What is the best survial/utility knife for around $100. I am looking for the ulitmate knife. I dont have a lot of money to spend so the knife must be in the $100 range. I want a fixed blade, full tang, tough sheath. The blade material doesnt matter to me much or the handle material. Please leave your ideas, with a link to the manufacturor or a pic of the knife. If you have or know someone that has the knfie you list give me a brief review on it. Thanks.
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What is the best survial/utility knife...
- Thread starter not2sharp
- Start date
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- Aug 11, 1999
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- 1,111
Yeesh, this could lead into one of those deadly looong threads!
For the price range, no doubt you'll get lots of factory-made choices. For a *little more* than your limit, you might consider a handmade hi-carbon model: Newt Livesay's Air Assault. 1095 steel, 5 3/8" parkerized wide clip pt, .2" thick, 10 1/8" OAL, black micarta handle on full-tang, w/kydex sheath. See more stats and pic at:
http://members.tripod.com/~Newt_Livesay/mdl131Air_Assault.html
I have not used this knife but am eyeing it myself. The site above has a link to a very good review by Jeff Randall, whose opinion is widely respected here as a *very reliable*. If it's a good as Jeff indicates, then the knife is simply a steal for $125.
So, alongside other choices, can anyone else elaborate on Livesay's Air Assault for utility/survival uses?
Glen
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"What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding?" -Elvis Costello
[This message has been edited by storyville (edited 06 October 1999).]
[This message has been edited by storyville (edited 06 October 1999).]
For the price range, no doubt you'll get lots of factory-made choices. For a *little more* than your limit, you might consider a handmade hi-carbon model: Newt Livesay's Air Assault. 1095 steel, 5 3/8" parkerized wide clip pt, .2" thick, 10 1/8" OAL, black micarta handle on full-tang, w/kydex sheath. See more stats and pic at:
http://members.tripod.com/~Newt_Livesay/mdl131Air_Assault.html
I have not used this knife but am eyeing it myself. The site above has a link to a very good review by Jeff Randall, whose opinion is widely respected here as a *very reliable*. If it's a good as Jeff indicates, then the knife is simply a steal for $125.
So, alongside other choices, can anyone else elaborate on Livesay's Air Assault for utility/survival uses?
Glen
------------------
"What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding?" -Elvis Costello
[This message has been edited by storyville (edited 06 October 1999).]
[This message has been edited by storyville (edited 06 October 1999).]
not2sharp
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 1999
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- 20,747
The best knife would depend on the specific situation. There a number of threads on this site that address the "best survival knife" question. You may want to look these up.
The conclusion on most of these is usually the same. It all depends on use you are planning to put the knife to and the specific situation under which the knife would need to perform.
Tells us a little about what you have in mind . Location, Temperature, Flora, Duration, and Distance to be covered will all have a bearing on our recommendation.
The conclusion on most of these is usually the same. It all depends on use you are planning to put the knife to and the specific situation under which the knife would need to perform.
Tells us a little about what you have in mind . Location, Temperature, Flora, Duration, and Distance to be covered will all have a bearing on our recommendation.
Hey, not trying to take a deal away from Newt since I love my Air Assault and it has become my number 1 sheath knife when I'm not reviewing something else....but there are other blades out there that deserve good mention. Some are less expensive while others more. CS SRK, Fallkniven, Camillus, Kabar (especially the WartHog)...the list is endless.
While we're on the survival/utility subject let me make a shameful plug about a new knife Newt and I are working on. This one will be the RTAK Jr. - a companion piece to the larger version. The Jr. will be a 5" blade, clip point, flat grounf Micarta handled contraption that should fit in well with some of the previously mentioned blades. OK...advertisement over. - Jeff
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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
While we're on the survival/utility subject let me make a shameful plug about a new knife Newt and I are working on. This one will be the RTAK Jr. - a companion piece to the larger version. The Jr. will be a 5" blade, clip point, flat grounf Micarta handled contraption that should fit in well with some of the previously mentioned blades. OK...advertisement over. - Jeff
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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
- Joined
- Jul 9, 1999
- Messages
- 3,316
Are you looking for factory or custom?
Either way I'll bet that next month or the month after that a brand new "best of the best" wonder (utility/combat/tactical/hunter) knife shows up on the scene.
Get what feels comfortable to you. If it's a user, comfort should be near the top of your list.
At this price range though, You'll probably be getting a lot of suggestions for factory blades. This is not a bad thing, however, as there are a lot of great ones to be had out there.
