What is a survival knife ?

There has to be a difference between camping and real survival.

If I were going to take you guys camping you all would have all the gear and toys you can pack to bring with you....TV, Radio, all the little EDC knives you want....even a cooler and beer.

But real Survival?...no....
If I were to tell you that you would be learning "Survival training", you would get one knife.....and the clothes on your back...

This knife would have to do it all....from knocking down trees to reaching into the peanutbutter jar....
One knife to use for;....for food, shelter, defense, firstaid, everything.

So if all you got to use in this type of real survival situation is the one and only same knife, what would you want?
 
Alan, your question should be another thread....

But I'd pick either my Busse Heavy Heart (with snakeskin) or the Busse FBM.

.
 
"What is a Survival Knife?" Is kind of like "What is a fighting knife?"

The answer is of course the knife you have with you when the shtf situation occurs.

But i think that as the odds of survival situations goes up, the level of gear should change. I dont usually go afield with just my edc. I would not say go to africa or south america with just my Sak classic.

For EDC for example i carry an origional leatherman, Sak Classic and an Endura

For EMS/Rescue I have The endura, A wave tool, a buck crosslock rescue and a benchmade rescuehook

For Hiking I have the Endura, Leatherman and a Sak Treker, and in the winter, a Gator

For backpacking or hiking in more remote locals I add a fixed blade, Kabar, or SRK and sometimes a small hatchet, and a trowel

In a SHTF type situation I would probably add another fixed blade mabey exen a larger hatchet or axe and a shovel

In my Car especially when driving long distances I keep a number of tools including knives an axe, shovel etc


The point is that Yes A survival knife is the knife you have on you. When things go wrong. but a little bit of fore thought will increase the likley hood that your availability of the right tool matches your likley hood of needing it.
 
This got me thinking about the saying "a survival is the knife you have on your person in a survival situation" or some such:..

That is a great way to die. Would you define survival equipment in general with such a viewpoint? Survival clothes for example? PREPERATION is key for survival and that includes proper gear selection.

-Cliff
 
Victorinox made German army issue OH Trekker. Actually, I'd prefer to have a good fixed blade with me as well, but this little knife has done an amazing job for me in the field.

bundevaluation004a.jpg

Get something similar to this and put it on your key ring.
 
This shows us how important EDC is for general preparedness... hopefully, none of your workplaces ban pocket knives...that would really suck.

I am not supposed to have a knife at my work place, but I still carry one clipped to my waistband. No one can see it under my shirt, and the clip is hidden by my belt. I have a Leatherman Wave on my belt when I am not working.
 
That is a great way to die. Would you define survival equipment in general with such a viewpoint? Survival clothes for example? PREPERATION is key for survival and that includes proper gear selection.

-Cliff

Cliff, I beleive the point to the quote "a survival knife is the one you have" actually has EVERYTHING to do with preparation & selection.

It's another way of saying "CHOOSE WISELY" , and more importantly, make sure it is with with you!!

We can post on the internet about all of our implements, but, it's what is in your pocket, or on your belt, at the most inopportune(sp) moment that becomes your defacto Survival knife.

Using myself as an example:
-At work, at my office, if there is some kind of disaster, my "Survival Knife" will be my Gerber folder and SquirtP4. Would I like to have a big fixed blade with me? Certainly. Is it possible to carry one at my office, not really.
(I do have a pair of pliers and soem screw drivers hidden away in my desk, considered throwing a prybar in there).
-If I am in my car, and something happens, then I have more tools&knives.
-If I am camping or hiking, then I'll probably be most prepared.

SO, the phrase "a survival knife is what you have with you" is a call to anyone and everyone to Choose Wisely and secondly, actually carry it.

That machete or big chopper looks great, buried in a log, next to the firewood at camp-central , but when you fall into the rushing river, and go miles downstream through the rapids, it's the SAK in your pocket that then becomes your "Survival Knife".

Choose Wisely and carry it.

Another scenario is on vacation. What do we have in our pockets as we slum around paradise? That's what you will have to fall back on should it take a turn for the worse.
 
Cliff, I beleive the point to the quote "a survival knife is the one you have" actually has EVERYTHING to do with preparation & selection.

