You can only have ONE with you

[tyrantblade]

oh no..... I'm going to die because i'm too ignorant to buy a busse battle mistress.honestly i've used an old hickory butcher knife for years
as my go to survival knife just like my forefathers meaning blade length and style not brand for all the sharp shooters out there
too big and its had to whittle notches and such traps, etc.too small and it can't be batoned hmm..... Grohman #4 survival would
be my blade of choice because anything less would be a recipe for failure and almost certain death

tyrantblade

 

[mymindisamob]

oh no..... I'm going to die because i'm too ignorant to buy a busse battle mistress.honestly i've used an old hickory butcher knife for years
as my go to survival knife just like my forefathers meaning blade length and style not brand for all the sharp shooters out there
too big and its had to whittle notches and such traps, etc.too small and it can't be batoned hmm..... Grohman #4 survival would
be my blade of choice because anything less would be a recipe for failure and almost certain death

tyrantblade

I have to agree that the ultimatum of failure and death without a brand is beyond silly. As I've said before, I would use a sharp rock, if that's what it came down to. But it seems that if the brand is mentioned here, your taste is discounted and the attitude seems to be that a persons skills must be inferior, since they like a more expensive blade. That's just as ridiculous to me. I've been doing outdoor "skills" since I was a tot, and I like the brand. But I also like many others. Now I'm going out to have some fun with tools, I hope you folks get to do the same.:thumbup:

 

[Rick Marchand]

I think its rather funny that so many are fighting to validate their blade choice to others... It only needs to be validated in your own mind to be a good tool. I love hearing the reasons why people choose what they choose... but to run down their choices is pointless... state your tool, give your reasons and leave it at that... someone may be inspired by your experience and change their set-up... but to forsee certain death because of a tool choice is plain silly. Many "experienced" woodsman get lifted out of the bush after being found dead, next to their fully stocked backpacks and highpriced knives still in their sheathes... while the little lost girl survives for two weeks drinking from puddles and sleeping in leaf piles. It's not always what you have or what you know... but rather who you are, inside that'll get you through that scenario.
Rick

 

[tyrantblade]

I think its rather funny that so many are fighting to validate their blade choice to others... It only needs to be validated in your own mind to be a good tool. I love hearing the reasons why people choose what they choose... but to run down their choices is pointless... state your tool, give your reasons and leave it at that... someone may be inspired by your experience and change their set-up... but to forsee certain death because of a tool choice is plain silly. Many "experienced" woodsman get lifted out of the bush after being found dead, next to their fully stocked backpacks and highpriced knives still in their sheathes... while the little lost girl survives for two weeks drinking from puddles and sleeping in leaf piles. It's not always what you have or what you know... but rather who you are, inside that'll get you through that scenario.
Rick

well said, my friend well said :thumbup:

tyrantblade

 

[Bufford]

Getting back to the original question here about being stuck deep in the field somewhere, I would go with a good sturdy fixed blade with a sturdy sheath and a blade between 4-6 inches. Doesn't have to be fancy.

Folding knives can break and are harder to clean. A basic fixed blade can be fasioned into a spear for fishing, or for defence against a preditor.

 

[XMP]

I think it is great that some people can have confidence in simple and inexpensive (which is different than "cheap") blades. However, that isn't a basis for denigrating those who choose expensive knives. Every week I encounter people who have boats, jet skis, snowmobiles, motorcycles, etc. into which they pore their money. I don't, and I'm sure many other don't either. I'd rather use my discretionary income for a few nice knives and other high quality gear.

Do I have to have a Busse. No. In fact I'd be confident in an Ontario RAT or a Kabar. I've even confidently carried a Cold Steel SRK into the wilderness. BUT, I like having a Busse or a Randall or a Strider. Why? Because I know they work; I'm confident in them, AND I like high quality knives, even when I could get by with less.

I have no problem with someone confidently carrying their $15 Mora or whatever into the woods, but that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with choosing a $500+ Busse either.

