More Knife Questions > Survival Discussions

Posted: 5/18/2007 5:30:46 PM EDT

Guys,

The more I look at knives and try to determine what I need, the more questions I have.

First scenario is that I am looking at some fairly high end fixed blade knives, i.e., Ontario, MOD, Strider, Microtech, Emerson, Fox for example, in addition to KABAR, SOG, Cold Steel, etc.... I don't mind paying for high quality, but I don't want to be suckered by hype. Are any of the above POS gimmick knives? Specifically MOD? They're advertising seems overly tacticool, but damn they are uber sharp.

Second, I love many of the folders made by the above listed knife makers as well as Kershaw and Spyderco. But, I've been wondering if you really need a folder if you have a high quality multi-tool such as a leatherman, Gerber, or SOG, etc...?

Third, is anyone using/concealing hideaway knives? If so, what is quality and what is crap. If not, is this just another gimmick to buy more stuff?

Thanks for the insight to get me cleared up and pointed in the right direction.

Blake

Posted: 5/18/2007 5:47:47 PM EDT

[#1]

1) Ka-Bar. 1/2 serrated. cant go wrong. I never understood the "high end knife" aspect. There are knives that are good, reasonably priced that will do anything anyone could ask. Which really is the biggest question you should ask yourself, "What do I need this knife to do for me" that should help ya narrow it down some. maybe. lol.

2) While multi tools are awesome, I feel they lack the dexterity and maunverability of a single bladed knife. see #3

3) My daily carry knife is a Benchmade Autoknife (check local laws on this in your state) in Florida it is legal for me to carry this. This is an awesome knife. If you are cutting small cord or string or something at a campsite, you dont want to whip out your multi tool and dig out the blades, and you dont want to bring out a 8" + big ass fixed blade knife to cut a shoe string. This is where a pocket clipped auto or assist knife comes into play.

Now, if I was forced to pick one and only one knife to carry, it would either be a multi tool or a 3" fixed blade like a Swedish Mora or a Buck.

Posted: 5/18/2007 6:00:46 PM EDT

[#2]

My emergency kit has a Leatherman Wave, a Cold Steel Recon Scout fixed blade, and a Benchmade Emerson 975 folder. Because you never know.

Posted: 5/18/2007 7:13:19 PM EDT

[#3]

fixed blades I would consider (every day carry)

20 dollar range - Mora knife, best buy in any blade category. Laminated Steel.

Less than 100 - Kabar or RAT 3/5. If you wanna splurge, pay a little xtra and get D2 steel

200 buck range - Chris reeves Aviator or shadow. A2 tool steel pretty tough.

300 - 400 - Busse or Strider with a slight edge to busse. Busse's INFI steel is second to none, 80 hour heat treat! look for a badger or Natural outlaw. Striders S30 V is nothing to laugh about either. Cant go wrong with either.

Notable Mention (Personal Favorite): Mark Terrell WSK. This is a Dave Beck / Tracker that takes the concept to the next level. D2 Steel quarter inch thick. The blade is super sharp from factory and you have to feel the great balance and grip. Expect to pay 400 bucks and about year wait for this baby.

Good Luck with whatever you decide to purchase.

Posted: 5/18/2007 11:53:27 PM EDT

[#4]

Scrap Yard, Swamp Rat, and Busse are all you need to know about for fixed blades. One of them is likely to make something within your budget. For folders, I'm really liking my new Spyderco Mini Manix, so much so that I'm probably going to add a full size to my collection.

Posted: 5/19/2007 2:33:16 AM EDT

[#5]

There's some really decent-priced fixed blades out there...I would highly recommend Ranger Knives (RD6 or 7), Mission Knives makes an excellent A2 steel knife (MPK), you already mentioned Ontario (Randall series)...those are all excellent knives for the money. Swamp Rat is hit or miss now, but I've heard great things about Srapyard Dog knives. TOPS are quality knives, but I think they are a little overpriced for what you get, it is however, another good American made company.

I own several higher-end knives: Busse, Srider, Randall, Fehrman, Trident, Siegle, Mad Dog, Chris Reeves, etc. Steel and heat treatment are always a top concern. Ergonomics is a personal thing and some top end knives require a custom sheath...which gives you more (expensive) options to get a near-perfect package. I prefer a good flat-grind and wide blade.

