Survival Knife for a noob

I used to think I wanted a Busse, but too many games to play. Instead I bought a Bravo-1 and liked it so much, I bought another, and it fits all the boxes you checked off, including coming with a Kydex sheath, and it isn't coated. I don't think I'll ever leave the Bark River fold, but who knows.

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But if you're going to stick with the Busse mindset, the Ratmandu that pdog mentions above is supposed to be one nice knife.

BTW, that stuff on the white handled Bravo, close to the handle is oil. The picture makes it look like there is something wrong with the blade - not!

Doc
 
I would say either a Rat RC-4 A swamprat Ratmandu or a Bark River Bravo-1. I own all three. You you want an uncoated blade the Bravo-1 is a great choice. The only thing i am not to big on the Kydex sheath that it came with i sprung for the sharpshooter. Rat has the best factory Kydex IMO.
 
jbombelli said:
Personally, I would look at Fehrman knives. The Last Chance ought to fit your needs pretty well.

See here: http://www.fehrmanknives.com/lc.htm

Another good Fehrman would be the Peace Maker: http://www.fehrmanknives.com/pm.htm
Please note the dimple in the grip for use with a firebow.
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I don't own a Fehrman but from all reports they are excellent knives. In fact, I might get one some day. I'm not so sure about the firebow dimple, though. I think it was Chris Janowsky who first incorporated that in a knife, but the knife was all steel. I would think it would have a deleterious effect on the micarta. I've burned through some softer areas of Moose antler, being used as a head piece, with a bow drill.

If I do order one, I'm going to see if they will make it without the dimple.

KenM K, I agree with you about the Bark River kydex and I also got the Sharpshooter sheath, only one though, they have to share! :D

Doc
 
welcome..:thumbup:

just about all the knives i would have mentioned, have already been said..:D definately don't rule out the custom makers.. we have quite a few talented makers here in this forum...:thumbup: there are a lot of great knives to be had out there, in that price range...

good luck..:D keep us posted..
 
First off, welcome. Second, I am too lazy to read through everyone's posts so I will just say that you need to get a grip on some of these knives before buying. For example, many say that RAT or Benchmade makes great knives, but I find them highly uncomfortable to grip. All of these ideas are great knives and I definitely think any of them would fit your needs, but go to somewhere like Blade or a gun show and get a feel first before you pull the trigger on a knife.

PeACE
Dougo

PS...enjoy BFC, you will find a wealth of knowledge from some of the best, and guys like me too.
 
Bark River Knife & Tool hands down! They have plenty of models that meet and/or exceed your requirements. Can't go wrong with a Barkie.
 
Every body keeps saying bark river but I personally wanted to know how tuff are they? They almost all seem to nice to even use... pardon my ignorance,
 
NB16 said:
Every body keeps saying bark river but I personally wanted to know how tuff are they? They almost all seem to nice to even use... pardon my ignorance,
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They're very nicely finished, true, but they hold VERY well. Made from premium materials. I can't vouch for the stainless they use, but if you get one made of A2, expect a hell of a knife. Very tough, very easy to sharpen, holds an edge well. It'll last you the rest of your life.
 
I don't seem people using them really hard THAT often, however nothing is too nice to use for me. especially considering they are MADE to use.
whats so nice about them that makes them hard to use?
the fact that they're nice should make them easier to use. I don't doubt they can handle most any task you couold ask of a knife and If they don't for some reason, the warranty is great.

here is a pretty cool review... http://knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/823027/tp/1/

they have thin edges, so I always wondered how stable they would be, it seems they are pretty tough though, despite being so thin. (I'm sure the convex grind helps)

keep in mind I don't own any though.

anyways...
I would say bark river, possibly a ranger rd6, or a ratmandu (if you go on the scrapyard forum you might just be able to see if anyone has one... but you can't break the rules, so you might have to work your way around them. (ex: maybe ask "where is the best place to look for a ratmandu" or something... someone might just offer you one or help you in some way)

:D
I hear rats handles can be too small, maybe an rc6 would be fine though.
 
NB16 said:
Every body keeps saying bark river but I personally wanted to know how tuff are they? They almost all seem to nice to even use... pardon my ignorance,
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They are made with A2 Tool steel, 'nuff said! Not only that, but Mike Stewart of Bark River is well known for giving a superb heat treatment on all Barkie blades-- including the stainless steel models.
 
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Okay - I'm just a bit tired of reading a bunch of posts of people saying the RC handles are too small. True it is a compact knife.

From the point where your index finger rests on the guard you have 3.75" on the underside of the handle. On the top side there is 4" + a bit of exta from the extended pommel. I wear large size gloves (surgical ones) and it fits my hand perfectly.

