The Victorinox Jumpmaster....
Survival is too important to rely upon just one blade.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Survival knives!
- Thread starter Blood_Grooves
- Start date
The Victorinox Jumpmaster....
Survival is too important to rely upon just one blade.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 6,199
If your idea of a 'survival' knife has been created by Hollywood, you are most likely thinking of the classic John Rambo type knife designed by Gil Hibben.
If you follow this model, you are looking at a large fixed blade, with a hollow handle and a spine that features saw-teeth. The sheath may or may not have a pocket for a sharpening stone.
The best version of this knife on the market today (other than some very pricey customs) is the Chris Reeve Knives Aviator. However, this retails at around $230. You could also consider the Tom Brown Tracker, made by TOPS.
I would recommend that you save the extra $$$ and consider something in the CRK one piece line-up. They are extremely strong, made of A2 steel which is easy to sharpen and holds an edge very well, and I think the hollow handle is a useful feature that doesn't compromise the strength of the knife.
They also turn up regularly on the Exchange, for very reasonable prices. :thumbup:
If you follow this model, you are looking at a large fixed blade, with a hollow handle and a spine that features saw-teeth. The sheath may or may not have a pocket for a sharpening stone.
The best version of this knife on the market today (other than some very pricey customs) is the Chris Reeve Knives Aviator. However, this retails at around $230. You could also consider the Tom Brown Tracker, made by TOPS.
I would recommend that you save the extra $$$ and consider something in the CRK one piece line-up. They are extremely strong, made of A2 steel which is easy to sharpen and holds an edge very well, and I think the hollow handle is a useful feature that doesn't compromise the strength of the knife.
They also turn up regularly on the Exchange, for very reasonable prices. :thumbup:
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- Oct 7, 2006
- Messages
- 2,437
If Daniel is still accepting preorders, get in on this if you can:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507316
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507316
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2007
- Messages
- 931
OH AND I LIVE IN THE PACIFIC NORTH WEST AND I LIVE IN A WOODLAND MOUNTAINOUS AREA
The fallkniven f-1 and A-1 are good sounding and good looking but they seem small and they dont have serrations. i thing serrations should come standered for survival knives. Its funny not much people like serrations on their blade the only reason to
that madness is if itsa combate knife ( i wouldn't see the point to serrations on a combate knife) or they don't like the looks. I did say that "looks" are a big thing to me but funchtion is a higher priority. is there anyone that can tell me why people dont like serrations on there blade
I was also thinking of making my D2 ka-bar a survival knife any thoughts on that?
That chris reeves knife is pretty sweet but theres 2 problems the blade seems a little small maby like a 6 incher would do but i guess that if i really wanted to cut something i could use the saw. and the sheath im not to into leather yes i did say i didnt like leather. theres good things and bad things about there. GOOD: its quiet so u dont need to make noise to take it out, its good looking BAD: its not as good look ( to me) as hard plastic sheaths, There very needy sheaths you need to mantain them and take care of them, pluse they dont hold up in moist places.
so is there another knife that would fit my standereds from chris reeves and is threre another sheath that would fit it. perferably hard plastic or nylon.
The chris reeves pacific looks badass and is long and has serrations and has a bad as sheath and it has a glass breaker that might come in handy.
The fallkniven f-1 and A-1 are good sounding and good looking but they seem small and they dont have serrations. i thing serrations should come standered for survival knives. Its funny not much people like serrations on their blade the only reason to
that madness is if itsa combate knife ( i wouldn't see the point to serrations on a combate knife) or they don't like the looks. I did say that "looks" are a big thing to me but funchtion is a higher priority. is there anyone that can tell me why people dont like serrations on there blade
I was also thinking of making my D2 ka-bar a survival knife any thoughts on that?
