Which knife for urban survival?

shootist16

shootist16

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I know this is the wilderness and survival skills forum, but which knife would you choose for the concrete jungle? Keep in mind that many of us are limited in blade length.
 
Fixed/Folder? Here's a sampling:

Fixed: Busse's, Becker's and Fallkniven as far as production pieces that are readily available.

Folders: Sebenza for reliability and quality, as well as offerings by BM (710, 720, AFCK), Spyderco (Military, Wegner, Starmate), and Al Mar (SERE 2K).

Many custom fixed blades and folders would fit the bill as well.
 
My two favourite makers for this are Polkowski and Nealy.
 
Excellent choices, HJK. I have offerings by both those gentlemen that surely fit the bill. The Dingo and Wortac are standouts.
 
For those of us budget minded people, CRKT has some great offerings in folders. My personal favorite here is the M16. For fixed blades, Fallkniven is pretty hard to beat. Where blade length is restricted, the WM-1 seems a likely choice. Where there is no blade restriction, any of their other offerings is a wise choice.

Mike
 
Shootist16, if you can a small fixed blade is much more versatile, but you need a decent carry system/sheath to rival the convienene of a folder with pocket clip. Some of my "Urban Utility" (some are more defense than utility, but can do double-duty) collection includes:

Polkowski Dingo
THR LUK
Benchmade Nimravus Cub
Nealy's Pesh Kabz or Aikuchi (3.5" models...great carry systems)
Dozier Reverse Tanto
Boyer Mini Black knife
Fallkniven F1
Grohmann Skinner or Belt knife (very utilitarian looking)
Greco (not sure which model, but it's a small 3.5" blade)
Spyderco Moran
Any of the smaller Puuko knives
Styder MFS
AG Russell's Deer Skinner
MD Lab Rat

Depends really on what your priorities are. Sure they can all cut, but do you plan to do any "mild" prying, stabbing, decent handle for defense? Again, the carry system/sheath is almost as important as the knife if you think you'll need it for rapid deployment. Just some thoughts

dp
 
Buy the best you can afford.
Do your research and remember it's your life and/or the lives of loved ones that may be in the balance.
 
Lots of great choices available, but I can only comment on the ones I own. The Greco Cub Companion will be outstanding, once I get a custom carry system for it. Same can be said for the CRKT Companion. But for out of the box and ready to rock, IMHO it would be hard to beat the Boker/Nealy Escort (Or any of the Nealy, or Boker/Nealy collabs, for that matter). Great knives with an excellent carry system. Add my Cold Steel "The Spike" around my neck and grab my stout sycamore root cane and I'm ready for a night out on the town.

RR
 
I'm seeing a lot of assumptions that an urban survival knife is for self-defense. To actually survive in the modern day city....... I like my new SAK CyberTool. :)
 
Gentlemen, keep in mind the 4" blade length limitation!
For budget fixed knives, the CRKT Companion is a great one and very much designed with self-defense in mind. Even lighter fixed blades are the various neck knives. Camillus Arclite is an inexpensive solution. None of these knives you will hesitate to use hard due to the low price. Hence, they are UTILITY knives....
For folders, quick one-handed opening and good or safety locks are must. BM axis locks (e.g. 710), BM Pinnacle, Al-Mar SERE 2000, Kershaw Boa (quickest opening in my hand), CRKT Kasper come into mind.

HM
 
Gentlemen, keep in mind the 4" blade length limitation!
For budget fixed knives, the CRKT Companion is a great one and very much designed with self-defense in mind. Even lighter fixed blades are the various neck knives. Camillus Arclite is an inexpensive solution. None of these knives you will hesitate to use hard due to the low price. Hence, they are UTILITY knives....
For folders, quick one-handed opening and good or safety locks are must. BM axis locks (e.g. 710), BM Pinnacle, Al-Mar SERE 2000, Kershaw Boa (quickest opening in my hand), CRKT Kasper come into mind.

HM
 
dp,
Nice list. I carry a Strider MFS-TS daily.
What's a LUK? Not familiar with that one, but I've got a Gambit coming:)

Camillus Talon is another favorite, but an entirely different kind of knife.
 
i would probably go for either a JSP Bladerigger Defcon 3 or any of Laci Szabo's designs. maybe the urban survival pack of his?
 
Spydie Native- serrated FRN:

Spear-Point for thrusting
Quick-draw
Spydie serrations can cause alot of damage
Two hand positions for maximum versatility

Do a search for 'Native merits' - it was that thread that helped my decision to purchase the native.

The Native was one of the best purchases I've ever made. I am completely satisfied with this knife.
 
company you should be fine. Stick with the higher end companies though that main business is producing knives and don't be cheap about it spend at least $50 dollars. If its urban use I don't think you should limit yourself to size if its not meant to be your everyday carry blade. Which I would assume would have to be a folder. Now with that out of the way, I don't think there any law about owning a knife or having it in a bob as long as its not double edge. Here what i would be looking for. Something big and tough as nails without an expose tang, because you might be dealing with live wires etc.. Go with a comfortable grip I would stay away with any natural material such as bone or wood. since they tend to be rough on the hands and furthermore they aren't chem resistant. You spill oil on a wood handle its going to be slippery. I also wouldn't go with anything that had fancy design on the blade or was all black aka military blades. Reason being that you may have to use the blade to signal for help or if you drop it in a dark office it be easier to find. I would also paint some of glow in the dark paint on the butt of the knife so I could find it. Remember that you might need it to pry things open etc... hope this helps.
 
what about a small fixed blade back up something like the gerber boot knife good for that last resort moment
 
What about a cold steel carbon v fixed blade. they are relitavely cheap, and pretty indestructable. Like a recon tanto or SRK. I have the SRK, and keep it in my truck incase i need to use it as a can opener in a wreck. My everyday carry everywhere is a plain edge satin finish Benchmade 710.
 
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