I've found a larger bladed knife (over 6") is a little uncomfortable for the duty belt for 24/7. I do like a large bladed knife in the ruck or on a shoulder sling...9-10 inches, which works well at larger chopping duties...not as efficient as an axe, but more versatile.

First, identify your requirements. You're already looking at minizing since you carry a multi-tool. I still prefer a solid, folding-locking knife and will additionally carry a multi-tool or SAK.

HAK? Well, that could mean many things, but the original Hide Away Knife is a sound idea...most of which I consider "neck knives". The best bang for your buck is AG Russell's little "Woods Walker" in a kydex sheath; light, small, sharp and inexpensive. There are plenty of options out there...just need to figure out what's going to work for you...I like very thin bladed neck-knives.

ROCK6

Posted: 5/19/2007 3:19:57 AM EDT

[#6]

Bob Dozier's knives aren't "tacti-cool" but they are held in very high regard by people who know knives.

www.dozierknives.com/

Posted: 5/19/2007 8:49:56 AM EDT

[#7]

+1 for the Scrapyard, Swamprat, Busse camp but I would also recommend Ranger knives! Full tang, solid, awesome knife for the price.

Posted: 5/19/2007 2:16:32 PM EDT

[#8]

Thanks for the replies. TOPS is one that I forgot to mention that I am considering. I do like the Ontario R.A.T. series and the price is great. Smoky MTN KnifeWorks will be getting Strider in shortly.

I notice that nobody has mentioned the MOD's I asked about. According to the guy at SMKW, they steel they use is extremely hard, and as I said, they were sharp as can be. But I always seek the advice here on stuff like this from people who know more. Unless someone jumps in here and sings the praises of MOD, I'm going to stay away from it even though my initial impression was very high. Thanks again.

Blake

Posted: 5/19/2007 2:28:25 PM EDT

[#9]

Buddy, I probably have more knives than I do guns so for me to say this is best would be a tad hypocritical on my part.

I can tell you my current favorite is the SOG Seal Pup Elite. It's the right size, not too big, and comfortable in the hand. I also have a standard Seal Pup which is now my official boat knife used for cutting line mainly and cleaning fish.

I like this knife enough, I bought the SOB Nylon Sheath for it. Very heavy duty, it also has a pouch for either a stone or multi-tool.

Although my favorite multi-tool is most definately my Wave (Yes I have other brands and like them too), to be honest I use a Coleman Camper, like $7. Ugly sucker, its cheap and about on its third season on my boat. I don't think there is tool function on it, I don't use regularly. Its pulled more hooks out of fish and fish out of the water than I can count. I use it mainly becasue, well its cheap and if I drop anything in 80' of water, I'd rather it be $7 than $70.

Tj

Posted: 5/19/2007 2:32:32 PM EDT

[#10]

Is it for fighting or survival (like, stuck in the woods for a week longer than planned)?

If it's for survival I'd say something with a saw blade like a leatherman or a Swiss Army knife.

I strongly recommend the Gene Ward survival video. n it you will see how he uses the saw blade on his multi-tool far more than a knife-blade for many things including shelter and weapon construction.

Gene Ward video

linkeroo

Posted: 5/19/2007 3:33:34 PM EDT

[#11]

I prefer 2 fixed blades and a folder.
My user FB is a Benchmade Nimravus, i have had it for over 10 years and love it.
My use only on Human Flesh knife is a Smith & Wesson HRT Fixed blade a 7" blade.
My folder is a Benchmade.
I have owned every knife you ever heard of and don't think you can do much better even if you spend 10 times as much.
I also LOVE Tomahawks and am going to get one of those soon.
Here is a pic of the knives I use.
Jim

Posted: 5/19/2007 5:11:16 PM EDT

[#12]

I have been very impressed with Fallkniven. The F1 or S1 are a good size. The A1 is a bit large (I like mine, but I use the S1 far more often). They do use a convex grind and this does take some getting used to for sharpening but man, these things will hold an edge under some pretty severe use.