That chris reeves knife is pretty sweet but theres 2 problems the blade seems a little small maby like a 6 incher would do but i guess that if i really wanted to cut something i could use the saw. and the sheath im not to into leather yes i did say i didnt like leather. theres good things and bad things about there. GOOD: its quiet so u dont need to make noise to take it out, its good looking BAD: its not as good look ( to me) as hard plastic sheaths, There very needy sheaths you need to mantain them and take care of them, pluse they dont hold up in moist places.
so is there another knife that would fit my standereds from chris reeves and is threre another sheath that would fit it. perferably hard plastic or nylon.
The chris reeves pacific looks badass and is long and has serrations and has a bad as sheath and it has a glass breaker that might come in handy.
Sigh, i am getting old.
"Bloodgrooves" just to get YOU thinking. Say you are a governement and you need a survival knife for downed pilots left behind in enemy territory and in hostile enviroments. You take advice from those who are survival professionals who teach surival skills to soldiers for a living. You talk to people who have been in survival situations and who teach them in civilian life. You test different knives to destruction and you get those knives carried under actual combat conditions for months on in every possible terrain and climate. Let's say training alone for a fighter pilot costs you $1.085.312 ( accordig to the U.S. military), and adding that the cost of a 4.5 th generation military plane , lets say $ 50000000 (50 million). Calculate the damage it will do to your country, the fighter pilot and it's family and friends, if the pilot get's caught or dies in combat because of failed survival equipment.
absorb this taught for a moment......
Now, is there any reason why the equipment of the pilot would be influenced by cosmetic appearance?
Do you think anyone in the whole proces from the knife manufacturers up to the pilots , trainers instructors and the governement would not include a sawback just because "they don't like them", or they are too stupid or ignorant to realize that a sawback is an essential part of a survival knife?
I believe the answer is NO
They don't add a knifeback ( or serrations) because they feel that it is either not in the best interrest for anyone to add them, or that it even might have a negative influence on the knife performance.
Isn't it a little strange that a 14 year old boy is the only one who realises how "badass" serrations really are? Maybe the 14 Y.O. boy should study and learn about knives and their use as survival tools for a few years before he makes the assumption that everyone else is wrong.
Maybe the boy should realise that the knives used in film and T.V. are used because they look "badass", and not because they perform well in life treathening siuations.
I know it's hard to listen to "grown ups" because you might feel that they are sooo stupid or dumb to realise certain facts of life. But please take my advice, and listen to those people. You might not agree, but try to understand why they act in a certain way. Maybe you will come to the conclusion after a few years that they really thought about it and their decision was the best one.
Good luck on finding a "survival "knife.
Your D2 Kabar is a great knife, and will perform more then adequate for any survival task you need it for. It has been used and tested by more then a million soldiers in 4 mayor wars, on the beaches of France, the ice cold mountains of North Korea, the humid swamps and jungle of Vietnam into the blistering heat of Iraq.
Get a kydex sheath for your knife from Ka bar and you are ready to go.
"Bloodgrooves" just to get YOU thinking. Say you are a governement and you need a survival knife for downed pilots left behind in enemy territory and in hostile enviroments. You take advice from those who are survival professionals who teach surival skills to soldiers for a living. You talk to people who have been in survival situations and who teach them in civilian life. You test different knives to destruction and you get those knives carried under actual combat conditions for months on in every possible terrain and climate. Let's say training alone for a fighter pilot costs you $1.085.312 ( accordig to the U.S. military), and adding that the cost of a 4.5 th generation military plane , lets say $ 50000000 (50 million). Calculate the damage it will do to your country, the fighter pilot and it's family and friends, if the pilot get's caught or dies in combat because of failed survival equipment.
absorb this taught for a moment......
Now, is there any reason why the equipment of the pilot would be influenced by cosmetic appearance?
Do you think anyone in the whole proces from the knife manufacturers up to the pilots , trainers instructors and the governement would not include a sawback just because "they don't like them", or they are too stupid or ignorant to realize that a sawback is an essential part of a survival knife?
I believe the answer is NO
They don't add a knifeback ( or serrations) because they feel that it is either not in the best interrest for anyone to add them, or that it even might have a negative influence on the knife performance.
