SPECIAL EDC Fixed Blade - Defense and Survival

[BladeAndBBQ]

Hello knife friends,
I am relatively new among knife lovers and would like to find out more here and hope that you can help me with your knowledge.

I'm looking for an EDC knife that best covers the areas of self-defense and survival.
I would like a knife, like an Amtac Blade Northman, maybe in carbon steel, but all types of steel are interesting.

The following specifications should be met:
Price: doesn't matter
Total length: max. 8,66 Inches
Blade length: min. 2,35 max. 4,72 Inches
Blade shape: needlepoint / dagger, sharpened on one side
Blade material: doesn't matter
Weight: max. 5 Ounces

If someone can give helpful tips and information, I would be very happy.

Thank you and stay alive!

 

[deovolens]

 

[Shorttime]

Another vote for the Boker/Burnley Cub, the bottom knife in deovolens' picture. It's discontinued though, so you may end up on the auction site.

The Northman roughly resembles an historic knife called the "Sgian Dubh", which I don't think is any accident. An image search may get you some acceptable alternatives. I know Emerson did a Sgian Dubh pattern, a long ways back. That would be everything you're looking for, quality-wise, but I suspect you will pay dearly for one.

 

[Yo Mama]

Needle point and dagger don't equal a good survival blade.

While in theory you can self defend with a survival blade, you really would be at a disadvantage having a self defense type blade for survival.

I'd check out Becker for survival knives designed for the outdoors.

 

[Silvanus]

A knife with a needle point/dagger grind isn’t going to be a good survival knife. Those knives are primarily designed for thrusting and don’t generally make good utility blades.

In response to your question though, something like a Bradford Guardian 4.5 might fit what what you’re looking for

 

[Alberta Ed]

A plain, ordinary Mora would fit your specifications just fine.

 

[Burke]

Watson Magni, RMJ UCAP would be a couple versatile EDC fixed blades.

 

[jstn]

Maybe something like the Doublestar Hydra Lite Fighter. Doesn't fit your specs exactly, but was designed for self-defense use and could be flexed into a survival role too. Nitro-V steel, which I like as a tough, easy to sharpen stainless.

 

[Grendelsnap]

I've found daggers to be almost useless in the field. Close quarters on the streets of Shanghai? Absolutely.

For a good general use EDC knife I've always liked Emersons tanto's. They're great at everyday tasks like opening packages, easy to fix if the tip breaks, precise, compact, ext. Emerson makes a really nice fixed blade version of their legendary CQC.

For a field knife I like something with a little heft and a strong point but still easy to carry. TGULB has been filling that role out in the woods lately.

 

[DocJD]

EDC knife that best covers the areas of self-defense and survival.

EDC , SD , and survival / extreme hard use all call for very different designs .

To best serve all three , I'd focus on a good general purpose camp / field knife on the sturdy side but not too blade thick .

Cold Steel Master Hunter in 3V would be my choice .

You're least likely need will be for fighting , and that type of knife is not very good for most normal uses .

Master Hunter will work fine as a SD knife if necessary , but I'd look to better weapons than a short fixed blade if you are really at risk .

 

[Arathol]

Maybe something more like this?

 

[jstrange]

Look at some of Fred Perrin s work. He has mid tech, custom and models by Spyderco. Many would fit an SD and utility role. Survival would be best left for something more beefy.

I also like the Griffon m10, they make it in a bayonet grind (SD), but also a flat grind that would serve many tasks well.

 

[Richard338]

CPK DEK1

 

[Chronovore]

The Mora Companion could probably handle all your needs. The only problem is that the stock sheath is terrible for EDC. Luckily, there is an easy solution. Check out RK Custom Kydex. They make an excellent replacement sheath for the Companion. It's light, minimalist, allows for a full grip on the draw and offers excellent retention. That, the knife, and either a Tek-Lok or soft loops add up to just over fifty bucks.

 

[MtnHawk1]

Survival in what kind of environment?

For me, that would be the most important factor. I doubt if there is any one knife that would work equally well in all environments.

I carry a ~10" blade knife in the forest for chopping wood as well as other tasks, such as game and food prep. It would also work well as a survival knife there and in every other environment I can imagine that I'd be in. If it comes down to it, I'd rather have a knife that is too big than too small. I consider a knife to be a relatively poor self-defense weapon, but if I had to use the 10" for that I wouldn't feel like I was too disadvantaged.