Was just reading an old thread about survival vs camping vs hiking knife, ect...

J

JohnnyO

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In that thread people were saying, for camping I use a Camp Tramp. For hiking or backpacking a Dozier K1. But, my survival knife is a Busse BM.

Well, a thought came to mind. When was the last time you left your house and said, I'm going to have a survival situation today, better take my BM and leave the little K1 home.

Isn't it those times your hiking, backpacking, whitewater rafting, ect, that turn into a survival situation? Well, what knife do you have on your then? That's your survival knife.
 
I'm guilty of that as well and agree with you that the knife that's on you is your survival blade when the situation strikes. But because circumstances dictate what I can carry and where I can carry, I have to be satisfied carrying blades that will help me, but aren't my first choice. While hiking close to home, I'm in an area that is owned by the county and is designated a park, so in their infinite wisdom, they have proclaimed that fixed blade knives are banned. That being the case, I carry a SAK w/saw. When hiking in other areas, I carry the SAK as well as a Mora 2000 so as not to frighten the other hikers or draw the attention of large knife confiscating LEOs (California). I also carry the Mora when I'm hunting. It's a dandy field and game knife. Howver, in my emergency ruck, which is in my PU, is my Becker BK-7, which is the knife I'd prefer to have with me in a survival type of situation.
 
Good point. That's why I don't mind carrying an extra pound or so, even though it might be an overkill for the planned part of the trip. You never know how the unplanned part's gonna look like ;)

Cheers,

David
 
I always pack more than I use and I'll always have a knife or two that weren't used but made the trip regardless -- those knives were back-ups and weren't meant to be used. I can easily rationalize two fixed blades and a couple locking folders in addition to my SAK.

I remember a cold morning sitting at a campfire and I pulled my Randall 14 to cut something. Once of the women asked me, "what the hell is that for?" as if she had seen the knife for the first time. I told her it was for cutting stuff too big for my SAK. That seemed like a good answer.
 
Excellent point. That's why you must head out prepared as much as possible for a survival situation. For day hikes, I always carry a Strider folder and now I also carry my Ritter Grip too. The Strider is the go to SHTF do anything knife. I also carry a pocket sized survival kit and mini first aid kit. When going on longer camping or backpacking trips, I carry a larger knife and a little more survival gear. My motto is: The further I am from civilization, the bigger the knife I carry.
 
The reason that point hit me so hard was, I'm just as guilty as anyone else. I bought knives with the intent of them being my "ultimate survival" knife. Then found, everytime I was out hiking, packing, ect, I was choosing knives that were just a bit easier to pack along.

As much as I would love to have my GB or one of my Busses' with me, it was my Dozier PGK or Infi Coot that was strapped on. Should something happen while out in the field, it's more likely I will have one of these, than one of the knives chosen as my "survival" knife. Although, I do also carry a small hatchet or folding saw to supplement the ability of my smaller knives.
 
I've moved towards smaller and lighter knives over the years because I've learned how to make the most of them, I'm more likely to carry them, and . . . they're smaller and lighter :D. I take my INFIcoot or Buck/Strider Solution for hikes, Busse SHNO and maybe GB Hatchet for camping. I always have my EDC folder with me, and sometimes also a Vnox Soldier. I need to get one of those wire saws to take along, too.
 
I always have a SAK on me, so I guess it's my survival knife. I can think of much worse decisions, I guess.

I have also started carrying smaller and lighter weight knives over the years, as my proficiency with them has increased. I'm now down to a medium sized Dozier or BRK&T to supplement the SAK on day hikes, light camping trips and traveling to work. A hatchet is included for longer camping trips.

Yes, I could try to justify carrying larger knives or axes at all times in the name of survival, but my heart is no longer in it. The chances of a Dozier and a SAK not being enough knife for me in a survival situation is so astronomically low… You have to draw the line somewhere.
 
I carry my Seigle Ranger 1/4" thick 5160 5.5" is legal carry in Texas also a leatherman and hatchet in my truck I need to add a folding saw and I'll be set.
 
this reminds me of an article in tk mag. i once read where ralph mroz says small hikes big knives because when you go camping or backpacking you have more gear with you and you won't need a big survival type knife. kinda makes sense but i still carry my bm-e
 
The commonly expressed idea, on this forum at least, is that "a bigger knife can do smaller knife chores, but not vice versa." Equally, that there is no such thing as a "survival knife" but instead ways and means for surviving with a knife. In this respect, one would first need to know how to make do with a small knife (or even no knife at all) to appreciate any benefits of a bigger knife. I.e., if I don't know how to survive with a SAK, I'm not going to know how to survive with a Battle Mistress, parang, khukuri, etc., either.
 