Isn't it a little strange that a 14 year old boy is the only one who realises how "badass" serrations really are? Maybe the 14 Y.O. boy should study and learn about knives and their use as survival tools for a few years before he makes the assumption that everyone else is wrong.
Maybe the boy should realise that the knives used in film and T.V. are used because they look "badass", and not because they perform well in life treathening siuations.
I know it's hard to listen to "grown ups" because you might feel that they are sooo stupid or dumb to realise certain facts of life. But please take my advice, and listen to those people. You might not agree, but try to understand why they act in a certain way. Maybe you will come to the conclusion after a few years that they really thought about it and their decision was the best one.
Good luck on finding a "survival "knife.
Your D2 Kabar is a great knife, and will perform more then adequate for any survival task you need it for. It has been used and tested by more then a million soldiers in 4 mayor wars, on the beaches of France, the ice cold mountains of North Korea, the humid swamps and jungle of Vietnam into the blistering heat of Iraq.
Get a kydex sheath for your knife from Ka bar and you are ready to go.
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- Oct 28, 2007
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- 931
Well mongo man Yes i am 14 yes i did say i didnt know as much as most people about knives its something i don't like to share beacuse of this sitation for example. i dont like sharing the fact im 14 because people like you look down at me. I know that some people didn't like serrations on there blade because it interfear but i am not talking about a 4 in blade that if you put serrations on it there would be no blade on it im talking about a 5 to 7 inch blade take for fact th Ka-Bar D2 its long enoght to put a serration on it and it still should not interfer. serrations should only interfear on short blades and for all thous people that say a 4 in knife could be used to survive i dont see how you can chop woo with that at all
and onther thing im 14 if you going to use that aginst me think it through im not in the military i dont go camping every day and if i were to be in the wilderness every weekend i might consider bying a not so good looking knife but on those days im just looking at my knife i dont want to look at something that costs $100-200 and not like the looks of it i want to have it proform perfectly but look good doing it. I am sorry to say this but i juge a book by its cover.
Plus knifes arnt just for use they can be collected its a hobby...
But anyways i changed what i was getting for x-mas im getting the Ka-bar D2 and a chris reeves knife(not sure which one i really want to look at everyone og his knives, and im getting a leatherman wave.
and onther thing im 14 if you going to use that aginst me think it through im not in the military i dont go camping every day and if i were to be in the wilderness every weekend i might consider bying a not so good looking knife but on those days im just looking at my knife i dont want to look at something that costs $100-200 and not like the looks of it i want to have it proform perfectly but look good doing it. I am sorry to say this but i juge a book by its cover.
Plus knifes arnt just for use they can be collected its a hobby...
But anyways i changed what i was getting for x-mas im getting the Ka-bar D2 and a chris reeves knife(not sure which one i really want to look at everyone og his knives, and im getting a leatherman wave.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2006
- Messages
- 3,188
very interesting thread here...
"and onther thing im 14 if you going to use that aginst me think it through im not in the military i dont go camping every day and if i were to be in the wilderness every weekend i might consider bying a not so good looking knife but on those days im just looking at my knife i dont want to look at something that costs $100-200 and not like the looks of it i want to have it proform perfectly but look good doing it. I am sorry to say this but i juge a book by its cover."
if you are 14, not in the military, dont go camping every day and dont spend your weekends in the woods... why do you need a survival knife...? just curious not intended to be an attack on your character. when i was 10 my father bought me my first knife which was a buck 110 and taught me to use and respect the knife properly. perhaps you can share your interest in knives with your dad and you can enjoy your hobby together.