It's another way of saying "CHOOSE WISELY" , and more importantly, make sure it is with with you!!

We can post on the internet about all of our implements, but, it's what is in your pocket, or on your belt, at the most inopportune(sp) moment that becomes your defacto Survival knife.


That machete or big chopper looks great, buried in a log, next to the firewood at camp-central , but when you fall into the rushing river, and go miles downstream through the rapids, it's the SAK in your pocket that then becomes your "Survival Knife".

Choose Wisely and carry it.


Well said Skunk.

Its fine to claim you carry a large chopper in the field but you don't carry it strapped to your everyday work clothes.

Many times it does come down to what you have on you when you least expect it. A simple SAK and lighter can get you out of all kinds of trouble and you are likely to be carrying it, or at least your should be.

Skam
 
I am not supposed to have a knife at my work place, but I still carry one clipped to my waistband. No one can see it under my shirt, and the clip is hidden by my belt. I have a Leatherman Wave on my belt when I am not working.

That sucks man, if you believe it we in the NAVY are only allowed to carry folders (no fixed) onboard ship, I use mine constantly, and in case of a abandon ship it would prove very handy.
Trying to upgrade from my CRKT M-16 to something a little more corrosion resistant. The liner lock is all rusted out despite my oiling...any suggestions guys (something that doesen't cost a fortune)? But anyways, I ALWAYS have it on me w/ a lighter. I always follow the boyscout motto..."Be prepared"
 
A survival knife is whatever knife you have with you in a survival situation. Plan ahead.

This brings to mind a program I saw on the History Channel a while back. It was about the World Trade Center on 9/11. After the attacks an elevator with several people inside was stuck. The compartment was quickly filling with smoke. The occupants managed to pry the elevator door open only to find a sheetrock wall blocking their path.

Not a single man or woman on that elevator had anything to cut the drywall with. They ended up using a window washer's squeege to complete the task, barely! If I remember correctly it broke halfway through the job. In a panic, one man actually kicked his way through the the wall and into a restroom on the other side. Tell me a SAK, Leatherman, or any pocket knife wouldn't have helped!

My minimum EDC at work or play: Leatherman Wave, Spyderco Military, AAA Mini LED Light, Cigarette lighter, Cell phone

My vehicles all have BOBs that each include Cash, extra clothing, work gloves, folding saw, mag lite, compass, Gazateer (maps), first aid kit, fixed blade knife, water and water purification tabs, two MRE's, handgun, spare ammo, etc.

My survival knife: I guess its a Spyderco Military SE
 
This brings to mind a program I saw on the History Channel a while back. It was about the World Trade Center on 9/11. After the attacks, an elevator with several people inside, was stuck and the compartment was quickly filling with smoke. The occupants managed to pry the elevator door open only to find a sheetrock wall blocking their path.

Not a single man or woman on that elevator had anything to cut the drywall with. They ended up using a window washer's squeege to complete the task, barely! If I remember correctly it broke halfway through the job, and one man actually kicked his way through the wall and into a restroom on the other side. Tell me a SAK, Leatherman, or any pocket knife wouldn't have helped!

My minimum EDC at work or play: Leatherman Wave, Spyderco Military, AAA Mini LED Light, Cigarette lighter, Cell phone

My vehicles all have BOBs that each include a Extra clothing, folding saw, compass, Gazateer (maps), first aid kit, fixed blade knife, water, and two MRE's, etc.

WOW you totally beat me to it! I was just going to post about the same program! I sat there watching in disbelief as all these people needed to get out alive was a small pocket knife and NO ONE HAD ONE! It makes me glad that I at least have a good folder on me at all times, and most of the time I carry a Leatherman Wave also.
 
