Survival knife for a desert environment (SW United States)

Cpl Punishment said:
I guess I'm one of few dissenters.

When I lived in northern Nevada, I found a long knife -- current models would be like the ESEE Junglas, Busse Bushwhacker Mistress, or Ron Hood's Hoodlum knife -- i.e. 10 in ch range to be a very nice thing to have. Not because I did a lot of chopping, but because everything seemed to have spikes, spines and needles. For me, a long knife and BBQ tongs were required outdoor equipment.

I'd stay away from machetes, because should you come across some wood to chop, it's usually very hard and will roll the edge of a machete with ease.
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I spent a little time in Texas and the high-desert type like Eastern Washington and plenty of dirt time in SW Asia/Egypt. CPL P brings up a good point...and I've had to really use the length of a long chopper to trim the thorny areas for access to a tree (setting up a hammock). Every desert I've been in has had places of scrub and trees where a large blade could come in handy and a 12" Ontario machete can effectively be used to dig as well...a very handy tool! Keep a good belt knife on your waist and a handy chopper in the pack.

ROCK6
 
if you are going to do some digging for water in washes, a hawk can be nice for that, while giving you something to move brush out of the way without hurting it.

a few folks have mentioned bolo machetes, which are great for occasional digging and whacking harder wood with, at a fair price.

E-tools and such are a bit heavy for what you get from them in the desert IMHO (CS Spetznatz shovel included), but they are nice to have near a vehicle, for the portablility as well as the availability in the chance that you dig in the wheels, etc.

long and light is your friend in the desert, if you are talking SURVIVAL, and not just camping out.

my recent trip in the desert, all i took was an ECO hawk (to act as a knife and hawk) and a Fast Axe 2 (to dig with, and bridge between my favorite machetes and hawk, when put on an extension handle).

if i had to do a long crossing on foot, i would definitely have my full sized hawk and machete, if i could.

HTH

vec
 
dookie1481 said:
Thanks for the input, guys. I guess I always got the impression that a outdoors (I guess I shouldn't use the word "survival") knife should be like 5" long or so, but truth be told there isn't much to cut in Las Vegas. I suppose the Busse should do me fine, I think I was just looking for an excuse to get a Fehrman Last Chance.

Jay
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Hey man your in Las Vegas too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude you should check out Mt. CHarleston or Lake Mead, at lake mead there are some places where the water has made huge inlets of swampy marshland- something I totaly wouldnt expect in the desert.

Anyway, theres not much stuff here in Nevada that needs chopping anyway, and youll probably be fine with just a small knife. Me, I carry a Busse CGBS- approx. 4 inch blade.

Anyway we should hang out sometime- I dont know any 702's who like survival stuff :)

-Chris
 
I live in the Sonoran Desert and I carry a RAT RC-4 on my pack. Lots of times I just carry my SAK with a saw blade.

Shade, water and good gloves are more handy than a large knife IMHO.

Chad
 
I live in AZ and I don't see much need for a machete. Most of the woods are pretty soft. A BRKT Bravo 1 is my preference, but ESEE 3, 4, or 6 would be great. Or any Fallkniven.
 
Without a few more specifics it's hard knowing what to recommend.

A few to consider:

ML Knives Hudson Bay( I'd ask for a lanyard hole to be added though).

JK Knives Knatchet.

Ask Mark Wohlwend if when he makes the Pitdog special he could make an extra one for you !!!!;):thumbup:
 
You have a perfect sized knife. There is nothing to cut anyway. Consider a hat and how you are going to carry water.
 
Merost said:
I live in AZ and I don't see much need for a machete. Most of the woods are pretty soft.
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That's what a machete is made for. They aren't suited, at least in my experience, for chopping through hardwoods.

As far as a good desert knife, I would pair a 16" Tram with a Mora 510 in a piggy-back rig and call it a day.
 
i've spent quite a bit of time in areas so dry mesquite & cedar did'nt grow, about 4 in. rain yearly. chopping if done will be preformed on yucca & large catii. a heavy knife is the worst thing to lug, a kabar or decent carbon 5 in. blade is all you need. remember rust is almost impossible in arid environs . a light digging tool will probably be more useful.
 
Desert varies so widely, I think it is a poor catch all term for trying to describe a knife needs. More important is your desert and stomping grounds. Deserts can be baron places but can also be so utterly diverse at the transition zones. If you are hanging around the transition zones then you probably need a diversity of tools to deal with situations you encounter.

I'm with Dennis and others though. Carrying a large chopper knife without much need for chopping is a really pointless thing to do. Last thing you want is 24oz of steel going flap, slap, flap onto the side of your thigh at 100 degrees F.

Personally, I'd go for a mid-size but thin knife (1/8" thick or so) to pair up with your active duty. It would give you reach between the prickly's but hang on the belt without much notice. Also great for kitchen/food prep chores which even in a desert still has to be done. A 1/8" thick, mid-size blade (6" or so) from a maker with good heat treat will stand up to any wood processing needs, ironwood included. You just alter your approach to do so and avoid prying with them.

So some recommendations - Breeden Peacemaker, Koyote Leuku bushcrafter. Actually, if it were me, I'd loose the AD and get a SAK farmer + the above, then take my girlfriend out to a movie and drinks with the spare change. But I'm silly that way.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
I guess I'm one of few dissenters.

When I lived in northern Nevada, I found a long knife -- current models would be like the ESEE Junglas, Busse Bushwhacker Mistress, or Ron Hood's Hoodlum knife -- i.e. 10 in ch range to be a very nice thing to have. Not because I did a lot of chopping, but because everything seemed to have spikes, spines and needles. For me, a long knife and BBQ tongs were required outdoor equipment.

I'd stay away from machetes, because should you come across some wood to chop, it's usually very hard and will roll the edge of a machete with ease.
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I have a Hoodlum. What a fantastic design.
Pair it with a small fixed, or folder, and you are good to go.

Believe it or not, we have lots of spiny things up here too.
 
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