Survival/Tactical knife help

R

Rovert

Joined
Apr 22, 2000
Messages
94
I'm in the process of putting together an emergency BOB/Survival kit bag, just in case, for when the excrement impacts the rotary impeller. I'll need a quality, fixed blade knife, and could use everyone's help to get some ideas on what models I should be looking for.

Characteristics:
Heavy duty: Will be used for chopping, prying, hard use. Would like a sheath like a dive knife, with some sort of lock, so I can carry it hilt down, tip up. Steel undecided, but I've heard interesting things about dendritic and Talonite. Blade Length undecided, since I'm sure about the laws, but I think that length isn't an issue, since it will NOT be concealed. Doesn't necessarily have to be custom, but need it to be sturdy, for emergency use, like if I have to cut seat belts, break auto glass, cut through electrical wires, saw out of something, or whatever.

So far, some that are in the running:
Becker: TacTool?
Benchmade: River Rescue?
Boker: Applegate/Fairbairn?
Emerson: SARK?
Reeve: Aviator/Shadow/Project/Mark?

I also don't need to have all features in one knife. IOW, it's OK if one blade is used for emergency/evacuation use, and another for longer-term survival, as a general hunting/camp knife for chopping wood, and so on.

Thanks!
 
I'm no survival expert, maybe you could check under tactics & training for some more insight. I would suggest a good sized bowie from CS, Busse, Spec Plus (kinda cheap), Becker, etc. A sturdy folder, maybe not a SARK- it has no point, perhaps another Emerson model or Strider, it'd be nice if this was also your edc. Also carry a SAK or multitool for added versatility. I don't think you can rely on one blade in an emergency, if it gets ruined or lost, then that's it. A kydex sheath can be made for any blade and be very secure. I'm not so sure about a Chris Reeve fixed blade, never handled one, but I don't know about a metal handle in temperature extremes, and you did mention electrical wires. Weight can be a consideration, machetes are better for clearing a path, hatchets are better for chopping; a knife that does both comfortably may be a bit of a search for you.
 
If limited to just one fixed blade I probably would go with my Cold Steel SRK. Rugged blade, great steel, all-round design.
 
I second the CS SRK, you may want to consider the CS Recon Scout.
Fallkniven A1 maybe?
Cheers,
Gord.
 
Hardheart, yes, I did mention that I would be willing to consider more than one blade. As to the SAK, my plan is to have a Leatherman and/or Spydewrench, or another multitool, as well as my Terzuola WeeTee that I have as my new EDC. I was actually thinking more along the lines of something like the SARK or TacTool and this:

fighters_descr.gif
 
Rovert,

Pop on over to the wilderness and survival forum in the Tactics & Training section here, and ask -- very knowledgeable folks there who are aslo into the tactical side of things...

You'll get many responses!

Best,

Brian.
 
You sound like you want a Busse Steel Heart-E or a Natural Outlaw. :D
 
Brian, thanks. It was a tough call. Since it seemed more knife related, than survival related, I posted here. So far, there's been some good feedback. Hope to get lots of great ideas here.
 
I'd go for the 8" model of the ones you have pictured, extra leverage for chopping. The Tactool would be good for a more urban environment IMO, for prying open doors & windows. Still unclear on your mention of the SARK with the rest, it's a folder.
 
Hardheart, good point. I really had it in there as a description of blade type/functionality. If I had a good hard-use fixed blade knife, then the SARK would be OK as the 'emergency/escape' blade.
 
Actually, on our recent two week long, survival trek to the Idaho Outback to film Ron Hood's latest video, the Tac-Tool proved to be one of the best all-around OUTDOOR blades I have come across, design-wise. It was actually a big surprise -- I didn't really pay much attention to it before that.

The flattened, sharp tip made a great blade for digging up plants like thistles (and saved the main blade edge from being dulled) and worked as a nice post-hole drill for shelter. The small front edge also made for a nice planer/scraper on wood and skins. The serrations cut vine and rope very well, and the main blade cut like a knife and was an *excellent* chopper. The gut hook cuts through wire and rope very nicely too, and was GREAT for lifting hot coffee cans (we use those as cooking pots, with a coat hanger attached as a handle) from the fire.

It is an entrenching tool, chopper, and knife all rolled into one, plus more. Don't let the fact that it has been marketed as a "tactical prying tool" fool you into thinking that it's not great in the woods. For the specific variety of tasks you're looking for your blade to do, the Tac-Tool probably fits the list best. It is a fantastic crossover between the urban and wilderness environments. An all-around Bug-Out blade for whichever environment you find yourself in.

It also held up to the intense punishment we put it through without a hiccup. I would trust my life to this blade in a survival situation in an instant. They are really THAT good, and you can't beat the price. (Just so ya know, I will not recommend a blade that I have not punished for real. I don't do artificial tests in my backyard and pronounce it fit for survival. If a blade doens't cut it, I just don't comment publicly, or I don't come back ;)...)

Hope this helps you in your decision!


Best,

Brian.
 
Wow! Brian, I guess you really hate that TacTool, huh? :D

It's SO hard to tell what will work in an emergency situation. I listed the TacTool, since it LOOKED as though it would do the trick, but I wasn't sure, and we all know that looks can be deceiving. In fact, I was even thinking that a decent blunt nosed dive knife might do just as well.

