Small survival knife...

Masteroffajitas

Masteroffajitas

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I want to trade my RAT RC-4 soon for something and I'm looking for recommendations for what I should ask for.

I want a small survival knife that I can live off of. I want it to be carbon, under 6 inches. USA made. I can't really think of anything else. Scandi would be cool but if not, oh well. Something like D2, or 1095. Not another RAT knife.


I polished my RC-4.
 
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I would suggest you check out the makers area. There are some great guys there and thay can not only make a knife in the steel you like but also you can tweak the design to make it better fit your needs. A production is what it is, but a custom can be truly tailored to your needs and carry style, without sacrificing quality or breaking the bank.
 
Yeah, you can pretty much 'have it your way'. I'd recommend the Brian Andrews bushcrafter or the Breeden CUB, right off the bat. Take a look around their websites and see what you like!
 
Himalayan Imports R-10?
5" blade, carbon, scandi grind, hella strong.
With the scandi grind, I was surprised just how sharp mine is. THis one has a patina on it, although they come shiny.

R102.jpg

R101.jpg
 
Wabajack said:
Fallkniven F1. Great knife.

(VG-10 is great)
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Fallkniven knives in general are some of the best hard use survival knives made.

Get the A1 if you want a 6 inch blade that won't cost you a lot. The S1 is five inches and the F1 is four inches and they are great also.

Honestly though you would be better off going with a Njord, which is the 6 inch Northern Lights model. I can't think of a better 6 inch survival knife and it is built much better than the A1 in terms of fit and finish. I love the Njord and would grab it in a heartbeat if I needed one 6 inch knife to use for the rest of my life.
 
Koyote makes a cool scandi grind knife. Theres a few different sizes, everything from a small necker up to a full sized knife. Prices are very reasonable, and you can customize handle type and sheath type. Check it out, I've got one on my list.

JK (Stomper) also has some great knives, check out his subforum in knifemakers. Great prices and really nice knives.
 
I use an Ontario Pilots Survival Knife nowadays. 1095 carbon. If you want to go custom or high end, more power to ya, but so far, I put all my other knives in the drawer and beat this puppy and so far, it has not broken. Besides, it looks cool. Some linseed oil on the sheath and a little use and it became my fave. Been using it a few years now.

I must be getting old. The "old school" fits me well and the new stuff doesn't interest me.

Don't get me wrong, the custom makers on this forum make some AWESOME knives. They are true artisans and their knives are well worth the price (which is very affordable in most cases)
 
Masteroffajitas said:
I want to trade my RAT RC-4 soon for something and I'm looking for recommendations for what I should ask for.

I want a small survival knife that I can live off of. I want it to be carbon, under 6 inches. USA made. I can't really think of anything else. Scandi would be cool but if not, oh well. Something like D2, or 1095. Not another RAT knife.
Click to expand...

I agree with looking at our makers area.
Depending on what you want, what fits your eye, if you can't find it there it doesn't exist. If it doesn't exist one of them can make it.
Check them out. For what I believe you have in mind look at Koster, Breeden, Gossman, Koyote and Stomper. Not necessarily in that order.:thumbup:
 
Moloko Plus said:
Fallkniven knives in general are some of the best hard use survival knives made.

Get the A1 if you want a 6 inch blade that won't cost you a lot. The S1 is five inches and the F1 is four inches and they are great also.

Honestly though you would be better off going with a Njord, which is the 6 inch Northern Lights model. I can't think of a better 6 inch survival knife and it is built much better than the A1 in terms of fit and finish. I love the Njord and would grab it in a heartbeat if I needed one 6 inch knife to use for the rest of my life.
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The Fallknivens are certainly great knives, but he specified a carbon steel blade.

One knife I like that nobody mentions much is the Blackjack Trailguide. The older Effingham versions are A2, the newer Knifeware versions are cryo-treated 1095, while the very latest are (will be) A2, I believe.

It's a beefy blade (convex edge) with classic good looks. You can get the handle in stacked leather, antique ivory Micarta, black Micarta, stag, or stag carver style.
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/BlackJack-Classic-Trailguide/c585_602/index.html

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
desmobob said:
The Fallknivens are certainly great knives, but he specified a carbon steel blade.

One knife I like that nobody mentions much is the Blackjack Trailguide. The older Effingham versions are A2, the newer Knifeware versions are cryo-treated 1095, while the very latest are (will be) A2, I believe.

It's a beefy blade (convex edge) with classic good looks. You can get the handle in stacked leather, antique ivory Micarta, black Micarta, stag, or stag carver style.
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/BlackJack-Classic-Trailguide/c585_602/index.html

Stay sharp,
desmobob
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I have an original Effigham one that I snapped off, at the handle, last night. I really liked the knife. The more I used it the more I liked it. It was a gift from a friend and I feel sick about having broken it. I was however pretty disapointed that it broke as easily as it did. I would not classify it as a "hard use" or "survival knife".

Matt
 
Oakietree said:
I have an original Effigham one that I snapped off, at the handle, last night. I really liked the knife. The more I used it the more I liked it. It was a gift from a friend and I feel sick about having broken it. I was however pretty disapointed that it broke as easily as it did. I would not classify it as a "hard use" or "survival knife".

Matt
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That is rough Matt, hate when that sort of thing happens. May I ask what the circumstances were?
 
Oakietree said:
I have an original Effigham one that I snapped off, at the handle, last night. I really liked the knife. The more I used it the more I liked it. It was a gift from a friend and I feel sick about having broken it. I was however pretty disapointed that it broke as easily as it did. I would not classify it as a "hard use" or "survival knife".

Matt
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I'm surprised to hear that. I have a couple of Trialguides, but I've never done anything out of the ordinary with them that might put their strength to the test.

I'm curious to hear exactly how it happened....

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
i would suggest a brkt fox river. i've had it for a short time but from my experience it has thus far been very dependable.

although its not scandi, it is a fixed blade, carbon steel (i believe A2 is carbon), it is under 6 inches and USA made.

it is both pleasing to the eye as well as functional and i'm sure if you keep an eye out on the trade forums you will find one.

btw, may i ask what you didnt like about the rat knife?

JC
 
Masteroffajitas, you may find makers willing to do some trading. Of course, as with all trades, it depends on what you have to trade and what the maker wants. You might go over to the makers area and post up a thread. You never know what might come out of it. Just tell the makers what you have to trade and what you want. We are all knife nuts and are always looking for gadgets, gear, knives, or just cool stuff in general.

SDS
 
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