Survival Knives...again.

I hope that everyone had a good weekend and got to play a little. I helped to unload 1500 Christmas trees for scouts on Saturday and that was the extent of my excitement. Still feeling the effects of those trees this morning!

Thanks for all of the additional input, everybody.

Trout Tamer: I've known a couple of people with Greco knives that were extremely pleased with them. I'll take a look at them long and hard and find some additional reviews, but I really prefer synthetic handles. The lower the maintenance the better for me. I'd be very interested in the mustard trick. Sounds very interesting and useful. It's nice to be able to use item around the house. Thank you for all of your insight on steels, too.

trailside22: I like the look of the Fehrman knives and they have an excellent reputation. Although tomahawks are a little too Johnny Rambo for my tastes, there are plenty of Fehrman's tomahawks in hard use in Iraq and Astan and lots of people swear by them. The Survival and Utility Series both look great but they are more expensive than other really great knives. Do you feel they're worth the extra money? I don't mind spending good money and good equipment but if I can spend less money on equally good equipment than I would rather do that. I try not to spend money on name and reputation alone (of course I say this while wearing North Face, Mammut, Montrail and Prana).

The Doug Ritter knives sound good but I'm still very wary of S30V. I have horrible visions of my name slowly flaking away while I'm trapped in an extended survival situation. I wish they offered these knives in another steel also. It would be cheaper and I wouldn't worry so much. If I had more money I would buy a knife in S30V and test it out myself, but then I would have to spend even more money on a lawyer for my divorce!

Thanks again and any other suggestions or input is very very welcome!

Kage
 
Kage -

if you look at John's web site, about 1/2 of his knives have micarta slabs. The one design feature that I would change of his is the small slabs - the blade tang protrudes about 1/16" all beyond the slabs. This can get to be uncomfortable. Of course, it's easy to make some new slabs, which I have thought of doing.

Good luck in your search.
 
I have several EKAs myself and I like them all, check out the W11 at Ragweed forge. It is the one closest to your specifications. It has a tough and hard Sandvik 12C27 blade, stainless with good edge retention, and one of the most comfortable handles I know of. Good grind also.

I use a W11 for the heavy duty stuff, I dont carry a handaxe, and it works well for me.

//Jay
 
If you want a good solid maintenance free knife with one of the most comfortable handles on the market try a Blackjack Grunt !!!
It will also be one of the sharpest you have ever held !!!!
 
Here is a pic of my Blackjack Grunt....in my mind one of the most under-rated stainless blades on the market !!!
SaanichInlet022.jpg
 
Too easy

Fallkniven F1, S1 or A1 blank.

Send to a maker (easy to find one here) Have the bright colour of choice put on the handle and get a sheath that fits your carry criteria.

Now you have the handle you want on a tried and trusted blade with a sheath that you wont feel is a compromise.

FYI An A1 will slice and shave with the best of them but it will also chop incredibly well too.

I reccomend DMKNIVES for the re-handle (www.dmknives.com) he is a super nice guy and makes a great Kydex sheath to boot!
 
You mentioned looking at a couple of axes. . . The GB small forest and the Roselli long. . . I was looking at both of those and had several people tell me that the head on the Roselli is pretty thick, more suited to splitting. Its still a good axe by all accounts, but maybe a little less useful for limbing and chopping than the GB. I was going to go with the small forest axe myself, but ended up deciding on the GB wildlife hatchet to save on weight and because the handle is better suited to allow me hold it right by the head to do finer carving/wittling/cutting tasks. A khukri may be a good choice for you too. They can serve as both a hatchet or a large knife. Himalayan Imports khukris are great.
 
wade said:
I would suggest a RAT-5, because I love the RAT series knives. Not to expensive, but very well built, good design and materials. You can have custom orange handles made, you could even go with G10 :) here is a pict.
rat5.jpg
Click to expand...

i would also suggest any of the RAT 3-7 Line up well built and priced right for almost anybodies budget and the quality hard to beat. thx Tony
 
Cold Steel's Master Hunter: short, heavy, flat ground, well designed, and sturdy enough to "baton" if you insist on that. It's a lot of knife for the money, and plain old carbon steel blades need little if any special maintenance. What's a little stain on the blade going to hurt anyway? :confused:
 
Minor comment,
CS Master Hunters are no longer available in carbon steel. San Mai VG1 or
AUS8 only. I am so glad I have a CARBONV one (had it for a long time). I also have a CS Outdoorsman in AUS8. (I thought I was buying the San Mai VG1). I have been very impressed by how long it held its edge. Still razor sharp afterr a lot of hard wood carving, batoning and bark stripping. While I love D2, A2, INFI, SR101, 12c27 etc., I would not hesitate to buy a knife from CS or SOG in AUS8a if it was otherwise the right knife at the right price. Not saying those companys compete with the guys I buy the other steels in. You do get what you pay for sometimes.
Ron Athay
 
One of three combos mostly these days

Bark River Golok and Lil Chute combo

golokcombo.jpg


Nessmuck style trio
Norlunds reground hatchet
Bark River Northstar
Buck Stockman folder

norlundsnessmucktrio2.JPG


Of course most days finds me with a bushcraft knife on my belt and whatever folder I am packing that day;

smbushcraft3we.BMP
 
I'm going to recommend the Bark River Bravo-1. My Northstar is an outstanding performer and the Bravo-1 has an overall better design.

Bravo_1_Black_Canvas.jpg
 
Entrek knives deserve a look as well. Ray Ennis grinds each blade bt hand and each knife is hand finished. He uses 440C and it is done right. I have a Cobra model that I've used for about 4 years now and it is as good or better than knives that cost double or more. I've never heard a negative word about his knives. Hope that helps...Jim
 
Doug Ritter thas made it clear that if any of his knives develop chipping Aeromedix.com will replace it no questions asked. Don't let the chipping thing stop you from owning some great knives (both the folder and the fixed blade). Many people have owned the knives without any chipping.

My advice is to work them hard after buying them to convince yourself that they'll meet your needs. I'm not talking about slicing iron pipes or trying to chop through concrete, but they can take "reasonable" abuse with no problem.

You might even e-mail aeromedix.com and ask them if you can get your money back if there is a chipping problem. I really don't think you'll have any problem with chipping though.
 
Yes the Bravo - 1 is the one used by the Marines. I must say the one I have is one of the best all round boondocks knives I have ever used.
 
Fallkniven seems to fit the bill of what your looking for, tough as hell and very good cutters.
 
I will also recommend a Rat-5 or a custom Ranger. If you search you can find lots of threads on these. These is a lot out there in this design and price range. People also speak highly of Bark River and Falkniven, I have never handled one but they seem to be another good choice. Most of these blades are on the more "economical side". If you can find a Becker, they are very solid as well.
I have a Rat-7 that is a great blade, I don't think you have to worry about the micarta scales absorbing moisture. I have a custom Ranger as well, awesome blades.
 
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