Women's survival knife

[seabornshade]

I'm assembling an emergency bag for my fiancee. Can anyone suggest a survival knife for her? Normally, I'd just get an Esee 5 or 6 but the handle may be too thick and too heavy for her. My requirements would be it should be tough, thin handles, relatively lightweight, full tang, for use both in urban and wilderness tropical settings. Thanks.

 

[foxx]

The ESEE 4 is quite the knife, the handle is much thinner than the 5 and 6.
The 5 is a beast, thick and heavy, unless she is cutting herself out of a plane, she won't need that much knife.

The 6 is a great design, their flagship knife, but too long for many. For a "survival" situation, a bigger knife will never trump knowledge and skills.

If she ever needs that knife, to survive, she can do anything with the ESEE 4 that a bigger knife would do. I mean, how strong can she be?

I think of my ESEE 4 as a great knife, not my favorite, but I'd stake my life on it's quality, size and design.

There are plenty of knifes that would work for her, just depends on which feels best in her hands.

The Bark River STS-3 and 5 both have thinner handles, as well as the Highland Special, Woodland Special, and others. They will be more expensive than ESEE.

Becker is also coming out with some medium sized knives, then there's always the smaller K-Bars.

 

[Angus McGunnigl]

SOG Feild Pup ?? Nothing but good to be said about it by so many people.

 

[CID25]

My girl works in the woods and spends more time out there than I could ever hope to. Her kit usually consists of an ESEE Izula, a Leatherman Wave and a machete.

 

[michaelm466]

ESEE RC-4 Or Fallkniven F1 have smaller handles, both nice knives as well.

 

[TheUSMC2017]

Why would a woman need a survival knife for outside of the kitchen?
Just kidding. I like Fallkniven, but I've never used one, so I couldn't give my opinion as to how they work, but I've heard good things. (Michaelm466, for instance)

 

[Appletz]

Why would a woman need a survival knife for outside of the kitchen?

"It's a survival knife, not a delicious Thanksgiving dinner."

 

[upnorth]

Becker Eskabar. Small with a decent sized blade, light, tough. Toss it in a bag or hang around neck. Decent price, and quality\performance assured.

 

[Vanguard41xx]

I'd say an Esee Izula, with the Micarta grips. Very nice knife. You can find the whole rig for around sixty five bucks. Great knife.

 

[hughewil]

eskabar with some scales.

 

[EK20]

I'd go with an Izula as well. It even comes in pink if she's particularly girly.

 

[timberweasel]

A tool is a tool is a tool. I say get her something you'd want yourself for an optimum survival type knife. I don't think there should be a difference; the fuel wood's not gonna give a damn if you're chopping it with pink scales or not...

Just my 2 cents. Carry on.

 

[Smokinape]

How about a SAK and a Mora?

 

[Mrwhitetailfanatic]

Gerber Bears Ultimate Survival knife FTW!!!

 

[Stainz]

A KaBar/Becker BK2 is a tough act to follow, if she really needs a do-all blade. They are more reasonable than an ESEE RC4 - and a lot more knife. I have both - and an RC5. I'd spend the difference in price on a decent SAK, too.

Stainz

 

[moogoogaidan]

Why would a woman need a survival knife for outside of the kitchen?

A woman's best survival knife is her man. Hah! j/k of course. Fallkniven F1 gets my vote, especially since the requirements include use in a tropical environment. Their 420J/VG-10 menage a trois makes for a fantastically tough, stainless blade.

 

[markseventwo]

Since people have been mentioning Fallkniven, they do make a model for women. The WM1 I don't have any experience with it, just throwing it out there.

 

[TwinStick]

Start her off with a Becker/KaBar BK11. It is small, lightweight & can even be worn around the neck. If she feels the skeleton handle is too thin, just get some micarta handles for it. If she still feels it is too small, then get the BK2. It is a beast of a small knife. She will not be able to break it---ever.

 

[Chris Pierce]

Which ever knife she likes best. I think adults can make their own decisions on these types of things

 

[sambo.]

Fallkniven is known for having rather slender handles on their knives. their F1 and S1 models are proven performers. there are others in their lineup that would also suit, but it will largely depend on your budget.

in addition to a Lam VG-10 S1, i have a WM1 in their 3G steel and it truly rocks. for such a little blade it can cope with tasks i'd instinctivly reach for a larger knife to do.