Survival/Tactical blade suggestions?

I

ImANinja

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Jan 14, 2015
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Hi everyone, as the topic title says Im looking for a Survival/Tactical blade. I was looking around and stumbled onto the discontinued Surefire Echo. It looked like a perfect fit! But than the prices I saw online was around $280, usually on Ebay, which of course depressed me. Do you guys have any suggestions of another fixed blade that might be able to replace it? Im looking for something that has some rust-proofing/resist corrosion, if it rains or if I drop it into a river. Has a secure grip/ergonomic in even the wettest conditions. And a strong steel with superior edge retention. I would mostly be using it for some light camping/hiking knife and of course also as a self defense knife in a emergency.

I've been looking at the Zero Tolerance 0121 and the Boker Plus Coye Ridgeback but I dont really have much experience in the knife world so Im a bit lost. Im looking for something in the $100 to $200 price range. Any help or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! :)
 
What kind of outdoor activities do u want to do? I mean, if you goin to a Sunday afternoon promenade a gerber big rock is more than enough, cheap multipurpose blade, otherwise if u are use it for more heavy duty on higher budget u can just pick some from bk-7, sk-5 schf-9.
 
I looked at some ESEE but I read that 1095 steel "will rust and stain if not properly cared for." True?

And I was looking for a day backpack knife, something I can strap onto the pack and just take off. A jack of all trades basically, batoning, feather sticks, exc. And I have a Schrade schf-9 but its to heavy IMO to lug around.
 
For production knives check out the ESEE 4 stainless, relatively inexpensive and should be able to do all that you ask. Plus the warranty is incredible.
If you wanted to spend more, a Bark River Bravo 1 in CPM 3V or S35VN would be ideal, or a Fallkniven S1 or F1.

Knowing your top end budget would be helpful.
 
Maybe a Cold Steel Master Hunter? It's a fairly thick, tough, stainless blade with decent edge retention. Won't break the bank and is still small and light enough to carry all day.
 
If you're not very confident with sharpening, I'd stick to carbon steels or "simple" stainless. Stay away from the premium steels, such as 3V, if you don't have a ton of sharpening ability. The ESEE line is perfect. They are normally 1095 (high carbon, will rust if not taken care of), but they just came out with a few in 440C, which is stainless. 1095 is fine for most people...as long as you don't put it away wet (clean it off and oil it before storing it in the sheath) you should be fine. But, if you'd rather have the low-maintenance stainless, 440c works fine.

Both steels are easy to sharpen. You can't go wrong with an ESEE 4 either 1095 or 440c. Also check out the Becker BK16 (drop point) or BK17 (clip point). The handles are more comfortable than the ESEE 4. These are 1095 as well. They are priced a little lower, but also come with a less use-able sheath. It is serviceable, but not ideal.

Good luck!
 
One quick warning about ESEE is try to handle them before purchase. They make great knives, but if you have big hands the handles can be somewhat uncomfortable.
 
I am a big fan of my Mora Bushcraft Black. With minimal care I have never had any rust issues with any of my carbon steel Moras over the years.

If you are really concerned about it they make a stainless Bushcraft model.

It's a good sturdy blade that comes sharp from the factory and is easy to sharpen yourself. Best part is it's $40. Might be worth giving it a try.
 
If you don't need a "super" stainless steel, there are lots of AUS8 and 440C fixed blades out there in your price range or below, as well as some very respectable 420HC options. This past year, I purchased a SOG Team Leader Survivor TL-02, which will accompany me on all camping and hiking excursions going forward. (It has since been discontinued and replaced with the TL-03, which I don't have any experience with.) Someone mentioned the NW Ranger, which also might be worth your consideration.

I have several knives suitable for outdoor activities, but the conclusion I've reached regardless of the actual knife model I choose is that I want one good for slicing and one good for chopping. Whether that's a big, beefy fixed blade and small folder or vice versa isn't so much the point as having the capabilities. I find myself using a good slicer far more than a chopper, and it generally doesn't have to be very big. However, if only bringing one knife, I guess I would have to weigh my choice against what other tools, if any, I was also bringing. For camping, I usually have a folding saw and/or hatchet.
 
I looked at some ESEE but I read that 1095 steel "will rust and stain if not properly cared for." True?
Click to expand...

All steel, even stainless will rust and stain unless properly cared for really. (well, except for a few Spyderco knives made out of H1?) Stainless is much more forgiving. ESEE, and most 'tactical' knives, come with a coating which covers and protects 99% of the blade so only the edge is exposed steel. As long as you clean off your knife you shouldn't have a problem. Lots of folks use non-stainless steel.

You can also check out Swamp Rat or Scrapyard knives. They're the budget side of Busse knives, nicely made. If you really want to spend the cash then Busse or Fehrman knives are always good. Lastly, check out the makers for sale section of the forum. There are some great knives sold for amazing prices.
 
Also, if you want to stay in the ESEE zone but don't like their handles, there is an option of buying a blank (just the knife, no handles installed) from The Knife Connection, one of the great paid dealers on this forum. You can see the blanks here: http://www.theknifeconnection.net/esee-blade-only/ and their custom handles here: http://www.theknifeconnection.net/tkc-g10-handles/

You can't buy a blank without buying a set of their custom handles, but their handles are outstanding and really transform the feel of the knife. They are much better contoured than the factory scales! I have a set on my ESEE 3 and I love them.
 
^^ great suggestion here.

A Survive GSO 4.1 is also a sweet knife. :thumbup:

Either brings a lot of quality and durability.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
One quick warning about ESEE is try to handle them before purchase. They make great knives, but if you have big hands the handles can be somewhat uncomfortable.
Click to expand...

+1 for this... and a second warning about ESEE is they are somewhat uncomfortable with small hands as well. I've got little girl mitts on me and I find the hardly rounded corners to be less than ideal.

P.S. +1 for the fallkniven F1 or for the money you are looking for drop me a PM and we can chat a bit.
 
Everything you're looking for can be found in the Esee 3" or 4" blade with black coating. Plus, it's got the "mall ninja" look. A bit misleading because it is one tough knife. Can handle whatever you dish out.
 
ImANinja said:
I looked at some ESEE but I read that 1095 steel "will rust and stain if not properly cared for." True?
Click to expand...
No one pointed this out yet, but, your Schrade schf-9 is also made of 1095 carbon steel. As you probably now realize, taking care of carbon steel isn't as bad as some people make it out to be.

I myself have an Esee4 and it is an almoooost "all-around" knife. I usually tell people the 4 is on the cusp of being too small for some tasks like batoning or chopping. But honestly, batoning and chopping lumber that's too big for the 4 usually means you need a big chopper or a hatchet anyways.

It is a sensible sized knife to do sensible knife jobs. Take a look at the Esee Laser strike if you want more chopping and batoning capabilities.
 
Esee is a great choice, as is the Ka-Bar Becker BK-14, imho, as well as other knives from Ka-Bar's Becker line depending on which exact size and weight you want. In MY view you would be better served going smaller than bigger.

Also, have a look at the Tops Knives Covert Anti-terrorism fixed blade. I think this one might serve your needs very well too.

And as others have said, you will really not have any problems with 1095. In South America they almost only ever use carbon steels without any issues at all. 1095 is GREAT steel.
 
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