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Survival Knife Help!!?

T

The Greer

Joined
Dec 10, 2009
Messages
14
Hello all,

I'm taking some hiking trips to west coast trail, amazon, etc. and want to buy an awesome survival knife...as lots of camping, wilderness, etc in my future. I spend much time in saltwater/air environment..so thinking maybe a stainless steel blade might be better....but not sure. My price range goes up to $500 or so, and knife weight is not extremely important. Looking for a blade between 4-7 inches, etc.

I don't know very much about knives...but do know i want a (straight-blade)?? I'm currently thinking about something from RAT cutlery (rc-4) or perhaps the fallkniver S1? Other options would be a Bravo-1 or something by Busse.

Would much appreciate any opinion as to which knife is better...or another brand/knife that you think is the best!!!

Thanks so much,

Greer
 
Would much appreciate any opinion as to which knife is better...or another brand/knife that you think is the best!!!
----------------
Man--You opened up a can of worms.Get ready for the discussion.
Emotion aside----You will be able to find perhaps too many knives you could get with a Budget of $500..(you will have too many to choose from).

Best suggestion is to try as many of the knives you think my work for you--before you purchase any(most knife people are more than happy to let you use their knife(with them watching).

Second best is to read the Winderness Section of this forum-and see what most people feel are good knives and why.


Let us know what you choose..
Dr.Bill
 
If rust prevention is a big concern, you might want to try something in H-1 steel by Spyderco. Of course if you show a carbon steel blade some love and attention it'll do just fine in humid salty environs, and any of the companies you mentioned will do just fine. Resist the urge to get something just because it's huge and cool looking. This, this, and this will fill your needs nicely for less than a hundred bucks total. This is not meant to discourage you from purchasing any of the fine tools made by other makers and manufacturers, just a realistic assessment of what will suffice for most outdoor tasks.
 
I suggest something with a 4" or 5" blade for general camp duties and an 18" machete for trail clearing (esp in the amazon)
 
If you don't have one, pick up a mora. It's really more than you'll need. If you get one and want something else afterwords you'll still have $485 to blow. You may miss a machete if deep in the amazon though, there are plenty of good brands, I'd just pick something up while there. A SAK is also a good thing to have on you.
 
From what you described as your requirements I think the Fallkniven S-1 is a perfect choice.
 
Would much appreciate any opinion as to which knife is better...or another brand/knife that you think is the best!!!
Click to expand...

There isn't a best. There are many knife companies and makers who make excellent knives that can do the jobs needed.

The above suggestion of a machete, a Mora, and a SAK is a very good one. With practice and experiance using your tools,you will learn what your best is.

What works for me might not work for you.

Your thread in General will give you many "best brand" choices. Your thread here will give you choices that work based on the knife's abilities, not what is stamped on the blade.

Good luck on your search, I still haven't found my "best knife" after 30+ years of hiking/woodsbumming/camping. I have plenty that are "good enough" though.;)
 
Wabajack said:
If you don't have one, pick up a mora. It's really more than you'll need. If you get one and want something else afterwords you'll still have $485 to blow. You may miss a machete if deep in the amazon though, there are plenty of good brands, I'd just pick something up while there. A SAK is also a good thing to have on you.
Click to expand...

this would be my vote. you could get a couple as spares, and a nice custom sheath (the sheath's that come with the mora's tend to be a little on the poor side, although they do the job) and still have plenty of change from $100.
 
Thanks for all the great suggestions. Will do some more research and let you guys know which one i choose!

Best,

Greer
 
i would go with a rat rc5 it can do anything and everything you ask of it plus if you go to kniveshipfree.com i believe they are around 136.00 shipped cant beat it
 
Get the stainless Bravo 1, and some fine grit sandpaper to for touch ups on the trail- and don't look back.
 
My shortlist would be either a Fällkniven or go straight to the brain with an Hattori. I think the little white one is cute and offers laminated VG-10 too. Tough acts to follow. Impeccable standards, and in the case of Fällkniven there's a bit of independently done research on toughness out there performed at a university.

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I'll doubt you'll use those up in a hurry.
 
Good info. Yeah, i call these hiking trips...but indeed, they are more like 7-14 day excursions. Lots of sweat, smaller firewood cutting, food prep, occasional field dressing...and ofen involved with saltwater. I really like the look of the RAT but worry it's gonna rust and discolor like crazy...
 
The coating on RAT knives will prevent most rust. A light coat of mineral oil and occasional love and attention will prevent the rest. Great knives and great people to work with. Stop by RAT's forum and look around for a bit.
 
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The Spyderco Dayhiker in the Hossom series is on closeout several places and is a very good outdoor knife. It is stainless and skins and quarters animals very well. I think I got mine for about $85.

The Bravo from Bark River is also very good, but will be a lot more expensive. The B-1 is better for some tasks, but isn't as good for skinning and meatwork (I have skinned reindeer with it, but the Dayhiker is better)

Fällkniven is also very good.

Sverre
 
The Greer said:
but do know i want a (straight-blade)?? I'm currently thinking about something from RAT cutlery (rc-4) or perhaps the fallkniver S1? Other options would be a Bravo-1 or something by Busse.

Greer
Click to expand...

do you mean PE=Plain Edge as opposed to serrated or combination edge.

your list is pretty good and you should be fine with any of them. Your choice from that list and a machete and SAK (maybe a back-up Mora) would be a really nice set-up with money to spare!

Good Luck and keep us informed! :thumbup:
 
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