Top 10 edged tool innovations for survival purposes

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PayetteRucker

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Aug 4, 2009
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Gimme what you think the top 10 most effective edged tool innovations are when it comes to survival-it can be a brand, grind, steel, blade design, etc etc etc. Just figured this would stem some good discussion.

Here's a few of my favorites:
The puuko-thin blade, big belly, simple full flat grind for easy maintenance and cutting performance with a full grip. 1000+ year old design that in my opinion is still one of the best performers.
The tomahawk-An axe with a knife's edge. A tool that can be used for slicing, hammering and chopping tasks effectively, easily maintained, easily repaired, economical, lightweight and way more precise than a heavy hand axe.
The gut hook/shroud cutter-alot of applications for cutting line in rough conditions make this a small, simple and easy solution to cutting line safely and makes skinning many animals a cinch.
 
The finger choil on the blade.
* For me this is what allows larger blades to somewhat feel and operate like a smaller one and make it suitable for some delicate work. I know some users can hold a knife by the handle and carve with an edge that's 2" away but I've found that this helps me a lot.

The light recurve.
* As seen of course on most ESEE & RAT knives. It really adds something to them for chopping.

Can't think of 10 things ATM.
 
Strength, edge retention and simplicity.

I want a strong blade that will hold up to hard use in emergency situations, including some tasks that a knife wasn't designed for.

A knife that holds a good edge so I can spend more daylight getting things accomplished and less edge maintenence.

Last is simplicity. I don't need a bunch of extra crap on a knife. All I need is a useable size of knife and some scales that are comfortable to hold on to.
 
Serrated edge, and the different type of steel for unique situation. Such as saltwater usage.
 
In the last 50 or so years I think we have gone backwards in blade innovations for true survival, not forward. Too much bullshit now that supposedly is better for survival tasks.
 
Micarta and kydex.

Both materials give extreme and distinct advantages over those they replaced making knives work better and for longer.

Alot to be said for leather and wood but the more "modern" materials are far superior in use.
 
shotgunner11 said:
Micarta and kydex.

Both materials give extreme and distinct advantages over those they replaced making knives work better and for longer.

Alot to be said for leather and wood but the more "modern" materials are far superior in use.
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I definitely agree with this. Synthetic materials like kydex, micarta, G10, etc. have made for much more predictable wear and tear and have greatly increased the longevity of the tools as well as the ease with which they are manufactured.

I also think that a huge innovation in the knife and tool world has been thanks to the intardweb. Now you can have makers and companies from all over the world that can compare notes and learn from each other. Also the customer can be much better informed about materials, designs, etc. and make better decisions on which tool is right for them (even if they don't make such a wise choice).

Other than things like that, I might have to agree with Jeff. I definitely do think that a lot of things have gone downhill as far as design goes. Where we do have progress being made with experimenting with different designs and grinds, we have a disproportionately larger amount of gimmick/tactical/survival emphasis that just doesn't translate well into reality. Unfortunately, the majority of people out there can't see past the "features" and try to buy their "do-all" knife that ends up not being functional for the majority of tasks it's supposed to be able to perform in one great package. People have moved further and further towards things like jimping, 360 degree exposed tangs, and crazy lines all in the name of better grip. Then they wonder why it tears their hands to pieces and sucks so much to actually use. Mean while, the knife with the comfortable grip made by the guy who knows how to make a user knife is passed up because it doesn't look "grippy" and cool.

I'm going to end my rant now before the tether snaps and I can't control it anymore. :thumbup:
 
If we are talking pure survival, then I will even disagree with the notion that synthetics are *better* - not that they are worse or there is anything wrong with them. I have found NOTHING yet that works any better than some of the old wooden handle machetes and kitchen knives I see being used all the time in the jungle. I think we all get caught up in this hype around survivalism. The best survival tool for 99.9 percent of the populace in the US will always be a cell phone, nothing more. If you throw a guy in the bush with nothing but a knife, then whether it has micarta handles, a choil, jimping, rust or anything else is not going to make a whole helluva lot of difference. Now, the design of the blade will, and that's where we have really digressed in survival tools.
 