"i once read where ralph mroz says small hikes big knives because when you go camping or backpacking you have more gear with you"

True enough. However, if constrained to choose between a tent and a sleeping bag or a good knife, I choose the knife. Bedding and shelter can be made, but it's much harder to improvise a cutting tool. Even if I am out with a bunch of gear, I still take a good knife with me, such as a Cold Steel SRK (6" is my own personal minimum for a wilderness survival knife) or my relatively recently acquired Greco Explorer. That one is still untested.
 
I look at it this way. I go out to wilderness areas prepared to spend the night if I have to. I keep with me the basics for making, shelter, fire, and water in my daypack whenever I go to a wilderness area. In that pack there is a 12 inch Ontario machete whenever I'm in Brazil. My survival situation starts with "OK now what do I do if I loose my pack?" That can happen crossing a river on foot, falling out of a boat, vehicle fire, theft any number of reasons.

I make my knife my PSK. That knife has to be my redundant kit, able to make shelter, fire, and water. I also throw in signal and navigation. Most of the knives I carry as a "survival knife" are set up this way. The basic kit includes: Paracord leg tie, Inova LED light, small mirror, whistle, Fire source,Treated Cotton tinder or Wetfire tinder, button compass, Potassium Permanganate, needle & waxed #4 thread, wire. Some of my knives have more extensive kits.

The kit dosen't include a water carrier, but I carry a US Army canteen w/ cup and Potable Aqua on my belt as well. The kit also dosen't include any water/wind-proofing, but I carry a space blanket and contractor bag in my pocket. I'm fairly confident that if I washed up soaking wet with these items wether in Canada, PA, or Brazil that I'd be OK until my signals attracted attention.

The knives I have set up this way include a Ka-bar, Air Force Survival knife, CS Mini-Bushman, and a Glock Knife. Soon I'm going to add to these a BK-7 as my always knife when in the bush in Brazil. In my opinion a knife isn't really a survival knife unless it is on your belt where it won't be lost. If all else is lost what knife do you want to have with you and how well do you want that knife to be set up? Mac
 
Trout Tamer said:
"i once read where ralph mroz says small hikes big knives because when you go camping or backpacking you have more gear with you"

True enough. However, if constrained to choose between a tent and a sleeping bag or a good knife, I choose the knife. Bedding and shelter can be made, but it's much harder to improvise a cutting tool. Even if I am out with a bunch of gear, I still take a good knife with me, such as a Cold Steel SRK (6" is my own personal minimum for a wilderness survival knife) or my relatively recently acquired Greco Explorer. That one is still untested.
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TT, I can't imagine being without a good knife. However, over 90% of "survival" casualties are from cold in my area and they probably don't have your knowledge or skills. A good tent and good sleeping bag would work for even the clueless. A knife? Seems like the folks who can do it all with a knife are rarely SAR targets.
 
"TT, I can't imagine being without a good knife. However, over 90% of "survival" casualties are from cold in my area and they probably don't have your knowledge or skills."

I actually didn't have any survival skills or knowledge, save what I would have been able to merely think up, until I took a wilderness survival course at my local university. It was an awesome class, taught by a group of ex Air-Force pararescuemen. The head instructor used to teach survival to incoming pj recruits. The class was not only the best experience of my college career, it taught potentially life-saving knowledge and skills. Class learning was augmented by four field trips, two of them over-nighters. On the night trips, we were only allowed to bring issued gear. The issued gear did not include food, sleeping bags, matches, etc. Therefore, the learning curve was steep, 'cause it was cold! :eek: Fortunately for us students,the instructors spent the night making rounds to all the different camp sites to ensure our safety (if not our comfort :cool: )

"A good tent and good sleeping bag would work for even the clueless. A knife? Seems like the folks who can do it all with a knife are rarely SAR targets."

Before taking the class, I couldn't imagine spending nights in the mountains, during the winter, without a beefy bag and secure tent. I had a vague awareness of the usefulness of a knife, but no concrete knowledge or abilities. So, you are right that a bag and tent do definitely have a place. I now enjoy not needing them and derive deeper pleasure from my wilderness activities, partly due to new-found confidence and peace of mind.

I think that wilderness survival training is a very important part of the outdoor experience. It's too bad that so few people know of the options available to get the training. It's also bad that we don't generally know the NEED for such skill acquisition, 'til it's too late. :(

In a nutshell, I can't believe that I used to go backpacking without the knowledge that I have now, due to the classes. 'twould that everyone could have the same opportunity. :)
 
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