For a budget quality tool, it is really hard to beat the KaBar. I have one I have abused for years and it is still going strong. The leather handle is starting to look pretty rough, but I have no qualms about using it for the most abusive of tasks. I keep one in the tool kit in the car, and I keep one with my hunting gear.

I personally have in the BOB: Leatherman Wave, Fallkniven S1, and a Microtech Amphibian Auto.

Posted: 5/19/2007 7:35:35 PM EDT

[#13]

Well, if you don't mind paying for quality, then I would have some one make just what you want. That is about the only way you will get the blade design, hand fit to you, with the steel you want.

After dozens of fixed blade knives, this is what I decided to do.

First, I knew what kind of steel I wanted, CPM 3V and I wanted it forged as well. The forging part really narrowed down my choices of makers.

So after I found someone, we spoke and decided if this was something the kid could do. I say kid, because he was 19 years old at the time. He had all homemade tools including the belt sander he built himself. He said he does this for fun and in no way wants to start forging full time. He said as soon as it becomes a job, he is done, because it isn't fun anymore. So things get done on his time table, which isn't bad at all really. One thing that held us up was heat treating, so I bought him a heat treating oven to kind of help speed things up.

He said he didn't know if CPM 3V could even be forged. A quick call to the company, and they were great in helping us out with all of our questions.

I have used these knives for a few years now, and they are by far the best I have ever used.

Here are a few he built for me, and the stages of being made.

This is a three foot piece of round stock CPM 3V steel with the end starting to be forged.
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Shaping the blade.
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Second knife after being sent out for heat treating.
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Third knife after he did his own heat treating.
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Fitting the SS guard.
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Second knife, but I don't have a picture of it finished.
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This is a green canvas micarta handle that was epoxied, and bolted on with SS bolts.
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First knife completed. The handle was a little small for me, so I gave this one to my brother, and had him make me another. I don't have a picture of the second knife finished. He didn't take any pictures for me, and I don't have a camera outside of my polaroid.
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This is the third knife. It has a hammer head on the back of the handle made from 5160 and tempered for hammering. The whole knife was bead blasted to a dull finish, and to roughen up the micarta for a better grip. I keep this one in my M38A1.
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This is another smaller knife he made for me that I use all of the time.
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I thought I was going to get my perfect knife made, but found out that all I did was turn myself into a bigger knife collecting monster.

I am having a few more made around the 4-6 inch blade length. We have to use up the steel.

Posted: 5/19/2007 10:30:27 PM EDT

[#14]

Perhaps I’m a traditionalist, but I have yet to meet anyone who regretted buying a KA-BAR.

Posted: 5/20/2007 1:43:03 AM EDT

[#15]

What do you foresee needing it for?
What is your price range?
What is your weight range? (all too often overlooked)
Aside from the Scandinavian knives, the Swamp Rat knives are the best production knives out there. Either Scandi or Swampy, you will get MORE knife than what you paid for.
You can actually get custom knives for $80 to $150 if you look hard enough. Ontario's are pretty good for the money, as are the Ka-Bars.

Posted: 5/20/2007 2:26:45 AM EDT

[#16]

Im a newb so pardon my ignorance....

I've been hearing great things about busse, swamp rat, scrapyard...
but where do you buy these knives at?
The online stores for the comapanies are almost completely sold out of every model and on Ebay they're retailing for a couple hundred dollars...

Posted: 5/20/2007 2:41:25 AM EDT

[#17]

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the brands you listed. Choose one that has good ergonomics and suited for the task you intend. Whether it be for self defense, camping, general chores.

As for your hide away knife... I really like the hideaway UHAK. I think I use this more than any other knife I own. I've got 2 and I bought my wife one. 440c stainless steel and razor sharp. Runs about $70. If you want one, there is a wait, they are semi-custom made.

Posted: 5/20/2007 3:37:41 AM EDT

[#18]

Dozier fixed blade with Kydex sheath for when you want an "outie"

Chris Reeve Small Sebenza for Monday - Friday
Chris Reeve Large Sebenza for Saturday jeans pocket carry
Chris Reeve Mnandi to take to church on Sunday.

(my other 150 knives are just for kicks)

Simple.

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