The HEST's bottle opener. For when you NEVER know when your gonna run across a six pack of ice cold beers in the middle of nowhere.

:D Just messing with ya'll :)

Erm, I don't have anything worthwhile to input so I'll just exit stage right.
 
Vermilion said:
The HEST's bottle opener. For when you NEVER know when your gonna run across a six pack of ice cold beers in the middle of nowhere.
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Exactly! Most knives are novelty cool tools nowadays. That's what the market wants. As I have said over and over, the knife industry, as a whole, is bullshit. As are a lot of other industries. One industry where I have seen very good, useful innovation is the mountaineering and climbing industry. Look at what they were using 50 years ago compared to today's good Kernmantle ropes, ascending/descending devices, tools, etc and that's an industry that you can say has actually made outdoor life better. Not the same in the knife industry though.
 
The only exception I will make to my statements above are the invention of multi-tools. That, in itself, is the best thing to happen to the "knife industry" in the last 100 years.
 
It seems ass I know but hardened steel knives. Before they were standard, bronze and other soft metals were used, before that, flint and bone.
 
Solid lockup/lockback folders. Not a huge deal in function, very big I think in safety
 
R.A.T. said:
If we are talking pure survival, then I will even disagree with the notion that synthetics are *better* - not that they are worse or there is anything wrong with them. I have found NOTHING yet that works any better than some of the old wooden handle machetes and kitchen knives I see being used all the time in the jungle. I think we all get caught up in this hype around survivalism. The best survival tool for 99.9 percent of the populace in the US will always be a cell phone, nothing more. If you throw a guy in the bush with nothing but a knife, then whether it has micarta handles, a choil, jimping, rust or anything else is not going to make a whole helluva lot of difference. Now, the design of the blade will, and that's where we have really digressed in survival tools.
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One time use, I agree. High turnover tools like a machete, agree as well but for me and my uses which are likely to be daily carry and constant wear and tear with limited, light duty use, kydex and micarta beat the pants off of a wooden handle and leather sheath.

Easily last twice as long riding on my side, banging into brick buildings and concrete. Stand up better to moisture, sweat, sun...
 
I guess I misunderstood the original post. In my idea, survival means chips are down and there is going to a relatively short-term of working your ass off to get back to "normal" way of living. If we are talking everyday use, then I would agree that there have been innovations over the years that have really made life more comfortable for the average knfie user.
 
Micarta and kydex. +1 on those.

Layers of fabric glued together then ground in to a shape. Who'da thunk it.

Kydex is definitely up there. Sheaths that offer such positive retention, don't hold moisture and can be cleaned easily sure is nice.
 
R.A.T. said:
I guess I misunderstood the original post. In my idea, survival means chips are down and there is going to a relatively short-term of working your ass off to get back to "normal" way of living. If we are talking everyday use, then I would agree that there have been innovations over the years that have really made life more comfortable for the average knfie user.
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Well your opinion is just an inexperienced one. No harm there. We just have way more REAL survival training and experience than you.








..... *waiting for the lightening bolt*:rolleyes:
 
Dylside said:
Well your opinion is just an inexperienced one. No harm there. We just have way more REAL survival training and experience than you.








..... *waiting for the lightening bolt*:rolleyes:
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No lightning bolts from Jeff, he prefers to use the Vulcan death grip.;)
 
R.A.T. said:
Exactly! Most knives are novelty cool tools nowadays. That's what the market wants. As I have said over and over, the knife industry, as a whole, is bullshit. As are a lot of other industries. One industry where I have seen very good, useful innovation is the mountaineering and climbing industry. Look at what they were using 50 years ago compared to today's good Kernmantle ropes, ascending/descending devices, tools, etc and that's an industry that you can say has actually made outdoor life better. Not the same in the knife industry though.
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I might be misunderstanding you....But it sounds like your calling the HEST another "cool" novelty item, can you clarify please?
 
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