Survival Knife for under 120 dollars.

L

lcampbell89

Joined
Feb 12, 2009
Messages
14
Hey everyone,

I know this topic has been talked about on here before and read quite a few of those threads as well as many other websites. I know that I want a knife that is a fixed blade, with a full tang. I also know in most cases I will be bringing a small axe/hatchet. I will also have a multi-tool, most likely a Leatherman Wave. So I don't need a 10" blade. I think I want to get one that is between 4"-7" long and 7.5" is even a stretch.

Another key thing here is the price. 120 dollars is really the limit adding shipping or something isn't a big deal but can't stretch the money any farther than that.

What do you guys think from the choices below are any of these going to be bad choices for a knife out in the bush that I use for various uses whether cleaning game or field dressing? Especially if I have a small camp axe, multi-tool and perhaps even a fold up shovel.

Smaller Blades
Fallkniven F1 - 3.8" Blade
Fallkniven H1 - 4" Blade
Tak-1 - 4.25" Blade
Yard Keeper - 4.5" Blade
Dumpster Mutt (Penetration tip) - 5" Blade
Dumpster Mutt DC - 5" Blade

Bigger Blades
Cold Steel SRK - 6" Blade
Rat-7 - 6.5" Blade
Son of Dogfather - 7.5" Blade

Do you have any suggestions for a knife that would be another good choice?

Also quick question what is the difference between the black finish and the polished finish?

I am sort of leaning towards the SRK, Tak-1, or Dumpster Mutt but am looking for some advice.

Thanks,
Lee
 
RAT RC-4....great steel(1095 carbon), full tang, micarta handles, kydex sheath with molle locks. i love her to death.
i do want a fallkniven F1 tho, thats on the fixed blade wish list.
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Absolutely nothing wrong with traditional fixed blades, and the Marble's Outdoors Ideal is a great knife in the price range you mentioned...and it doesn't look tactical which some people find more friendly...

ideal-leatherstag.png
 
I would leave off the Cold Steel and add Bark River- they make a lot of good knives in your price range.
 
I would go with one of the Scrapyard knives if you can find it for your price range on the exchange here. I have heard great things about Fallkniven, and Rat cutlery.
 
I agree with the Fallkniven suggestions by other's. My other advice would be to check out the "makers forum" on this website. Most days offer very high quality custom knives at very reasonable prices.
 
Another good choice to consider is SOG knives. More specifically a SOG Seal Pup elite. I have it and I love it. It's a great knife and I got the kydex sheath for it and it makes one of the best IMO. You also might consider some Kabar knives including the Heavy Bowie series for a lager blade.
 
RC4 or RC6. Great guys, great knives, great customer service and the best warranty i have ever seen.

And made in the USA!
 
+1 on Rat 4, although might also get a used howling rat for that price on the wanted to buy thread...I like res c...easy on the hands
 
What you specify - a game cleaning or field dressing knife - is usually a drop point, flat ground 4-5 inch blade max, with a choil, no guard, non slip grip, and not too shiny a finish.

The Marbles Ideal is a start, working thru most hunting catalogs will fill in dozens of field dressing knives from Browning, Buck, Gerber, and a dozen others. While common sense tactical knives cross over, they are the exception rather than the rule. Black blades lose coatings, leaving chips of teflon or paint in the meat; anything but a flat ground blade is going to be thick in the cut and drag; a blade lacking a choke up choil will lack versatility for fine point cutting; any cross guard will interfere with some kinds of cuts, and is simply unecessary.

The grip should be ergonomic to YOU - which requires some hands on with an actual knife and how you use it. Whether the edge drops below the grip, or is even with your knuckles, will make a huge difference in camp use at the cutting board.

I'd hit up the nearest sporting goods store with open displays - a Cabela's, Bass Pro, or local brick and mortar to handle real knives. Places like WalMart or Academy carry too much clamshell stock and won't help out.

With real time manual feedback, then you can decide what exact features you want - which may lead you to a really different choice that delivers performance more than style. If you had said folder - I would have said Buck Strider, which is probably a lot closer to a camp and field dressing knife than most outsiders could possibly realize.
 
I can't say much on other knives, but I'll put in another good word for the Fallkniven F1 or S1. I have an S1 and I absolutely love it. I've never handled an F1 but I don't don't I would be just as happy with it. The VG-10 holds a great edge, the convex grind cuts amazing, and is really easy to touch up.
 
Definitely go with the Yard Keeper over the Dumpster Mutt. 1/4" is detrimentally thick, the yardkeeper is perfect. Look for a RC-3 or RC-4 instead of a TAK, better sheath, quality control, warranty, and the TAK's handle is excessively long imo.

I'd narrow the selection down to the YK, F1 or RC3/4.

The Rat Cutlery knives have the best sheath options, the F1 has a nice leather sheath or a zytel sheath (which I cant comment on), and the Yard Keeper comes with none.

I'm rather fond of the handle on the YardKeeper, between the F1, tak1 and YardKeeper, the YK has the most comfortable handle.

The yardkeeper also has a nice tall, flat ground blade, when the edge is thinned out a bit it's an excellent slicer, but alas you will have to do some edge work.

All 3 blades have high quality steel, VG10 will be the most likely to chip, but also the most wear and corrosion resistant.
 
The SOG seal pup M37 Made in Japan (SEKI)
Good choice . 50 $ on ebay.
 
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I THink you should give this one a real good look. Because I believe That It wount Let you down. Now, This want designed to break concreate, Nor go threw car doors, which i know it can I seen it done 2 times. Also this is a better version of the rat 7 minus alittle. Also Its made Here in THe USA.

Heres the knife
 
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