a multitool, in this case the leatherman wave you've chosen would be a great idea because it would make a very nice EDC (every day carry). time and time again people on the forums have said the best survival knife is the one thats on you at the time. mutlitools are very versatile and i find myself using mine on a daily basis (i carry a vic swisstool spirit), whether im in the woods or at the work. please do not take your multitool to school (highschool) regardless of the occasion, you will get in trouble for sure. i go to university and find i get less hastled here but i still be careful and put it away after im done with it
a large knife is great for chopping but if your location is in the pacific northwest in a woodland region you're probably better off getting a good axe. something like a fiskars hatchet is only about $30 bux canadian and wont break the bank. if you wanted something a little more asthetically pleasing try a gransfor bruks or wetterlings.
i live in bc and hike alot of the regions similar to what you describe. im usually carrying my grohmann R4 "survival knife" and a 6 inch fiskars retractable pruning saw, sometimes i'll bring a pocket chainsaw depending on what the day calls for usually if im doing an overnighter.
i've seen a few people on the trails carrying large belt knife like ka-bars and the sort but from the years i've spent hiking, trekking, fishing, and camping i've never really found a need for anything but a small-medium fixed blade and a good axe.
if your looking for something to clear the camp site with when your in the boonies, you might want to consider a tramontina machete which only runs about 15 bux over here in my neck of the woods. if your really wanting a good knife to do your camp chores with the ka-bar camp knife is a good choice, the knife comes with a leather sheath however there are many kydex sheath makers here on the forums who could probably whip one up for u. please check local bylaws to make sure you are allowed to legally own, carry, and travel with the knives you plan on purchasing. from the list you've provided it doesnt look very "sheeple" friendly and people may become uneasy when you walk around a family picnic area with a kabar strapped to your belt
when you do plan on camping are you going to be car camping? if so then the knives you listed are fine, however if you plan on backpacking into secluded areas (which is usually better IMO) you may need to watch the weight of your gear closely.
as for the saw back, personally it is something i would not want in a survival situation. here i will explain why. the sawback is a nice feature in that it combines two tools into one with the knife edge on one side and the sawback on the other. however, while sawing with the sawback you are most likely exposed to the blade side of the knife and this is something that i would not want because it raises the risk of injury during survival situations. also, there is a difference between serrations and saw-backs. one i assume would be used to assist in the cutting of cordage or other soft materials and the saw-back would be used for wood, bone, etc, harder materials. with the spine occupied with either a saw-back or serrations the ability to baton wood is going to decrease(the sawback would most likely chew up your baton before u can to much good). batoning wood is not a necessary skill required for survival however it is a very nice skill to be able to perform. if you were to combine a small pruning saw with a small-medium sized fixed blade like i have, you can cut decent sized pieces of wood, split the wood to access the dry core for fire lighting and use that fire for survival purposes. i.e. boiling water to make it safe, keeping warm, cooking food, and signaling.
just sharing my thoughts on your predicament here and possibly clearing up any confusion or questions you had. hope you find a good knife for yourself.
oh, as for my personal recommendation, a grohmann #4 survival knife combined with a leatherman wave (or any other multitool) and a good saw or hatchet.
good luck,
JC
"and onther thing im 14 if you going to use that aginst me think it through im not in the military i dont go camping every day and if i were to be in the wilderness every weekend i might consider bying a not so good looking knife but on those days im just looking at my knife i dont want to look at something that costs $100-200 and not like the looks of it i want to have it proform perfectly but look good doing it. I am sorry to say this but i juge a book by its cover."
if you are 14, not in the military, dont go camping every day and dont spend your weekends in the woods... why do you need a survival knife...? just curious not intended to be an attack on your character. when i was 10 my father bought me my first knife which was a buck 110 and taught me to use and respect the knife properly. perhaps you can share your interest in knives with your dad and you can enjoy your hobby together.
a multitool, in this case the leatherman wave you've chosen would be a great idea because it would make a very nice EDC (every day carry). time and time again people on the forums have said the best survival knife is the one thats on you at the time. mutlitools are very versatile and i find myself using mine on a daily basis (i carry a vic swisstool spirit), whether im in the woods or at the work. please do not take your multitool to school (highschool) regardless of the occasion, you will get in trouble for sure. i go to university and find i get less hastled here but i still be careful and put it away after im done with it
a large knife is great for chopping but if your location is in the pacific northwest in a woodland region you're probably better off getting a good axe. something like a fiskars hatchet is only about $30 bux canadian and wont break the bank. if you wanted something a little more asthetically pleasing try a gransfor bruks or wetterlings.
