Ultimate Survival Knife, any suggestions?

Joined
Dec 1, 2000
Messages
6
I need a great knive to use on the trail for a few months. I am going to hike the Appalachian trial and want the best knife money can buy. Any suggestions? I like Strider Knives espically the Seal but I dont know if it would be great to use everyday on the trail.
 
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Dan

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Go Get 'em Gear
 
Swiss Army Knife (SAK) like the Rucksack model with a large blade, a saw and an awl.

You'll do 85%-95% of the work required with it!


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Plainsman
primitiveguy@hotmail.com
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Gotta agree with the Plainsman here and like I said when I replied to the same post in the general forum: for extended backpacking, GO LIGHT!. Colin Fletcher, the Dean of Backpackers, usually takes either a lightweight (6 oz) sheath knife or an SAK! The first time you get a splinter, you will really appreciate the tweezers on an SAK.

I DO like to have a fixed blade handy, so it's usually something like a puukko. They are very light and serviceable.

Here is my favorite bacpacking combination: a leatherman (with the pulse now being my favorite, replacing the original for backpacking), an SAK Rambler (small SAK), and a Grohmann Camper (or puukko).

The big disadvantage with this combo is that there is no saw. Therefore, a lightweight Opinel Saw is an option (3 oz), or replace the pulse with a Leatherman Supertool or Wave, the Wave being the lighter and more versatile of the two--each has a saw blade. You can also make your own lightweight saw like the following: http://www.primitiveways.com/tools.html

and I've seen similar light weight wood saws in the hardware section of many dept stores. Hiking maintained trails does not require a lot of chopping, but if you want to craft a walking stick or make poles for a tarp, a saw will be handy.

But in general, I can't imagine carrying a battle mistress or a khukri or other big knife on a backpacking trip unless my goal is to do camp "primitively" or explore survival techniques. If that's the case, then any number of big knives would do for you. To save money, I'd look at the Becker line. If money is no object, buy a Busse SteelHeart or Battle Mistress or a custom knife like Trace Rinaldi's awesome Armageddon.

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Might I suggest a Livesay Air Assault. A excellent hand made blade. There happens to be one for sale for $100 here: http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/011724.html That is a very good price for such a great blade. I would also suggest a Becker Campanion or a Cold Steel SRK. Those are all fantastic medium sized fixed blades that won't let you down.

If you want a large knife (12 inch blade) that is not too heavy, but will perform as good as many custom blades, consider a Sani Safe Fishsplitter by Dexter Russel: http://www.netten.net/memnet/FishCatalog/SaniSafeKnives.html#anchor255919. They only cost about $35 shipped, and are practically indestructible. Only thing is, they don't come w/ sheaths.

If you want a small fixed blade, I'd suggest a Fallkniven F-1 or a Cold Steel Master Hunter. In your pocket you should carry a SAK Rucksack, which is probably the ultimate survival knife, if there ever was one.

[This message has been edited by volvi (edited 12-02-2000).]
 
Chris Reeve Project 1 or 2
Large Sebenza
Victorinox Rucksak
Leatherman SuperTool

You could save weight by going with one of the 5.5 inch CR One Piece Range knives and the SuperTool. Food prep is not their forte but depending on how you are doing your trip, Emeril impersonations may not be on the agenda. I like a spear point but have to admit that a clip has its advantages for general camp duty in peacetime/non-survival mode.

As the song goes: "These our a few of my favorite friends."

When are you going and where are you starting?
 
My knife strategy:

1. Multitool or Swiss Army Knife.
2. Lightweight high-performance cutter. A folder or lightweight fixed blade with high-performance edge geometry for everyday cutting and food prep. Puukko, A.G. Russell Deerhunter, and Rinaldi TTKK (my purpose-designed lightweight camping knife) are examples of great choices.
3. If necessary, something to handle bushwhacking, survival shelter, etc. On the AT, I bet there's so much timber on the ground that even for a shelter you wouldn't have to do much major work. And the fact, low-impact camping/hiking really demands that you avoid this type of stuff if needed. I usually take a 12" machete, will probably update to a BKT Bush Hog when available. 'course, you might decide a folding saw, or big chopper is more appropriate for you. Hiking in the US, I find this to be the least important knife in my kit, by far.

Least expensive route:
multitool/SAK (<$35 ?) + puukko (~$10) + 12" Ontario machete (~$12).

Replacing the puukko w/ DeerHunter,add $55. Replace puukko w/ TTKK, add $140. You'll love the TTKK for camping/hiking. Anyway, I recommend you spend your money here, not at the big chopper end of the spectrum.

 
I will second Joe Talmadge.

For cheap puukos, check out the Kellam Bargain Utility. Or the standard Frost. Or Mora 2000.

And for a cheap machete, you minght also consider the Barteaux.

