Which survival knife would you choose ?

tek77 said:
That tops is really an acquired taste for me. Had one in my hand a while back and didn't know what exactly is it good for....never had this dilemma with a knife before.
Your mods sure make it a little easier to 'digest'.
One of those love/hate things.
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People usually have strong opinions one way or another about the knife. I started off as a skeptic. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1404321509.346512.jpg

I made the orange handled one in the middle of the attached photo. I like the design. I find it challenging to make but it is a lot of fun to put your own spin on the design. I suppose it is a lot like a Bowie that way, although you don't usually encounter people who hate the Bowie design so much that they won't pick it up. :)
 
I had a Tops T2 for a time but sold it. For this knife design, it seems to me that you want the full size version and not a smaller one. I'd still like to check out a regular tracker at some point.
 
Which survival knife would I choose? Probably the one that didn't have the word "Survival" in its name. ;)
averageiowaguy said:
People usually have strong opinions one way or another about the knife. I started off as a skeptic.
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Hey Kyle, I'm still a skeptic, but what's new? :rolleyes:
I just watched a couple of your videos and enjoyed doing so. I figured I would at least post here so that I can find my way back later via subscription. :cool:
 
If it was the only tool that I had the TOPS hands down. Throw in a SAK of my choice and it becomes the Bushman.
 
This might sound like I'm just promoting my own junk, but no BS, I would pick either the Bush Operator XL II or the Hatchula II. That's if I could only have one edged tool with me. Both of these could do absolutely everything I want to do in the woods and they're still not too big to carry.

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averageiowaguy said:
People usually have strong opinions one way or another about the knife. I started off as a skeptic. View attachment 453973

I made the orange handled one in the middle of the attached photo. I like the design. I find it challenging to make but it is a lot of fun to put your own spin on the design. I suppose it is a lot like a Bowie that way, although you don't usually encounter people who hate the Bowie design so much that they won't pick it up. :)
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Really like that hollow handle version on the far left!
 
I have a CS Bushman. Only used it a couple of times before I realized that I want to mod it to better suit my personal wants. A project in the shop for a rainy day...

I personally carry a Condor Tavian. I have fairly large hands and found the handle to be too small, so I simply wrapped some paracord around the handle and it's just right now.
I also carry my handmade knife for light duty camp chores.
 
My buddy brought his Tracker out a few weeks back on a camping trip, I couldn't stand it. When being battoned the teeth chewed up the batton. The teeth didn't saw well. It cut poorly due to the edge geometry, a regrind would help there for sure. It chopped pourly. His knife was clumsy as well. I saw no real Pro's and plenty of Con's with that knife.

I am all for a 1 blade option, or at least the theory behind it. To me a 6-8" knife at around 3/16" thick would do it with a full flat grind.
 
dbltap45acp said:
My buddy brought his Tracker out a few weeks back on a camping trip, I couldn't stand it. When being battoned the teeth chewed up the batton. The teeth didn't saw well. It cut poorly due to the edge geometry, a regrind would help there for sure. It chopped pourly. His knife was clumsy as well. I saw no real Pro's and plenty of Con's with that knife.
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Most of the reviews I read on that particular knife pretty much agreed with what you said here, therefore I has no interest in one.
 
i would have to choose the bushman... i just can't bring myself to pick the tracker...

UNLESSS>

do i have a hacksaw in this survival situation?

then can i cut it in half and carry it as an ulu and a wharnie????

maybe lash the ulu to a carved branch... then have a hatchet and a wharnie seperately?

now i'm set. bring it on!
 
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I'd pick the first Fletcher knife over any of the others. Or a BK16.
Or an Opinel, 'cause face it, the knife you have with you during an emergency becomes your "survival knife" by default, and I normally have an Opinel handy. :)
 
The Tracker is so cumbersome with the different grinds at different places. I want a knife that I don't have to think about which part of the blade to use. For the TOPS, you get to brag how pricey your fancy, though strange looking, knife you own. The Bushman is not for bragging, it's simple for versatile heavy and light and medium use. Any use. And then you're also packing a light knife and heavier wallet.
 
I would choose the WSK but not necessarily the TOPS version. It seems that the most satisfied TOPS users are most happy after they modify the knife.

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Fletcher Knives said:
This might sound like I'm just promoting my own junk, but no BS, I would pick either the Bush Operator XL II or the Hatchula II. That's if I could only have one edged tool with me. Both of these could do absolutely everything I want to do in the woods and they're still not too big to carry.

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b1.jpg
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These are sooo fine! Very nice work in executing a very sound design.
 
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