Poll: Best Fixed-Blade for Outdoor Survival Use?

G

Gator

Joined
Jun 19, 1999
Messages
80
Okay folks, it's pretty simple. I want to know what your favorite fixed blade knives are for use around camp and while hunting. Basic survival stuff. Feel free to mention custom knives and makers, but since I'm going to be using this info to look at buying(I can't find the right folder) I'd appreciate if everyone reccomended at least one production knife, since my knife budget isn't huge at the moment.

From the research I've done so far, I like the Schrade Extreme Survival. Here's a link to the knife:
www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/schrade/extreme.html

Unfortunately, I don't know much about the knife or company--let me know what you think, along with your suggestions.

Gator
AcadiaLuvr@aol.com

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The knife--man's first and last go-anywhere do-anything tool.
 

Hey Gator,
I like the cold steel srk , it can skin and chop with the best of them. It is also a bargin. You can pick on up with a kydex sheath for about $60.00.
"P"
 
My all time favorite survival knife is Busse Combat's Steel Heart II. Next would be their Battle Mistress, followed by their Badger Attack and Mean Street. As you can tell I think Busse Knives are the best - period.

I also love Newt Livesay's blades. If I had only $125, I'd get Newt's Air Assault. His US Marshal is also great at $100.

Production wise, I'd say go for a Fallkniven A-1 or a Fallkniven F-1. My next favorite is Cold Steel's SRK.

All these knives will get you there and back, for sure. You won't go wrong with any of them.
 
I have to go with a Busse Battle Mistress and an HI Khukuri.

[This message has been edited by Kestrel (edited 29 November 1999).]
 
If you really want a good, cheap fixed blade with good blade geometry, try the Buck Vanguard. It is cheap (about $40 IIRC), sturdy, and if you lose the sucker, you won't be tempted to climb down a cliff to retrieve it. Hope this helps, Walt
 
Hey, folks!

Check out the new forum in the Tactics & Training section: "Wilderness and Survival Skills"

Dr. Ron Hood and Greg Davenport (former chief survival instructor for the USAF) are the main moderators. I'm there as the third moderator so someone can take care of the grunt work and admin!
smile.gif


These are two of the BEST in the field of survival instruction, and I know for sure that Ron is a bona fide Knife Knut -- so have fun and ask away!

Best,

Brian.
 
Gator, I finally bought a Cold Steel Recon Scout last year and I have fallen in love. I have used it since to make everything from emergency shelters, to a fishing pole. The blade is hair popping sharp right out of the box, and it touches up nice with a good Ak. stick. It has a thick blade and makes for a good wood splitter in a pinch. It does not have a saw in the spine like most "survival" knives but, I have not had much of a need for that sort of feature. The handle is nonslip checkerd rubber , very comfortable and shock absorbant. I am begining to sound like Lynn Thompson. Any way that would been my suggestion. I found mine on the knifecenter for under 100$

James
 
I have the CS Recon Scout & the Newt Levesay US Marshall...love them both!The marshall has a weak side, horizontal sheath that is great for sitting, like in the canoe...both great values for the $
Just my 2¢

[This message has been edited by Ebbtide (edited 29 November 1999).]
 
Guys I have a question. Is this knife supposed to be carried in a survival situation that may really turn into a life and death situation.

Or is this just a bunch of weekend warriors talking about survival.

The reason I ask, is there seems to be a lot of very inexpensive knives thrown around on the thread.

Surely your life is worth more than $40.00??

I sure would hate for my life to be hanging in the balance, needing a world class knife and knowing I bought the cheapest knife I could get.

I have carried for some time a Walter Brend
8 1/2" Model 2, selling now for $850.00.

Oddly enough (although I hear this a lot from people who use price as a reason not to buy an great piece of equipment "but what if you lose it"?

I spent a lot of time in the bush, never, ever, never lost a piece of equipment that was essential to my life.

Again, does this really happen??

Guys, Im talking 72 hour operations with no sleep, in and out of helicopters, jumping out of planes, humping the boonies, crossing creeks, Helo-Casting, Stabo-Operations, etc. No equipment loss.

Those of you who know me, know I am very pro-custom knives. This is not to say that there are not good factory fixed blades.

However, if your life is really going to depend on it, make sure you pick the right knife.

Doesnt Dr. Ron Hood now recomend a custom knife from Rob Simonich? Please correct me if I am mistaken. I have never met Ron, but sure seems like a lot of people say a lot of good things about him and his knowledge of survival.

How many rapellers out there would buy a cheap or used rope, cheap caribiners or a cheap harness?

Any of you scuba divers out there want a deal on a real cheap air tank?

Great thread and I look forward to the survival fourm.

Dont mean to piss anyone off, just giving some food for thought.

Les
 
THIS ONE!!!!!!!
<img src=http://members.aol.com/it14/ebay/bazonga.jpg>

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"


[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 29 November 1999).]
 
You got it, Les.

Weekend warriors fantasizing about survival from their arm chairs and shaving a little arm hair. I'm speaking for myself of course. Don't want to offend any real survivalists here.

