Survival knife help please

[dr.worm]

Hey everyone, sorry my first post is asking for help but i'm going crazy trying to find exactly what i'm looking for. I'm looking for a good survival/wilderness knife for long backpacking trips. I've found many knives i like but nothing that fits the bill completely. i've looked at fallkniven and cold steel and gerber and swamp rat (btw, i love swamp rat knives but they are so damn hard to find!) let me give you some specs and if you can recommend something i would appreciate it.

steel - i dont really care. i like the idea of something easy to maintain like D2 but at the same time i like the idea of something easy to sharpen with good strength like 1095. so as long as its high quality steel i'll be happy

length - i dont want to go over 7 inches. 5.5 inches is about short as i wanna go. 6 to 6.5 is ideal. i want to be able to baton it for log splitting so i cant go too short

price between $100 and $200 (i can go higher but this is the price range i'm shooting for)

now you're probably saying, "thats not hard to find, why is this fool asking us for suggestions?" well the kicker is the sheath. i want to be able to carry it horizontally on my belt at the small of my back. this is what has been hard for me to find. so whatever you guys recomend has to either (A) come with a horizontal sheath. (B) have a horizontal sheath available for aftermarket purchase. (C) be able to modify the sheath easily and effectively for horizontal carry.

i appreciate anyone who read my post and i really appreciate anyone who can give me some suggestions. thanks guys

 

[razorsdescent]

RC-6 solid knife no questions asked warranty and youd have enough left over for a custom sheath but the sheath it comes with is very nice. go on over to the rat cutlery sub forum and poke around over there they are incredible knivees at the price point. Busse combat is now offering the tank buster a rock solid knife but it doesnt come with a sheath not a problem for me as i believe a custom sheath deserves a custom knife but you seem to want a particualr sheath so it may work for you as well, bringing up my list is bob dozier he is hailed as the master of D-2 and i must say im very happy with my dozier. the last 2 are above your price range but you get what you pay for, except with the rat then you get more than you pay for

seriously though ive never even read of anyone being unhappy with the rc-6 and i think there was one or two people who switched out on rat for another but rat cutlery has a sterling reputation here. :thumbup:


happy hunting.

 

[CWL]

I'm looking for a good survival/wilderness knife for long backpacking trips.

i want to be able to carry it horizontally on my belt at the small of my back.

How are you going to be able to manage this?

 

[Ankerson]

I would recommend the Busse Tank Buster as when you order one you can customise it to your liking. There are links off the Busse site for custom sheath makers also.

Just get the best the 1st time and you won't ever need to buy another one.

Here is a photo of what mine will look like once it's done.

 

[Thalestin]

id suggest the rc 6 as well. With a tec lok yu can switch it from horizontal or vertical. only cost around 140 or so too. Good luck.

 

[Roger999]

I would recommend the Busse Tank Buster as when you order one you can customise it to your liking. There are links off the Busse site for custom sheath makers also.

Just get the best the 1st time and you won't ever need to buy another one.

Here is a photo of what mine will look like once it's done.

That is waaay past his price range.

How about a Kabar Heavy bowie? It has a 7 3/8" long blade, only costs around $45 USD, and you can pay someone to make a horizontal kydex sheath for you, it's in 1085 carbon steel which will work great for outdoors use.

 

[deltasurfrattler]

I'd have to agree with CWL on this one.Long backpacking trips definitely entail serious,padded hip-belt packs that would totally hinder his access to the knife in the first place.

 

[Slidetechnik]

Another vote for the RAT. Modifying the sheath is as easy as you are creative. I'd say pick the knife you like, worry about the sheath after.

 

[Ankerson]

That is waaay past his price range.

How about a Kabar Heavy bowie? It has a 7 3/8" long blade, only costs around $45 USD, and you can pay someone to make a horizontal kydex sheath for you, it's in 1085 carbon steel which will work great for outdoors use.

He could get the one with the basic options for $287.

OR

HE could get a Scrap Yard Scrapper INFI 5 LE for $185.

http://shop.scrapyardknives.com/product.sc?productId=46&categoryId=4

Rats are also good blades, also look at the CS Recon Scout or SRK, all good blades.


I wouldn't want to have to count on a cheap knife as my main tool way out in the middle of nowhere..... You get what you pay for.

 

[superc]

I'd also look for a Scrap Yard 'Yard Mutt'. Finding a sheath is the issue.