i live in bc and hike alot of the regions similar to what you describe. im usually carrying my grohmann R4 "survival knife" and a 6 inch fiskars retractable pruning saw, sometimes i'll bring a pocket chainsaw depending on what the day calls for usually if im doing an overnighter.
i've seen a few people on the trails carrying large belt knife like ka-bars and the sort but from the years i've spent hiking, trekking, fishing, and camping i've never really found a need for anything but a small-medium fixed blade and a good axe.
if your looking for something to clear the camp site with when your in the boonies, you might want to consider a tramontina machete which only runs about 15 bux over here in my neck of the woods. if your really wanting a good knife to do your camp chores with the ka-bar camp knife is a good choice, the knife comes with a leather sheath however there are many kydex sheath makers here on the forums who could probably whip one up for u. please check local bylaws to make sure you are allowed to legally own, carry, and travel with the knives you plan on purchasing. from the list you've provided it doesnt look very "sheeple" friendly and people may become uneasy when you walk around a family picnic area with a kabar strapped to your belt
when you do plan on camping are you going to be car camping? if so then the knives you listed are fine, however if you plan on backpacking into secluded areas (which is usually better IMO) you may need to watch the weight of your gear closely.
as for the saw back, personally it is something i would not want in a survival situation. here i will explain why. the sawback is a nice feature in that it combines two tools into one with the knife edge on one side and the sawback on the other. however, while sawing with the sawback you are most likely exposed to the blade side of the knife and this is something that i would not want because it raises the risk of injury during survival situations. also, there is a difference between serrations and saw-backs. one i assume would be used to assist in the cutting of cordage or other soft materials and the saw-back would be used for wood, bone, etc, harder materials. with the spine occupied with either a saw-back or serrations the ability to baton wood is going to decrease(the sawback would most likely chew up your baton before u can to much good). batoning wood is not a necessary skill required for survival however it is a very nice skill to be able to perform. if you were to combine a small pruning saw with a small-medium sized fixed blade like i have, you can cut decent sized pieces of wood, split the wood to access the dry core for fire lighting and use that fire for survival purposes. i.e. boiling water to make it safe, keeping warm, cooking food, and signaling.
just sharing my thoughts on your predicament here and possibly clearing up any confusion or questions you had. hope you find a good knife for yourself.
oh, as for my personal recommendation, a grohmann #4 survival knife combined with a leatherman wave (or any other multitool) and a good saw or hatchet.
good luck,
JC
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2006
- Messages
- 3,188
if you are suggesting the tom brown tracker style knives i'd say that a beck wsk is a much better choice
Hey your only young once, if you want a Bad ass lookin blade then go ahead and get one it's your money bro !!!!:thumbup:
You have many years ahead of you when you can be boring and practical like the rest of us !!!!
:thumbup:I'm not fond of saws on blades I have never found them to be effective on the knives that I own that have them. Get a good camp saw they are cheap.
If you want knives for collecting also. Then there is nothing wrong with this.
Buy whatever you want and enjoy them. :thumbup:
If you want knives for collecting also. Then there is nothing wrong with this.
Buy whatever you want and enjoy them. :thumbup:
Sawback knife blades were never intended to saw through wood but rather to make clean notches in wood for tying snares etc. even though some will saw through small branches.
MelancholyMutt
Doggy Style
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
- Messages
- 3,906
How about a 4 inch swedish Mora and a Swedish hachet or camp axe?
Aha--so the original question should have been: "What do you recommend that is a cool-looking, "survival"-looking knife that I don't intend to use, but that will be cool to show my friends when we're in my room."
That changes things....Bad news--"judg[ing] a book by its cover," against the collected wisdom of all mankind over the centuries, will not get you far.
