I am a new to Survival/Diaster Prep. I'm trying to do my research to fill my checklists and kits. I have been online for hours trying to get info on the best utility knife for this purpose. I am interested in a highend fixed blade knife and have looked at Benchmade, Sog, KaBar, and others. I am female, but large/strong enough to handle a substantial blade length. I will not be carrying this on my belt for personal protection, except in an emergency or while camping, etc. I want the best knife to serve the purpose of survival and protection. Stong enough to be used as more than just a weopon under many different types of conditions. A "good" sheath with pocket, sharpener, etc would also be useful. Price doesn't matter as long as it fits the bill. Please help!
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Tactical/Survival Knife Help
- Thread starter raptnblue
- Start date
Welcome to the forums!
There are many knives that would "fill the bill". Can you describe your requirements some more? Is this something that you want for an urban evacuation, or are you looking for a good knife for the woods? What sizes are acceptable, what kind of cutting, chopping, etc. do you plan on doing? Or is this a WTSHTF type of fixed blade that you are looking for?
If I had to run out of my house right now and grab just one, it would be my Busse Steelheart E. The pouch on the sheath already has a diamond sharpener (DMT diafold red/blue), bic type lighter, firesteel, and a Victorinox Huntsman with a lanyard and a photon II white on it.
But that's just me, I'm sure that others will chime in.
There are many knives that would "fill the bill". Can you describe your requirements some more? Is this something that you want for an urban evacuation, or are you looking for a good knife for the woods? What sizes are acceptable, what kind of cutting, chopping, etc. do you plan on doing? Or is this a WTSHTF type of fixed blade that you are looking for?
If I had to run out of my house right now and grab just one, it would be my Busse Steelheart E. The pouch on the sheath already has a diamond sharpener (DMT diafold red/blue), bic type lighter, firesteel, and a Victorinox Huntsman with a lanyard and a photon II white on it.
But that's just me, I'm sure that others will chime in.
Cliff Stamp
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raptnblue said:
Custom ground 3/16" Steel Heart from Busse Combat with sheath from Chas Clements. Dropping down in price a *lot* : Ratweiler from Swamp Rat Knifeworks, lots of standard sheath options.
-Cliff
i would think that it would be helpfull to know what environment you would use the knife in jungle, forest, desert, what are your anticipated tasks, you might find that the choices are bewildering, there are so many manufactureres, custom makers, and different blade shapes, lengths, diferent sheaths. a lot of the choice has to do with your skill level, the more skills you aquire the less gear you need. i have never broken a knife in normal use on different camping/survival/ hunting trips. most brand name knives will hold up to tremendous abuse, from the swedish army knife to the kabar marine corps bowie, to the cold steel SRK, these knives are inexpensive and pretty robust. the becker line of knives are also built pretty tough, the RAT series developed by jeff randal are also pretty robust. then you get into more expensive knives like the busse, tops, rat,fehrman all very good knives. then all the custom makers many of whom's knives we see posted here.
you would be well served to get a machete, i like the cold steel machetes, a small axe, a camillus marine corps bowie, a swedish army knife, a rucksak or one handed trailmaster swiss army knife, a cold steel SRK, and try these out for your needs before buying a custom knife or dropping a whole bunch of money on something you find does not suit your needs. your preferences and needs will surface as you use each of these knives and you will see what is most usefull and what you can leave behind. there is no "best" or "perfect", the answer is what fits your style.
alex
you would be well served to get a machete, i like the cold steel machetes, a small axe, a camillus marine corps bowie, a swedish army knife, a rucksak or one handed trailmaster swiss army knife, a cold steel SRK, and try these out for your needs before buying a custom knife or dropping a whole bunch of money on something you find does not suit your needs. your preferences and needs will surface as you use each of these knives and you will see what is most usefull and what you can leave behind. there is no "best" or "perfect", the answer is what fits your style.
alex
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Ok guys, the info is great, but remember I am a beginner at this. Will I know the difference between a $400 custom knife or a $250 manufactured knife from Benchmade, SOG or the like?? I don't hunt, fish from time to time. The knife would be a used as a survival tool and weapon for the most part. Are your thoughts still with Busse and the others?
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As in many things, that last few % to get to the "top" are disproportionately expensive. If you are not a regular user of knives you probably would not notice the difference, in function, between a Swamp Rat and a Busse, for example. One might feel more comfortable in your hand (an important consideration). Both brands produce tough knives that are still quite useful over a broad range of tasks.
Whenever I see posts that ask for advice, I recall the comment of the author of a book on backpacking gear: "Remember when listening to advice on the best pack, best tent, best stove, etc. -- everyone is prejudiced."
I take it as a given that part of the price of the very highest price category is being paid for the brand name.
Some knives do not come with a sheath or a sheath with a pocket. You can always buy a sheath with whatever features you desire.
There are lots of choices within the range of the very acceptable. I suspect you are going to get LOTS of advice.
Whenever I see posts that ask for advice, I recall the comment of the author of a book on backpacking gear: "Remember when listening to advice on the best pack, best tent, best stove, etc. -- everyone is prejudiced."
I take it as a given that part of the price of the very highest price category is being paid for the brand name.
Some knives do not come with a sheath or a sheath with a pocket. You can always buy a sheath with whatever features you desire.
There are lots of choices within the range of the very acceptable. I suspect you are going to get LOTS of advice.
Quote Cliff Stamp: Custom ground 3/16" Steel Heart from Busse Combat with sheath from Chas Clements. Dropping down in price a *lot* : Ratweiler from Swamp Rat Knifeworks, lots of standard sheath options.
Ditto
Don't get a SOG, heard too many negative comments.
Ditto
Don't get a SOG, heard too many negative comments.