That sucks man, if you believe it we in the NAVY are only allowed to carry folders (no fixed) onboard ship, I use mine constantly, and in case of a abandon ship it would prove very handy.
Trying to upgrade from my CRKT M-16 to something a little more corrosion resistant. The liner lock is all rusted out despite my oiling...any suggestions guys (something that doesen't cost a fortune)? But anyways, I ALWAYS have it on me w/ a lighter. I always follow the boyscout motto..."Be prepared"

Spyderco makes a couple of knives with H1 steel that can't rust. They are sold under the "Pacific Salt" and "Salt" names. From what I have read the H1 steel is high performance and really won't rust. Hard to believe, I know.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=128
 
A ‘survival-knife’ is the knife you carry when SHTF. This can be everything from a SAK, large folder to a EDC-size fixed blade. But what are your criteria when you are looking for a ‘survival-knife’ in the knife-store or web? Mine are:
- able to chop a shelter and split logs for a fire,
- good steel that takes some disabuse but wont break that easy,
- handle that gives good grip when wet and in differed holding positions,
- able to carve wood to make other tools and fire tinder,
- able to clean small animals, birds and fish,
- …..used by my own hands so I know the ‘how and what’ of the knife

IMO this can’t be one all-in-one knife. A sturdy 7inch knife that can chop and a SAK to do the rest is what I would go for. The BK7 with a Vic OTH in its sheath is my combo. If I have more money I will buy a 7-8inch Busse or SRKW to replace the Becker but for now it’s fine to me.
 
and for most of us(And I do say most of us only :cool: ) this is not going to be a busse or even a fixed blade, most likely it will be a folder of sorts.
(For me it is a Vic' Farmer :thumbup: )

I have 4 Good fixed blades in my bag, and one in my pocket.
 
SKunk,

You hit the nail on the head, at least as far as the original topic was. That's why I always carry a knife or three.

Finding a knife being carried by someone in an office is getting harder and harder. I chalk it up to the further sissification of the once proud self reliant American Male......or female for that matter.

Scary.
 
Cliff, he didn't say "best" or "ideal." What he DID say is, by definition, absolutely correct. You cannot use what you do not have.
 
Cliff, I beleive the point to the quote "a survival knife is the one you have" actually has EVERYTHING to do with preparation & selection.

It's another way of saying "CHOOSE WISELY" , and more importantly, make sure it is with with you!!

We can post on the internet about all of our implements, but, it's what is in your pocket, or on your belt, at the most inopportune(sp) moment that becomes your defacto Survival knife.

Using myself as an example:
-At work, at my office, if there is some kind of disaster, my "Survival Knife" will be my Gerber folder and SquirtP4. Would I like to have a big fixed blade with me? Certainly. Is it possible to carry one at my office, not really.
(I do have a pair of pliers and soem screw drivers hidden away in my desk, considered throwing a prybar in there).
-If I am in my car, and something happens, then I have more tools&knives.
-If I am camping or hiking, then I'll probably be most prepared.

SO, the phrase "a survival knife is what you have with you" is a call to anyone and everyone to Choose Wisely and secondly, actually carry it.

That machete or big chopper looks great, buried in a log, next to the firewood at camp-central , but when you fall into the rushing river, and go miles downstream through the rapids, it's the SAK in your pocket that then becomes your "Survival Knife".

Choose Wisely and carry it.

Another scenario is on vacation. What do we have in our pockets as we slum around paradise? That's what you will have to fall back on should it take a turn for the worse.


You toke the point of my post and put it in other words and got it right :thumbup: :)
 
A ‘survival-knife’ is the knife you carry when SHTF. This can be everything from a SAK, large folder to a EDC-size fixed blade. But what are your criteria when you are looking for a ‘survival-knife’ in the knife-store or web? Mine are:
- able to chop a shelter and split logs for a fire,
- good steel that takes some disabuse but wont break that easy,
- handle that gives good grip when wet and in differed holding positions,
- able to carve wood to make other tools and fire tinder,
- able to clean small animals, birds and fish,
- …..used by my own hands so I know the ‘how and what’ of the knife

IMO this can’t be one all-in-one knife. A sturdy 7inch knife that can chop and a SAK to do the rest is what I would go for. The BK7 with a Vic OTH in its sheath is my combo. If I have more money I will buy a 7-8inch Busse or SRKW to replace the Becker but for now it’s fine to me.


My point was that the combo that you are talking about is more the lines of bush craft/camping/Hiking then a survival knife set. But I think you allready know that ;)
 
Back
Top