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I have a basic sheath knife with a really sharp blade given me by a mercenary I met in Atlanta. No brand name evident. Carry the compass separate. On a piece of cord. Pink or bright yellow. If you drop it it is really easy to find.
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The best survival knife??? (Keep in mind that a good survival knife will have a carbon steel blade.)
Obviously there are other, more expensive knives, but there are two that will not break the bank:
--I like the Ka-Bar USMC fighting knife, which is very much like the Ka-Bar previously noted, except this is the one that copies exactly the Ka-Bar USMC knife of WWII and has the leather handle and a regular carbon steel blade with NO serrations. I hate serrated blades! Cost: $50.00+/-
--The other knife I would suggest is a 12" machete with a good sheath. Cold steel has them, Surplus stores have them. Cost: $25.00+/- with sheath.
quote:Originally posted by staind460
i've got a Gerber LMFT II - A.S.E.K.
great knife; "After two years of collaboration, Gerber is proud to introduce one of the toughest military survival knives ever made; the LMF II. With expert military instructor Frank Heyl as our guide, and the military as our proving ground, we have created the single most important tool that you can carry. In any survival situation, the LMF II can be used to construct shelter, cut firewood, spear dinner, or slice through an aircraft fuselage; even egress through helicopter Plexiglas. When survival counts the most, the LMF II is the one tool you must have at your side." - from the Gerber Website
* Overall Length: 10.59"
* Length of Blade: 4.84"
* Weight: 11.39 oz.
* Blade Style: Single serration
* Blade Material: 12C27 Stainless Steel
* Handle Material: TPV overmolded on nylon
* Safety Knife and sheath inlcuded
quote:Originally posted by rustyh
I have a basic sheath knife with a really sharp blade given me by a mercenary I met in Atlanta. No brand name evident. Carry the compass separate. On a piece of cord. Pink or bright yellow. If you drop it it is really easy to find.
Now what do the wing things do on the Buck knife?it's so you can tie a cord to the lanyard thing on the end of the handle, and throw the knife up over something so you can rappel. but the idea was originally for something else. (see link below) the pointy things unscrew when you don't need them.
and it's got a compass in the handle too!
they also made these
with the BUCKMASTER logo in a blood groove. I think they're collector's items. (with or without groove it's a Buck Model 184)
see how the Buck M9 bayonet has its roots in the Rambo knife straight out of the movie, via the Buck 184.
I was a survival instructor in the Navy for three years.
Most of the survival instructors I worked with either had a K-Bar, or a Gerber LMF II, I still have both, but if I were to buy another tomorrow, I would buy another LMF II. It really fits your hand well when your using the knife to work, not just to cut things. I think alot of people have a misunderstanding of a real survival situation, you're probably not ever going to need to spear big game with the thing, and the need for a compass, indicates that you would try and venture to safety on your own.
If you were in a survival situation, stay put and get comfortable, you should have told some people where you were going and how long you would be gone before you left, they will sooner or later tell rescuers where you said you would be. It is much harder for them to find a moving target, then someone who is stuck in a rough spot, but exactly where they said they would be. I would only advise movement from your location if it was geniunely forced. Meaning absolutely not survivable conditions at that location with the gear you have with you, a medical emergency for another in the group, or something drastic like that.
There is no reason that help would not be coming to your location.
Those survival T.V. shows are interesting but in my mind, real survival sitations almost never involve the NEED to be on the move. Of course just toughing it out where you are, doesn't make for nearly as exciting T.V. show as running down mountains, through rivers, and deserts and all of that. The reality is, a skilled outdoorsmen, could take a ten pound or less bag into nearly any situation and survive for a week or more, with any decent knife and not really be suffering or uncomfortable, if that bag was well packed for the trip.
Anyway the Gerber LMF II just has a few more modern features than a K bar, but either will serve you well.
Someone would have to define "survival knife." What I've read above sounds like a bunch of 14-year-olds on an overnighter. Suture kit for crap sakes.[;)]
I guess, I should define what survival is to me and how a knife would help me out.
I hike, mountain bike, atv ride, and camp alot. I carry a compass when I do either. At those times I may need one to cut branches, eat with, ect.
I boat, when I jet ski I may need one to again cut branches to build fires, if I stop on the bank. We do this alot. So I need one that could starts fires (carry matches in it or others ways to start one). I sometimes have to cut rope or clear my impellor with one.
Traci,..I use this one almost daily...and my hunting/gutting knife for large game is its big brother SOG SEAL 2000..very sharp and keeps an edge,..I would highly recommend this based on its size and grip.the SOG 2000 at this price listed here is a good buy also at 90.00 bucks...Loko..[8D]
I'm thinking about one of these from CRKT. AUS 8 blade and a zytel handle. They seem solid, and it's good company. You may want to check out Benchmade's offerings as well.
