Survival knife requirements?

Its a lucky man who can find one knife (or a limited few) to carry and be happy. Enjoy that happiness and don't buy into the "always looking for something new and different" insanity that many of us here have. Just take em out and enjoy them!
 
There's a saying, "Beware the man with only one gun - because he knows how to use it" or something like that. I think a person who's dedicated to one knife has some advantages just by virtue of using that one tool.
 
Think you found the secret my friend. Its one you love and have with you. Doesn't have to be Rambo size
 
I carry 4 edged tools: A small light multi-tool, a EDC "tactical" folder (Emerson CQC-13 these days) that I always have with me no matter what, a fixed blade knife (Faullkniven F1, S1, or A1, depending on how "heavy" I am traveling), and a hatchet or axe (again, depending on how heavy I am traveling), or a machete in the tropics.

I guess the fixed blade is the closest thing to a "survival" knife as classically defined. Of the 4 items, the fixed blade is probably the most versatile, and if I could only have one, I guess that would be the best choice. As for battoning or chopping with a knife, that would only be a last resort if I was stupid or unlucky enough to be caught without a hatcet/axe.
 
I was in a little bit of a 'feel like buying a knife mood' last week. I looked at all my favorite on-line sites and a few maker's pages. Then I thought, maybe I should try to sell a couple of my blades in my modest collection. Afterall, they must not be up to the task if I'm so apparently motivated to buy a new knife. So I go through my drawer of blades, sharpen them up and clean them. Make some fuzzies and carefully weigh the pro's and con's of their designs and what a new knife would add to it. I try avoid thinking about visuals or style to much, just ask the question, what will the new knife provide me that these ones won't.

That seemed to scratch the itch for now. I also modded the handles off of one of them so it fits me better now. Ahhh, itch feels gone, almost like that modded knife is a new one!

There we go, another week in the life of a knife addict. I think the vanguard will do everything you need it for. You've trusted it a long time and it has never let you down. Before I got sucked into the vortex of this hobby, I happily lived with my buck 119 special, batoning it through all kinds of things that are supposed to bust up a stick tang knife. Chopped with it when everybody says its horrible at chopping. Even fillet fish with the thing. I used to think the Buck119 was my end all be all knife...I sometimes which I can go back to that!
 
If you like your knife then its the best one out there, especially since it's the one on your hip.

-I like a 10" bladed knife to go out into the country as my one knife, when I was in Culinary school my one knife was a 10" Messermeister replaced by a 12" Forschner its all up to you and what you like. I am not a good whittler, so if I were to pass the time doing some whittling, I'd use a pocket knife. I should make a list of the things I need to work on...:D
 
reconranger said:
I carry 4 edged tools: A small light multi-tool, a EDC "tactical" folder (Emerson CQC-13 these days) that I always have with me no matter what, a fixed blade knife (Faullkniven F1, S1, or A1, depending on how "heavy" I am traveling), and a hatchet or axe (again, depending on how heavy I am traveling), or a machete in the tropics.

I guess the fixed blade is the closest thing to a "survival" knife as classically defined. Of the 4 items, the fixed blade is probably the most versatile, and if I could only have one, I guess that would be the best choice. As for battoning or chopping with a knife, that would only be a last resort if I was stupid or unlucky enough to be caught without a hatcet/axe.
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That's a good prudent load out:thumbup: Having the right tool for the job is the first goal. I still think the Vanguard is a robust design that could handle "abusive" tasks if needed.

I completely disagree with Rotte though...I need no sympathy. I found my wife, so "knife chasing" has replaced my younger days of girl chasing (and yes, it's much cheaper:D); I love looking, fondling, test driving, replacing with a new one every few weeks and sometimes I'll play with two or three at a time:eek::D My knife love affairs don't need to be monogamous :D

ROCK6
 
if it ain't broke, Don't fix it..
There are no set perameters as to what a "survival knife" should be evidence of that is shown by the broad reccommendations in every survival book out there. To my way of thinking the true test of any survival knife is not in the knife but in the user. ( you don;t need a strativarious to play a mean fiddle)
Bout a year ago I found a tool set up that has pretty much worked for me (with minor tweeking) it is unorthodox, but does all I need. So I say if you are happy with your vanguard. than more power to you. You have saved yourself much frustration and money, in the search for the elusive and non existant "perfect knife"...Now give it what it deserves and use the hell out of it. and of course take pics and post them.
 
Thanks again for all of the replies. I'm keeping the vanguard close. I just got back from a camping trip where it made up an important part of my gear. It did its part to build my fire, keep me entertained (I enjoy a bit of woodcarving, though I'm not much good at it) and, of course, building a few figure 4 traps to keep up with RescueRiley's skills challenge.
 
The most important requirement of a survival knife is that it must not break !
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You guy should have a backup plan or at least learn how to make a new knife in the wild, 'cause there is no such knife. Jus look at how many ESSE and Busse knives get replaced under warranty each year. Heat treat, stress fractures, etc might cause your $400 knife to break before a $40 knife doing the same task.

Believing your knife won't break will get you in trouble a lot quicker than thinking it will.
 
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