Versatile fixed blade for bug out bag/SHTF/prepper scenario?

Anything Busse or Swamp Rat.

I totally love your username.
 
If your mind thinks anything like mine does, your research will lead you to INFI as the most reliable (nearly indestructible...seriously), easily serviceable, and best all around performing steel you could have (which is what we want out of a SHTF knife). iNFI will lead to to Busse knives. Busse knives will most likely lead to to the SOB, which meets all of your size criteria and desired uses pretty much perfectly. A little further research will show you that they are still pretty easily available through the exchange, well worth the price. A little more research will have you wanting the SOB with Competition Finish (CF) since the convex edge comes nice and sharp and is in my opinion your best field serviceable edge option...

And then I imagine you'll have your perfect SHTF knife very soon after ;)
 
You may also want to take a look at the SOG Tactical Seal Pup Elite. It is a good, versatile knife at a reasonable price.
 
I highly recommend a multitool and ever better a Leatherman Surge. Remember you said it was for a SHTF or Bug out Bag. product_diagrams_tools_surge.png With 21 tools in one package and the ability to carry on belt, bag or in many other configurations you are guaranteed easy access and quick use. And since a true SHTF event is not a camping trip,IMO a diamond file, for entry, a wood saw for kindling, and several types of wire cutters allow me to get into places that may save my life. Unlike your original statement, I think a serrated knife is a MUST, cutting wire and rope, serration really matters, again only IMO. Bottle and can openers allows me to eat, rather than bash cans on rocks or ruin a standard blade. Not knowing where you will end up, a lanyard loop and stainless steel are bonuses. Scissors, make an extra measure for first aid. I agree with everyone's choices, as all are great knives. I DO however have a surge attached to my bag, on the ready.
 
For SHTF, I'm going with anything scrapyard/swamprat/busse that you like/afford.

They can be a bit more work/time to put a sheath/knife combo together.....but it also allows you to get exactly the combo you want rather than buy the knife, throw the sheath and replace it anyways. There are so few production knives that I appreciate the sheath that comes with it that I tend to buy kydex for those blades I plan to use anyhow.
 
Another vote for Fallkniven here. S1, PHK, NL 4 or 3 are in the 5" + range. I've been carrying a volcano and its made all my other knives for the outdoor playground moot. Happy hunting and good luck.
 
If your budget allows you will be hard pressed to find a better all around knife than the Swamp Rat Ratmandu. It will do everything you need it to do within reason (its not going to be effective at cutting down a 10 inch tree) and it is one of the most durable knives you can find in this size range. It will also do everything better than a Becker or ESEE will (this coming from a huge ESEE fan) and imo comes from a better company than the Bark River offerings. You can get one with a sheath for right around $200 and it would be $200 very wisely spent imo. Also while Falknivens are fantastic knives they just simply aren't as durable as the Swamp Rat.
 
Some good suggestions so far. Hard to go wrong with the Ratmandu or something from Esee or Becker. One that I really like that fits your description is my Busse Basic 4 LE Anorexic:
Steel: INFI 58-60 Rc
Thickness: Anorexic: Approx. .155”
Blade Length: 4.25”
Overall Length: 9.125”
Grind: Full Height Flat
Finish: Hand Finished Satin
Edge: Blended Zero
 
I keep a Leatherman in my BOB and a BK16...neither are bank breakers and can sit in the trunk for long periods without worry...the BK is easy to maintain and very strong.
My BOB is more of an emergency bag...stuck in the car for a day or more...I carry two actually, one is full of clothing and some spare shoes for my wife and I. The other is a mil backpack with enough emergency kit to survive for several days in most any climate.
 