I've done a fair amount of camping in my day, rafted the Green River for a week during my teens, and have hiked in NY and Vermont. I'm not a 'survival expert', but I'm no couch potato either, so I know that gizmos are BS. If anyone has ever been out there, and been exposed to certain situations, I think you develop an intuitive sense of what would work, or what wouldn't. However, it's the actual 'in use' real-world testing where the rubber meets the road, and it sure sounds like you beat the hell out of that bad boy.

So, what I'm hearing is that I can scratch everything else off the list, in favor of the TacTool for an Urban kit that might have to take you as far as the mountains. Is there a 'backup blade' you'd recommend for the BOB, just in case?

Thanks for the feedback! Keep those cards and letters coming!
 
Like you stated Rovert, I'm no Survival Expert, I was going to suggest the BK&T Campanion both becauae of the excellent Price to Quality ration and since it is produced with 1/4" stock (great for Prying). As you probably know, all the BK&T knives have a very ergonomic handle and has a Strap on the Kydex sheath that I believe would secure the knife adequately upside down (if I'm incorrect you could easily use some Velcro to secure it). However, The TacTool probably seems a better choice based on the Blade shape having so many functions.

One thing too keep in mind about the Busse Fighters that you posted the pic of, while I'm sure they are extremely tough (INFI of course) those knives do have a Distal Taper and thus toward the Tip of the blade the steel will not be near the 1/4" thickness that the Total blade is on other Busse knives like the Badger.

Finally, IMO a small very sharp knife would probably come in handy in your pack for any slicing or delicate tasks they may present themselves. I choose a Fixed Blade when I can so I would recommend a Dozier blade of around 3". Great Kydex Sheaths that will definately hold the blade securely should you choose to wear it inverted (on a Shoulder Pack Strap, around your Neck, etc.)

Just my thoughts.
 
That testimonial for the TacTool was so good I'm considering one myself! As to what hillbillienigma posted about the distal taper on the Busse models pictured; this is what I alluded to earlier about finding a good balance b/w tools such as a machete and hatchet. A distal taper reduces the weight of the knife (easier to carry and clear small brush) and gives you a finer point for 'delicate' work, but there is a loss in tip strength and the added momentum for chopping strokes. I think a conventional blade shape made of a good steel like on the Busse should be fine for a bug out bag.
 
Hillbillenigma, thanks. My goal here is to cover myself for a linear range of needs, ranging from imminent crisis, to longer term survival, after I'm out of immediate danger.

The first thing I envision is evacuation/emergency. Since I live in the NY Metro area, that means I'll need something to get out of a building, cut screens, break glass, pry hinges, or slice seat belts. Once I'm in a place of safety (read: hill country, if need be!), I need something that will serve for camp-style use for longer term living.

In between those two extremes - a tool for immediate evacuation, and another tool for strategic survival when I'm not in a crisis situation, I have many different utility options ranging from a multitool to different folders that I normally carry with me, anyway.

The point here is that the BOB/Survival kit isn't just for when skyscrapers fall, planes crash, or buildings catch on fire. I'm willing to spend more to get a variety of tools to cover my butt. If all you have is a camp knife, and you're in the concrete jungle, you're hosed. Vice versa, a crowbar used to get out of a building in NYC, isn't worth diddly once you're out in the hills. That said, if there's a blade that covers that range well, then why carry two tools, when one will do?

Every day we see accidents on the highway, or in the workplace. I plan to have this kit within reasonable reach, so that it's ready for a myriad of scenarios.

Hey... it's only money, right? :D
 
I swear by Tom Johanning's TAC-11 Custom survival Knife

dplate.gif


Black Canvas Micarta handle
Blade Steel - A-8 tool steel with bead blast finish
Blade length - 6 1/2"
Overall length - 11"
Weigth - 14oz


I've used this knife all over the world (and I mean all over) I've chopped, pried, skinned and abused the hell out of this knife in SERE school, jungles, the artic and pretty much everywhere in between.

Mine has a black titanium carbonitride coating -- laughs at salt water ;)

I certainly have no problem trusting my life to this knife! To me it is more tool than just knife - an indestructable monster :D

Dan
 
Fällkniven S1 Forest Knife would be my first choice within your specification's limits. Going higher in price you might be heavily disappointed as to ratio between price and usefulness.
 
Rovert,I'm here because I'm a knife guy,I also make my living forcing doors, windows,breeching walls,cutting people out of cars ect.There is no knife I would pick to to do these things.

Now I do like the Tac tool and it may work fine on wood doors and other light weight construction but buildings with steel doors and jambs, well its better than nothing I guess.

I know you can't walk around with a Halligan bar and a sledge,but maybe you could stash them in your office.Also there are smaller bars that you could carry.I highly recomend a shove knife for slipping locks,about the size of a tongue depresser.

I would get a bar and knife,if you can't get out in the first place you won't need a knife so for me the bar is first.

I will look for a site that has the bars and post it here.

Ok found it. www.firemarktools.com

BTW, as far as car accidents go keep in mind you never move a victim without first taking spinal precautions (manual stablelazation of neck,apply collar to neck and backboard)the only exception would be an immediate threat to life ie.the car is in flames,sinking in a body of water ect. Then I would "take the glass" and pull them through.
 
LH, I hear ya. Nobody can forsee every situation, and nobody can really have every possible tool possibly imaginable for every situation at one's disposal, I'm just looking to stack the odds in my favor. :D I do plan on adding a shove knife to the kit.

After the glowing review by Brian, I'm inclined to think that the TacTool might just give me as much 'mileage' as I could need, without having to carry a half dozen different blades, or spending more than is necessary.
 
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