Do you want a folding knife or a sheath knife?
Blade length?
Have you thought about buying several knives that are a good combo of good and priced right and just leaving one on each of your bikes, jet ski, car, truck?
Also think about materials is this knife going to be in around salt water or fresh water?
If yes you want a sheath or pouch that has no leather.
You would not want a knife with a leather handle.
I would say get a good knife like a Benchmade or if you want a little less expensive try Gerber or Buck folder with a 3 inch or shorter blade that has a pocket clip and carry it all the time you will get use to it and also if you don't have it you will know it right away.
Then you will always have a knife with ya. AS for the compass and matches and other small things make up a few small survival kits SMALL being key here a few water proof matches, good but cheap compass, some fire starting stuff (cotton balls soaked in vasiline are amassing) and what ever else you might need but try to keep it small like size of Quart zip lock or other waterproof container and make up several and throw one under seat of jet ski, in a pouch under your bike seat, car,
Another all around good thing to carry that has a kinfe on it is a good multi tool but that is not what you ask about.
quote:Originally posted by staind460
i've got a Gerber LMFT II - A.S.E.K.
great knife; "After two years of collaboration, Gerber is proud to introduce one of the toughest military survival knives ever made; the LMF II. With expert military instructor Frank Heyl as our guide, and the military as our proving ground, we have created the single most important tool that you can carry. In any survival situation, the LMF II can be used to construct shelter, cut firewood, spear dinner, or slice through an aircraft fuselage; even egress through helicopter Plexiglas. When survival counts the most, the LMF II is the one tool you must have at your side." - from the Gerber Website
* Overall Length: 10.59"
* Length of Blade: 4.84"
* Weight: 11.39 oz.
* Blade Style: Single serration
* Blade Material: 12C27 Stainless Steel
* Handle Material: TPV overmolded on nylon
* Safety Knife and sheath inlcuded
+1 and there is an extra sharpener built into the sheath for when needed. although anyone who is good with a stone will not need this but can come in handy
i only have the LMF it doesnt come with the extra razorblade strap cutter
I have a small Gerber folding knife that I carry in my pocket every day. It is quite sharp, has a partially serrated blade, and I can open and close it with one hand. I used to have a Schrade for that but broke the tip while using it as a screwdriver (oops). For any outdoor activity I carry a large Bowie. Not sure what the make is as I bought it at a flee market. It really isn't as heavy as you'd think. It has a very strong blade with a full tang. Like a Kurkri, different parts of the blade can be used for different things. The tip to around halfway down the blade are good for general cutting while the rest of the blade going toward the handle can be good for carving or chopping of small sticks and such. Make sure whatever knife you get that it is intended to be used and not just for show. When I was younger I purchased another bowie through Cabelas and it didn't even have a full tang! The damn thing broke in half while I was trying to cut down some tall weeds.
Blackie Collins Gerber and a Remington folder. Gerber is special forces jump knife. Notice the locking mechanism on sheath. Thanks Nunn for the 18 buck Remington. Best folder I have ever owned.
quote:Originally posted by jedwil
Douglas Wilson...just got this knife.. It is awesome. This is the knife I would take anywhere. No gimmicks, just one tough knife.....
Which one - the BMF??
That supposedly stands for "Basic Multi Function", although I heard it called the "Big MF".
Comments
Now what do the wing things do on the Buck knife?
Rusty
The best survival knife??? (Keep in mind that a good survival knife will have a carbon steel blade.)
Obviously there are other, more expensive knives, but there are two that will not break the bank:
--I like the Ka-Bar USMC fighting knife, which is very much like the Ka-Bar previously noted, except this is the one that copies exactly the Ka-Bar USMC knife of WWII and has the leather handle and a regular carbon steel blade with NO serrations. I hate serrated blades! Cost: $50.00+/-
--The other knife I would suggest is a 12" machete with a good sheath. Cold steel has them, Surplus stores have them. Cost: $25.00+/- with sheath.
i've got a Gerber LMFT II - A.S.E.K.
great knife; "After two years of collaboration, Gerber is proud to introduce one of the toughest military survival knives ever made; the LMF II. With expert military instructor Frank Heyl as our guide, and the military as our proving ground, we have created the single most important tool that you can carry. In any survival situation, the LMF II can be used to construct shelter, cut firewood, spear dinner, or slice through an aircraft fuselage; even egress through helicopter Plexiglas. When survival counts the most, the LMF II is the one tool you must have at your side." - from the Gerber Website
* Overall Length: 10.59"
* Length of Blade: 4.84"
* Weight: 11.39 oz.
* Blade Style: Single serration
* Blade Material: 12C27 Stainless Steel
* Handle Material: TPV overmolded on nylon
* Safety Knife and sheath inlcuded
Now this is realy nice.
