Survival Knife

I'm a full time hillbilly living in the mountains of East TN. I always carry some sort of "just in case" equipment because stuff does happen unexpectedly from time to time. My choice is the combination of a 16" Tramontina Bolo, a 21" Sven Saw and my Bravo I or LT Wright Genesis FFG. I can do most any task with this combination as efficiently and as safely as possible. ( However, truth be told, with the addition of these other two tools, a Mora would probably suffice for actual knife work.)

IF I were limited to one tool, my Bravo 1.5 would be it. I've spent enough money on knives over the years to come close to funding a new car - big name customs, production knives and most everything in between - and I work the crap out of them to see what actually works in the field. After all of that experience, the Bravo 1.5 came out as the clear winner for an all around tool.

Having said all of that, as previously stated it's the skills that you need to focus on. You can have a pick-up full of gear and still die if you don't know what you're doing.....
 
I have read a 14 page fourm post by members of the Canadian military and the most stated knife was the SOG Seal Pup.

For me, I hate the "one survival knife" idea; there are only knives designed for certain tasks. Of course I would not take a fillet or parring knife as my only knife, but a simple fixed blade at least 4" long will handle most tasks needed when in the woods if used with skill, it doesn't need to be a 10" 5/16" 5lb pry bar.
 
The SOG Field Pup was dubbed a survival knife at one time. It actually is a pretty nice little drop point blade. It is the kind of knife that someone who doesn't normally carry a knife in woods might choose as is the SOG Seal Pup Elite.
 
The SOG Seal Pup is a terrible choice, it loses much edge to serrations -at least get the plain Elite-: Maybe there is 3" of edge left as is... And besides, a 10" knife can weight no more than a pound and still be 1/4" thick: 10" has twice the edge-holding of a 5" when you are working or away from any sharpening help: You want half the edge holding for over two-thirds the weight? Or even for the same weight in the case of the BK-2?... These short knives are not survival knives...

Gaston
 
Perfect world, I'd have a large chopper/ax and a small knife...but I'd have to say a ESEE Junglas. Smaller tasks will be annoying, but its more functional than the 5-8 inch survival knives imo
 
Gaston444 said:
The SOG Seal Pup is a terrible choice, it loses much edge to serrations -at least get the plain Elite-: Maybe there is 3" of edge left as is... And besides, a 10" knife can weight no more than a pound and still be 1/4" thick: 10" has twice the edge-holding of a 5" when you are working or away from any sharpening help: You want half the edge holding for over two-thirds the weight? Or even for the same weight in the case of the BK-2?... These short knives are not survival knives...

Gaston
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Some people think that serrations are a good idea on a survival knife because if you dull the edge and are unable to re-sharpen it the serrations will still cut. I hate them on the whole but can understand this notion. I have also found thick section rope on the beach and my only knife that would go through it was a serrated blade.
 
The problem with the Seal Pup is the choil. The next problem is the serrations.

To do a heavy cut you want to do the cutting as close to the handle of the knife as possible. If you want a clean cut with a knife that not only has a choil, but also has the first half of the blade serrated.... forget about it. You have no control and no power.

That said... The choice of a seal pup over another knife probably would not make or break your survival. It will serve. I carried one before I knew any better. Carrying it is what made me know better.
 
Gaston444 said:
The SOG Seal Pup is a terrible choice, it loses much edge to serrations -at least get the plain Elite-: Maybe there is 3" of edge left as is...
Click to expand...

I'm not a fan of serrations either, but the Seal Pup is a fine choice.

As far as my choice goes, it depends on the situation, but I'd be fine with either of these:

QA9YK9K.jpg
 
One of my GSO 6's for sure. 3V holds an edge for a long time, it can take a beating like no other, is plenty long for big work, light enough for small work, has a ferro notch for striking a firesteel, a bowdrill divot in the handle scale, and has a pommel that can be used to hammer or break things. One of these is on me every time I hit the trail and more times than not, one is riding in my edc pack because I live on fantasy island where I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

43da65692ea46ae29e95fa1f1d45bef1.jpg
 
I have a good knife with a comfortable handle and a sharp blade 3.5 mm thick. It does not slip In hand, the handle is unusual, like that [Link removed] . I really like the quality of the knife.
 
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Moog said:
I have a good knife with a comfortable handle and a sharp blade 3.5 mm thick. It does not slip In hand, the handle is unusual, like that [Link removed] . I really like the quality of the knife.
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That "knife" you posted is a novelty, it's not a serious tool rather it looks more like some sort of toy off the shelf at a dollar store. Please read the rules, we don't like or allow links to retailers that are not supporting members.
 
Moog said:
I have a good knife with a comfortable handle and a sharp blade 3.5 mm thick. It does not slip In hand, the handle is unusual, like that [Link removed] . I really like the quality of the knife.
Click to expand...
Yeah....
 
Don't worry about it, I suggest you go out use it find out what it can and can't do. Take some picture. Then come back and share the photos & your thought.
 
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