 

[ironraven]

People get down right culty and creepy about their knife brands of choice, particularly when they feel that old time religious righteousness in their bones. People who champion one of the high priced, semi-custom, "god brands", I would invite you to tell me how, under real world conditions rather than contrived testing, these wonder blades are better than say, a $50 dollar Ka-Bar manufactured MkII Utility Knife. Let's use that as our baseline. Don't tell me "better" or "more" or "best", that is puffery- give me a scientific analysis that doesn't involve stabbing rocks or gutting a Caddy or anything along those lines. Does a $300 knife actually perform 600% better than a good $50? 100% better? 50% better? 10%?

I'm not saying that to fight with anyone, feel free to carry what you wish. If I could afford it, I might buy a Busse or SwampRat, they have impressed me (unlike some of the other culty brands). But if it offends you to hear someone disagree with your choice, and it sounds like a lot of you are offended, then you are taking a hunk of sharpened metal way to personally. Odds are, you won't have a choice what you have with you when TSHTF, becuase by definition that is a surprise. If you saw it coming, you'd have prepared, which means that you'd have more than one knife on you as stipulated by what I think are the rather unrealistic guidelines of this theoretical thread. So you'll use what you have, even if you don't like it.

I'd also point out that people who get too focused on their gear, who must have this or must have that, aren't focusing on surviving. Yes, you should have a knife, a good one, just like you should have a way of starting fire. But people who have the best, greatest, highest speed, lowest drag stuff can turn into yet another body drag, just like Magnussen pointed out. And not just a noobs with more money than brains, but experinced and skilled people. And if you can't survive with out your blade of choice, maybe it is turning into a fetish. Which is not a healthy place to be when the only way you can get your survival mojo up is with the aid of your XYZ Supercutzu. So what is this bickering accomplishing, other than turning into "my dog is better than your dog"?

Or put another way... *takes a stick, marking a line in the sand* Gentlemen! Everyone line up, toes on the line, pointing that direction. *gestures with my stick* You may pee when ready. The one who went the furthest gets bragging rights.

 

[tyrantblade]

ok...i've had my fun ,i wasn't dogging knifetester i was kidding, don't take these
threads so seriously ,he just sounded too I don't know not passionate but funny way too serious.If I offended anyone I apologize.
okay ...I carry a mini rukus as edc and carry grohman #4 or super sog bowie when i'm in the woods

tyrantblade

 

[ilbruche]

:thumbup: :thumbup: Ironraven, right on. I guess the best will always be what works for you. Be it a Busse or a Old hickory. I guess you can treat knives like cars. Sure a Busse/Mclaren F1 is a superb machine, but unless we are all Bill Gates it will probably just sit in the garage. The old Hickory/1980 Toyota pickup looks like crap but it runs and gets us where we want to go. This is the important part, does the tool do the job.

 

[Walkabout]

I think I would pick my SJ Tac LE. It has a fairly hefty (0.22") full convex 6" blade, and seems to chop well enough, carve feather sticks. Don't know about skinning... only thing I've ever skinned was my knees as a kid

Seems stabby enough to handle grizzlies and mountain lions (at least, I can imagine so while I'm being eaten)

 

[barny]

:thumbup: :thumbup: Ironraven, right on. I guess the best will always be what works for you. Be it a Busse or a Old hickory. I guess you can treat knives like cars. Sure a Busse/Mclaren F1 is a superb machine, but unless we are all Bill Gates it will probably just sit in the garage. The old Hickory/1980 Toyota pickup looks like crap but it runs and gets us where we want to go. This is the important part, does the tool do the job.

That has probably made the most sense.

 

[knifetester]

Some people don't want to drop the $$$ for a Busse, even though they are the toughest knife on the planet and will NOT fail you when you need it the most, i.e. a real life survival situtation. A few hundred bucks is cheap life insurance in my book.

Anyways, Swamprat and Scrapyard knives, also in the Busse family, are almost as nuclear tough and could also be relied upon in a real life survival situation. So there are alternatives out there.

I would stil take Busse though, the Battle Mistress especially. The BEST choice for a real life survival situation.

