Survival Knife Help!!?

[jw2n]

Over the past decades I have helped many people buy knives. The very best thing that worked for all of them was taking them to a knife show. A internet search, or a knife rag will give you a listing of large shows in your area. You will be able to see and handle 1000s of knives in a single setting. If you find something you like, ask for a business card and write the knife info on the back. Or, take a notebook and pen with you. Resist buying early in your walk-thru, unless it is a well known maker, with a multi-year waiting list. Unless it is a custom only, there should be a good factory assortment as well. You will absolutely have a blast, and may decide to go a second day.

 

[ZombaiO]

Get a couple of stainless Moras and a machete.
Add a multitool and a bit larger knife for belt carry (like a Buck 119) and you're good to go exploring :thumbup:

 

[arcadia]

Don't laugh, you also need a mid-sized swiss army knife for camp duties etc.

 

[The Greer]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Looking for a 'knife show' in my area as we speak...

Best,

Greer

 

[blake g49]

Get a Mora or two, a Victorinox Farmer SAK and a 12" Ontario machete. Spend what's left over on high-quality booze - think 18 year old single malt or a couple of single barrel batch bourbons...

 

[PastorMarko]

You might want to e-mail Jeff Randall and ask him also.

I am sure he can give you some great advice.

I would go either RC-5 or RC-6.

I have a RC-6 and an Izula I use, best of both worlds.

Derrick at knivesshipfree.com is a great place to get RAT gear if you don't get it from Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin direct from RAT Cutlery.

I hope you enjoy your trips!

 

[udtjim]

Many companies can provide a good knife, only you can MAKE IT A SURVIVAL KNIFE.

 

[moonwilson]

As has been said, $500 will get you a lot of good steel.

A Bark River Bravo-1, a RAT RC-3, a Condor or Imacasa machete, a SAK, and a Mora will give you all the blades you ever really NEED, and then some. :thumbup:

 

[pitdog]

Here are two more that caught my eye:

http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=103

http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=3&products_id=8

 

[Gadgetaholic]

Get a couple of stainless Moras and a machete.
Add a multitool and a bit larger knife for belt carry (like a Buck 119) and you're good to go exploring :thumbup:

I would have to agree with this philosophy! With a budget of up to $500 there is no way I would look to buying just one knife - no one knife can cover all tasks well.

From big to small:
Kukri or Machete - something for chopping & hacking
6-7" fixed blade survival knife
4-5" fixed blade survival knife
light folding knife - for food prep & light duties
SAK and/or multitool

These don't all necessarily go on every trip - you take what you think you will need and you consider space & weight requirements. For a light load out you might go with the 6-7" fixed blade, 3.5" folding blade & a SAK. For thick bush or jungle type environments you might not want to go without the machete/kukri. You would always want at least 1 fixed blade knife - some tasks just shouldn't be done with a folding knife.

With a budget of up to $500 you should be able to buy the selection of knives I list in good quality models.