I keep a Buck 119 in my pack as a "just in case" knife. It's not a purpose-built survival knife, but it's a pretty good size and I like the blade profile. I bought it because the price was too good to pass up (around $40 new in package) and because I like Buck knives in general, and it's dead handy camping. Between it and the hobo knife that live in my pack, along with whatever happens to be in my pocket (generally either a Buck 301 or 307 and/or an Endura 4) I think I could be a lot worse off.
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unlikely survival knives
- Thread starter bryant R
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Here's mine. I didn't design this as a survival knife, but if I'm ever in that kind of mess it will be this knife that helps get me out of it.
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This is my opinion as well, if the requirements of a survival knife are that it helps you survive, then my "survival" knife is my Edc (most likely)
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That would suck to be out in a "I might die tonight or tomorrow If I can't get fire going soon and build a shelter" scenario with only a leek in my pocket. That would be like going on a hot date, everything is going really well, then you remember that while you changed your pants and shirt before going out, you didn't bother to shower and change your skid marked underwear and stinky socks before meeting your date.
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It didn't work. Two out of three of them died making it back.
Back on subject, an Old Hickory butcher knife and paring knife. Victorinox paring knife.
One of the things I believe is critical about your knife in the survival situation is that you should never loose it and you can not afford to use it to the limit. You basically have to handle it as your most precious safequeen. Because if anything happens to it - you are feckud. So if you need to dig up or down something - find yourself a branch, sharpen it using your knife and do it. If you need to collect moss for your bedding - do the same. Batoning - I do not think so... So knife in the survival situation should not really experience any exceptional workload. If its owner uses his brain to ensure his own survival. So it should not be as many people imagine - like biting a shait out of it...
To me, any large heavy bladed knife would make a good survival knife but in reality you won't have it with you unless it is part of your EDC! So if you call your big blade a survival knife it needs to go where you go, Why because survival situations are un-expected or a surprise. I agree with Doug Ritter on his idea of always carrying a Pocket knife and a Pocket Survival Pack. For me, the most likely survival situation will come up while I am out hiking, Can I plan for it and carry a heavy fixed blade and and bigger survival pack, yes but I won't unless I know I will be out over night and well I only do day hikes so what do I carry, usually a MT and a pocket knife of some kind and a Pocket PSK. So I guess what I am trying to say is my survival knives are a MT (Leatherman ST300) and a pocket knife, now usually a Spyderco Para Military 2. Also just to be clear, I love big blades, I have two Busse NMFBM's and yes If I were going out for several days in the wilderness, I would have one on me!
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I wouldn't worry to much about beating the crap out of your knife. If it fails, so what. Maybe the tip will break off. Big deal. Maybe it will break in half at the blade. Oh well you'll still have an inch or more of something sharp to use for fuzz sticks and food prep. "whatever knife you have on"....hopefully it's not some piece of crap you decided to test out on a day hike that turned ugly when a storm hit and now you're lost and have to take shelter and build a fire. I know many people here have done ultra-light hikes with nothing but an SAK. That's great everything worked out. But I'd want something more. I also base my decisions of whether or not I do something based on my equipment on hand. In other words, I always carry some hiking essentials in my car (including a dependable knife) in case the urge and opportunity strikes.
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Two out of three died in that movie. (The edge) not because of the size of the knife but besause of the size of the Grizz. When you go close quarters combat with a grizzley, the odds are in the bear's favor and it dosen't matter how big your blade is. more like how fast you can beat feet
YMMV
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Not true Mac. Had they brought along a large chopper into the woods as I did on my trip to Alaska to hunt Grizzlies using only a knife, they would have fared much better. I wore a helmet cam for this video I made. As you can see, I baited a mature male grizzly under a tree where I has camouflaged and hiding on a high branch. I then leaped upon the grizzlies back leading with a hard thrust using my Busse NMFBM. I then tuck and rolled, using hard chops and thrust for the ensuing fight. In the end, I came away with nice bear rug and used it's carcass for a shelter that night. Others in WS&S have seen this video but for those who haven't, it's great hit. Warning: Very Graphic! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KANI2dpXLw
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Any knife you have on you while you're still alive is a "survival knife". 
Any man, woman or child on this earth who continues to draw breath is a "survivor".
Any man, woman or child on this earth who continues to draw breath is a "survivor".I agree...since I always carry a knife, and I will never know when I'm put into a situation where a knife I have may be called upon to help me "survive", then the knife I'm carrying will be my "survival" knife...by default.
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2nd that!!!
One of my favorite books as a child.
To the OP, I'm surprised no one has said smachete yet...
On topic, my first choice would be one of the edc knives I have with me as others have stated above. For a medium sized blade, my second choice would be my sykco 511, or Steve Linklater Custom FB, or my BK9/11 piggback combo if we're talking bigger blades (the bk9, choppy goodness)... :thumbup:
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Just about any quality (carbon steel) kitchen knife. Old Hickory comes to mind.
Victorinox kitchen knives also.
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I wouldn't feel lacking with an Old Hickory knife, as they are surprisingly tough. Up here, many people end up dead on a day hike turned bad. When heading out into the woods, always assume that you will be in a survival situation and dress accordingly. As for a knife, a 4" folder or a Mora is sufficient for my needs.
Actually, only one was killed by grizzly. And the guy did not have much chance, knife or no knife - he was obviously not the first tier actor and was just for episode, not for the whole movie! Then they killed the grizzly - and they would hardly were able to do that without that small gentleman folder... And as the second guy died - I do not think a knife would have anything to do with it...Two out of three died in that movie. (The edge) not because of the size of the knife but besause of the size of the Grizz. When you go close quarters combat with a grizzley, the odds are in the bear's favor and it dosen't matter how big your blade is. more like how fast you can beat feet
That is not such a great movie anyway. That is just about being strong, using your head and whatever you have to stay alive.