areas, digging fire pits etc. This needs to be a like a pry bar. An example would be Busse group knives or one of the better Kukri's.
Also don't forget a good sharpener. It doesn't matter who makes the knife they all will get dull with use.
All this has been really helpful. I don't really have the option to buy a few knives and try them out because I'm moving to Asia next month. So I'm trying to pick up some good recommendation here and buy a few knives that I can take with me. So..thanks for all the input.
As far as a fixed blade I'd like to find something inexpensive that would work. I looked at a buck 119 - like the blade - hated the handle. I found a Kershaw online that seemed similar and seemed to have a better handle. Would this be a decent fixed blade that would hold an edge and be easy to sharpen?
http://www.fernknives.com/kershaw/roughneck/521/index.html
Also Bors, you mentioned having an axe or a chopper. Are there some inexpensive "choppers" that you would recommend?
And I do think I'll pick up a swiss army knife. Haven't had one of those since boy scouts.
As far as a fixed blade I'd like to find something inexpensive that would work. I looked at a buck 119 - like the blade - hated the handle. I found a Kershaw online that seemed similar and seemed to have a better handle. Would this be a decent fixed blade that would hold an edge and be easy to sharpen?
http://www.fernknives.com/kershaw/roughneck/521/index.html
Also Bors, you mentioned having an axe or a chopper. Are there some inexpensive "choppers" that you would recommend?
And I do think I'll pick up a swiss army knife. Haven't had one of those since boy scouts.