Urban Survival Knife?

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Dave568

Joined
May 24, 2005
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I'm looking for opinions on how the ideal Urban Survival Knife would be constructed, and also for some examples of real knives that people think would make a good urban survival knife. By urban survival knife, I am talking about a knife that would be ideal in an emergency situation such as a natural disaster or terrorist attack in a large city. In these cases, obviously a traditional "woods" survival knife might not be the ideal candidate. While I always carry a Mora with me in the woods because of it's excellent wood crafting abilities, that is kind of a moot point in an urban survival situation.

Some of the uses for an urban survival knife that I can think of off the top of my head that would be specific to an urban environment vs. a rural environment would be as follows:

Breaking glass
Cutting seatbelts
Prying (locked doors, stuck elevator doors, electrical panels, etc.)
Hacking through hard materials (Plastics, hardwoods, even metal)
Self defense
And I'm sure there are many more...

So what qualities would you look for in an urban survival knife? Would it differ from what you carry in the woods? If so, how?
 
If carrying it wouldn't be a problem, the USAF Pilot's knife sounds like a good ticket for the above list of uses. It was designed for ripping your way out of a downed aircraft. You have a great hammer pommel. It could probably do a fair bit of prying if needed. I might use it to cut/break away something to pry with for heavy prying. Just my thoughts.
 
I have used my Leatherman (New) Wave for several years as an urban survival knife. Comes in very handy and does not violate any laws AFAIK. Also will not get you shot by LE as quickly as a "tactical" knife. In a disaster it could be used to gain entry to a store that has knives and firearms if justifiable. Gotta love those pliers!
 
I'll give a second vote for a good multi-tool. Beyond that something big and heavy for chopping through things would be good. Food procurement and preparation is very different in an urban survival scenerio. Usually there is a good bit available, just hard to literally get too.

Charles
 
I agree that a multi-tool gives the best overall coverage, is probably legal in most places, and has good EDC qualities. My personal urban PSK has a lighter, some cord, a 45 gallon garbage bag, a Space Blanket, a very small first aid kit, a bandana, a Streamlight LED Tasklight flashlight, a small prybar, and an SAK Camper. I EDC an SAK Classic, a Gerber 400 multi-tool, Maglite Solitaire, and a legal folder (3.5" limit in my area)-- a Buck Mayo or Gerber Firestorm. I commute with a backpack, so the PSK is in there and I always have a liter of water, my lunch, and a couple spare granola bars. I also carry a cell phone, spare batteries, pens, pencils, notebook, PDA, camera, umbrella, hat, gloves, AM/FM/TV/Weather radio, spare reading glasses, sunglasses, and a compass (zipper pull).
 
In an urban environment you want to be Legal.

I like RunningBoars prybar suggestion. I also like the Multitool suggestions.
I'd look into a way to carry both of them, in a PSK, along with a small fixed blade, like a BeckerNecker, or stouter.

Wihout a prybar, you will need something fairly stout to pry with.
You would be looking at 3/16" thick carbon/spring steel, or preferably 1/4" thick.
Small prybars can also be had at hardware stores or the mega-box stores.

This is a good question, as the urban landscape has a lot of challenges.
 
Only problem in an urban environment, if you, for whatever reason, get searched by the police, a fixed blade, a leatherman, and a prybar would be considered burglery tools. If it is a SHTF situation who cares, if you are EDCing it and get checked, you could be in for a lot of hassle.

Just something to think about, Chris
 
What about a small tomahawk like the CS Trail hawk (there small hawk?) with he handle pulled out and carried sprat?

You can use it for small jobs as is and slide the handle in for bigger jobs. My thought is as a back up to a multi tool/edc folder to save the smaller sharper blades for the jobs there intended and the hawk for more abusive works.

My multi tool has a straight and serrated blade as well as a 'V' cutter. But none of them will chop or pry.
 
Hmm....Interesting topic. My take on a good urban 'Survival Knife' would be one that is instantly accessible, and can be drawn with either hand. It should be capable of being retained in an adverse condition. (Swimming, rolling around ect..), in my way of thinking I would prefer something concealed legally and non threatning looking. Have adequate lateral strength for prying if required. Be sharp and not easily affected by perspiration or moisture. Be convient enough to be carried anywhere.

