What Can a Knife Do???

I wasnt trying to start anything or be offensive in anyway! I just thought you took Quiet Bears statement the wrong way. I guess I stuck my nose where it didnt belong...... Apologies.


Quiet Bear... I agree with your statements, sorry for any intrusion, tried to douse a spark before a fire.... :(
 
I apologize as well, I guess we all had a misunderstanding.
 
Another point I think should be considered when talking about survival knives is that there's a very good chance you won't be carrying a traditional one when you really need it. Someone here once pointed out that your "surival knife" is whatever blade you happen to be carrying when faced with a survival situation. All sorts of circumstances (medical emergencies, power failures, severe weather, car accidents, etc.) can require some kind of "survival" response, often in the middle of a normal day's events.

Under those circumstances, most of us will end up relying on a sub-4" folder instead of a heavy-duty 7"+ fixed blade. This is not to discourage anyone from keeping a serious survival knife handy (I keep a 9" Becker Combat Bowie in my car), but to encourage people to also think about the surival characteristics of the knife you always carry.

Sal's earlier comments about the benefits of low-maintenance designs and materials really come into play in this area. The single most critical characteristic of a "pocket survival knife" is reliability. It has to work, and work well, every time you need it, even under adverse environmental conditions. If you aren't absolutely certain that you will perform regular maitenance on your pocket knife, pick one that doesn't require it. :)

--Bob Q
 
I came to this thread late, but just to add: I know an elite armed forces test for passing a candidate upon completion of his training is dropping him in a tropical jungle armed with only a knife (not Jungle King) and an empty can for few days (or a week) and if he can't survive with that, he won't be a special forces member .. and if not wrong, half naked (i.e. no other gears he can use as aid, i.e. belt). That is in agreement with statement of others of possibility of using a knife only for survival, but with training.

I happened also on a book called SAS survival handbook .. or something like that. Lots of good info for you who can't go to a course yet. I also found out that reading won't help much because after some time we would forget the content. But going through the content of the book, and looking out for chances to apply the method/training when you go out hiking one day in wilderness will enhance the mind/body memory of the skill ..
This is not to state my skill of it, because i don't have any, just sharing some ideas that might work.
 
Sal Glesser said:
I agree with Bob Q. I would also suggest that a good stainless material be considered. Non stainless steels require maintenance, sometimes difficult in survival situations and keep in mind, the edge is the thinnest area and both sides of the edge are exposed, so the edge is the first part to rust.

A steel with better edge retention would also be an advantage, especially if there is no sharpening tool.

Some things that you can do with a knife that you cannot do with a gun;

skin animals, prepare food, make weapons like spears or bows/arrows. build shelters, remove spinters/thorns, snake-bite, etc.

sal
Click to expand...

A blade geometry, that gives cutting ability even when dull. Try a dull Opinel. it will cut.

That comes in contrast to prying, but better a cutter to cut a prying tool, than just a prybar.
 
I think this is a good thread with good questions.

While I carry a folder everyday (Benchmade 556 lately), I am well aware that a single bladed folder does have alot of limitations for survival purposes.

I carry a medium-size folder because it is handy and easy to carry, besides I have other tools at my house and in both of my cars.

But when I hit the woods to go hiking or camping I always carry a multi-tool.

I cannot find any reason to trust my survival to a single blade. And you can do so much more with a multi-tool.

Happy hunting,
Allen.
 
It's been said by a few but needs to be stressed by more, a knife without the training and practice is little more than a sharpened steel bar with a point to someone without the skill set to use it.
 
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