Bukake47 said:
I'm looking for suggestions for a jack-of-all-trades knife for my bug out bag. I currently have a CRK Pacific as my only fixed blade, and while it is a sweet knife, I don't feel that it is the most appropriate knife for this scenario. Having done a little reading on the subject, here's a few things that I think may be important in such a knife:
Weight- A knife with quarter inch blade stock is unnecessary. Anything over 7 or 8 oz should have some good justification.
Useful blade geometry- A hollow grind with serrations probably isn't ideal for outdoor use (that's what the Pacific has).
Practical length- the 6 inches of the Pacific is a tad too long.
Doesn't need to be tactical/weaponish- Glock 19 FTW
Durable and field serviceable- tool steel? Scandi grind? Or convex? Don't know a whole lot in this area. Open to suggestions.

I guess this is just another "one knife" question. I will take the blade camping a couple times per year and it will live in my bug out bag. Budget isn't necessarily a concern, I am open to suggestions in all price ranges. Thanks guys.
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I agree on most points, although not all hollow grinds are the same. My favorite outdoors knife, the Spartan Blades Harsey Hunter, has a hollow grind. Done by a master, a hollow grind can allow a knife to cut like a razor but be strong enough to stab through car hoods.

As far as scandi or convex grinds, you'll need to try them out and see what works for you. What will be best is the grind that you have experience with and know how to maintain using limited or compromised resources.

Bukake47 said:
I have taken my Pacific camping several times and I've realized that it's not quite what I'm looking for. It's very comfortable and sturdy feeling, but I hate the serrations and grind. I also dislike the thumb ramp. The knife worked surprisingly well for batoning but fell short during more intricate tasks like carving, making feather sticks, food prep, and essentially all of the mundane tasks you would expect of a camping knife. For this reason I am looking for a shorter knife, say, between 3-5".

I at one point had an opinel 7, and while the carbon blade took a wicked edge, it was not what I would consider sturdy enough for outdoor use. I carry a SAK Tinker to work daily (I'm a lab technician). It is great for opening boxes and for its screwdrivers. For outdoor use, not so much.

The Falkniven F1 looks like it's right up my alley. I'll have to read/watch reviews on it. I've also been eyeballing the BRK Bushcrafter, ESEE 3 or 4, some sort of Becker, or maybe a Busse (but they seem to make prybars and choppers rather than bushcrafting knives).

I am also interested in everyone's opinion on stainless vs tool steel on an outdoor knife. Is this an important consideration or a moot point?
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Like you said, any big, thick knife sucks for Bushcraft.

Good stainless is good. I use a Spartan Blades Nyx or Harsey Hunter, made from expertly heat treated S35Vn and they hold an edge well, resist corrosion, and I haven't had any trouble with edge rolling or chipping. Before the Spartans my "go to" knife was a Bravo 1 in S35VN which also proved to be very tough.

Bukake47 said:
Thanks. The bravo 1 LT rampless looks ideal. I can't imagine any shortcomings.
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Great choice!

If it's going to 'live in your bugout bag' I highly recommend finding a kydex sheath for it, the leather one will attract moisture to your rustable 3V blade and the sheath will eventually dry out, stretch, tear, and rot. Leather isn't really a good "end of the world" material. BRKT's convex grinds are easy to maintain using a leather strop once you get the hang of it.

For maximum durability, go with synthetic handle materials. Wood and bone and horn aren't as dimensionally stable, they'll swell and shrink due to changes in temperature and humidity and can pop free (even though they are permanently epoxied and double bolted) from the tang. G10 is the most stable and durable, but BRKT's micarta is excellent as well. I used my canvas micarta handled Bravo 1 canoeing, camping, and more and never had a problem even though it was constantly submerged.

Also, instead of getting the knife rampless, I'd get it with the ramp and see if you like it. If you don't, you can send it back to Bark River and they'll grind the ramp off for you anytime. I love the thumbramp on my Bravo 1.
 
For a bug out bag you need something that can deal with man made materials. I really like the Ontario Pilots Survival knife for this purpose and its the knife I carry on my bag. The Ontario has a fantastic pommel for hammering, easy to sharpen 1095 blade. The saw back can actually cut metal if need be. Very few knives have the versatility of this system. The sheath has a sharpening stone built in and the Back panel can hold other small items. I slip a 5 inch or so hacksaw blade in the metal back of the sheath.
 
