survival knife - The Firearms Forum

john riley · 01-06-2007, 10:41 PM

was thinking a little about the issues surrounding survival knives and came up with a few parameters that would seem favorable to adhere to if I was to look for such a blade and was interested in gaining some feed back as well as makes of blades capable of coming close to the parameters I've thought up.

1) should be a fixed blade ( for obvious durability reasons)

2) blade should be about 3-4 inches long ( as most game harvested in a true survival sit will be small game or fish so the ability to cut some rough fillets would be nice a smaller blade could skin larger game should the need arise but it doies not nec work in the reverse.

3) should be composed of stainless steel that is mod. easy to sharpen strong and holds an edge

4) should in addition to being an adequate game knife be able to handle rigors of camp life ( should be a work horse when it comes modest camp chores)

my candidates so far are the SOG field pup, The SOG seal PUP the ag russell bird and trout knife, and the ag russell woodswalker my price range is about $80 or below any feed back and suggestions would be welcome

Pistolenschutze · 01-07-2007, 12:17 PM

John, my suggestion would be to go with a Kabar. Nowadays they come in quite a number of configurations and steels and they're very hard to beat. Personally, I like the old style WWII Marine design, but that's just a matter of taste.

https://www.kabar.com/product_search...&mode=category

358 winchester · 01-15-2007, 06:24 AM

John
I do a lot of survival reading on many subjects and spent almost three years of my youth running around in the jungles of Southeast Asia. There is no ONE knife that really works. I have in my S&G bag a good small hatchet, a Mora and a KBAR fighting knife, these stay in the bag at all times with two good stones. The brand isn't as important( no cheap crap here) to me as the size and shape. here is what a MORA is and once you get one you will love them just the right size to millions of jobs and the price makes it easy to have several on hand in different locations .
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=78455 I would encourage all to have two or three on hand as a KNIFE is one tool that will make good money on the barter system if we ever had to go back to it, so are fish hooks

john try you a Swedish Mora and you will like it, no it isn't a $75.00 knife but I have one that I have used for about 8 eight years on a daily bases and it still looks new and cuts like a razor.
Ron

JohnK3 · 01-15-2007, 10:07 AM

I normally carry three knives at all times.

1 Small folding knife with regular blade and drop point
1 Small folding knife with semi-serrated blade and drop point
1 Victorinox Swiss Army Super Tinker

I eventually plan on upgrading my carry knives. I'll probably keep carrying all three current knives, just add on to the arsenal. Like 358 says, "There is no ONE knife that really works" for everything.

Lead Lobber · 01-16-2007, 10:25 PM

Survival means fighting, or something like that. So, a Kabar, Randall, or some other field and stream razor will do, but do not ask Pocohantas to trim your ears. Keep a quality fixed blade survival-type knife in you vehicle, your home, and on your person. Or you will not survive the big one. The same advise applies to firearams.

LL

358 winchester · 01-17-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lead Lobber

Survival means fighting, or something like that. So, a Kabar, Randall, or some other field and stream razor will do, but do not ask Pocohantas to trim your ears. Keep a quality fixed blade survival-type knife in you vehicle, your home, and on your person. Or you will not survive the big one. The same advise applies to firearams.

LL

Lead Lobber,
I don't mean to start a argument but Survival doesn't always mean fighting. It often means that you need to stay alive and that my friend can be done by not being seen in the first place. I can hide better than a cock roach in a Detroit or Miami apartment when the lights go on

Crpdeth · 01-17-2007, 02:01 PM

Survival in my opinion could be summed up with the word adaptability, or the ability to adapt to whatever comes your way, whether that means collecting just enough food and water to sustain you, or "learning" how to walk 20 miles through the brush on a broken leg and smashed face. Survival is a mindset, period. Having the drive and the desire to live another day on 5 beans and a glass of boiled rainwater with no better future in sight.

Crpdeth

Pistolenschutze · 01-21-2007, 01:13 PM

I must agree with Ron and Crp. "Survival" means simply "staying alive" long enough to get out of whatever predicament one might find himself in. Indeed, fighting someone or something is the last thing a survivalist wants to do because it makes too much commotion and attracts far too much attention. You fight only if there is no other choice. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but by the same token, it is most often the one that gets replaced!

IShootBack · 01-21-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 358 winchester

Lead Lobber,
I don't mean to start a argument but Survival doesn't always mean fighting. It often means that you need to stay alive and that my friend can be done by not being seen in the first place. I can hide better than a cock roach in a Detroit or Miami apartment when the lights go on

Hide like a roach? Ron, that's so funny...and smart.

IShootBack · 01-21-2007, 05:07 PM

Having read the other replies, I would add it is difficult to pick just one specialty knife.

When I go hunting or fishing I always have at least two. If I am going to be in a tree stand I have a third - specialty razor knife to cut my safety webbing should the need arise. If I was in a survival situation, it would probably be while i am hunting or fishing.

I watched a survival specialist guy on the discovery channel last month. He carries two - A multi function folder and a K-Bar type with a saw on the backbone of the blade.