My favorites are Fallkniven's A1 and Cold Steel's SRK. Ontario's Spec Plus line is a lotta knife for the money, but, the handles are uncomfortable to some for extended use.
Many others out there so I'll defer to others now and let them have a go at it.
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Patience is for people who HAVE the time to wait!
Either way I'll bet that next month or the month after that a brand new "best of the best" wonder (utility/combat/tactical/hunter) knife shows up on the scene.
Get what feels comfortable to you. If it's a user, comfort should be near the top of your list.
At this price range though, You'll probably be getting a lot of suggestions for factory blades. This is not a bad thing, however, as there are a lot of great ones to be had out there.
My favorites are Fallkniven's A1 and Cold Steel's SRK. Ontario's Spec Plus line is a lotta knife for the money, but, the handles are uncomfortable to some for extended use.
Many others out there so I'll defer to others now and let them have a go at it.
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Patience is for people who HAVE the time to wait!
- Joined
- Apr 7, 1999
- Messages
- 514
can't you spare 30-40 dollars more than your 100 limit and get a busse basic? I don't know if it's worth it, since I never use larger knives, but later you won't have to regret buying two cheaper knives instead of one nice one.
Jeff - I've been trying to decide for a long time now whether to get a RTAK or an Air Assault! (I'd get both if I could afford it!) I think I now have my answer!
What's the ETA on the debut of the RTAK Jr.? Thanks!
(Definitely my kind of knife!
)
------------------
Cutting through all the muck,
we get to what's really important.
John 3:3-7
God Bless You!
What's the ETA on the debut of the RTAK Jr.? Thanks!
(Definitely my kind of knife!
------------------
Cutting through all the muck,
we get to what's really important.
John 3:3-7
God Bless You!
- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
- Messages
- 41
The Best One - One that you don't have to use!
Well, OK I would have to say a knife with a medium to large blade such as a Bowie, something with some heft to it, and that could take some abuse. While stationed in Alaska I used a Medium sized Bowie as well as a 41 Mag. when I would go out into the bush for wildlife photos - Nuff Said.
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Curtis Wilson -
Wilson's Custom Knives, Engraving, and Scrimshaw
Well, OK I would have to say a knife with a medium to large blade such as a Bowie, something with some heft to it, and that could take some abuse. While stationed in Alaska I used a Medium sized Bowie as well as a 41 Mag. when I would go out into the bush for wildlife photos - Nuff Said.
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Curtis Wilson -
Wilson's Custom Knives, Engraving, and Scrimshaw
RJ,
Of course the Air Assault and the RTAK are two different beasts made for different work but both are extremely good for their purpose.
Newt should have the final drawings on the Jr. today and should be knocking out a prototype for final approval sometime next week. The only probem is we will be leaving Sunday week for the Peru and won't be back until the first week in November, so it will probably be after that before the Jr. gets to rolling good. - Jeff
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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
Of course the Air Assault and the RTAK are two different beasts made for different work but both are extremely good for their purpose.
Newt should have the final drawings on the Jr. today and should be knocking out a prototype for final approval sometime next week. The only probem is we will be leaving Sunday week for the Peru and won't be back until the first week in November, so it will probably be after that before the Jr. gets to rolling good. - Jeff
------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
For around $100 I suggest:
1. Fallkniven A-1 - At $100 or less, I think it may be the best survival/utility (about $100). Maybe a Modern (Next generation?) Kabar would be as good.
2. Fallkniven F-1 - For less $ than the A-1 (about $65), is what I think is the best. Though it has a small blade of only 4" in length.
3. Cold Steel SRK - For around $50 you can't beat a SRK. Tremendous knife, and now comes w/ Concealex (or is that Kydex), sheath. A winner.
4. USMC KaBar - For around $40 you will have to look far and wide to get better than a Kabar.
Now if you want to spend more, the choices are endless. I see it wiser to pay more and get a custom blade made by Newt, Busse, or Jones Knives - my favs at this time.
1. Fallkniven A-1 - At $100 or less, I think it may be the best survival/utility (about $100). Maybe a Modern (Next generation?) Kabar would be as good.
2. Fallkniven F-1 - For less $ than the A-1 (about $65), is what I think is the best. Though it has a small blade of only 4" in length.
3. Cold Steel SRK - For around $50 you can't beat a SRK. Tremendous knife, and now comes w/ Concealex (or is that Kydex), sheath. A winner.
4. USMC KaBar - For around $40 you will have to look far and wide to get better than a Kabar.
Now if you want to spend more, the choices are endless. I see it wiser to pay more and get a custom blade made by Newt, Busse, or Jones Knives - my favs at this time.