What to buy HELP PLEASE!

N

Noble Warrior

Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
22
Hi all, great forum.

In short I am in the process of preparing for a few months of solid bush camping / survival. I am very rushed for time as I have work commitments at the moment and little spare time to research all the things I need to buy. I just ordered a Ontario RTAK after doing bugger all research and have regretted my decision. After I started to look into knife reviews more I found that the RTAK is supposed to be a pretty crap performer in it's class and I learned my lesson of not rushing into things. I have about $10,000 AUD to spend on my stuff so money isn't a major issue at this point. What I want to find out is what are the best survival knives you can get and also the best flip out knives. The Spiderco military flip out knives seem to be pretty well regarded and for survival knives the Busse and swamprat knives are also up there. SO I guess the RTAK will have to do for my machete. I just want to be pointed in the right direction for top notch fixed blade / survival knives and top notch flip out small blades.

I apologize for being a bit lazy and not reading though all the stuff on this forum but I am in the process of looking at good backpacks, water purifiers, night vision, firelighters, clothing, footwear, swags/ultralight one man tents, torches, cooking equipment, gps, solar panels, first aid, survival books, food, radios, and you get the idea....

The trip is in Australia as well where I live so I will be getting the goods either over the internet or from Auzzie shops. ANY ADVISE AT ALL WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED !!! I'm not sure what conditions I may encounter yet either so just imagine the knives for outdoor use, Hunting, skinning, self defense (;)) and a whole range of other uses... THANKS HEAPS IN ADVANCE. :):eek:
 
Dont forget to bring a good multi tool. You will regret not having one and You Will NEED it. Spend money on a good folder as I find myself always using it before going to a larger fixed blade. If I were going to buy a top notch fixed blade, One name, BUSSE. All you will ever need. I own one.
Stay with the bigger names in folders. Benchmade,Spyderco,Microtech Manual SOCOM, Chris Reeves, ZT Kershaw........... Spend in the area of USD $150+. Stay away from a Tanto Edged blade for outdoors work, yes they look cool (I own several, but not in my outdoor kit) but they are not practical cutters, IMO. I think for the most part a tanto edge shortens the blades cutting surface.

Also, you may wish to hire a Porter, I am for hire. ;) your trip sounds like hella fun. Have fun,be safe and I will try to check back and give you feedback on your other needs that I have experience in. You may wish to post in the Gadgets Forum here. Alot of experienced guys hang out in there to help. Most like me have spent many a day in the brush.
 
Oh yes thats another one I have to get: Multi tool. Thanks for the reply mate and I do think I like the sound of the BUSSE :thumbup:. I'm still undecided on the small folding knife but I like the look of the Spiderco knives. Very sexy but I really do need durability as well. So it's two votes for Busse now. What are they worth btw? Oh and whats you most expensive bottle of port worth? :confused:

Thanks again.
 
You may also want to check out the "wilderness and survival forum" on this site. They know about EVERYTHING you need. For folding knives, any Benchmade or Spyderco will be fine. A Spyderco edura is light, strong and reliable.
 
Noble Warrior said:
In short I am in the process of preparing for a few months of solid bush camping / survival.:
Click to expand...

Would you be backpacking or using a 4*4 ?
If backpacking, it has to be light (i'll choose BM griptilian and/or SAK Rucksack)
If using a 4*4, i'll bring a bolo/machette/hachet and a small knife (but not a folder !:D)... + a rucksak and a swisstool (yep, i like victorinox !:D)
 
For a top notch folder that is nearly indestructible try to find yourself a Hinderer XM-18. For the Fixed blade a Busse is the way to go hands down.
 
"the RTAK is supposed to be a pretty crap performer in it's class"

That's news to me. Of course, you can't do better than a Busse and Cold Steel really sucks:jerkit:
 
For a Spyderco that's light, has a secure grip and offers a good amount of blade, I'd suggest the Spyderco Military.