Good luck.
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2007
- Messages
- 931
GOD DAMN IS PIT DOG THE ONLY ONE THAT KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE BEING YOUNG!!!... Please read what he said and every time you read something that i wrote bring that back to mind.
I was thinking of a mora to but i wasnt sure of that steel is it good steal i also was woundering the steal that chris reeves used on his pacific is that any good as well
and another thing i have many hobbys one include collecting knives another is making and prapering survival kits for different situations so its not just something to show to my freinds it gos into one of my kits and when i do go camping i go for about 2 weeks and i want a nice knife that will hold up.
and i was also thinking of buying an axe also but if i were to buy an axe it would be mid size to large
and that juging a book by the cover yes i do not like that feature that i have if i were able to get rid of that habbit i would everyone has there drawbacks and if you dont have a drawback your lieing.
I was thinking of a mora to but i wasnt sure of that steel is it good steal i also was woundering the steal that chris reeves used on his pacific is that any good as well
and another thing i have many hobbys one include collecting knives another is making and prapering survival kits for different situations so its not just something to show to my freinds it gos into one of my kits and when i do go camping i go for about 2 weeks and i want a nice knife that will hold up.
and i was also thinking of buying an axe also but if i were to buy an axe it would be mid size to large
and that juging a book by the cover yes i do not like that feature that i have if i were able to get rid of that habbit i would everyone has there drawbacks and if you dont have a drawback your lieing.
I would suggest a fiskars hatchet that you can get from Lowes it's light, durable, and cheap.
I really don't know about Chris Reeves knives. So I can't help you there. But I will reccommend any Rat series made by Ontario. The Rat 5 and Rat 7. Both of them come with serrations or plain blade. I have the Rat7 and I put it through alot of crap.
I think the D2 kbar would be a really good knife to have, but you should also learn on how to sharpen knives too. By doing it at home and in the woods. It's one skill that you will need to know to do in the bush. I think the D2 would hold up very good, but eventually it will dull. You or someone else has to sharpen it. If you have someone else do it, ask them to teach you how. Then practice on a cheapo knife until you are good enough to move on to the K-bar.
I own a Mora and I love mine because the ability to easily sharpen it in the bush and cuts like a bandit. Yes it doesn't have all the bells and whistles. It is a truely boring and ugly knife but it works for me. I know how you feel about going through all these knives choices. I have bought and used many knives before I came to my choices of knives. To this day I still switch or ask about certain knives. So I guess I'm still growing up too even though I'm 30 yrs old w/a 2 yr old. We all choose to relive our childhoods when we go out in the bush with or without our children.
Whatever you choose, just make sure you are happy with the choices you made. In the end it will be you that decides what you really want. Good luck and have fun!
I really don't know about Chris Reeves knives. So I can't help you there. But I will reccommend any Rat series made by Ontario. The Rat 5 and Rat 7. Both of them come with serrations or plain blade. I have the Rat7 and I put it through alot of crap.
I think the D2 kbar would be a really good knife to have, but you should also learn on how to sharpen knives too. By doing it at home and in the woods. It's one skill that you will need to know to do in the bush. I think the D2 would hold up very good, but eventually it will dull. You or someone else has to sharpen it. If you have someone else do it, ask them to teach you how. Then practice on a cheapo knife until you are good enough to move on to the K-bar.
I own a Mora and I love mine because the ability to easily sharpen it in the bush and cuts like a bandit. Yes it doesn't have all the bells and whistles. It is a truely boring and ugly knife but it works for me. I know how you feel about going through all these knives choices. I have bought and used many knives before I came to my choices of knives. To this day I still switch or ask about certain knives. So I guess I'm still growing up too even though I'm 30 yrs old w/a 2 yr old. We all choose to relive our childhoods when we go out in the bush with or without our children.
Whatever you choose, just make sure you are happy with the choices you made. In the end it will be you that decides what you really want. Good luck and have fun!