 

[monsterdog]

The aforementioned Scrap Yard Scrapper 5 LE is still available (but probably not for long). It is on the short side for your requirements, but you do get ~5 inches of INFI for ~$200 shipped. No sheath though.

http://shop.scrapyardknives.com/product.sc?productId=46&categoryId=4

The RAT RC-6 sounds more like your bag of chips, it comes with a sheath and with a TekLock or a couple of MOLLE Locks you can carry it the way you want.

http://www.ratcutlery.com/rc-6.htm

Finally the Spyderco Hossom Woodlander is a nice knife (I think) and can be had well within your price limit. It is a convex edged recurve and very beefy. The sheath comes with a TekLock and be carried the way you describe. There are also 4 different versions of this knife with different length blades, so one should suit you.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=248

 

[dr.worm]

damn! a ton of responses in just a few hours! i'm impressed with how helpful this forum is to newbies. now i'll try to respond...

RC-6 solid knife no questions asked warranty and youd have enough left over for a custom sheath but the sheath it comes with is very nice. go on over to the rat cutlery sub forum and poke around over there they are incredible knivees at the price point. Busse combat is now offering the tank buster a rock solid knife but it doesnt come with a sheath not a problem for me as i believe a custom sheath deserves a custom knife but you seem to want a particualr sheath so it may work for you as well, bringing up my list is bob dozier he is hailed as the master of D-2 and i must say im very happy with my dozier. the last 2 are above your price range but you get what you pay for, except with the rat then you get more than you pay for

seriously though ive never even read of anyone being unhappy with the rc-6 and i think there was one or two people who switched out on rat for another but rat cutlery has a sterling reputation here. :thumbup:


happy hunting.

thanks for your response. as i said, i will pay more for a knife that will never have to be replaced. i'll check out the dozier. i'll pay for a custom sheath but i dont really know where to get one. now i've already looked at the rat-7 on amazon for a little over $100. how does the rc 6 compare?

How are you going to be able to manage this?

the pack my brother has fits just a little above where i wear my pants so my belt is still barely accessible. if i dont wear it on my belt i will wear it on a shoulder strap on the pack. either way it would need have a horizontal loop set up

I would recommend the Busse Tank Buster as when you order one you can customise it to your liking. There are links off the Busse site for custom sheath makers also.

Just get the best the 1st time and you won't ever need to buy another one.

Here is a photo of what mine will look like once it's done.

thats one hell of a good looking knife. i actually looked at that one and am seriously considering it. what does a custom sheath cost? i haven't looked into that option yet. is busse like rat? do they only offer one knife at a time? i love the swamp rat knives but i hate they way they only offer a knife at a time. i wish i could just browse their collection and buy what i wanted

id suggest the rc 6 as well. With a tec lok yu can switch it from horizontal or vertical. only cost around 140 or so too. Good luck.

not familiar with tec lok. i'll look into it after i post this

That is waaay past his price range.

How about a Kabar Heavy bowie? It has a 7 3/8" long blade, only costs around $45 USD, and you can pay someone to make a horizontal kydex sheath for you, it's in 1085 carbon steel which will work great for outdoors use.

i looked at it. i have a standard ka-bar and like it but i'd like to go higher end for my "workhorse" blade. any links for a custom kydex sheath maker you recommend?

Another vote for the RAT. Modifying the sheath is as easy as you are creative. I'd say pick the knife you like, worry about the sheath after.

i've looked at a few knives and sheaths and gone "i could rig that some way" but i'd hate to get it and find out my jerry rigging didn't work right. this is a stupid question i'm sure, but when anyone mentions "RAT" i assume thats swamp rat right?

He could get the one with the basic options for $287.

OR

HE could get a Scrap Yard Scrapper INFI 5 LE for $185.

http://shop.scrapyardknives.com/product.sc?productId=46&categoryId=4

Rats are also good blades, also look at the CS Recon Scout or SRK, all good blades.


I wouldn't want to have to count on a cheap knife as my main tool way out in the middle of nowhere..... You get what you pay for.

i am looking and considering the recon scout but i'm not sold yet. i'm really liking the swamp rats but i hate how hard it is to find one new

I'd also look for a Scrap Yard 'Yard Mutt'. Finding a sheath is the issue.

is the only option a custom sheath?

 

[dr.worm]

He could get the one with the basic options for $287.

OR

HE could get a Scrap Yard Scrapper INFI 5 LE for $185.

http://shop.scrapyardknives.com/product.sc?productId=46&categoryId=4

Rats are also good blades, also look at the CS Recon Scout or SRK, all good blades.