Since we don't have the time or inclination to go on a jungle trip with Jeff Randall or with Dr. Hood, then we think about what we'd like to do. And thinking about and maybe actually buying a knife makes us feel a little closer to the real jungle.

So don't rain on our parade!

BTW, what is that $850 Brend going to do that my Ka-Bar NG won't do.

I haven't seen any pictures of Indigenies carrying Brends lately.

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"If they do these things in a green tree, what will they do in a dry?"
 
My favourite: Randall #16. I also have Schrade's Extreme Survival. IF you need saw teeth, this is one of the few that actually works, but a dedicated hand/chain saw always works better. If you don't need the saw, I'll suggest the Fallkniven A1, about the same price as the Schrade. Good luck.
 
Personally, I perfer my Gryphon M30A1 as my survival knife of choice thruout any situations I might enounter in my area of expertise. it's not too thick so you can trim your charges if you do demo, it's well balanced if you have to rely on hand to hand in a MOUT environment, it holds an edge that would be extremely useful in an emergency ventilation of a patient in the TCCC (tactical casualty combat care) aspect. Plus if you're stuck out in the woods, it'll hold up to skinning all the game that you might procure.

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Rangers Lead The Way!

you call that a knife? that's not a knife... THIS is a knife!

[This message has been edited by BatBoy (edited 30 November 1999).]
 
Well I'm going to have to agree with Walt. I have a Buck Vangaurd that I use a great deal for hunting, fishing, etc. In my opinion it can't be beat for the price. It holds a good edge and atleast mine has seen alot of abuse. Like Walt said if you lose it, so what just go get another.

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Man Who Fights With Woman All Day Gets No Peace At Night!
 
My SOG Seal Pup. Cheap, light, very corrosion resistant, easy to maintain and use. The zytel handle makes it feel kind of "cheap", other than that it's a good little knife that won't cost you an arm and a leg if you loose it, and is especially well suited for use around water. I was selling mine on the forums here, but after thinking about all the years of great service it has given me while backpacking or just around the house, I think I change my mind.

I also had 2 Shrade Extreme Survival's at one time. It packs alot of extras (e.g., saw back, hammer, sheath with pouches, wire cutter, etc...) which is nice. However, I found that all those extra's was a bit too much. They were nice to have, but wear them down, and you have to "sharpen" the knife countless different ways for each option. This can get to be a pain in the field without the appropriate sharpening instruments (though I doubt anything on the knife would wear down much except for the actual cutting edge - I used the straight edge the most obviously). Plus the fact I hardly used the extra's much. The knife also seems pretty handle heavy, making it not much of a chopper either. I'm not sure what the exact steel is (certain it is stainless though), but I never had a problem with any corrosion. Bottom line: nice knife, a ton of nice extras, but do you REALLY need them?

I'd lean more toward a simple straight edge fixed blade (with possibly a partial serration and/or pommel handle), smaller than a bowie. Cold Steel SRK, Recon Scout(probably the biggest knife size you'd want for outdoors - not counting a machete), Cold Steel Bush Ranger, Fallkniven A-1/F1, and Benchmade Nimravus M2 (if chopping is not a consideration) would be my production choices off the top of my head. And if price is really a factor, it's hard to beat a SOG seal pup. Just my opinion.

Felix
 
I would have to say that for a custom knife I would take my Ed Fowler Proghorn. This is the toughest custom knife I have ever seen. 52100 E bear steel, convex edge. It is definitely a working knife. It is pricey and there is a long wait for this knife so it may not be practical.

For functional & economic reasons I would consider any knife by Matt Lamey (RMLamey@aol.com). I have taken his knives out in the Kodiak Forrest and his knives have proven themselves to me. I think his knives are tough and his prices can't be beat.

I would consider Lynn Griffith's bowie knife also. I have kind of let Lynn down a little by not testing this as planned but I know he understands since I am changing jobs and moving. My first impression is that it is going to be a great knife.

I agree with Dr. Welch regarding the Buck Vanguard, too. In their Edge 2000 series I am sure that for the price this knife would be hard to beat.

The Busse Basic series would be a good second choice for a production piece but I would rather have one of Lamey's customs for the same price.

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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska

 
I think the Buck Vanguard is a great buy (I got mine for $30 on sale). I like my Cold Steel Master Hunter and I think it is probably a tougher blade with the flat grind. Either are fine. But if I was picking a reasonably priced knife similar to those two and wanted a little extra quality and a bit of custom touch, I would look at the Woodcraft by Marble. This is a seriously fine knife for the money. I'd get either a maple or leather handle for durability (if you are lucky, you might find one somewhere in Micarta). I have 3 Fieldcrafts and every time I use one of them I'm struck by their quality. They slice through rope better than any knife I own, including the Fallkniven A1. So I assume that the Woodcraft would do equally as well. The Woodcraft will likely be the first knife I buy for the new Millenium. I can't wait!


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Hoodoo

He who slings mud generally loses ground.
Adlai Stevenson
 
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