What's your go-to, do-it-all fixed blade? Camping/Survival/Utility

What is it that you all are going to be doing with your knives if shtf?

I don't see my life changing a huge amount really. I may do more gardening and hunting, but other than that I don't think that my truck full of tools is going to go far away, or my brother's truck for of tools, or my nephew's truck full of tools... well you get the idea.

Anyway, with that being said.








Trail Master!

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One of these three...Swamp Rat RMD, ESEE 5, or modded BK2. Whichever is closest to me at the time. The RMD is my go-to knife, though.
 
I seem to recall a similar subject on a youtube channel/video with a rather extensive comment thread on a bug-out bag which is similar to this topic. Many choices of knives, machetes, and axes were discussed. I live on the northern woods so it kind of comes naturally to have a kind of bug-out bag or packsack already prepared and hanging on a nail ready for use.
 
One only for Wilderness camping or SHTF?? Apples and oranges imo, one is fun the other is not. WC, one of my modified Old Hickory. SHTF, my Ontario 12" machete.
 
Depending on where I am and what kind of S is hitting the fan, RMD, Battle Rat, or Camp Tramp. Real life, F1, Dozier or Vex.
 
My correct answer is, "the one that is actually on my hip at all times...because in a real time of need, I likely would not have the luxury to go back and pick up this little baby"

The one I generally carry on a typical day next to a large joint I built with it:


The luxury I would like to have in a time of need next to a large ladle I carved with it:


As you can see these babies are not pristine safe queens...they get a regular workout;)
 
Normally it would be my bk16 as it can do anything I personally need a knife to do. If its a really bad not know whats going on kidda thing an esee 5 would be my choice. The esee can do anything inculding chop most other knives in half not to mention it was built to be a pilots survival knife, and I cant think of a situation that could be much worse than a pilot downed behind enemy lines so if its good enough for that its good enough for me.
 
My Tactical by 2G Knives.
Four inches in 52100 and micarta.
A beast.
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It doesnt cut or poke very well, but as a short prybar it´s quiet good.
Regards.
 
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I started with my BK7 for a general camping/bush knife but I've found it too big for a great many things and too small for decent chopping. Never tried any batoning silliness. Then I got a JW Knives Tanto from Jason here in the custom pages and this thing is great. Feels like it was made for my hand and it's stout enough to handle anything I can throw at it.

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Without a doubt a Kephart by JK or ML

That said, anything along those lines is a good choice, imho: 3-5" spear or drop point, no guard, good steel (1095, 5160, 52100, O1, A2 are my favorites), good heat treat, comfortable handle. Grind is down to personal preference.

For the criteria you mentioned, I'm not a fan of large (>5") Bowie- or Camp- style knives or folding knives. I wouldn't want a coated blade, stainless steel, double-edge, serrations, recurve, guard, or excessively-thick blade (>1/8"), either. In my opinion, it wouldn't be long before most of those features became minor--maybe even major--annoyances. I'm talking about a camping/survival/utility scenario in which you only have one knife for a long period of time.
 
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