Survival Knives

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Xanatos57

Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
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Hey everyone. I'm fairly new to the world of knives as a whole. I've carried one most of my life, but never really learned anything more about blades than how to use it as a basic tool (read: opening boxes and letters and such).

I'm looking at acquiring a survival knife of some sort, preferably something that'll survive in the sandbox when I get my chance. The only real "tactical" knife I've ever owned is a SOG SEAL Team Elite and from what I hear it's not really a survival knife meant for heavy duty work. I was wondering if anyone here could give me pointers on what to look for in a survival knife or any brands I should be looking at. Also, I know this is going to sound stupid to some, but aesthetics do play a role. I really like the look of the my SOG and it was the initial reason I bought it.

I'm open to anything and everything since I have literally no experience in the matter.
 
You could look into acquiring a BK9 or a BK7. Both knives are great for survival use, IMO. Many would prefer the smaller, 7'" blades for survival; though I'm a true believer in the 9" blades. Some 9 inchers out there are light enough for comfortable carrying, and will outperform the shorter blades in any survival task.
 
Relatively new member here. I bought a Cold Steel Recon Scout in their San Mai III steel in mid November. I took it on a camping trip in AZ in early December.

The knife worked great. It really took some abuse. It split wood very well. It looks nice, too. The only thing that bugged me was that the hand guard got in the way of any fine control. But since it's well over 7" I left that stuff to another blade. The handle has a ton of grip, too, which I appreciate. It fell some small dead standing wood faster than my dad could with his Fiskars hatchet.

It's heavy, but it's a thick slab of steel. If you want really tough with decent looks, then check it out.
 
if your rellay serious get one of the higher end brands, scrap yard, swamp rat, or busse, you will survive a nuclear strike with any knives from those companies
 
snorkem said:
if your rellay serious get one of the higher end brands, scrap yard, swamp rat, or busse, you will survive a nuclear strike with any knives from those companies
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The knives would survive, not the user! O.o
That's what I'm talking about. People buy knives that will outlast the human race! what's up with THAT? lol.
I really think that a cheaper BECKER or RAT cutlery would do so also; thing is, when the nukes strike, the one with the RATs will die a richer man :D
 
Your are going to get a lot of different opinions here on what constitutes a "survival knife". There are three more pieces of info really needed:

Price range your looking at.

Size of blade\weight of blade your wanting\willing to lug around.

Type of task you envision using it for - just "survival" is too vague. For some people a 3" Mora is a survival knife and anything more is excessive, for others a 2 pound chopper that could be used to build a log cabin is what they consider a survival knife...
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

Xanatos57 said:
The only real "tactical" knife I've ever owned is a SOG SEAL Team Elite and from what I hear it's not really a survival knife meant for heavy duty work.
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Yes, it is. It's a good knife. We have a SOG forum here, too. Look in on it if you like their knives.
 
Xanatos57 said:
Hey everyone. I'm fairly new to the world of knives as a whole. I've carried one most of my life, but never really learned anything more about blades than how to use it as a basic tool (read: opening boxes and letters and such).

I'm looking at acquiring a survival knife of some sort, preferably something that'll survive in the sandbox when I get my chance. The only real "tactical" knife I've ever owned is a SOG SEAL Team Elite and from what I hear it's not really a survival knife meant for heavy duty work. I was wondering if anyone here could give me pointers on what to look for in a survival knife or any brands I should be looking at. Also, I know this is going to sound stupid to some, but aesthetics do play a role. I really like the look of the my SOG and it was the initial reason I bought it.

I'm open to anything and everything since I have literally no experience in the matter.
Click to expand...

How can a seal knife not be a survival knife? A s.w.a.t. officer once told me he thought glocks were pieces of sh*t. So if its looks like, walks like, acts like a duck and some so called "pro" says its something else, go with your gut and call it a duck.
 
My brother-in-law wanted a big fixed blade to keep in his cruiser, just in case.
I gave him a SOG Seal 2000. (This was well before the Elite versions came out.)
 
Welcome to Bladeforums. The SOG Seal Team Elite is a very good knife. You've been listening to the wrong people.
 
I'm with gargoyle3. Get a hatchet, and the means to sharpen it (a file and a coarse bench stone) and you are set. What knife is just personal preference. I mean where you plan to survive (city vs countryside) will have a balancing effect, but not as much as size/strength.
 
I've had a Sog Seal Pup on my pack for several years now and I've never felt under-knifed.
The answer to most survival questions is "the situation dictates". How many situations do you think you are likely to get yourself into that you cannot handle with the Sog you have? Not many I bet.
Enjoy what you have. Welcome to BFC.
 
First, you need to ask your top/first sergeant what will be allowed as uniform carry.
If you're told there are no restrictions, stick with your SOG if you're happy with it.
If you're looking for something different, then start with price range, length & style of blade (tanto, drop point, bowie, etc...), type of metal - carbon or stainless, and then start looking at makers.

good luck!
 
RAT RC 5 or 6, Scrapyard Scrapper 5, Scrapyard S6, Scrapyard SOD, Busse Hellraiser, Busse Jackhammer, Busse SJTAC, Becker BK-7, Becker BK-9, Swamprat Ratmandu, Swedish Mora to name a few.
 
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Xanatos57 said:
Hey everyone. I'm fairly new to the world of knives as a whole. I've carried one most of my life, but never really learned anything more about blades than how to use it as a basic tool (read: opening boxes and letters and such).

I'm looking at acquiring a survival knife of some sort, preferably something that'll survive in the sandbox when I get my chance. The only real "tactical" knife I've ever owned is a SOG SEAL Team Elite and from what I hear it's not really a survival knife meant for heavy duty work. I was wondering if anyone here could give me pointers on what to look for in a survival knife or any brands I should be looking at. Also, I know this is going to sound stupid to some, but aesthetics do play a role. I really like the look of the my SOG and it was the initial reason I bought it.

I'm open to anything and everything since I have literally no experience in the matter.
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Sandbox eh?
Thank you for your service.

Anything fixed blade and not made of nameless stainless or surgical steel.

Steel snobs will have their say, I say anything AUS8 or better.

Sandbox, get a good fully serrated blade(EDIT: like a SPCO rescue) and a fixed blade, handles that fit a gloved hand well.
 
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