replaceable utility blade survival bushcraft knives

S

seacucumber

Joined
Feb 14, 2013
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Which of these would you include in a set of blades for long term survival (carried on foot)?

Why I'd carry multiple knives:
They have specialized uses. I would try to use a thin blade because its easy to sharpen. If I need more strength, I'll use a thicker one. An example kit is an axe, Eickhorn KM 2000, Olfa Works FK1, and possibly a Mora.

The types I know of:
1. "utility knife": These use "utility blades".
2. snap off utility: Blade widths are 25mm, 18mm, and 9mm. There are solid blades with no snap lines.
3. scalpel
4. craft hobby

A large part of a utility blade is a tang that can't cut. It looks like you can get the most use for the weight with solid snap-off blades.
snap-off knife features thread
 
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To me, it's all about what you hope to achieve. If I was on a very tight budget, I might throw a few snap-offs around the place so I always could find a sharp blade. None of them work as a long blade, or a sturdy one, so tasks like game cleaning would be more challenging than I think they would be worth. I find that the snap-off blades tend to be quite low quality, and only really allow the same effective blade length since you would not use one fully extended.
As I see it, if I'm reaching for one of those sorts of knives, it's because I either need a very sharp blade or what I'm doing will likely destroy the blade. So for me, it's craft knives and scalpel blades which would be the best, because I'm probably wanting a very fine point and very sharp edge, with a handle that allows a lot of precision. I would also keep around a pack of utility blades (the double-ended ones) even if I didn't have a holder for them, as they make great scrapers, and would have a lot of uses that would otherwise damage my main cutting tool. I can also easily source higher-quality utility and scalpel blades. If I had to pick one, and weight/total cutting surface was of primary concern, I think you get more out of the utility blades.
 
I'm not sure where this type of cutting instrument fits into a long-term survival pack...
By "long term": how is that defined?
What is the location of this exercise?
(I'd rather pack a hatchet, a big, tough fixed-blade, and a 3.5" folder...)
 
I’m sure they would come in handy for the more “crafty” projects. Making moccasins, mittens and stuff like that.
 
eveled said:
I’m sure they would come in handy for the more “crafty” projects. Making moccasins, mittens and stuff like that.
Click to expand...
Thats where I think it comes down to a "want": versus a "need"...
With a sharp blade of ANY size: you can cut anything.
In a survival situation: they don't give extra points for appearances. You only have to survive.
If you're cutting animal hide for coverings for your hands and feet: a larger knife can actually do a quicker job of it.
But this is just my own personal opinion, and everyone has their own ideas as to best outfit a survival pack...
 
Utility and razor knives might appeal to people with limited sharpening skills and/or those who only purchase sharpened prybars.

To everyone else, a sheepsfoot on a decent stockman is going to outperform and outlast any disposable utility blade.
 
Yup! You can also strop it back into shape; on the tongue of your leather boot...
 
What if you want to build some models while you're surviving? How would you cut out the decals cleanly without one of these?

Bushcraft is different things to different people. For me it would be going in the bush with limited resources and thriving. For other folks it's never leaving home without the kitchen sink.
 
And to some: it seems to be breaking into all sorts of stores, and stealing stuff...
I think they call it "foraging".
 
I consider myself a survivor: if I get through one of my Missus' epic shopping sprees...
 
seacucumber said:
I thought survival was mostly gardening.
Click to expand...
Food prep too

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