Quite the cluster you got going on here, huh. What is your budget? Are you willing to break budget for a super duper knife? Do you know how to sharpen a knife? How often will it be used? What is your climate, humid or dry? Are you a steel snob, if so what steel? I know I am missing a few here.

Ka-Bar Becker vs ESEE. Ka-bar. They are both 1095 steel. Though Ka-Bar uses chrome & vanadium to tighten steel uniformity & increase hardness. Ka-bar has great customer service. I have seen Ka-Bar replace knives. Some times, even when someone voided the warranty battonning. Take this next part with a grain of salt, because i have never had it happen. I have heard (key word here) ESEE not honoring the Life time Warranty. The Becker knives have an amazing handle. ESEE #1 complaint as far as I know. And you will have extra money to play with. I have no regrets choosing Ka-Bar over ESEE. Your mileage might vary, time will tell.
 
probably not the answer your looking for, but its hard to beat an Izula II with the scales and a folder of your choice. id personally pick up a Vic Farmer to compliment it, but a Buck 110 would be a good choice as well....a 4" blade that's easy to keep sharp and its a good slicer. when it comes to cutlery, im just not one that believes theres a "jack of all trades" out there.
 
Ka-Bar Becker BK-16
6.2 Oz. (with micarta scales not including sheath)
4 1/4" more or less
1095
 
The Gerber fixed Gator is still US made and can be had for 40 bux on the web. Good basic knife that IMO would meet your needs. I bought another one for my 12 year old son for Christmas and he has not killed it.

Step up from that would be the ESSE 4. About 100 bux.

I own both of these knives and recommend both.
 
I went with a Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter. S30v steel. Love the knife, hate the sheath. The two others that I would consider are the GSO series from Survive! and Ontario's offerings. If you want a small FB, consider a Bradford Guardian. Add a multi-tool and a SAK Soldier/ Pioneer or maybe a Farmer and you should be set.

If you decide that you need a saw, consider a Sven Saw. It folds up nicely. Get the larger one that they offer. I think it is 21 inches.

Please let us know what you end up with.
 
One of the most common questions isn't it? "what knife should I get that does everything."

Quickly suggestions are shot out about all the top dollar knives that pretty much nobody but a knife person would throw down for (I do understand though that mora knives were suggested as well) If you ask someone about what knife to get you will get what they have, which is an opinion most likely founded within their own experience of knives and uses of. The big problem there is that they are speaking from a myriad of different backgrounds and cover specialists to couch commandos. Are any of the suggestions wrong? of course not, for they are right for that individual person for whatever reason as it is an opinion and is completely open.

When it comes to me I try to look back into history at knives that have been used in areas for a long time. Take north america here and the mountain men and settlers who roamed a vast wilderness of culture of nature. Back then it was pretty much already SHTF and you could end up dead with talking to the wrong people. They didn't have time to mess around though when they had jobs to do like skinning out animals to process food and hides so they typically used the most efficient knives possible and with having limited money they needed to get things cheap. Those mountain men didn't have vg-10 laminated steel or bohler m390. The blades they had didn't have mirror polish or bead blasted finishes or even dura coats. The handle material wasn't stacked linen micarta or texture g10 scales. Even without all that luxury they managed to put food on the table and craft what they needed and that was born out of experience, pushed into simply doing their jobs they cultivated a high level of skill and in the end it both outweighed needing better tools and let then utilize "lesser" ones.


Hopefully my rant proved useful but what I'm simply getting at is that you shouldn't be fooled into thinking dropping 700 bucks on a knife will somehow imbue you with the spirit of bear grylls. Even if it is a good knife you will have no idea whether or not it will work for you until you use it and if you just toss it in the closet you may as well not have it. I'd push at something like the flea market and second hand stores cruising for something stamped Germany, england or usa and simply get out there so you yourself feel out what exactly you want out of the knife. Then maybe one day you'll move up to other "better" steels or maybe you'll that knife your grandfather passed down was good as any.
 
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