For a multi-tool, I personally prefer Victorinox swiss army knives like the Farmer or One Handed Trekker, but Leatherman makes nice models as well such as the Wave. Look for the one that has the tools you think you'd use the most.

For fixed blades, it really depends on what you want to do with it. If you want one mostly for pure cutting, a puukko or Mora is a good place to start ( www.ragweedforge.com ). For an all-around knife, something a little more robust like your Ontario, a medium sized Busse / Swamprat / Scrapyard, small Leukko etc, would do nicely. Anything larger and you could look at larger Busse's, HI Kuhkuris (They have a forum here), Machete's, Axes & Hatchets (Fiskars are inexspensive and preform very well) and might also want to consider a folding saw.

These are just general suggestions, I don't know what your environment is like. If you're doing a lot of wood cutting, an axe would be advisable, but if you're not, I wouldn't take much more than my EDC (Folder + Swiss Army Knife) and a medium fixed blade.

For the rest of the gear, I'd check out the Wilderness and Survival forum. They can tell you all about Nalgene bottles, ferro rods, paracord etc over there. Just make sure you read up on all the stuff you're going to need to know about, such as local geography and climate, first aid, edible plants, water purification techniques, fire-starting methods etc. All the knives in the world won't do you any good if you don't leave with knowledge as well.
 
For your big knife get a Scrapyard Dogfather.
Have to get one from the For Sale Forums as their no longer made.
In my opinion, it's the most "bang for the buck" heavy duty knife out there.
That thing is a beast and will do everything you need a BIG knife for.

Lots of smaller knives to choose from, get a bunch to try, better too many than too few.
 
I would take a khukuri, or a small Gansfor [spelling ?] hatchet, a Spyderco, and a multi-tool. You would be well set up for any cutting / chopping needs.

Check out this site:
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/
they have a good reputation and have their own forum under "manufactures" here on the Bladeforums.
 
Warrior....
You're probably a really nice person .... BUT ....
Just by the very nature of your questions .... you should try a weekend first. You are definitely NOT ready for this long duration event. Not even close.
And please don't tell me you've done the weekend thing .... that's ^$$(......your questions surely don't support it.
Take that $10K AUS and make several trips to the Holiday Inn (Oz version). No black Mamba's or crocs there ....
they are just waitin for YOU on this trip....
it's kinda like the Great White sharks munchin' on the surfers .... did-din time for the Great White's .... they gotta eat too ....
 
Hey Warrior,

JGarth seems to be close to the mark. I hope you are set to be going on such an adventure. As far as fixed blades, I personally prefer Chris Reeve knives. The Al-Mar Shiva is a great blade as well. For a folder, Spyderco suits most people well. I've recently been turned on to Lone Wolf knives.....especially the T2 and T3 folders.

Not sure why you're asking about Ports, but I have a mag of '63 Taylor that generally runs about $800-$900 on the secondary market.

Be safe and have a great trip.

Jester
 
Code: 
Also, you may wish to hire a Porter, I am for hire.

Code: 
...whats you most expensive bottle of port worth?

Code: 
Not sure why you're asking about Ports, 
but I have a mag of '63 Taylor that generally runs about $800-$900 
on the secondary market.


...:D...
 
I'd be more worry about my shoes than my knives to be honest. You could just be fine with one Opinel, one multi tool, one Mora a good small camping hatchet or a kukri or/and a chain saw if you're not going to be in the desert.

If you're trying to be light and carry just a big knife as much as they can do they are a pain in the neck for chopping in comparison to hatchets, saws or Kukris so I'd suggest you to reduce your knife to a 4-5 inches blade. If you avoid cocodriles the most dengerous animals in AU I believe that are snakes and spiders so for self defense get a good sticks that ends with a "V" shape ...

Said that, if you are trying to carry only a big knife to avoid other big tools, or if a big good blade makes you fell safer, then you can be as fancy as you want and spend as much money as you wish getting Busse & Various Rat Co. or for much less money get a nice RD9 just searching for rangers knives.
 
Hey thanks for all the great advise...

