Survival Knives?

[YoYoMa]

Hi, just a few questions about wilderness/survival knives.

Do you really need a specialized survival knife for multi-purpose wilderness/survival work? I have a Japanese-made, high cardon stainless steel Buck-lookalike clip knife. Would something like this do? If not, as far as specific survival knives go, I really have an eye for the Camillus USAF survival knife. Is this a good one?

I'd appreciate the input.

 

[longbow50]

I have a Camillus pilots survival knife. It's a sharpened pry bar but I like it. It's a tough little knife and isn't so expensive that you mind beating it up. It rides in our vehicles kit.

I got nothing at all against folders. They definitely have a place in my kits and fill the lite duty chores just fine. However, I wouldn't trust any of them to do the same work as a good and stout, full tanged fixed blade knife. In my opinion, what makes a good survival knife is that you have complete confidence in it's ability to do the work you'll likely encounter in the field under severe conditions. If you aren't confident in your knife to do that for you, then you need to get something that will do the tough chores and keep your blade for the lite duty chores. I know a few people that carry an excellent quality folding knife and then buy a machete to do the heavy work for them.

 

[texascarl]

Sure, your Japanese knife counts as a survival knife, a lot of us consider Swiss Army Knives to be survival knives. My definition of a survival knife is the one you have with you when you need it to survive. I'd augment a folder just a bit without breaking the bank. At SMKW for less than $20 incl. shipping, you can pick up a Swedish Army Knife (often referred to as a SwAK/SWAK around here, a GREAT buy) and a Tramontina machete. Tramontina makes machetes out to 24" or so but I really recommend the 12" machete...long enough to do a lot of camp work, lighter in weight than their longer offerings, and a cheap canvas sheath is ready made & available for those who don't want to make a sheath of their own.

Here's a photo of the Tramontina:

and the SWAK:

Spend a few minutes with these and a whetstone, you're good to go. With your folder, the 3 oz. fixed blade SWAK and the light machete you'll have a useful survival battery of edged tools, for ~ the price of a 12 pack of imported beer.

 

[willyfield]

I had the same question several years ago. I found by camping, hunting and just being out in the bush and having to cut meat, bags, wood, rope, fixing stuff, digging cat holes, etc, you'll find out pretty fast what you need and what works for you. I like a 4-6 inch blade myself. 1/4 thick. Something that will take some abuse.

I had a friend ask to use my knife once out camping. I thought he was just going to cut some rope or kindling. An hour later I realized he opened a half dozen steel cans whilst cooking the nights grub. He didn't ask for a can opener, which we had btw. Anyway, I wouldn't think you need a "specialized" survival blade; just something that works for you. The Camillus pilots knife should do the trick in a pinch.
Just my .02 worth.

Cheers,

Hal

 

[not2sharp]

but I really recommend the 12" machete...long enough to do a lot of camp work, lighter in weight than their longer offerings, and a cheap canvas sheath is ready made & available

Those cheap canvas sheaths are dangerous. Your sheath needs to be sturdy enough to protect you during a fall. A good sheath should allow you to take the knife by the handle, while within the sheath, and drive into the ground as hard as you can without allowing the point or edge to cut through. The machete works fine, but you are going to have to make, or buy a strong sheath.

n2s

 

[frank k]

For a "survival knife" I favor a Swiss Army knife (with a wood saw), or better yet, a multitool like the Victorinox Swisstool or Leatherman Supertool 200. These are most likely to be with you when you need them, and they are very versatile.

Next I would add a fixed blade in the 3-6” range (the Frosts Mora or Pilot’s knives would do nicely, as will many others).
|
A machete and a folding pruning saw make an excellent combination for heavier work.
BTW, there is a very nice 22” Barteaux economy ($4) machete available on this site:


http://www.michaelholigan.com/Search/AdvFind.asp?search_manuf_id=179


-Frank

 

[YoYoMa]

Sorry, I'm sill memorizing all of the jargon. By "clip" I meant "clip point." My Japanese knife is a 9" overall fixed blade.

 

[longbow50]

Sorry about that. I automatically linked the Buck folder when you described your knife. Oh well, lol.

Does your blade have a full tang? If it does, it'll probably do just fine for you. If you still want to get a stouter blade for the heavy chores like chopping, a machete is a good cheap alternative.

 

[barber oregon]

I remember reading on these boards that whilst the USAF Survival knife makes a wonderful survival knife, the leather sheath and handle have a tendancy to rot in humid conditions. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Griffon]

Originally posted by YoYoMa
Do you really need a specialized survival knife for multi-purpose wilderness/survival work?

No.

I have a Japanese-made, high cardon stainless steel Buck-lookalike clip knife. Would something like this do?

If it's a good knife and you know how to use it to do what you need to do, yes.

 

[Paintedhorse]

Camillus USAF was my first fixed blade. I found it very good for the price. One thing, I really appreciated was the nut at the end of the handle,used for hammering. For his humidity resistance, I 've never had any problem BUT it has only been used in a toundra forest environment never in a jungle environment.
For the rest, the best survival knife is the one you trust and you're able to use and the one you have on you (from small stoneblade to 20 inch machete).
For myself,when in the wilderness, 85 % of job is done with my SAK camping and my marttiini puukko. For the rest I prefer my axe or if I it has to be a knife my CS scout recon.

Regards

 

[YoYoMa]

Here's part of the deal. Yes, it has a full tang with what appears to be an ebony handle held on with 3 rivets. The thing is, as camp this past summer (yes, I'll come right out and say it) I actually threw this thing at a hay stack. Temporary insanity. Anyhow, it hit the ground instead of the hay, and... a bit of the tip broke off. The break is only 3mm (1/8") across, so I think I'm going to try to re-grind a tip back into it. Will this affect the knife's ability at all? I'm even thinking of things like heat temper.

 

[Brian Jones]

YoYoMa,

It won't affect the temper if you do it by hand and not so fast that the friction creates heat. I don't know anyone who can do it by hand long enough and fast enough to affect the temper this way. Stay away from grinding wheels -- the speed will ruin the temper almost instantly.

I recommended, for reprofiling the tip, a good coarse diamond flat hone, and really dig into the tip to remove material, if you want to just get it done fast. A round diamond hone doesn't give you the control you need for this type of initial work. Then you can progress to finer stones to finish it. Some very high grit (in the 1000's) sandpaper (made for metal -- usually black in color) might is good as well, for shaping and finishing.

I did this with a knife -- guess which one? Yup -- the Camillus Pilot Survival Knife. I had broken the tip of that knife just like you did -- throwing it and hitting a rock. I'm 36 now, and I got it when I was only 12 or 13 -- my first "big" blade, and first fixed blade. I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever owned. Still going strong (and I still think it's a cool knife). I had one of my most dramatic survival experiences with that knife -- and it saved my bacon in a very direct and MAJOR way, when I had an accidental slide down a glacier in Montana (going about 40 mph), and used the knife to stop my fall over a 2000 ft. sheer cliff.

Have fun!

Best,

Brian.

 

[texascarl]

Those cheap canvas sheaths are dangerous. Your sheath needs to be sturdy enough to protect you during a fall.

Doh! That's true...if you wear the sheath on your belt, etc...but I never carry mine that way. It's lashed to the side of my backpack, and I'm satisfied with the safety of this arrangement. YMMV.