Which 150-180$ knife for survivalling/animal cutting and use around seawater?

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no00wa

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Nov 30, 2012
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Hey guys,

Hope i'm posting this in the right forum;
For about 2 weeks now i've been wondering what knive to get, seen some very nice options but all said knives have either some trade-offs in the steel or in their design.
Since there are so many knives to choose from, and i still really can't find THE best choice for me, i would appreciate some advice!

This will be my first (or well second, if you count a cheap Spyderco) knife and i would like it to last. I'm looking for something in the neighbourhood of 150-180 dollars (Would spend more but it has to ship back to
Holland :'() with a good sheath included. Fixed blades have my preference (because of dirt getting in there with folders, and maybe rust) but im open to folding knives as well!

It's primary uses will be survivalling, animal slicing and fish cutting in warmer and moist areas (Australia, Rainforests, Asia, seas), though making shelters and cutting wood should also be possible. The knife will go
on a lot of backpacking trips (either full gear or just when hiking and so) but weight is not that much of an issue, it just shouldn't be too big (steel 4-5 inch).
The knife HAS to be at least a little bit corrosive resistant since i'll be using it around SEAwater! I'm looking for steel that's razer sharp, moderately easy? to sharpen, very strong and just higher end quality.
Easy to no maintenance is also a requirement.



At the moment i'm thinking about the following steels (but i'm open to anything ofcourse);

1095 - seems to be very nice but can't stand sea water, don't really want to oil my blade every two weeks.
s30v - high end quality steel, hold edge very well and just very very nice but not a lot of cool looking knives with this steel?
vg-10 - also very high end and good but so far only seen plain looking blades with this, i would like something more military/tactical style.
12c27 - nice steel, easily sharpened and corrosive resistant.
D2?



By myself i've come to the following selection of knives;

Gerber LMF 2 - Absolutely love this knive, looks awesome and the spear holes are a a nice touch. Nice and sturdy pommel but the biggest problem i have with it, is the steel that's supposed to be not awesome anymore
since they switched to 420HC. Good for whacking though and cutting, but like i said; the steel is a bummer from what i have read.

Fallkniven A1 - Would get this knive in an instant if it wouldn't look so plain and boring, the steel is supposed to be very awesome and the handles are good though.

Becker BK 2 / Esee 5 - Very good knives that are highly recommended everywhere, though the steel can't handle sea water well (not very corrosive resistant) and the BK2 would need a better sheath. I think these knives
would need to much maintenance in the area's i will use them in. Looks wise they are "ok".

Gerber Yuri 2 - The blade i'm currently looking at. Awesome steel, looks super, handles are very good and nice sheath. Looks like a really good choice but not too sure about the tanto edge? Steel maybe too thin for
survivalling purposses?



Hopefully you guys can help me out a bit and help me find a good quality knife! I would rather spent something in the upper range of my budget and get something awesome, then something in the lower range that's
"good".
 
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The (now discontinued) Spyderco Aqua Salt sounds like it would be a good match if you're able to find one.

FB23BK_M.jpg
 
Thanks for the suggestion! Just wanted to make clear that it won't be a knife that's going to be primarily used around seawater, not at all. I just want to be able to cut some fish once in a while (at sea) without getting worried about the knife. i'd say that 80% will be land/fresh water use though!
 
Go with the F1 or and S1 from Fällkniven. Boring? I don't think so. As time goes by, you wil overcome this tactical nonsense.
Functional? Yes indeed.
 
ml100 said:
Go with the F1 or and S1 from Fällkniven. Boring? I don't think so. As time goes by, you wil overcome this tactical nonsense.
Functional? Yes indeed.
Click to expand...

Ditch that I need a tactical knife attitude, cuz you don't. The lmf was good 6 years ago, now its a sad joke like all Gerber products. Clean simple designs have been.around for thousands of Yeats because tehy work, I have an f1 and it fits.your description perfectly, and you can find it in Europe instead of overseas shipping.
 
no00wa said:
Thanks for the suggestion! Just wanted to make clear that it won't be a knife that's going to be primarily used around seawater, not at all. I just want to be able to cut some fish once in a while (at sea) without getting worried about the knife. i'd say that 80% will be land/fresh water use though!
Click to expand...

H1 is still good steel for use on land--you were looking for low maintenance and good for animal processing--H1 takes a very toothy aggressive edge that I can only describe as "meat cutting" and because it's a work-hardened steel only the ground region of the blade is hard, with the soft spine giving the blade massive toughness. It's very easy to resharpen. It really hits the mark for pretty much all of your desired characteristics. :)
 
A bit of a story here...
A couple of weeks ago was the Spyderco factory outlet sale that I couldn't make on a Saturday. But, I went up there on the following Monday after picking up my son at the airport. When we got in the SFO, the only other customer was a river rafting guide that was being a ..."challenge"... for the VERY patient sales people. As we were looking around and playing with the various knives that we asked about, he wasn't making things easier for the sales staff. His stated needs were that he needed to cut rope in an emergency and wanted to cut fish whenever he caught one. The staff kept trying to get him over to the Salt series cabinet, but he said he didn't like the designs of the fixed blades or the folders. I tried telling him my experiences with the Salt knives and my gut feeling is that although he liked the knives, he couldn't afford the prices. I grew up in Oregon and we would go from the coast to the mountains in one day and my knives were heavily used. I like the Salt series because they were one of the few blades that wouldn't rust just by getting near the ocean. I think anything in that line will be a great choice for you.
 
Guys it has nothing to do with a "tactical attitude", i just like the designs way better.. that's it. I simply need a knife to look nice, even though functionality is more important of course.
That being said; i have been looking at all the recommendations you guys made and i'm starting to like the Fallkniven A1/F1 (A1 is cheaper here than it is in the USA and i could live with the length). Really seems all purpose while being very very sharp and easy to sharpen, plus thickness for brutal action! Also the Spyderco Salt series looks very interesting. Both VG10 and H1 are very good quality steels it seems, the H1 being more corrosive resistant but i'll be washing my knife daily anyways. Both steels are very sharp and strong. Only thing i don't like about the Spyderco's though is that they are all Folding knives (besides the one FortyTwoBlades suggested), i would really prefer an fixed blade! Also the Spyderco Salt Series steel seems a bit thin for survivalling purposes?

Though, S30V steel seems to be almost as corrosive resistant as VG-10, but keeping an edge a bit longer and a bit stronger for its size? I'm still attracted to this steel for some reason.

H1 Steel VS. VG-10
S30V Corrosion test
VG-10 Corrosion test

Anyways, anyone has any other suggestion? The more the better :)
 
Try to find a bk77, its a long, thick, s30v survival knife. Try moosez45 on these forums, he had one earlier this year.
 
You mention several countrys that are not next door to one another...so that means traveling, likely by plane, through various customs...good luck not having a $150-180 dollar knife not walking away at some point.

get a 3 layer SAK and or multitool. A med size folder and a Mora. Pick up larger matchete/bush knives on location on the cheap. For the money you listed you will be able to get several "sets" of the above.
 
I like the look of the Buck Ergo Hunter Adrenaline Pro in S30V, but I can't find any specs on the blade thickness. It's priced at $200.00 on the Buck website.
 
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