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Tough Stainless Survival Knife

T

TrojanSteel

Joined
Jul 22, 2013
Messages
381
Hello, I've been looking to get a new "survival knife" - 5 to 6.5" - thicker stock, something I can hack with.

I've come so close to purchasing a 3v blade, but just can't pull the trigger given corrosion concerns. Just too many instances of prolonged exposure to moisture. I want a tough stainless blade, and I think ELMAX fits my criteria. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any fixed ELMAX knives in this size range (or at all really, other than maybe some smaller unavailable striders).

Any recommendations?

Thank you!
 
Nothing fancy, but tough enough for lots of soldiers doing terrible things to them.

Randall Model 15

model-15E.jpg
 
It completely depends on your budget. Off the top of my head, I would go for the Cold Steel San Mai III Recon Scout or one of the Fallkniven knives. If by "hack" you mean chop, I really don't think a 6" blade is gonna cut it for you, go for a longer blade. Also, I have owned a pile of 3V knives. I have never had an issue with corrosion or rust on any of them. In my opinion, if you take care of your knives, corrosion won't be a problem at all with 3V.
 
Fallkniven A2. Expensive as hell, but does not get much tougher than that for a large stainless steel blade.
 
91wm6 said:
I think survive knives did some models in Elmax a while back...
Click to expand...

They recently incorporate M390 in their 4.1 model, and more recently CPM 20CV in the same model. The latter is the U. S. version of the former. I have one in M390, and so far I am completely satisfied. It is not as tough as 3V, but very stain resistant. I have often batoned with it, and edge retention is excellent. No problems. However, Survive has not offered this steel in larger blades yet. I'm not sure why.
 
Look at Strider & Chris Reeve fixed blades... maybe Spartan knives. My highest advise would be to look at Daniel Fairly Knives. He has a forum here. Find a design you like. Order a knife! That's the best way to get your unique particulars met.

Also, D2 is fairly readily available in larger knives, it is practically stainless and an outstanding performer.
 
If you would tell us what you think a "survival" knife does, and what you expect to use it for, we could probably help you much better. "Survival" at this point is a meaningless marketing term. Also where you plan to do you "survival" would also help.
 
marcinek said:
If you would tell us what you think a "survival" knife does, and what you expect to use it for, we could probably help you much better. "Survival" at this point is a meaningless marketing term. Also where you plan to do you "survival" would also help.
Click to expand...

In reality, I just need it to handle typical camping chores - a little food prep, some wood carving, fishing, and maybe some batoning. Unfortunately, what I need and what I want are two different things - I want an ultimate/BOBesque knife. I'd go 6"+, but I also don't want to frighten the lady folk.

Like I said, I'm basically on the edge of buying a 3v knife (Fehrman Last Chance), but I know the camping/outdoors gods are unfriendly to me and I'm often caught in the rain. I'm usually out in PA, so its muggy in the spring/summer. Hence, my corrosion concerns.

I'm definitely feeling the Spartan knives (the Nyx in particular), but there was a thread on here not too long ago which included quite a few posts describing S35v as a downgrade from S30v. Although, maybe it's better suited for outdoors activity given its increased toughness. If I find the thread, I'll edit this post and include it.
 
Fallkniven, BRKT have some stainless models with convex grinds. I used to have an old Buck Nighthawk which was ground fairly thick with a lot of meat behind the edge. 420HC is relatively tough for a stainless (although not as tough as carbon) and Condor has a machete in 420HC. The Sandvik steels are also relatively tough for stainless.
 
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