People act like survives are so nice with some unmatched quality, but I didn’t love either of my models (4.5 bushcraft and 6.) Sure, the fit and finish was good, but so are other brands and customs. It’s a tool as well so who really cares that much about it.
I found the 6 to just be too big and heavy, with a handle of about 6 inches that was way overkill in length but not wide enough…very strange design. I also don’t really like overly thick stock knives anymore, and the 6 was overbuilt and overweight imo. So next I tried the 4.5 bushcraft, which is the only thin model. While it was better than the 6, the handle wasn’t as comfortable as a custom I later bought..so I ended up selling it.
Btw, the 6 was listed as shipping out within like a month iirc, but took 9+ months. The 4.5 took some few months and I only got it when I did because I changed to a coated one that they for some reason decided to build and ship before older orders. The coated ones were listed as ready to ship but it still took like a month at least after calling as soon as the coated option was posted to social media. This wasn’t a coated one from the decarb batch, but an earlier 3v run. People had been waiting on their non coated orders for years, but of course survive decided to coat some (probably factory second blanks) and list them as ready to ship.
I tried giving them another chance and ordered another model. The newly placed order said it would be ready in 1-3 months, but of course that didn’t happen and I waited over a year as the excuses continuously came. I finally got them to refund the order after continually trying to contact them then finally threatening to contact the PA DA or whoever it was that was recommended to contact someways back in this thread. Those non decarbed magnacut blades still haven’t shipped out 5+ months after I refunded a year old order, as they continue to work on the decarb blades..
Needless to say, I will never purchase another survive knife as I am complete soured on Guy and his “business.” I gladly sold the 6 as well after finding the custom market since I really did not like the weight or the ergos at all, not to mention the business practices. There are some amazing makers over at the bushcraft forums, and I’m sure there are many amazing ones here as well who will gladly communicate with you and get you a very high quality, actual custom/hand made knife that has amazing ergos and geometry. I wish everyone who is into bush crafting could get a seedy lot knife to try, but unfortunately they are rather rare. If you’re after an indestructible knife, I think it would be hard to beat Nathan at CPK here on these forums. There are so many other options as well.
But, have to admit, S!K design, materials, quality and fit and finish are outstaning (and prices are OK too). I only wish they start doing honest business and made all those preordes that people are waiting for years.
