I'm no survival 'expert', however I do have advanced-training. If it IS a survival-style knife you want, I don't see how you could go wrong with a Seal Team Elite (or a Ka-bar Next-Gen, or an Ontario ASEK). I've been helping people to set-up knives like that for quite awhile now--even built custom sheaths for them. Personally, based on my experience & unwilling 'adventures', I'd recommend a good multi-tool (a SAK sure is good), a ferro-rod with a magnesium-rod, 550 mil-spec para-cord (a fellow already mentioned that one above), the Seal Team Elite is a combo-edge--therefore a tapered diamond-grit rod; maybe a little mini flashlight. Other than that, it would largely depend on what you're intending to do to the sheath. If you add slots or additional pockets, you'd be able to add more. Personally, I'd get a little button compass (they run maybe 1 to 3$) & add it in the pocket too. I'd recommend a second pouch, one worn next to it, for carrying extra goodies. Maybe a Condor Gadget Pouch, I've heard those are good. LOT of goody-stashin' space.
--So, you got the Seal Team Elite, huh? I told you it's a good knife. .240 in. thick. Durable. I recommended that very knife to ya. I've seen alot of posts complaning about the Aus-8A being difficult to sharpen--I've had no trouble keeping all my knives, all of which, except one, are Aus-8A hair-popping sharp. It largely depends on what you hone with, as well as polishing. I use a aluminum carborundum (I think that's the word) stone
& my leather harness boots. My blades stay hair-popping sharp. I chop, hack, prune, batton, feather wood, use them with ferro-rods, it runs the gamut. It just depends on skill-level & materials. Plus, knowing you angles well. Alot of people seem to like the higher-end steels (way to expensive for me
--oh well) which have great edge-retention (and a big price tag).
You might also look at the back of the sheath, especially since you've got the nylon one. You may be able to add a couple of slots back there. I saw pictures where a fellow
used para-cord to attach a signal mirror to the back, as well as a small survival kit & other useful goodies, including a rectangle of fat-pine (very resin rich). Try using Yahoo search engine & typing Sog Seal Team Elite survival knife--that should get you to it. It also had a couple braids of paracord hanging off the sheath, using the leg-tie loops. Of course, I'm also going to recommend a pair of malice-clips.
. Hope that knife works out for you, Danny. Also, if you're not so good at knife sharpening yet, I'd practice on a cheap knife, first.
You might also consider not using the sheath's pouch except to store very small items,
& instead get one of the nylon Envelope-style pouches, I've heard they work quite well.
It can be strapped over the sheath, and doesn't appear to be too bulky. Try looking on youtube.com Try searching for survival kit or survival knife kit, either one will bring up alot of results.
Personally, I could give you a list
& how-to guide that you could outfit the knife to bare, but it takes skill to build & quite a bit of time.
Oh, also, I recently heard from a woman who dropped a Seal Team Elite from several feet onto a concrete floor--it rolled the edge..a little. Heh, from what she said, it knocked a bit out of the floor. Nah, some people like SOG knives--some don't. It's all a matter of preference. Yeah, the Fusion line sucks--but it's an econo-line. I had a Fusion-
bowie--I stepped on the handle, broke it. The blade proved to be strong though, still use it for battoning pine in the winter. Tip proved to be pretty strong--Aus-8A is stronger than that however, & the Seal Team Elite has a MUCH thicker point.
Good luck with ya knife & your outdoors adventures.
Dark Seraphane
P.S.Let me know if you need more help, I'll see what I can think of. Well..a small sewing kit would be useful. That could be added on the back.
