Ontario Survival Knife vs. KA-BAR Mk. 1

M

mort123

Joined
Nov 23, 2011
Messages
1
Hey all!

I've just recently gotten into the art of bushcrafting and survival, and I'm in need of a good all-around fixed blade survival knife. I've narrowed my choices down to the Ontario Pilot Survival knife (http://www.amazon.com/Rothco-G-I-Pilots-Survival-Knife/dp/B001CZDQPI to be exact, not Ontario exactly but pretty darn close) and the fairly recent KA-BAR Mk. 1 knife with the kraton handle. Ideally, I'm looking for a knife that'll be able to do fine work like carving and skinning small game and various other camp chores, without sacrificing the ability to baton or chop in an emergency in which I lose/forget my axe and saw. Since I'm but an inexperienced newbie and you guys seem to have the most knowledge about these things, which of these knives would suit me best?

Thanks!
 
You know back in the day they said the Ontario Pilot Survival Knife was not-quite-but-almost the Camillus Pilot Survival Knife and look what the Air Force got stuck with-a bunch of misground, loose handled piles of crap. Take your time, do your shopping and pick up a nice Camillus in used condition, or get the Mk1. There are many other fantastic bushcrafting/survival knives for the money that are probably better choices, though with alot of work the PSK can be made into a useable tool. The Mk1 is a great knife, Kabar is a great company, the design is good but not great for bushcrafting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vab
Id say the biggest reason is the huge ricasso impeding the close up carving and the blade coating doesn't spark the ferro rod until you wear it down.
 
First get the mk1. But get the leather handled model. Ten times better. For a bushcrafter its great, and it can baton but please please please do it lightly and with small stuff. Its not a full tang so it can't take the beatings that beckers, esee, etc can take. The mk1 is a great all around utility. That being said if your getting yourself into survival situations, I'd want something a bit more solid like a Becker bk2, bk7 or an esee 3,4,5,6 .
 
Because of the grind, I'm definitely partial to scandis for lots of woodwork. The huge ricasso, guard, and false edge clip point are issues I had. You'll wind up busting your batton before you make it through a log trying to tap on the tip of that knife, ricassos and t handle guards for the most part only get in the way unless you have a habit of slicing yourself up while working on a knife. Those are just my issues. As a survival/hunting knife it's fantastic and obviously has a huge reputation. There are just more efficient models out there if you're going to be doing alot of detailed carving in various woods.
 
Pilot Survival is an OLD design, and I believe this design is even not based on practice but on arbitrary demands from the army.
There surely are many better designs, and the only reason to get Pilot Survival is history, style, and classic look - I find this knife attractive.

I lesser extent it is simillar with Ka-bar, although this design was used far more often and is more tested than pilot survival.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vab
Hi Mort,

If you're looking at survival/bushcraft, I do think there's more suitable knives around, such as ESEE or Fallkniven. What made you settle on these two? Perhaps, if we know a little more we can give you a better idea.

John
 
I bought an OKC #499 Pilot Survival Knife for collection purposes only. I'd never use it in the field. The guard gets in the way. The handle is too small too slender for a firm grip. The saw is useless for anything other than cutting aircraft plexiglass. The primary & edge grinds are thick and obtuse. The sheath is wider than it needs to be, it's unfinished rawhide on the backside (won't repel water), and the belt loop slits are cheesey. YMMV but I doubt it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vab
mort123 said:
Hey all!

I've just recently gotten into the art of bushcrafting and survival, and I'm in need of a good all-around fixed blade survival knife. I've narrowed my choices down to the Ontario Pilot Survival knife (http://www.amazon.com/Rothco-G-I-Pilots-Survival-Knife/dp/B001CZDQPI to be exact, not Ontario exactly but pretty darn close) and the fairly recent KA-BAR Mk. 1 knife with the kraton handle. Ideally, I'm looking for a knife that'll be able to do fine work like carving and skinning small game and various other camp chores, without sacrificing the ability to baton or chop in an emergency in which I lose/forget my axe and saw. Since I'm but an inexperienced newbie and you guys seem to have the most knowledge about these things, which of these knives would suit me best?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

My actual answer is "none of the above". But, of the two you are considering I would choose the Mark 1 over the Pilot knife if I were going to be doing bushcrafting. The guard on the Pilot knife interferes with control of the knife for fine work.

Becker's are not actually well thought of by many bushcrafters. They baton like champs, but are a bit thick and unwieldy for a lot of bushcrafting work.

You might consider one of the Mora knives.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vab
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top