Seems smart...

stash247 · 01-23-2007, 11:08 PM

I have one of the early "Cold Steel" Gurkha Kukries in my 'Bug out Bag', another, in the bag for the motorcycle. Yes, they are big, and heavy, but shaving sharp, and of most excellent, 'Carbon V' steel, ground from 1/4" stock.
Both bags have smaller, drop-point folders, in them, as well, for 'light work'.
As with .358, much (31 months) of my mis- spent youth was in learning SEA geography, tactics, and ettiquette.
One of the 'manners' issues was one of psychology; take out a perimeter sentry, silently, and move on; tomorrow, all within his perimeter will wonder, "How close was he, to me?"
The Gurkhas, in employment by the Brits, used the technique, for years, to terrorise the enemy, and reduce his number.
Their tool was the Kukri, a knife I came to know and love, 30+ years ago, for it's utility: nothing that I could do, with a hatchet, or even a small axe, compares.
A tool for defense/offense, shelter, warmth, even hygene, it is a tremendous reduction in weight and bulk, over the alternatives.
But, it is a little big to use for table chores, so, the folder, for light work. and the best I have found is a wide bladed, 3 1/2 " Stainless folder, by Boker, of which I bought six, when K-Mart closed them out, for $20/ per; one of them, in a travel trailer, 50 miles west of here, at the moment, has butchered six deer (Skinned, quartered, then 'detail stripped') without ever seeing a stone, or steel. This is the stuff a good knife oughta do!
Either knife, in an 'E&E' situation, would suffice, but, as a pair, one has the option, the luxury, of choosing the better tool for the job.
Maybe you have noticed the total lack of mention, on this 'survival topic' of a firearm; I'm sure .358 has, and understands why!
I can 'make meat' anywhere, without a gun, if I have the luxury of time; without that luxury, on the run, food, for 72-96 hours, is a 'non-issue', water, and salt, is all that I need. If I need a gun, a 'Big Knife', and some knowhow, will buy me whatever I wish, from whomever I choose to take it; the 'little knife' is more than enough, for one with skill, and patience.
Before you decide on what you will need, define the term 'survival'.

Lead Lobber · 01-24-2007, 12:39 AM

.358 - You're right, of course. I once spotted a bobcat in the wilderness; boy, was it pissed! I just stood their and waited for him to move. I finally gave up, and continued up the mountain. It is best to move like our animal friends in the wild; spend most of your time still, watching and listening. I love nature. It makes so much more sence than we do.

LL

01-06-2007, 10:41 PM	#1
john riley V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 98	survival knife was thinking a little about the issues surrounding survival knives and came up with a few parameters that would seem favorable to adhere to if I was to look for such a blade and was interested in gaining some feed back as well as makes of blades capable of coming close to the parameters I've thought up. 1) should be a fixed blade ( for obvious durability reasons) 2) blade should be about 3-4 inches long ( as most game harvested in a true survival sit will be small game or fish so the ability to cut some rough fillets would be nice a smaller blade could skin larger game should the need arise but it doies not nec work in the reverse. 3) should be composed of stainless steel that is mod. easy to sharpen strong and holds an edge 4) should in addition to being an adequate game knife be able to handle rigors of camp life ( should be a work horse when it comes modest camp chores) my candidates so far are the SOG field pup, The SOG seal PUP the ag russell bird and trout knife, and the ag russell woodswalker my price range is about $80 or below any feed back and suggestions would be welcome __________________ "Like a midget at a urinal.....we need to stay on our toes" -->

01-07-2007, 12:17 PM	#2
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: survival knife John, my suggestion would be to go with a Kabar. Nowadays they come in quite a number of configurations and steels and they're very hard to beat. Personally, I like the old style WWII Marine design, but that's just a matter of taste. https://www.kabar.com/product_search...&mode=category __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

01-15-2007, 06:24 AM	#3
358 winchester TFF Admin Staff Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pensacola Fl. area Posts: 7,335	Re: survival knife John I do a lot of survival reading on many subjects and spent almost three years of my youth running around in the jungles of Southeast Asia. There is no ONE knife that really works. I have in my S&G bag a good small hatchet, a Mora and a KBAR fighting knife, these stay in the bag at all times with two good stones. The brand isn't as important( no cheap crap here) to me as the size and shape. here is what a MORA is and once you get one you will love them just the right size to millions of jobs and the price makes it easy to have several on hand in different locations . http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=78455 I would encourage all to have two or three on hand as a KNIFE is one tool that will make good money on the barter system if we ever had to go back to it, so are fish hooks john try you a Swedish Mora and you will like it, no it isn't a $75.00 knife but I have one that I have used for about 8 eight years on a daily bases and it still looks new and cuts like a razor. Ron __________________ Administrator & Owner RangeDay.com Proud, White, Heterosexual, Gun Owning, Southern American, Christian. Any question about where I stand?