 

[runningboar]

Why should a simple a tool as a knife cost hundreds of dollars, with no gold, ivory or precious stones on it? This nuclear toughness that you and others talk about all time, what do you need that sort of toughness for, what are you doing with your knives? I have a 10 dollar tramontina machete that I routinely beat the hell out of, does it get dull, yes, does the edge roll, yes, and I take out my small file and in less than 5 minutes I am ready to go back to work. My standard 1095 old timers take a scapel sharp edge and after 30 years of using them have not let me down yet, even in some pretty trying situations, and even now with the collector value rising everyday I can get any model I want new in the box for 100 bucks or less.

Busses are very nice and with everyday that goes by I want one more, the fit, finish, reputation and quality that goes into every one is very desirable and sexy. But, in my humble opinion every dollar over about 150 I spend on one is going towards the name, forced availiblity and clever marketing. Trying to convince me that it is the difference between life and death, or the very best tool for any situation, or is 500 dollars better than other knives is plain silly. Chris

 

[Guyon]

Some sort of Busse, because those are the better, more durable fixed blades that I own (and use).
Satin Jack TAC LE or Steel Heart Ergo. Both are a good, in-between, all-around size. Probably the Satin Jack TAC LE though...

 

[ilbruche]

Since most survival situations are unplanned events anyway your most likely to be stuck with your EDC. The Busse is probably locked in the gun safe at home. I'd love to see someone on the street or in the woods with a battle mistress on their belt.

 

[Guyon]

Since most survival situations are unplanned events anyway your most likely to be stuck with your EDC. The Busse is probably locked in the gun safe at home. I'd love to see someone on the street or in the woods with a battle mistress on their belt.

Good point. In that case, my choice would be a Spyderco Calypso III.

However, not everyone babies their Busses and keeps them sealed in dust-free safes. I think folks like to use that rationalization against Busse owners so that they feel better somehow about their own users.

Right now, my daypack carries a Swamp Rat Battle Rat (chopper) and a Busse Badger Attack TAC (5" fixed blade). The BATAC is in a Spec-Ops sheath with a Leatherman Wave in the pouch. If I'm in or near my truck when TSHTF, those are the knives I'll have.

Getting back to the original question here about being stuck deep in the field somewhere, I would go with a good sturdy fixed blade with a sturdy sheath and a blade between 4-6 inches. Doesn't have to be fancy.

Bingo, see my choice above. Just because it's a Busse doesn't mean it's not usable. :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[Guyon]

Busses are very nice and with everyday that goes by I want one more, the fit, finish, reputation and quality that goes into every one is very desirable and sexy. But, in my humble opinion every dollar over about 150 I spend on one is going towards the name, forced availiblity and clever marketing. Trying to convince me that it is the difference between life and death, or the very best tool for any situation, or is 500 dollars better than other knives is plain silly. Chris

Highlighted text above is why I buy and USE Busses. You forget to mention that the warranty and customer service are second to none.

Also, I happen to like the folks at Busse. They're good people and they make a fine product that holds its value even when used.

As for the rest, if you don't want to pay the price, don't buy the knife. As you point out, there are plenty of good knives out there for much less $$$.

 

[Guyon]

Here's that BATAC. It too would be a good choice as the ONE blade, but it's shorter by an inch (5") than the SJTAC LE (6"), and it's not as thick. So it's not as good a chopper in a pinch. Still, it's a nice sized survival blade, and does a good job batoning.

The BATAC LE (thicker and satin finished) should ship in the not-too-distant future. I'm looking forward to seeing that one.

 

[tknife]

We don't have to drop to bashing here, everyone has their own favorite blade they want to carry in the field. I have used just about every type of knife under the sun, and they all work. As has been said, it all comes down to personal preference.

 

[ilbruche]

Here's that BATAC. It too would be a good choice as the ONE blade, but it's shorter by an inch (5") than the SJTAC LE (6"), and it's not as thick. So it's not as good a chopper in a pinch. Still, it's a nice sized survival blade, and does a good job batoning.

That is a nice looking blade. It's about the size I'd carry. I like to see the Busse in action. :thumbup: But for me, that blade is a week of my salary and could by me 3 custom Rangers with sheathes, dinner and a pitcher of beer from the local pub.