I'm seriously considering the going to one knife setup. I'm thinking I'd like one knife to grab every time I head out the door to go fishing, hiking, camping, basically anytime it'd be me and Mother Nature for whatever reason. I'm thinking a Kydex sheath with a Maxpedition pouch on the front lashed down w/paracord for firemaking stuff, compass, fishing line/hooks, ESEE arrowheads? etc. Here are MY choices so far:
1. Fallkniven A1
2. ESEE 6 w/serrations
3. Bravo 1
4. Busse/Swamprat something
I'm kinda ruling out a Mora type knife due to the fact of no batoning capabilities (although I love them)
5. ???
Which would you choose if you could only choose 1? Are serrations that important in the wild? Would a sawing capability on top of the blade make this a perfect knife?
I'm hoping somebody will say something to sway me one way or the other. I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here. These are my choices.
I can appreciate your choice to "narrow" it down to one setup but I'd seriously consider making it a 2x knife combo. For a quick reference.... if you check out Ron Hoods video where he makes a figure 4 trap (youtube) you can see where he really makes a great use of a large/small knife combo with the different tasks at hand.
From your list, for me? The handle of the Falkniven is way too small.... I don't own one but a customer sent me one a couple of weeks ago and while it's a nice knife.... the grip is tiny and with you having the ESEE-6 on the list... FTW there's no comparison here. The other numbers are nice knives too.
Serrations? You don't need them and I really don't like them.... however, ESEE's serrations are the best I've seen/cut with as a buddy of mine has them on a four and they're impressive.
Sawback? to answer your question it would not make it a better knife... on the contrary it would render it a p.o.s (imho)
Maxpedition pouch? No, not when there's better options out there for the same price that do a better job.
My favorite 2x knife combo (and what I use) is the ESEE-6 and Izula I or II..... but I like them all in the same setup and with the addition of a pouch, firesteel holder etc. it perfectly fits the criteria you listed and is setup to handle ANYTHING.
This is the sheath they're housed in, the only thing missing is an external firesteel holder:
Here's a 3x view shot of the setup:
A setup like this really "disappears" on a belt and you'll almost forget it's there. The addition of a firesteel would look something like this:
The real beauty of this firesteel/holder setup is that you've got: Navigation (compass), Fire and Tinder completely covered outside the pouch and there's still plenty of room inside. Of course they could just be put inside the pouch too.
ESEE AH-1 Arrowheads? Got that covered too with a flat piece of Kydex that sits in the tin:
I think the AH-1 is a little "gimmicky" but by itself is a great SERE tool stashed away... which I think is more along the lines of what ESEE was thinking. Some guy's use them as a striker for their firesteels too.
You could always have a pack mounted setup for just the larger knife in your combo and throw the Izula in a neck sheath or a simple belt sheath:
Probably a little obvious that I like the 6 alot and the warranty (not that you'll ever need) is great and I've even used that to encourage guy's to really use/abuse their knives..... get out and use 'em. Here's a pic of mine from last years mushroom foray's, I use it to pry up "shrumping" mushrooms and also to shave mud, junk off of them too. I'm also stripping mine the old fashioned way....... by using it
Hope this helps,
Eli
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