Also, the choil (and I realize some people here hate choils), is a very usable one and IMO makes this knife a bit more functional for up close work. You can place your finger in the choil to choke up on the blade and with this knife and doing so is very comfortable and safe.

Here is a shot of the RC-4 in my hand.

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Those Bark River's are kick ass knives for sure.
 
Many excellent suggestions. I am a user of BRKT and am impressed with the thought that they put into blade and handle geometry- nicely finished and easy on the hands. I have a drop edged Nessmuk from Koyote that melts into your hand when you pick it up, very well designed. I will be receiving a Kephart from JK in the next few days and have no doubt it will be a joy to use. I have no experirence with the RC line but look forward to trying one out soon. Koster builds a nice knife for sure- have a couple right now.

One maker I did not see mentioned is Nick Allen- NWA. I have three of his knives in O1 from 3-5.5" blades. VERY secure/comfortable handles. Perfectly symmetrical flat ground blades. Leather sheaths are wax sealed- giving them a high level of moisture resistance and hardening the leather for extra security in blade retention and accidental cut through. You gat a "pop" when you seat the knife similar to kydex, which you mentioned for sheath material.

Plenty of great options here & that is a good thing... :)

2Door
 
On a Noob question ,I try not to mention custom makers not a knock against anyone but most noobs want there knife now...not months later,I love Nick Allen's blades I own 2 now and have 3 on order...but most noob's want a production blade to use now and after they get familiar with knives in general do they branch out towards customs..IMO ..
 
I know you do not want rubbar handles. It might be OK as long as you dont intend to "survive" where it is freezing cold.
I agree with the Bark River knives and the RC4, although I wouldnt use the RC4 if it was freezing cold, too much steel to touch, and I dont like the choil. Well you can put your finger in it for precision work, but why not make a blade all the way. Their SERE knife has that.
I would still suggest the Fallkniven F1. It can take a beating as well as the other ones and I like the rubber myself.
Anyway, there must be something when three knives show up all the time. F1, RC4 and some Bark River.
 
NB16 said:
Every body keeps saying bark river but I personally wanted to know how tuff are they? They almost all seem to nice to even use... pardon my ignorance,
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Put it this way:

I'm NOT for doing things with a knife that aren't "knife chores" (like beating them through a log to split it), but. . .I just had to know. . .

I batoned through some 4" diameter, well seasoned birch logs with a BRKT Aurora and later a Jarvenpaa Leuku. Please note: baton a 4" log with a 4.25" blade. The knife split the log with a bit more ease than I expected, being .187" thick. The knife absolutely destroyed the baton in the process (since I was essentially hitting only the tip of the knife. Now this was HARD wood. A full-on swing of my 20" Ang Khola kukri (Over 3 pounds of wood mutilating steel) barely sunk in an inch.

Now, there was NO damage to the blade or the tip where I was pounding on it. The [FINISH wasn't even harmed by beating it through two logs, and then quartering them. Yeah, they really are that tough. Keep a strop handy and strop them as you work, and you'll maintain a good, sharp convex edge like they come with.

PS, the Leuku batoned even better, being 7" long and only .110" thick. It also slipped, barely brushed my finger on the way down, and went through my leather work glove like it wasn't there, and deep into my finger, that's how sharp it was.
 
sicily02 said:
Here is my survival knife set up

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The bigger knife(called the peace maker) cost $100 It has a 6" long by 5/32" thick by 1.125" wide blade with a 4.5" handle that has a Orange survival looking easy to see if dropped or set down handle.

The smaller knife( called the Handy Little Knife ) cost $60 It has a 4" long by 3/32" thick by 5/8" wide blade with a just under 4"s for the handle and it to has a Orange survival looking easy to see if dropped handle too.

Both knives are made of 0-1 steel and have have Orange G-10 for the handles.

The sheath holds both knives and a match safe with survival goodies in it not matches, It has a whisle and a compass and a little mirror too.

The sheath also holds a E-Z lap model m diamond sharpener to.

All put together and rides very easy on my belt every day rain or shine.
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If some thing like this might be a option for you let me know I could make one up for you. If you wanted a shorter or longer blades or handles I will do that to.

It is a struggle getting the perfect set up for us all, some have found it some have not.
Good luck in your search
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Bryan Breeden makes an AWSOME knife :thumbup: Give him a try & I'm sure you will be very pleased ;) He made this one for me - 7" PathFinder w/Green micarta scales & leather sheath. -
BreedenKnives.jpg
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Well...I gotta go with the Bark River Bravo 1 also.

They're as good as everyone says they are:

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I REALLY don't like to pound a knife through a log , but this is one that can take it.
Cliff
 
ah heck i guess i can throw a few pics up too...:D

the bark river BRAVO-1 is definately an excellant choice... as everybody has already stated...
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some figure 4 making with the BRAVO-1..
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the fallkniven F1 is also a great choice...
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