Ok I have ordered a Spyderco military folder (in the post now) and I have lined up a Busse Fat Fusion DM. I have been looking at good boots and converse make a good boot (rapid response safety toe side zip boot). I also like the black hawk black ops boot. Both water proof. Got my money back on the Ontario RTAK. Averageguy: I forgot to mention the brand of RTAK (Ontario). I read the review of the RTAK here: http://www.cutleryscience.com/reviews/ontario_rtak.html

Jgarth: You are right I haven't done a trip exactly like the one I have planned before because this trip involves major isolation and being totally ALONE (bit of a spiritual thing). I must ask you what you know of Australia though because I grew up in the bush and have spent 6 months in cape york (death adders, taipans, crocs galore etc), Lived in Cairns FNQ (Salt water croc's galore here too), used to go pig hunting for 2 weeks a year every year from the age of 11, alternatively shot roo's foxes rabbits etc on long weekends. Grew up on 200 acres of half farm half bush land. We had king brown snakes galore and I know how to handle snakes. Also backed onto 50 k's of sand dunes with surrounding national park. We have more snakes and spiders and crocs than you can poke a stick at my man, LOTS of them and the most deadly in the world 2 (the fierce snake or western taipan is the most deadly snake in the world and the funnel web spider is the most deadly spider). Just have a look at a list of top 10 deadly snakes in the world and you will notice most of them are found in my back yard. I'm not saying that I am a survival expert but I do know what I'm in for and I have good experience behind me. All the stuff I have done before I have been with other people and used mostly other peoples gear and I have never had the interest to look into the full survival kit out. I have done all my adventures with dirt bikes and 4wd's with fridges and tents and modern technology. This trip is back to basics. Hand made shelters (well I am thinking of getting an ultra light 1 man tent or swag), hunting my food, bush tucker, traveling very light etc... I do have a lot to learn but I won't be checking into any motels that is for sure.

I wanted to ask you all about the Busse I am buying. I am paying $600AUD for it and I want to be sure that it is not a fake. The guy is a respected admin of an auzzie knife forum and I think I can trust him. I am buying it in person so I can look at it first but I wanted to know what to look for to tell that it IS INFI steel, that it IS genuine... I know some of the guys forge (make) their own knives on that forum so it worries me a little. He could buy the handle, forge up some steel and then paint it etc.. I know it would be hard to do but IF he can buy the handles and such...This is probably sounding paranoid but I just want to be sure I'm not getting ripped off. Is there some way to know for sure? Like the way it sharpens or something to look for besides the little busse logo? I have pictures that he emailed me which I was going to post to show y'all but I don't have a hyperlink for them :( I will gladly email them to someone/anyone to inspect for me but it looks very genuine in the pics. Thanks for any advice here. Oh he also said that Busse's don't come with receipts and that the warranty is extended to anyone who has one for as long as Busse exists... I find it hard to believe that you don't get a receipt. ANYWAY...

Still undecided on the Multi tool but I like the look of the gerber multi tools... Need to do more research.

What is the best way to sharpen a Busse? I have heard lots of different things. Some say wet and dry. Some steel, some ceramic rod some say stone etc... I have never had much to do with sharpening knives. The recommended procedure for sharpening from Busse Combat is "to lightly hone the flat side of the asymmetric bevel. Over time the dual edge will get distorted and periodically it is best to hone the convex part of the bevel to conserve the edge shape". What do y'all think? What is the best grade stone etc...? Thanks for your link this looks like the go! Need more research though.

Thanks for all the lovely comments and I wish you all well in your adventures as well!

Cheers,
Terry.
 
JGarth said:
Warrior....
you should try a weekend first. You are definitely NOT ready for this long duration event. Not even close.
Click to expand...

Opps I forgot to say that I will be doing some trial runs before the biggie as well. Thanks for the advise though it is good advise.

P.s Everyone like the rucksaks?? I am just about to look into backpacks and sleeping arrangement. I have heard from a lot of people that ruksaks are very good.

Cheers,
Terry.
 
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