survival knife?

H

hotfuzz

Joined
Oct 13, 2009
Messages
56
what would be the best choice in the survival catagory? i was thinking gerber LMF 2 any advice?
 
Could you give some idea about your level of outdoors experience, where you are, and what you can afford, before we answer?
 
I agree that it depends on what you're looking for & how much you want to spend. Is this a "do it all" knife, a camping knife, or what?

As for a do it all, +1 on Breeden Knives. Mine's a Peacemaker & is probably the best "overall" FB I have. They're not thick indestructible choppers, but they can chop, certainly slice, & (At least with the Peacemaker) is big enough for just about everything else.

One of the RAT RCs would be a good choice, too. Again, it depends on what size blade & what its uses will be. Of course, the BRKT Bravo-1 would be a good choice, too.
 
I have the Gerber LMF ll. It's a very strong knife and feels good in the hand. I have the one with the green handle. The blade is separated from the butt cap for shock absorption when hammering and to prevent electric shock if you cut into a wire. I don't believe all models are electrically insulated. I read somewhere that the brown handle models aren't.

On the down side the handle, while very comfortable, is kind of soft. I've read reviews where other people have cut the soft rubbery handle by throwing the knife. Unfortunately I did the same thing. It's not a big deal but I dropped the knife and it fell onto a rock and cut the handle. I repaired it with some super glue, but I don't really think the handle should be so easily damaged. Also Gerber has been somewhat evasive about what kind of steel the knives are actually made of. It's changed from Sandvik 12C27. Gerber says the actual steel used will be marked on the packaging that comes with the knife but all mine said was stainless steel.

The knife was designed for a particular military application and for that job I think it excels but I'm not sure I'd buy it again if I had it to do over. I think I would get a Rat RC 4 instead.

Do a lot of research, read a lot of reviews, and watch a lot of video reviews on youtube before you buy. Also it is important to determine how you are going to use the knife to determine what kind of knife you need. I think I would like the Rat RC 4 as a general purpose utility/camp knife, but if I were looking for an emergency survival knife then I might go with the Rat Izula.

Do your homework and let us know what you get.
 
The definition of survival is very important here- I'd like to point you to the current issue of TK magazine and the Editor's ...editorial.

I would be fine, in my local environments, with a stout, but fine edged 4 inch or even 3 inch blade. With a good handle.

I'd prefer a fixed blade over a folder, but I'm not religious about it.

Larger blades generally come into play for special purposes or environments. If you really need soemthing larger than 5.5 inches, carry a companion necker or something, you'll end up needing it at least as much.
 
Look below for a comparison of some commonly considered to be 'survival' style knives: KaBar, LMF II, RC-5, Nighthawk.

IMG_3518.jpg


I used my dad's old WWII companion from the S. Pacific, a KaBar, for lots of camping chores for many years - and I was content. I generally had a pocket knife, too - an SAK or Buck 110. The LMF II was a Father's Day gift from #1 son over a year ago - else I wouldn't have it due to the serrations. The RC-5 is a super knife - my current favorite 'big' camping knife. The Buck 650 Nighthawk is a keeper, too - probably better suited to my uses than even the old KaBars. My idea of 'Survival' is a camping-style knife.

Stainz
 
Pilots survival knife. But there are a lot of knives out thee that are stronger and higher quality.

As others have said, it depends on the mission, and your budget.

If you have the money, get a custom.
 
I hav the smaller versio of the Gerber LMF and it is a pretty good knife, it's one of the few Gerbers still produced in the USA. The KaBar USMC is my favorite though I take it with me all the time. The KaBar Beckers are nice too but you need to stick some locktite on the handle screws to keep them from coming loose.
 
My RC-4 is my all around knife. I recommend a RAT. It would handle almost anything one can imagine in a survival situation.
 
For a good solid fixed blade that wont break the bank, I say RAT RC6. You can do large and small chores with this knife.
 
thanks for the advice i hadnt considered rat knives as much as i should of! when i got home this afternoon my girlfriend (who is very sick of listening to me try and decide which knife to get) went out and bought the gerber lmf haha but i live in an earthquake prone city so i was looking for something practical in an urban survival situation but that i could also take camping and stuff. i dont think anything with a blade longer than five or so inches and something around 150 would be great
 
hotfuzz said:
thanks for the advice i hadnt considered rat knives as much as i should of! when i got home this afternoon my girlfriend (who is very sick of listening to me try and decide which knife to get) went out and bought the gerber lmf haha but i live in an earthquake prone city so i was looking for something practical in an urban survival situation but that i could also take camping and stuff. i dont think anything with a blade longer than five or so inches and something around 150 would be great
Click to expand...

Dude, this rabbit hole is deep.

Read alot, and buy a few knives....

After awhile, you will develop an opinion.

Good Luck.

Marion
 
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