What's you all in 1 survival tool?

[cricketdave]

When I say "REAL" I'm referring to the difference between one of those cheap knives branded as a survival knife like the ones with the hollowed out handles and the "Survival kit" inside and ones who are actually made by decent companies who design their knives to actually do something.

Take a look at Martin knives hollow handle knives, like the ones I posted earlier they are in no way week or cheap. They perform very very well and are very tough. There are several other makers who make outstanding ones as well. Not just a gimmick with a hollow handle.

 

[Krissig12]

Any thread with the word "survival" in it is doomed to end in inglorious tragedy from the outset.

There's just so much cultural non-sense floating around the word. Some of it is machismo chest thumping. Some of it fear based fantasy role play. Some of it is fear of societal collapse. Nearly all of it is just a request for a "Yah man, your knife is cool" sort of response.

The number one thing about survival is to avoid situations that demand it, which explains why well prepared people routinely hike from Georgia to Maine on the AT or from Mexico to Canada on the PCT with nothing more than a Vic Classic or why millions of people survive power outages every year with nothing but the knives in their kitchen drawers.

There's also an issue of consumerism religion here that one single well-chosen purchase will somehow magically answer all needs. This is just nuts and it's based in fear and ignorance of the methods and techniques needed to deal with whatever the scenario is that we're talking about.

Define the scenario and we can talk about the right kit. Otherwise, yah man, your knife is cool.

BTW, the number one most important survival tool for a combat pilot that has been shot down is a functioning parachute. Define the scenario.

+1000:thumbup:

 

[stabman]

Here you go:

[video=youtube;-gj9CMvwfv4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gj9CMvwfv4[/video]

You're welcome.

 

[Final Option]

Thanks stabman brings back so many memories, spawned from the movie " First Blood". I was carrying a Randall Model 18 at the time, served me well and build integrity was very good, however the saw teeth were for ripping, which was fine for my applications. :thumbup: unfortunately mine did not have a bottle opener, which wasn't needed.

Like so many have said, it isn't about the tool as much as the knowledge needed in the environment that you are currently in. These threads are always thought provoking.

So I think it depends on what your needs are and that should point you to the tools needed to stay alive. To me a knife not only provides cutting capabilities but also it is a tool that helps me make other tools. So to answer your first post I would have to say a water purification system would trump a knife, as we all know we can survive only three days without water and three weeks without food.

 

[SALTY]

Someone once said that you are no more armed because you carry a gun than you are a musician because you carry a guitar.

To me, my faith and my mind are my most important survival tools, followed closely by knowledge and experience. To the point of what I think the OP was asking about, a good seven-ish inch fixed blade, I happent prefer the busse Basic #7 or a Chris Reeve One Piece Range Project 2 (or one of the very many other good ones out there) coupled with a multi-tool (Leatherman) and perhaps a SAK or equivalent. A handy way to easily start a fire is also not a bad thing.