Survival Folder

The Buck 110 and 112 are pretty solid folders. They do weigh a lot for their size because of the solid brass construction. They also don't have the latest wonder steel, but the 420HC will hold a decent edge and is easy to get sharp. Both are available at most Walmarts for $25-$30.
 
Thank you for all the views. I am not "new" in the bush. I have trained SpecOps type guys all over the world in SERE. Survival, Evasion, Resistance to interrogation, Escape.

These adventures have taken me all over the world, including diverse places such as Madagascar, several African countries etc. I also did an overland trip for three months in Africa, where I needed every bush survival skill I know.

My main tools are a Busse " Steel Heart II" and a companion Busse "fatty Mean Street". When I mentioned "certain countries", I will tell you that a folded blade in its carrier does not raise too many eyebrows compared to a large fixed-blade on the hip.

I have heard good things about the TOPS Magnum 747. I own a Strider AR, but found chips in the S30V steel blade after relatively light bush work.
 
tacticalsteel said:
Guys, I am new here. If you had a choice, which of the following FOLDERS would you carry in the field and why?

1) Strider AR
2) TOPS Magnum 747

Fixed blades are hard to get into certain countries and I want a BIG folder that will basically do the job.
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I don't have any experience with the 2 knives that you specifically asked about, but I do backpack alot and I got a Cold Steel X2, 6 inch folder, plain edge, to take with me when I didn't want to scare other hikers with a sheath knife. Unfortunately I haven't been able to test it out yet, but it is cheap, light, and damn big for a folder.
 
As a SERE trainer, I hope you'll post on this forum often as your opinion will be highly regarded. :thumbup:
 
Pick the right SAK, that seems like the best advice to me. I'd be tempted to couple it with a Manix if I was able to choose another
 
How large is a "large fixed blade"? Seems a plain old Mora would serve lots of functionality, be more reliable than just about any folder, and not raise too many eyebrows. Hard to deny the utility of a SAK, even a regular slipjoint SAK, though.
 
The requirements are that one should be able to build a shelter etc without too much trouble WITH ONE HAND. All too often we are of the notion that we will have full use of both hands out in the wilds.

A student went on a long expedition a few years ago. One evening he was bitten on the left hand by a spider. His hand ballooned and was nearly impossible to use. He had to build a shelter against the elements and he is now a proponant of BIGGER blades, in the 6 - 7 inch range. The knife that he had on him at the time had a 4 inch blade and he struggled to do what needed to be done.

Hence me steering towards a bigger folder. I like the idea of a folder with a sawblade included.
 
akennedy73 said:
I agree with Joe - don't go with a linerlock, a lockback will serve you better. Personally, my choice of a survival folder is a Queen Cutlery Mountain Man. 4 inch blade in D2 tool steel. Depending on handle choice they run about $50 to $70. And it has the added advantage of not having a tactical look to it.
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i really like the look of this knife, where did you pick yours up? is it too big for a pocket or would it be better suited for a pouch?
 
WVHILLS said:
i really like the look of this knife, where did you pick yours up? is it too big for a pocket or would it be better suited for a pouch?
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I got mine off of ebay since it was the cheapest price at the time with maple burl handles. You could look on froogle.com to do comparison shopping.

It's a big blade but suprisingly slim and fits in my pocket just fine. I do have a pouch for it but more for security when tramping through the woods since it doesn't have a pocket clip.

I don't think there's any other cheaper pocketknife sportin' tool steel - the price is pretty amazing considering the overall fit and finish.
 
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