What would you buy as the "ideal" survival knife (we're talking end-of-days ready)?

[bigstevek]

If you could buy any knife available today for a true SHTF, end-of-days, apocalypse-type situation, what would it be (something you can get on the market)? Something that's nearly indestructible and is a JOATMON (Jack of all trades, master of none). In other words, something that would work for almost any task but is also tough enough to take abuse. Becker BK2 and ESEE-5 come to mind, just wondering what else is out there!

 

[luethge]

Gossman



Carothers



Siegle



Older Busse

I’m no expert but I think skill with the knife matters more than the “quality” of the knife. I’d be content with an Esee and SAK if it’s all I had.

 

[Skar]

A 3 inch or so fixie should do it.

 

[kvaughn]

Your survival skills are much more important than your "survival" knife.
The early mountain trappers stayed out for months with a basic butcher knife and tomahawk.

 

[A.L.]

End of the world? Better start practicing primitive forging or making knives out of circular saws etc..

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Emerson Custom CQC-7 Mini with 3" chisel ground blade. I would carry this when contending with the zombie apocalypse.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

A perfect end of the world type knife would have to be a strong chefs knife, made from tough materials , so I could slice up and Cook whoever remains.....

 

[jmgruber]

Carothers SDFK!

 

[adluginb]

The CPK Fat Bastard!

 

[Wasty]

I have such a huge variety of knives I could use for that today...

My Beckers, 2, 7, 9, 16, 17 or the 20 I don’t have yet.
A Kailash blades Plain Jane
Skrama 200
Jääkaaripuukko 140
Ontario SP series,
Tops 2.5' thick bludgeons..etc...

But I could not choose and would be slowed down by the heavy weight of all the many different knives I haul around in my backpack

In reality depending on where I am, a 3.5" fixed knife, & a 7"+ knife (one of the above) in my backpack + a SAK will be my best bet...

 

[snow and steel]

A Swiss army knife in your pocket and a cold steel srk would do a lot. Not high speed cool, but very efficient, and easy on the wallet too.

 

[tatsu]

ESEE CM6

 

[WedgeAntilles]

Probably my CRK Pacific in Magnacut.

 

[Steven65]

CPK HDFK in CPM-3V would probably be my first choice for something currently being produced.

I have an original Busse Skinny ASH which has been stripped and the edge convexed. That would probably go on my belt immediately. Unfortunately the Skinny ASH is long since discontinued.

These days my only end-of-days, apocalypse-type situation is when I go to the coffee shop and they have run out of oat milk!

 

[BP_]

To be honest and totally underwhelming to all my knife senses and triggers, probably just a Buck 110 and call it a day.

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

 

[Roamad]

If I was really faced with the choice (and we may be in the not-distant future) it would be a small-ish fixed blade and a multitool.

So maybe a Fallkniven F1 or Cold Steel SRK-C paired with a Swisstool or Leatherman.

 

[Tritium]

I'm into mid size fixed blades lately. 4-4.5" or so. I think it's a great all around knife for just about anything and can be carried easily in a front pocket. I would get one in 3V or magnacut. An Architect 4.5 would probably do well. If budget allows, a CPK or TRC South Pole would also be good. So many quality knives these days. If it were the 80's, someone would suggest the survival knife with the compass and storage space in the handle. That way you could put a fishing kit in it so you could sUrViVe

 

[Deino]

It is really depending on what kind of apocalypse, situation and in which region. A knife that fit your situation might increase your chance of survival significantly than a knife that try to be "jack of all trade" that you are barely able use.

And as mentioned, your skill is more valuable. It might greatly change the criteria for a "jack of all trade" tool. "Indestructible" is more of the synonym to "fool proof" more than anything, learnt from the army.