The PSK

Shorttime

Shorttime

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2011
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I don't understand Personal Survival Knives.

The original inspiration was a knife that could fit in an Altoids Tin. As it stands, the general dimensions of a PSK is less than 5" overall, with a blade right around 1.5". Light, simple knives that are easy to pack, so that it's easier to make sure you always have at least one.

Here's what doesn't make sense, at least to me.

A knife is part of my Everyday Carry. Which is to say I always have one, and the force which would be required to knock it loose from my person would also kill me.

So, I always have a knife, and it's usually larger and more capable than the typical PSK.

Furthermore, a knife that small would seem to make sacrifices in ease of use, both because of a very small blade, and very little real estate for your hand. Given that you may already be wet, cold, and injured, it makes sense that you would want something that makes short work of wood processing.

So it seems like there is a mismatch between the PSK's size, and it's intended purpose. But it may just be that I don't understand the point of these tiny knives.

Help me understand?
 
I think most people get them to feel good, and to have fun with. Sort of like paracord bracelets. Though its theoretically possible that PSK knives and paracord bracelets could be used in a real survival situation, I suspect that it has never actually happened. So I put them in the "toy" or "pocket jewelry" category. Mostly used for fondling and making Youtube videos.

Yes, I'm dissing them as survival tools. :) But they do no harm, and they can be fun.
 
The "prepare" crowd has exploded, and a lot of guys need bug out bags, and zombie apocalypse gear, and for them they are essential.

I'm not saying there is no need ever for a bug out bag, but for most urbanites they are uneeded

I've seen some guys also carry more crap than a woman in their EDC back packs or pouches. It makes me chuckle, but to each his own

I'm entertained by youtube vids of guys opening their maxpedition packs full of crap they EDC
 
Shorttime said:
I don't understand Personal Survival Knives.

The original inspiration was a knife that could fit in an Altoids Tin. As it stands, the general dimensions of a PSK is less than 5" overall, with a blade right around 1.5". Light, simple knives that are easy to pack, so that it's easier to make sure you always have at least one.

Here's what doesn't make sense, at least to me.

A knife is part of my Everyday Carry. Which is to say I always have one, and the force which would be required to knock it loose from my person would also kill me.

So, I always have a knife, and it's usually larger and more capable than the typical PSK.

Furthermore, a knife that small would seem to make sacrifices in ease of use, both because of a very small blade, and very little real estate for your hand. Given that you may already be wet, cold, and injured, it makes sense that you would want something that makes short work of wood processing.

So it seems like there is a mismatch between the PSK's size, and it's intended purpose. But it may just be that I don't understand the point of these tiny knives.

Help me understand?
Click to expand...

They may not fill their intended niche however they certainly make solid light use pocket carry fixed blades.
 
155440 said:
They may not fill their intended niche however they certainly make solid light use pocket carry fixed blades.
Click to expand...

Would it be fair to say these knives are unfairly named? That using the word "survival" in the name creates an unreasonable expectation of their capability?
 
As a response to the cold, cruel world we live in, we like to feel prepared. It gives a small measure of control, or at least makes us think so. An Altoids PSK/knife can make us feel prepared, even though in reality its mostly or completely illusory.

I do often carry an Altoids urban convenience kit - or whatever one might call it - but it just contains convenience items like band-aids, an anti-bacterial boo boo wipe, Advil, Tums, safety pins, etc. The contents do get used regularly, but I recognize that its not going to help me survive. Its mostly just makes me feel good when I can help a mom whose kid has a scraped knee or whatever.

Like Mr. Short, I always have a "real" knife, flashlight and MT/SAK on me, so a PSK knife wouldn't really benefit me anyway.
 
Shorttime said:
Would it be fair to say these knives are unfairly named? That using the word "survival" in the name creates an unreasonable expectation of their capability?
Click to expand...

Well it did help me survive the time my shirt tag was messing with my neck. I thought it was going to kill me wearing that shirt!!
 
I'm also interested in hearing what your thoughts are on what a PSK "should" be.

I think of something like the Izula: (more) useful blade length, (more) useful handle length, but the no frills packaging makes it light, slim, and easy to secure. You can strap it into a leg sheath or IWB holster. It may be hard to get to, but you can be certain it's there if you need it.

So what say you, members of Bladeforums? Is it time the term "Personal Survival Knife" got a little size upgrade?
 
I think knives that fit in a tin have always seemed like toys, despite some innovative attempts to make things better. It all ends up looking like a game. Which is fine.

"Survival" is the term that needs to be defined.
Some think it means being dumped in a forest, or a war zone. Others think if you make it home to bed, you survived, & any knife you used is a survival knife.
I'm more in that last camp, & think EDC & PSK are virtually interchangeable.
 
Shorttime said:
Would it be fair to say these knives are unfairly named? That using the word "survival" in the name creates an unreasonable expectation of their capability?
Click to expand...

I'd say that's fair. While it may be better than no knife, there are far more effective choices for a "survival" knife.
 
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