If I am in uniform I carry a stout folder. If I am not I've lately been carring my F1 on a neck sheath and a leatherman clipped to my pocket. In my truck I have crash axe, shovel, pry bar and basic medical/survival gear. I am not worring about any concealed carry issuses though being a Federal Agent. Something to consider though.

My .02
 
There are alot of great optins, A multi tool with pliers, screw drivers etc is a must, A saK is nice but bring pliers if that is your choice,

Banchmade has Two rescue hooks that are handy cutters, and a new folding hook with a glass punch and LED light built in.

Cant leave out spyderco rescue models and the Assist 1 in particllar, its got a glass puunch and a whistle in it. They all cut great and are reliable.

Gerber Makes a great rescue knife designed for light prying, seatbelt gutting glass punch and tool bits, its blunted point may make it more PC on a search.

The Becker Tac tool is a Really neat option for urban rescue but may not be a great choice for a PC environment.

The usaf Survival knife is a good inexpensive option, If you can stash it at work or in a vehicl where carry is not a problem this may be an option.

Like suggested before Look into seperate pry bars and tools, they will probably be better at it than your knife is.

Also as suggested, Make a kit, Flashlight is a must in an urban environ, since unlike wilderness fire may not be option. Hydration, Signaling, Firstaid, Shelter, and all the rest that you carry in the wilderness. just remember hunting may not be an option so food is a must.

Look around your work for possible tools, Find out about Mert (medical emergency respnse) Or CERT (civilian emergency response) Teams in your Company or your city, Being a member of one of these may give you a good excuse to have gear on you, that might otherwise seem suspicious.

As always plan multiple escape routes before a disaster and hopefully you wont have to pry or chop your way out of the city to begin with.
 
img5024pw5.jpg


http://www.mtknives.com/usk.html
 
Is that what happens When A Tracker and a strider Breed :eek: :confused:

And that hook is supposed to be a seatbelt cutter, Comon you would fillet the person you are trying to extricate :rolleyes:
 
Chef,
At the risk of being very rude, I have been staring at that picture since you posted it. I am sure that it is very well made out of the latest super steels and the handles are the finest micarta made but racking my brain I can not come up for one good use for that sharpened tool, for lack of anything else to call it.:o Chris
 
Runningboar

Those are made by Mark Terrill

They are an aquired taste as it were, but are one of the better USK's of there type


Longbow that Vic is a sweet setup!!!
 
runningboar said:
Chef,
At the risk of being very rude, I have been staring at that picture since you posted it. I am sure that it is very well made out of the latest super steels and the handles are the finest micarta made but racking my brain I can not come up for one good use for that sharpened tool, for lack of anything else to call it.:o Chris
Click to expand...

I carry a Gerber Firestorm for going to less friendly places and for much the same reason those "sharpened tools" were designed. I call it a BUK-- Big Ugly Knife. IMHO, a good part of the design is for psychological effect, and that might be a good justification. Remember ol' Crocodile Dundee? "You call that a knife? Here's a KNIFE."

After that, it is sharp and capable of doing harm. I'm not a fan of knives like the Tom Brown Tracker, but it is an interesting design and "it had to be done." I think there are a lot of industrial designs (which is what knife design is) that were created because the had to be done-- part of the evolution of designs.
 
For urban E&E/Survival one of the best tools to have is an Eastwing hatchet. It's the hatchet that has a one piece head and handle. They are about $30 at Home Depot.

That and a multi-tool like a Leatherman Wave from Walmart will get you going. I'd also pack at least one extra blade, like a tough folding knife or a fixed blade knife.

The Estwing is almost indestructable, being forged out of a solid piece of 1055 steel. It is strong enough to bash, smash, and chop through almost anything, and since it has only a 3" blade, just keep it in a daypack or your car. A sharp hatchet can out-chop almost any knife smaller than a machete, and they also make a ferocious weapon.
 
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