Stranded in the wilderness: knife or MT?

pict said:
My main MT is a Leatherman WAVE. I very rarely carry it in a purely wilderness situation.

The thing is if you are going to the wilderness in a vehicle of some sort or are in a camp with a relatively high degree of technology a MT is solid gold. For primitive techniques you don't really need pliers and screw drivers etc. For getting the ATV back up and running you don't need much else and my WAVE has gotten me out of too many jams not to come along for at least the ride out to the bush.

The lack of a MT could very well be the start of your wilderness survival ordeal because your vehicle left you stranded. If I am on foot or in a low tech situation I prefer to leave the MT out of the pack. ATV's, outboard motors, 4x4 a quality MT should be considered the bare minimum. Even if the MT won't let you fix the vehicle it could really help in taking it apart to cannibalize the parts for other things. Mac
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Few people on these forums have ANYWHERE the level of experience and skill you do--and your ADVICE makes perfect sense.
 
Since a Vic Farmer or Huntsman is always in my pocket in the woods, I guess I fall in the MT camp. I've NEVER understood the expression "the best survival knife is the one you have on you". Anytime I'm in the woods, and I do mean ANYTIME, I have the appropriate gear. I've never been kidnapped, blindfolded, and taken to the woods (I wish), or been surprised to have been driving, and found myself in wilderness. It's ALWAYS planned.

Well, there was this time when the Swedish Bikini Team met me - oops, that's a different story, sorry! :D
 
sodak said:
I've never been kidnapped, blindfolded, and taken to the woods (I wish), or been surprised to have been driving, and found myself in wilderness. It's ALWAYS planned.
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not all survival situations involve the wilderness. what about the people who got stuck in their vehicles on the NYS thruway (for like 24 hours) a couple weeks ago? What about the people who lived through katrina? when the s really htf, it's not going to be planned; the knife you have in your pocket, will become your survival knife (atleast until you can (maybe) get to another knife).
 
stealthchaser13 said:
not all survival situations involve the wilderness. what about the people who got stuck in their vehicles on the NYS thruway (for like 24 hours) a couple weeks ago? What about the people who lived through katrina? when the s really htf, it's not going to be planned; the knife you have in your pocket, will become your survival knife (atleast until you can (maybe) get to another knife).
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The OP's question was about getting stranded in the wilderness, which is what I'm addressing.
 
Nikkogi said:
I just read an interesting thread on the general sub-forum about what knife would you take if you were stranded in the wilderness.
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On the ESEE sub-forum Jeff Randall answered this question and I'll go with his judgement on this - if I could have only one knife I would have a machete.
In fact I bought an ESEE Lite Machete and I can't wait to take it camping - I'll test it's chopping ability.

Nikkogi said:
Plus, I'm not going to lash my ONLY survival tool onto a stick and attempt to spear an animal. If the animal freaks out and rolls around or runs away like most animals do when they get hit the stick will probably break... Then, you will be at even more of a disadvantage because you don't have your knife!
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I'm with you there, I'll be using my machete to make a decent spear and that is what I would use. I'd also use the machete to make a digging stick and other useful tools. The machete is a tool that can be used to make tools and it can cut thicker wood than what a MT saw would be able to handle.
There are plenty of people in the world that use a machete for everything and don't need a MT with a saw to cut wood.

Given the choice I'd have several tools including a machete and a multi-tool, but if I had to have only one edged tool then it would definitely be the machete.
 
gunknifenut said:
Not that this plays by the OP's rules..but I feel the same way..My BOB is in my Jeep with me at all times..and If I am heading into the woods, I put it on.
Inside is a Leatherman, SAK, pocket chainsaw, and Fixed blade. Also 5 ways to start a fire..and 3 ways to navigate. Plus bino's and cordage and water..so I should be good.
Also, in my Jeep I have a cruiser Axe and extra clothing and a mora.
Not to mention...all my tools, which would come in pretty handy..like my hand saws ranging from 2 coping saws to 3 flush cut saws and Japanese saws..and one cross cut hand saw, 16"'s long.
Hammers and prybars and nails...Oh my.
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:thumbup: Because it's really important to cut good corners on the trim of your debris hut. Do you also carry your miter box?
 
stealthchaser13 said:
not all survival situations involve the wilderness. what about the people who got stuck in their vehicles on the NYS thruway (for like 24 hours) a couple weeks ago? What about the people who lived through katrina? when the s really htf, it's not going to be planned; the knife you have in your pocket, will become your survival knife (atleast until you can (maybe) get to another knife).
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Well I understand your point but your examples are a little flawed. I don't think you would need a knife when in your car in the middle of the city for 24 hours. A gallon of water and a blanket are the only things you'd really need. As for Katrina, they had plenty of notice that the S was going to HTF.

To the OP. For wilderness I'd take a hawk, hatchet, or machete in that order. There are times, where I live, that you're only going to get dry wood by splitting. A FB or MT can do it but if given the choice a chopper is best.
 
sodak said:
The OP's question was about getting stranded in the wilderness, which is what I'm addressing.
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concrete jungle...to some a city can be a "wilderness".

Shotgun said:
Well I understand your point but your examples are a little flawed. I don't think you would need a knife when in your car in the middle of the city for 24 hours. A gallon of water and a blanket are the only things you'd really need.
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Thruways aren't just in cities. They do go through some rather country areas; its just that they connect cities.
 
I'll take a knife. One strong enough to baton logs into managable (burnable) pieces, and small enough to carve tools with.

I don't remember anyone pulling out their multi tool at the Primitive Skills class that I did...
 
By my experience: multitool. I started using a swiss army knife 20 years ago but currently a swisstool is my most trusted mt.
 
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