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Ultimate Survival Knife
- Thread starter maxkimber
- Start date
troutfisher13111
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2006
- Messages
- 2,482
Mine:
Many issues are being raised here: what is the ultimate fighter? For which style of knife fighting? What about portability? One of the knives I have is a custom made bowie knife made out of differentially heat-treated 5160 that is 16" overall, guardless and has about the first 4" of the top of the blade sharpened to deliver back cuts. Very fast in the hand! I bet you it can lop off any person's leg (let alone arm) in a single blow! Is this a good fighter? For me, is a fighter par excellence, a knife James Bowie himself would covet. Is it easily portable? Only when I am in the deep woods. Is it the best survival knife? Here another issue is raised: what do you mean by saying "survival knife"? What do you expect this knife to be able to do? Unless you answer these questions, even if you do find a high quality blade, you won't really appreciate it.
My $.02
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2007
- Messages
- 9,786
I like Pitdog's knife here as it is truely a custom. If you stare at the blade closely enough below you see a likeness of his image doing what he enjoys so much (taking a picture of one of his knives).
He will clearly never mix up or lose this one, he just has to look for the one with his picture on the blade
P.s. does the back side of the blade have a shot of your dog & PitJr
He will clearly never mix up or lose this one, he just has to look for the one with his picture on the blade
P.s. does the back side of the blade have a shot of your dog & PitJr
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2007
- Messages
- 12,294
I like Pitdog's knife here as it is truely a custom. If you stare at the blade closely enough below you see a likeness of his image doing what he enjoys so much (taking a picture of one of his knives).
He will clearly never mix up or lose this one, he just has to look for the one with his picture on the blade
P.s. does the back side of the blade have a shot of your dog & PitJr
LOL !!!!
You will just have to wait till I take a pic of the other side to find out !!!
Mistwalker
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2007
- Messages
- 19,228
A "survival knife" is simply the cutting edge you have available to you when you find yourself in a survival situation, whether it be a $1,200.00 custom, a $40.00 issue pilot's survival knife, a sharp rock, or a piece of glass......, if you actually have a real possibility of being in a wilderness survival situation and can only take one knife I personally think that for the money an issue pilots survival knife is an excellent choice because it is a stought knife that won't break too easily, takes up little space, with some effort from you will sharpen up ok for most tasks, is a decent skinner, can drive stakes and crack nuts, and the pouch is perfect for holding a magnesium firestarter......, I have one that stays in a small bag my truck on a permanent basis. But as someone else said Having a big knife for the rough work like building shelters, a medium for light chores and food prep., and a good multi-tool is my favorite combination because there is as of yet no one knife to do it all
i think a SAK OHT and a fixed blade are a potent combination. for fixed blade i like: Kabar USMC, CS Master Hunter Carbon V or my SRKW Howling Rat.
i've never actually carried the HR though. its still mint and i'm thinking of selling it. its screaming to be used by someone its a knife thats not meant to be a safe queen
i like carbon steel for my fixed blades.
i've never actually carried the HR though. its still mint and i'm thinking of selling it. its screaming to be used by someone
its a knife thats not meant to be a safe queeni like carbon steel for my fixed blades.
I guess I am a bit pragmatic. I refer to mine as a 'wood's walking knife'. My 'survival' skills will continue to be utilized - as long as I have a CC and can find a 'Motel 6', of course. My knife must be able to complete such diversified functions as open a package; whittle and produce kindling; manufacture a rotisserie, spoon, etc; clean fish (and, whatever!), make tent stakes and a proper walking stick. Of course, severing a snake's head is also important. Dispatching larger villains will be accomplished with something a bit louder.
My choice should be a fixed blade between 2.75-3.75", have a comfortable handle, drop point, and made of a decent edge taking and keeping material. I am an 'equal opportunity' employer - CS and SS may apply. Of course, as acquisition is the main point, it should be an interesting - and affordable - example. Basically, I want something that will do what my old Buck 301 Stockman, 110, and favorite SAK could almost do - just a fixed version.
Stainz
PS My BM 201+ came yesterday - my B R Huntsman should be here in the AM - I'll post them then!
My choice should be a fixed blade between 2.75-3.75", have a comfortable handle, drop point, and made of a decent edge taking and keeping material. I am an 'equal opportunity' employer - CS and SS may apply. Of course, as acquisition is the main point, it should be an interesting - and affordable - example. Basically, I want something that will do what my old Buck 301 Stockman, 110, and favorite SAK could almost do - just a fixed version.
Stainz
PS My BM 201+ came yesterday - my B R Huntsman should be here in the AM - I'll post them then!
Don't seem to get tired of posting pics of my Browning. Here it is again helping me "survive" a winter Christmas eve hike after the wife and kids booted me out to wrap my presents
Max M4 pouch, Trailmark Shotgun Belt, and Nalgene 1L bottle and carrying case accompanied the Crowell Barclay for this 5k hump.
Max M4 pouch, Trailmark Shotgun Belt, and Nalgene 1L bottle and carrying case accompanied the Crowell Barclay for this 5k hump.
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2005
- Messages
- 7,499
Don't seem to get tired of posting pics of my Browning. Here it is again helping me "survive" a winter Christmas eve hike after the wife and kids booted me out to wrap my presents
Max M4 pouch, Trailmark Shotgun Belt, and Nalgene 1L bottle and carrying case accompanied the Crowell Barclay for this 5k hump.