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Marion David Poff aka Eye mdpoff@hotmail.com

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wait for luck is the same as waiting for death." -Japanese Proverb

"Place you clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark." -Lazarus Long
 
Hi Crazy50Joe,

I agree with many of the recommendations given. However, it is worth taking a look at a few newcomers on the knife making scene. I use and endorse both.

The link to the two knives I am talking about and am presently using can be found <a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000887.html">here</a>.

I do not normally endorse the SAK. I prefer a solid performing single blade folder. The only advantage I have found to the SAK (other then the corkscrew when I can't find anything else and I don't want to punch the cork into the bottle) is the saw. However, I have no use for the small saw it provides. If I want to cut something, I prefer to use the chain saw blade (found in a small tin can and carried in my survival kit)... It works far better then any SAK saw....

Take care....

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Greg Davenport
Simply Survival's Wilderness Survival Forum
Simply Survival's Web Page
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

[This message has been edited by Greg Davenport (edited 12-20-2000).]
 
What time of year are you going? If it is winter, take a small axe for fire wood. If it is summer, take a white gas stove for cooking, as it doesn't leave as much of a mess as a fire. If you are hiking for several months, about a week in, you will want to throw a heavy knife into a lake. take a multi-tool or good SAK. Either will fit the needs of any competant hiker.

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"Dream as if you'll live forever, Live as if you'll die today"
-- James Dean

-Jesse Foust
 
I second the Cold Steel shovel. I have found far more uses for this shovel than for a big knife. I usually carry an Original Leatherman tool, a Gerber LST saw that weighs next to nothing, and a Cold Steel SRK. I have often times left the SRK at home and just carried a Shrade stockman type knife. The CS shovel provides plenty of chopping power along with the Gerber saw. Regards, Clayton
 
Good quality locking knife (I like the CRKT M16)and a "commando" wire saw will be light and reliable,as has ben noted above after a few days you will question the need for anything heavy.....
 
You can always tell those that have actually traveled in the wilderness versus those that just dream about it. You might find a few thru hikers with big blades on the AT just starting out in Georgia, but they learn quick that every ounce of weight counts and there really is nothing to do with a big blade on the AT - or any other wilderness trail. I have done extensive treking and travel all over the world and can confirm that the only knife that most people will ever need is a swiss army type or a multi tool. I actually carry the Leatherman Wave now. I wonder what peiople mean when they talk about "chopping". 90 percent of the "cutting" on the AT is to cut mole skin for your blisters. A multi tool is handy for fixing zippers, bending pack hardware or screwing eyeglasses back together.
For survival type situations, look at what the experts use. I have done two Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS) field courses and their instructors all carry cheap (about $ 15) Mora knives with a 4 inch blade. The Mora is perfect for making fire sets, trap triggers and can actually fell trees up to eight inches. The best thing about the Mora is its flat grind. You can make them razor sharp in minutes - even with just a piece of sandstone! For jungle or heavy cutting on their South American or Mexican trips BOSS just uses locally purchased machete's -sometmes cutting them down to save weight.
 
Hi Bill D,

For aboriginal skills or trail hiking I agree, you may not need more then a folder... however, if off trail during the dead of winter in 8 feet of snow... It is nice to carry a medium to large knife along with a lightweight axe. BTW... I do a lot of winter off trail trips for fun and business. Perhaps you'd like to attend one of my winter classes where getting into the heart wood is so important to keeping warm
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For details on our programs go <a href="http://www.simply-survival.com">here</a>. Happy trails.

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Greg Davenport
Simply Survival's Wilderness Survival Forum
Simply Survival's Web Page
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

[This message has been edited by Greg Davenport (edited 12-21-2000).]
 
Great points, Greg. I think it's important to distinguish between trail hiking and bushwacking. It's two different worlds. I once hiked 20 miles of trail in the Bob Marshall that hadn't been cleared in years and still found no need for a heavy chopping tool to make it down the trail. The only real problem was crossing downed trees that had fallen across the trail, a bit of a pain if you are lugging 60 lbs on your back. But if I had tried to chop my way across, I would still be there. But bushwacking is a whole 'nuther kettle of fish. And as you point out, it's nice to have a roaring fire when winter camping. I've backpacked frequently in the spring, summer, and fall, often for a couple weeks at a time and usually I never build a fire (I got tired of seeing defoliated campsites, even in the wilderness). But I sure do appreciate one in the winter and in trackless wilderness.

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Hoodoo,
Thanks. My post about backpacking knives nonwithstanding, I'm a knife Knut too. I have several big bad knives - I just do not carry them on back packing trips. I will even confess that I carried a CS Master Hunter on my survival trips. It's strong, easy to sharpen, not too heavy and not too expensive.
I am planning on doing the BOSS winter survival trip next month in Alberta. It's taught by Mors Kochanski, author of "Bushcraft" and a legend on knife and ax use. He's the guy who supposedly built a 10 by 10 log cabin with roof in less than 24 hours using only a Mora with 4 inch blade.
I'll report on how it goes.
I'm enjoying this forum.
 
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