Why is it so hard to decide?

[JamesofArc]

I want 1 survival knife and a Leatherman Wave but which survival knife do i go with?
Whatever i chose it will be times 4 because it will be for the guys in the family christmas.
I prefer something that is flat sabor grind and strong.

So far the choices are.......

1. Schrad SCHF52. ( i want to go USA made but i have no problem getting this if it can stay in one piece)

2. ESEE 6. ( loved by many but not a flat sabor grind)

3. KA-BAR Jarosz Turok. (hjave not played with one but i like what i see in reviews)

4. KA-BAR Becker BK16 ( on the small size for survival but i have no problem with it.

5. KA-BAR Jarose Globetrotter (Once again a little short but it remindes me of the old SharpFinger and i just love it but i have only seen it in videos)

6. ESEE 4HM ( not my first choice but if there are enough suggestions for it over all the rest i may dig deeper into considering it)

7. KA-BAR BK 7 ( not a serious consideration even though it is a flat abor gring because i believe it is too bulky but i have no problems considering it of enough speak up for it.

I dont want expensive customs or higher end stuff, just simple entry level production stuff in simple 1095.

 

[halden.doerge]

Esee 6.

 

[Rasmus80]

What scenario are you planning on surviving?

I would avoid any thing too bulky.
A thinner blade is just much more useful, and it can still be plenty strong.
A full flat grind with a convexed edge is very versatile, since it works great for food preparing too.

 

[TheEdge01]

Any Esee fixed blade will be high quality, you may want to check Tops fixed blades out as well.

 

[bearfacedkiller]

I have a lot of Beckers including the BK16. It is a great knife. More of a hunter/bushcraft knife. Not sure what you mean by survival knife?

The Esee6HM and Turok are on my wish list.

 

[mauiblue]

I have the ESEE 4. Fabulous knife. I like the size which makes it easy to wear on my belt and good enough size to work with. If I needed something a little more larger, I would use my Chris Reeve Shadow III.

 

[abcdef]

Based on price to chance of facing a survival situation to blade efficacy ratio, look at the Schrade SCHF55.

 

[22-rimfire]

What kinds of physical environments will the four people who you intend to buy knives for spend most of their time and with the potential of "surviving"? Eastern forests? Desert? Rocky Mts? etc. Will they be back packing their stuff?

 

[ScooterG]

Get the Esse 6 and be done with the worrying about which is best. It’s a quality knife with a great reputation and warranty.

 

[22-rimfire]

Take a look at some of the larger (~6") Steel Will knives in D2. They may work for you.

I recently went through this kind of search but I suspect I had a higher budget. I ended up with a Bark River Wilderness Adventurer which has a 5.7" blade in Cruwear. I like it, but I don't do a lot of surviving. It is just a medium sized woods knife with a saber shape.

 

[19-3ben]

You’re not giving us much info to work with.

What environment are we talking about?
Who are the four people? You say four guys, does that mean four strong adult men, or does that include 76 year old grandpa with a bad hip, and 12 yr old son, who might be more load-sensitive and inclined toward a lighter knife?
Is there any reason to assume all four knives have to be the same?

Also, the word is SABER (or sometimes Sabre) but never sabor.

 

[91bravo]

Ditch the esee and get you a Becker. The BK7 is fine, it's extremely light for an 8" blade and is an exceptional cutter. If you can afford it, pick up a Carothers HDFK, which IMO, is a perfect one-knife option.

 

[halden.doerge]

Nah, the handles and fit & finish are vastly superior on the Esees. And the warranty as well.

Becker’s are a good knife for the money, though.

 

[91bravo]

Nah, the handles and fit & finish are vastly superior on the Esees. And the warranty as well.

Becker’s are a good knife for the money, though.

Yeah, but Becker would be the better company to support...

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I would just offer look at LT Wright or Battle Horse Knives ... both have some great offerings and are some of my personal favorites ... Beckers are work horses for a great value ... if that is a big point.

 

[SharpieB]

Esee 6.

Get the Esse 6 and be done with the worrying about which is best. It’s a quality knife with a great reputation and warranty.

Take a look at some of the larger (~6") Steel Will knives in D2. They may work for you.

This. My favourite and most used knife is my ESEE 6. Just a beast. My ESEE 4 is nice, but my 6 is my go to knife in the woods.

My new favourite recent acquisitions are my Steel Will Roamer 305 and 315 fixed blades. Just amazing knives for around $50. D2 is a great fixed blade hard use steel IMO.

 

[DJC72]

I also vote for the Esse 6 but there is an Esse 6 hm model with kydex sheath. I find the ergonomics on standard models blocky.

 

[Brawny]

I thought esee 6 won at the 2nd post, not sure why this thread is still going

 

[MeritedEdge]

I would also vote for the ESEE 6. It’s a great knife.
I’ve been using one for my outdoors knife for a millennium.

 

[sharp_edge]

I have not had many fixed blades - they did come and go. The only one I still own is an ESEE 6. I am considering buying an ESEE 3 or 4 to pair with it.