I wouldn't want to have to count on a cheap knife as my main tool way out in the middle of nowhere..... You get what you pay for.

i actually really like the scrapper but i cant get any details on it? length, blade width, weight, steel etc....

 

[monsterdog]

now i've already looked at the rat-7 on amazon for a little over $100. how does the rc 6 compare?

RAT-7 is made by Ontario on an old license from RAT Cutlery, the RC-6 is made by RAT Cutlery directly and carry a MUCH better warranty : http://www.ratcutlery.com/warranty.htm

.. but when anyone mentions "RAT" i assume thats swamp rat right?

They mean RAT cutlery : http://www.ratcutlery.com

i actually really like the scrapper but i cant get any details on it? length, blade width, weight, steel etc....

The Scrapper 5 LE is INFI (proprietary Busse steel, people seem to really like it), 5 1/4" blade. Not sure about the weight.

 

[Ankerson]

damn! a ton of responses in just a few hours! i'm impressed with how helpful this forum is to newbies. now i'll try to respond...




thats one hell of a good looking knife. i actually looked at that one and am seriously considering it. what does a custom sheath cost? i haven't looked into that option yet. is busse like rat? do they only offer one knife at a time? i love the swamp rat knives but i hate they way they only offer a knife at a time. i wish i could just browse their collection and buy what i wanted













i am looking and considering the recon scout but i'm not sold yet. i'm really liking the swamp rats but i hate how hard it is to find one new

i actually really like the scrapper but i cant get any details on it? length, blade width, weight, steel etc....

There are Links to custom sheath makers on the Busse Web Site, usually from like $60 and up depending is the ave.


The Scapper has a 5" blade and is made out of INFI steel, same steel Busse uses. It's thick, around 1/4" so it won't be too light, but it will be strong.

 

[coaldigger]

Welcome to BF 'Ol Bud....You can check out some of the fine custome knife makers on here. Look over into the Wilderness & Survival Section of BF (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=692) & ask around. I'm sure you will find exactly what you are looking for & for the amount of money you are wanting to spend. Here are a couple of my Favorites :thumbup:
koyoteknives.com - Christof Harper
breedenknives.com - Bryan Breeden
Both are Awsome guy's to deal with & will make what ever style sheath you need for the knife you pick out

 

[jonnyt16]

Did you look at the TOPS Tom Brown Tracker knife? It's a WSK design (wilderness survival knife) and comes in two sizes. The sheath can be carried horizontally at the small of the back like you want.

 

[dr.worm]

RAT-7 is made by Ontario on an old license from RAT Cutlery, the RC-6 is made by RAT Cutlery directly and carry a MUCH better warranty : http://www.ratcutlery.com/warranty.htm



They mean RAT cutlery : http://www.ratcutlery.com



The Scrapper 5 LE is INFI (proprietary Busse steel, people seem to really like it), 5 1/4" blade. Not sure about the weight.

ah! thanks for clearing up the rat 7 question. i actually looked at that rat warranty. fix with no questions asked to unintentionally damage. thats one hell of a good warranty. i'm really leaning toward rat and busse.

There are Links to custom sheath makers on the Busse Web Site, usually from like $60 and up depending is the ave.


The Scapper has a 5" blade and is made out of INFI steel, same steel Busse uses. It's thick, around 1/4" so it won't be too light, but it will be strong.

i really like it but i'd like something just a little bit longer for wood splitting purposes. for example, i love the Gerber LMF 2 Tactical Recon Knife but its just a little too short for what i'm looking for.

Welcome to BF 'Ol Bud....You can check out some of the fine custome knife makers on here. Look over into the Wilderness & Survival Section of BF (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=692) & ask around. I'm sure you will find exactly what you are looking for & for the amount of money you are wanting to spend. Here are a couple of my Favorites :thumbup:
koyoteknives.com - Christof Harper
breedenknives.com - Bryan Breeden
Both are Awsome guy's to deal with & will make what ever style sheath you need for the knife you pick out

hey man, thanks for the response. you think i can get a custom knife for the $200 range?

Did you look at the TOPS Tom Brown Tracker knife? It's a WSK design (wilderness survival knife) and comes in two sizes. The sheath can be carried horizontally at the small of the back like you want.

i didn't look at that but i like it. i did look at the TOPS Dawn Warrior. from what i can tell they are both great knives.... i hate trying to choose...

 

[superc]

Sheaths, Rainmaker, Chuddy Bear.., etc. There is a host of them in the sheath forum.

 

[flnder]

either of the ranger puukkos 95 or 07 can be carried horizontally