01-15-2007, 10:07 AM	#4
JohnK3 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,636	Re: survival knife I normally carry three knives at all times. 1 Small folding knife with regular blade and drop point 1 Small folding knife with semi-serrated blade and drop point 1 Victorinox Swiss Army Super Tinker I eventually plan on upgrading my carry knives. I'll probably keep carrying all three current knives, just add on to the arsenal. Like 358 says, "There is no ONE knife that really works" for everything.

01-16-2007, 10:25 PM	#5
Lead Lobber Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central California coastal area Posts: 965	Re: survival knife Survival means fighting, or something like that. So, a Kabar, Randall, or some other field and stream razor will do, but do not ask Pocohantas to trim your ears. Keep a quality fixed blade survival-type knife in you vehicle, your home, and on your person. Or you will not survive the big one. The same advise applies to firearams. LL

01-17-2007, 02:01 PM	#7
Crpdeth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Location: Location Contributor Posts: 8,247	Re: survival knife Survival in my opinion could be summed up with the word adaptability, or the ability to adapt to whatever comes your way, whether that means collecting just enough food and water to sustain you, or "learning" how to walk 20 miles through the brush on a broken leg and smashed face. Survival is a mindset, period. Having the drive and the desire to live another day on 5 beans and a glass of boiled rainwater with no better future in sight. Crpdeth __________________ Our greatest pretenses are built up not to hide the evil and the ugly in us, but our emptiness. The hardest thing to hide is something that is not there. ~Eric Hoffer

01-21-2007, 01:13 PM	#8
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: survival knife I must agree with Ron and Crp. "Survival" means simply "staying alive" long enough to get out of whatever predicament one might find himself in. Indeed, fighting someone or something is the last thing a survivalist wants to do because it makes too much commotion and attracts far too much attention. You fight only if there is no other choice. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but by the same token, it is most often the one that gets replaced! __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

01-21-2007, 05:07 PM	#10
IShootBack Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,306	Re: survival knife Having read the other replies, I would add it is difficult to pick just one specialty knife. When I go hunting or fishing I always have at least two. If I am going to be in a tree stand I have a third - specialty razor knife to cut my safety webbing should the need arise. If I was in a survival situation, it would probably be while i am hunting or fishing. I watched a survival specialist guy on the discovery channel last month. He carries two - A multi function folder and a K-Bar type with a saw on the backbone of the blade. Seems smart... __________________ "The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name." Exodus15:3

01-23-2007, 11:08 PM	#11
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Re: survival knife I have one of the early "Cold Steel" Gurkha Kukries in my 'Bug out Bag', another, in the bag for the motorcycle. Yes, they are big, and heavy, but shaving sharp, and of most excellent, 'Carbon V' steel, ground from 1/4" stock. Both bags have smaller, drop-point folders, in them, as well, for 'light work'. As with .358, much (31 months) of my mis- spent youth was in learning SEA geography, tactics, and ettiquette. One of the 'manners' issues was one of psychology; take out a perimeter sentry, silently, and move on; tomorrow, all within his perimeter will wonder, "How close was he, to me?" The Gurkhas, in employment by the Brits, used the technique, for years, to terrorise the enemy, and reduce his number. Their tool was the Kukri, a knife I came to know and love, 30+ years ago, for it's utility: nothing that I could do, with a hatchet, or even a small axe, compares. A tool for defense/offense, shelter, warmth, even hygene, it is a tremendous reduction in weight and bulk, over the alternatives. But, it is a little big to use for table chores, so, the folder, for light work. and the best I have found is a wide bladed, 3 1/2 " Stainless folder, by Boker, of which I bought six, when K-Mart closed them out, for $20/ per; one of them, in a travel trailer, 50 miles west of here, at the moment, has butchered six deer (Skinned, quartered, then 'detail stripped') without ever seeing a stone, or steel. This is the stuff a good knife oughta do! Either knife, in an 'E&E' situation, would suffice, but, as a pair, one has the option, the luxury, of choosing the better tool for the job. Maybe you have noticed the total lack of mention, on this 'survival topic' of a firearm; I'm sure .358 has, and understands why! I can 'make meat' anywhere, without a gun, if I have the luxury of time; without that luxury, on the run, food, for 72-96 hours, is a 'non-issue', water, and salt, is all that I need. If I need a gun, a 'Big Knife', and some knowhow, will buy me whatever I wish, from whomever I choose to take it; the 'little knife' is more than enough, for one with skill, and patience. Before you decide on what you will need, define the term 'survival'. __________________ Don't start no s*t and there won't be none, Terry Last edited by stash247; 01-23-2007 at 11:09 PM..*

01-24-2007, 12:39 AM	#12
Lead Lobber Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central California coastal area Posts: 965	Re: survival knife .358 - You're right, of course. I once spotted a bobcat in the wilderness; boy, was it pissed! I just stood their and waited for him to move. I finally gave up, and continued up the mountain. It is best to move like our animal friends in the wild; spend most of your time still, watching and listening. I love nature. It makes so much more sence than we do. LL