This SUCKS! I just got a custom for myself for Xmas and here I sit drooling over this knife! I am going to get one....Brian, I'm cursing your name!!! (Not really, actually I'm glad you showed the darn thing).
I have a basic $34-$38 (Wally World to Academy prices) Buck 119, shown in my first picture, which I have pushed into kitchen duties. It's finest hour thus far was the slicing into 3/8" cubes of a decent bottom round roast, and the supporting cast of diced pepers and onions, for some homebrew chili last month. I forgot I still have some frozen in the fridge - could have had a decent meal, rather than a couple of pieces ot toast... rats!
Anyway, below is my comparison of three possible 'woods-walker' knives for me. The recently favored Buck 192 (420 HC blade) on the right, then the new Benchmade 201 'Activator+' (D2), with the Bark River 'Huntsman' on the left. They ran, L-R: $118, $82, $60 via the mail. their spec's are:
Huntsman Activator+ Vanguard
OAL 7" 8.13" 8.5"
Blade L 3.25" 3.63" 4.12"
Thickness .187" .140" .138"
Mat'l A2 D2 420HC
FG NS none Brass
Handle Blk Micarta Winewood Rosewood
Spine flat ribbed flat
Weight 3.5 oz 5 oz 6.3 oz
Feel is subjective, but the Vanguard is a long time friend and very comfortable, smooth, & natural, but decidedly 'large' feeling. The Activator feels less finished - but the hand fit is good - and smaller feeling. The convex ground Huntsman really felt good - except the handle was 3/8" or so too short, making long term use - whittling - probably less fun, although it - and the others - made quite fast work of re-pointing a .5" maple dowel. All were still forearm hair shavers afterwards.
Have I found my ultimate 'woods-walker' knife? Of course not, else I'd have no reason to continue the quest - and buy more!
Any would suffice. Of course, I didn't know I was unhappy with my previous 'users', a Buck 110 Folding Hunter and 301 Stockman... I just wanted a small fixed blade!
Stainz
Anyway, below is my comparison of three possible 'woods-walker' knives for me. The recently favored Buck 192 (420 HC blade) on the right, then the new Benchmade 201 'Activator+' (D2), with the Bark River 'Huntsman' on the left. They ran, L-R: $118, $82, $60 via the mail. their spec's are:
Huntsman Activator+ Vanguard
OAL 7" 8.13" 8.5"
Blade L 3.25" 3.63" 4.12"
Thickness .187" .140" .138"
Mat'l A2 D2 420HC
FG NS none Brass
Handle Blk Micarta Winewood Rosewood
Spine flat ribbed flat
Weight 3.5 oz 5 oz 6.3 oz
Feel is subjective, but the Vanguard is a long time friend and very comfortable, smooth, & natural, but decidedly 'large' feeling. The Activator feels less finished - but the hand fit is good - and smaller feeling. The convex ground Huntsman really felt good - except the handle was 3/8" or so too short, making long term use - whittling - probably less fun, although it - and the others - made quite fast work of re-pointing a .5" maple dowel. All were still forearm hair shavers afterwards.
Have I found my ultimate 'woods-walker' knife? Of course not, else I'd have no reason to continue the quest - and buy more!
Any would suffice. Of course, I didn't know I was unhappy with my previous 'users', a Buck 110 Folding Hunter and 301 Stockman... I just wanted a small fixed blade!
Stainz
I find that I start searching the ultimate survival knife when I am at home, have not been to countryside for at least 1 month and spend a lot of time on internet. Then I travel somewhere, see how local people or guides use cheap kitchen Tramontinas or Chinese folders (and usually have only one knife) and get embarrassed that I have SAK, Busse and Spyderco...
Sometimes I think: "Is it the first symptom that a person turns into a knife collector when he start searching for the ultimate knife?"
Sometimes I think: "Is it the first symptom that a person turns into a knife collector when he start searching for the ultimate knife?"
My suggestion would be any of the Fallkniven knives.
www.fallkniven.com
The F1 is my first choice, followed by the S1 and A1 for those who want a little "more" knife. The WM1 can be useful too.
It is not that combat looking but like they said in another knife discussion forum, it solves about 95% of your chores. The 5% being splitting frozen birch in -25C. for that you need the A1. Is is so light that you dont put it away and forget it somewhere but as capable as bigger knives. By the way, leftie zytel sheaths are being released around easter.
There is also the H1 and the TK series knives. They are more in the "hunting" segment, but the quality is the same and they look very classy.
There is a Fallkniven for everyone
I have 26 or so
www.fallkniven.com
The F1 is my first choice, followed by the S1 and A1 for those who want a little "more" knife. The WM1 can be useful too.
It is not that combat looking but like they said in another knife discussion forum, it solves about 95% of your chores. The 5% being splitting frozen birch in -25C.
for that you need the A1. Is is so light that you dont put it away and forget it somewhere but as capable as bigger knives. By the way, leftie zytel sheaths are being released around easter.There is also the H1 and the TK series knives. They are more in the "hunting" segment, but the quality is the same and they look very classy.
There is a Fallkniven for everyone
I have 26 or so