Ultimate Survival Knife For The Money The KA-BAR Marines Knife VS The Fallkniven A1?

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I used to like carbon steel for a field blade, but lately I´m getting lazy. A stainless steel blade is easier to maintain decent for food stuff. However if you have extended stays, like over a week and may need to field sharpen, a carbon steel is so much easier to sharpen that the constant wiping of the edge is worth it.
Both are excellent choices. I prefer a smaller, lighter blade though, but I normally carry a small axe or saw depending on terrain.
 
Before I've used the Buck model 119 and very well made Ruana knives made here in Montana actually on hiking trips. Between these knives I was able to camp just fine but I'm looking for something better/different. Ruana knives by the way I also highly recommend.
 
I have never been particularly a fan of the "marine corps" bayonet/utility knife although I have always generally liked the shape. The blood groove turns me off. I guess if you are in a fox hole, need to dig or pry out rocks (better than bare hands), and have nothing else, it works and it is an okay fighting knife. So, from that point of view it's a "good survival knife". Probably make a good ginseng knife and the kind of knife I would choose for such tasks.

Fallkniven are a step up in the blade department. I have a F1 and it is a good knife and really all you need for a general purpose outdoor "survival" knife. But many prefer something with a longer blade. Hence, the A1 is a good choice. But do I really want to dig with it out in the woods? Probably not, if I had any other options. So it depends on your typical usage and I would have some other tools with you.

I would choose the Fallkniven if I could afford it over the Kabar marine's knife unless you really intend to abuse the knife.

Other choices... Kabar Becker BK-2, BK-10, BK-7, BK-9, or the general purpose 4" BK-16 or BK-17. I suspect since you are considering the marine knife, that the BK-2 or BK-10 wouild appeal to you. The BK-7 is larger and probably a bit better chopper for camp odds and ends and the BK-9 is a better chopper than the BK-7. Again, I hope you have a saw or hatchet with you, and a smaller knife (perhaps a folder) for finer or more detailed cutting tasks. I recommend the Becker knives often depending on the use.

The ESEE knives are good.

Other knives I like a lot.....Blackjack Classic 125 for a woods knife. It will do everything a knife is supposed to do short of chopping. They also make the Halo and 1-7 which many like if they have used one. These are made by Bark River for Blackjack. Many of the Bark River knives would be a good choice. Added: But these exceed the $100 limit.
 
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That is extraordinarily interesting. I don't think you realize how good those Ruanas you may have stumbled across are. Amazon reviews aren't going to tell you that.

You are not going to find better. If you want different, go with the Fallkniven. But I would take a Ruana over a Fallkniven, and I'm a big Fallkniven fan.

That said, if you are planning to just take that one sharp with you during your long term outdoor living, then you are preparing to fail.
 
That is extraordinarily interesting. I don't think you realize how good those Ruanas you may have stumbled across are. Amazon reviews aren't going to tell you that.

You are not going to find better. If you want different, go with the Fallkniven. But I would take a Ruana over a Fallkniven, and I'm a big Fallkniven fan.

That said, if you are planning to just take that one sharp with you during your long term outdoor living, then you are preparing to fail.

Very true. I grew up in Bonner/Milltown Montana of all places; I know the history well. The original Dad that started the shop used old Mill blades that the Mill would just throw away. Now these knives are handmade with extreme care. They hold an edge extremely well too. I had 2 Ruana's at 1 time. One of them was an ORIGINAL but someone in my family wanted this knife very badly so I gave it to him. The second Ruana knife I had was smaller newer and use deer bone for part of the handle. Full tang of course and still an amazing knife. To make a long story short this knife was stolen by someone that I thought was a friend. In total I guess you could say I'm Ruanaless and sort of bitter about that entire Ruana situation at no fault of the knives themselves.

I do agree they are probably some of the best knives in the U.S. per
 
Argh! Being Ruanaless due to theft hurts. Get the Fallkniven and promise to bring a hatchet. Of course if you ar e bringing the hatchet, get more of a slicer fixed blade.
 
Amazon reviews should be taken with a very big grain of salt.

For the last couple years the Esee 6 has been my go to camp knife. Size, shape, & materials are great for a survival knife. Also, the company is great. Made in the USA. Forever no questions asked transferable warranty. Truly a company that stands behind its product.

This.

As a go 2 camp knife, the ESEE 6 is phenomenal. I had an A1, traded it. I had a Kabar USMC-have it to my brother in law. My 6 is not going anywhere. I made the mistake of getting rid of one before, and I promptly replaced it.
 
I have used both and prefer the A1. If I were going to be "camping in seclusion in some of the largest Wilderness Areas in the Lower 48 States" I would spend a lot of hours with my knife before going out and I would pack a quality hatchet or axe.
 
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