Ok, so I'm pretty new to knives, but I've spent the last 3 days heavily researching all things knives--particularly survival knives, the best steels, and different manufacturers. I want to buy a good quality survival knife and have narrowed it down to three options: the Ka-bar Short Plain Edge, the Ka-bar Becker Combat Utility, and the SOG Seal Pup Elite.
Additional info: I was pretty sure I wanted to buy the SOG, but then came across people saying how AUS 8 isn't that great compared to other steels. With the Ka-bar Short, there's the issue of it having a rat-tail tang, although I'm not sure if that'd be a problem since I don't think I'll need to do any batoning (Although who knows, right?). The Ka-bar Becker has a full tang, but it doesn't have the kind of handle that would stop my hand from getting onto the blade--like the Ka-bar Short does. Finally, both Ka-bars are made with carbon steel, and I'm not so sure how I feel about that. I mean, carbon steel (apparently) holds a better edge but is more susceptible to corrosion than stainless steel blades.
I don't know what to choose...Oh, if you have any other knife suggestions, please feel free to recommend, but make sure you mention the pros/cons and why you would recommend what you did.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated as no one I know knows a thing about knives.
Additional info: I was pretty sure I wanted to buy the SOG, but then came across people saying how AUS 8 isn't that great compared to other steels. With the Ka-bar Short, there's the issue of it having a rat-tail tang, although I'm not sure if that'd be a problem since I don't think I'll need to do any batoning (Although who knows, right?). The Ka-bar Becker has a full tang, but it doesn't have the kind of handle that would stop my hand from getting onto the blade--like the Ka-bar Short does. Finally, both Ka-bars are made with carbon steel, and I'm not so sure how I feel about that. I mean, carbon steel (apparently) holds a better edge but is more susceptible to corrosion than stainless steel blades.
I don't know what to choose...Oh, if you have any other knife suggestions, please feel free to recommend, but make sure you mention the pros/cons and why you would recommend what you did.Any help would be GREATLY appreciated as no one I know knows a thing about knives.