The Busse would be great. You would probably be well served by a Swamp Rat Camp Tramp. Around $150, and very good. The mentioned CS SRK is a good knife also, but in a different class and price range, around $50 on line. The Becker CU/7 is a great all round knife also, and only around $45.
Any of these will serve you well, it's up to you to determine what you need.
One of the more useful outdoor fixed blade (but not for self defense) is the Mora. You can buy an Eriksson Mora #1 for $9 from Ragnar at Ragweed Forge, and for just cutting, it really works well. For the price, it's worth trying out, even if you end up not liking it. Think of it as a supplement to your large blade, and one that you will use most of the time, especially for cleaning fish.
The Bladeforums version of "stocking stuffers".
Any of these will serve you well, it's up to you to determine what you need.
One of the more useful outdoor fixed blade (but not for self defense) is the Mora. You can buy an Eriksson Mora #1 for $9 from Ragnar at Ragweed Forge, and for just cutting, it really works well. For the price, it's worth trying out, even if you end up not liking it. Think of it as a supplement to your large blade, and one that you will use most of the time, especially for cleaning fish.
The Bladeforums version of "stocking stuffers".
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razcob said:
Not all SOG's are created equally. Some are perfectly acceptable carbon steel -- based on experience.
In an ideal universe you would try before you buy. Failing that, try ASAP to see if your eventual choice works for you.
...I've kinda fallen for a Busse Fusion Steel Heart, black crinkle with Green Linen handle. I think it's the best looking knife I have ever seen. I'm still too obtuse to look on their order page and find what I want to price it and ask about recommendations from you guys. I'm not sure how this custom stuff works---do I have to just deal with what is being offeed or can I order what I want? I've read that a good survival knife should have a tang thru the handle, no rivets. Not true?
.....By the way, thanks guys for being so nice to me. When I stumbled on this forum, I was hoping to find information, I have but with the bonus of a community of friends.
Leigh
.....By the way, thanks guys for being so nice to me. When I stumbled on this forum, I was hoping to find information, I have but with the bonus of a community of friends.
Leigh
as far as custom knives go, you talk to the maker and work out the details of the knife, design, yours or theirs, type of steel, type of handle material, blade length. many custom makers have their own designs, but will make a blade to suite you. we have a few on this forum that do just beautifull work. you dont have to spend a fortune to be adequately equiped.
busse makes an honest blade, if you like them then go for it.the only problem i have with buying knives unseen is that you just dont know how they feel in your hand until you pick them up. after all they are a hand tool, and they sort of have to fit your hand.
alex
busse makes an honest blade, if you like them then go for it.the only problem i have with buying knives unseen is that you just dont know how they feel in your hand until you pick them up. after all they are a hand tool, and they sort of have to fit your hand.
alex
...Third kinda dumb question. So just how do I get to put one of these knives in my hand to see if it feels right? Do I purchase online and then send it back if the fit is wrong? I don't think there are dealers that sell anything more than manufactured blades in my area, although I'm so new to all this, I'll admit ignorance. I guess everyone has to try to educate themselves about things, and I am one of those who will gather as much info from the experienced before making a decision on a quality product. Knives, in my opinion, are like firearms----quality can make the difference between getting hurt or saving your life. That new Mercedes sports coupe definitely rocks me, but at $100,000 or so, I doubt it would save my life and could definitely get me hurt<grin>.
It's going to sound a bit strange, but you might need 2 1/2 knives. Get an absolute topnotch small knife about as long as your finger. Then maybe get a big cheap bowie or something tough. After that, get an apallingly cheap machete. If you don't want to carry an axe for wood, get a great chopping blade like a huge khukuri or something.
This is all just a suggestion based on my own experiences. The middlesize and big knives get used for things knives shouldn't be used for and risk getting lost/broken etc. Would you rather accidentally hit a rock with a $400 machete or a $10 one? The middlesize knife is usually just an option to back up the big knife, but you mentioned self-defense.
That little knife is your buddy, and it gets used with care to do those crucial little details. Get the best you can.
Personally, I don't like lugging a bunch of stuff I can't eat, drink, or wear over the rugged Canadian Shield, so I pack a nice little knife and maybe a machete for wood. That's it for knives.
This is all just a suggestion based on my own experiences. The middlesize and big knives get used for things knives shouldn't be used for and risk getting lost/broken etc. Would you rather accidentally hit a rock with a $400 machete or a $10 one? The middlesize knife is usually just an option to back up the big knife, but you mentioned self-defense.
That little knife is your buddy, and it gets used with care to do those crucial little details. Get the best you can.
Personally, I don't like lugging a bunch of stuff I can't eat, drink, or wear over the rugged Canadian Shield, so I pack a nice little knife and maybe a machete for wood. That's it for knives.
Cliff Stamp
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raptnblue said:
There is a pass around forum here and another on Knifeforums where you can sign up to handle a knife for a week, all it costs you is the shipping to send the knife out to the next person. This is a good way to get a feel for knives and get some experience about size, shapes and steels.
-Cliff
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I know the real badass knive guys out there might cringe, but my choices would be a Victorinox one-hand trekker or a USAF pilots survival knife. But if that survival were to be in a jungle or thickly wooded area, an Ontario 12" machete would be my first choice.
Vic Ross
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Victor L Ross said:
"Survival where?" is a very legitimate question.
A SAK is a nice second knife unless the strandard is "better than nothing" -- pretty soft, pretty modest steel in a high fit and finish package and already "broken" (hinged).
You could do worse that the USAF Survival Knife (current or prior version), but you could do better.
And "bad ass" has not a thing to do with it. If you're inta' "badass," the knife has to be black.
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razcob said:
One might attempt to learn the facts, but suit yourself.
Sadly, I must tell you that several brands have knives that are less than optimal.