I have a basic sheath knife with a really sharp blade given me by a mercenary I met in Atlanta. No brand name evident. Carry the compass separate. On a piece of cord. Pink or bright yellow. If you drop it it is really easy to find.
Now what do the wing things do on the Buck knife?it's so you can tie a cord to the lanyard thing on the end of the handle, and throw the knife up over something so you can rappel. but the idea was originally for something else. (see link below) the pointy things unscrew when you don't need them.
and it's got a compass in the handle too!
they also made these
with the BUCKMASTER logo in a blood groove. I think they're collector's items. (with or without groove it's a Buck Model 184)
see how the Buck M9 bayonet has its roots in the Rambo knife straight out of the movie, via the Buck 184.
http://www.m9bayonet.com/development-m9.html
Most of the survival instructors I worked with either had a K-Bar, or a Gerber LMF II, I still have both, but if I were to buy another tomorrow, I would buy another LMF II. It really fits your hand well when your using the knife to work, not just to cut things. I think alot of people have a misunderstanding of a real survival situation, you're probably not ever going to need to spear big game with the thing, and the need for a compass, indicates that you would try and venture to safety on your own.
If you were in a survival situation, stay put and get comfortable, you should have told some people where you were going and how long you would be gone before you left, they will sooner or later tell rescuers where you said you would be. It is much harder for them to find a moving target, then someone who is stuck in a rough spot, but exactly where they said they would be. I would only advise movement from your location if it was geniunely forced. Meaning absolutely not survivable conditions at that location with the gear you have with you, a medical emergency for another in the group, or something drastic like that.
There is no reason that help would not be coming to your location.
Those survival T.V. shows are interesting but in my mind, real survival sitations almost never involve the NEED to be on the move. Of course just toughing it out where you are, doesn't make for nearly as exciting T.V. show as running down mountains, through rivers, and deserts and all of that. The reality is, a skilled outdoorsmen, could take a ten pound or less bag into nearly any situation and survive for a week or more, with any decent knife and not really be suffering or uncomfortable, if that bag was well packed for the trip.
Anyway the Gerber LMF II just has a few more modern features than a K bar, but either will serve you well.
Clouder..
I hike, mountain bike, atv ride, and camp alot. I carry a compass when I do either. At those times I may need one to cut branches, eat with, ect.
I boat, when I jet ski I may need one to again cut branches to build fires, if I stop on the bank. We do this alot. So I need one that could starts fires (carry matches in it or others ways to start one). I sometimes have to cut rope or clear my impellor with one.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=86423072
http://www.google.com/products?q=sog+seal+2000&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA&um=1
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=86414720
Blade length?
Have you thought about buying several knives that are a good combo of good and priced right and just leaving one on each of your bikes, jet ski, car, truck?
Also think about materials is this knife going to be in around salt water or fresh water?
If yes you want a sheath or pouch that has no leather.
You would not want a knife with a leather handle.
I would say get a good knife like a Benchmade or if you want a little less expensive try Gerber or Buck folder with a 3 inch or shorter blade that has a pocket clip and carry it all the time you will get use to it and also if you don't have it you will know it right away.
Then you will always have a knife with ya. AS for the compass and matches and other small things make up a few small survival kits SMALL being key here a few water proof matches, good but cheap compass, some fire starting stuff (cotton balls soaked in vasiline are amassing) and what ever else you might need but try to keep it small like size of Quart zip lock or other waterproof container and make up several and throw one under seat of jet ski, in a pouch under your bike seat, car,
Another all around good thing to carry that has a kinfe on it is a good multi tool but that is not what you ask about.
i've got a Gerber LMFT II - A.S.E.K.
great knife; "After two years of collaboration, Gerber is proud to introduce one of the toughest military survival knives ever made; the LMF II. With expert military instructor Frank Heyl as our guide, and the military as our proving ground, we have created the single most important tool that you can carry. In any survival situation, the LMF II can be used to construct shelter, cut firewood, spear dinner, or slice through an aircraft fuselage; even egress through helicopter Plexiglas. When survival counts the most, the LMF II is the one tool you must have at your side." - from the Gerber Website
* Overall Length: 10.59"
* Length of Blade: 4.84"
* Weight: 11.39 oz.
* Blade Style: Single serration
* Blade Material: 12C27 Stainless Steel
* Handle Material: TPV overmolded on nylon
* Safety Knife and sheath inlcuded
+1 and there is an extra sharpener built into the sheath for when needed. although anyone who is good with a stone will not need this but can come in handy
i only have the LMF it doesnt come with the extra razorblade strap cutter
http://budk.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_17+BKXL49
Douglas Wilson...just got this knife.. It is awesome. This is the knife I would take anywhere. No gimmicks, just one tough knife.....
Which one - the BMF??
That supposedly stands for "Basic Multi Function", although I heard it called the "Big MF".
Doug