What knife for a survival kit?

gorlank

gorlank

Joined
Jan 26, 2003
Messages
237
Hello,

I was looking into putting together a compact emergency kit the size of a tackle box. Wanted to add a nice knife to the mix but couldn't quite decide on what to put in. Leaning towards a Swiss Army knife but wondering if there were better choices out there. Any suggestions?
 
Search the forums for this topic and you will probably find a few threads full of advice.

Personally, I think a multitool and a fixed blade make an excellent survival setup, but it all depends on how big that tackle box is. ;)
 
The SAK would be a good thing to include, but I'd make sure to include something the either locks open or doesn't fold at all.

A Leatherman Pulse or similar tool would probably be a good start.
 
I'm no survival expert or anything...

Ok do you have room for a fixed blade?? A medium sized one, about 5.5 or 6 inches? That would be great. It would be able to take on many many tasks that a SAK could not. It could double as a hatchet too.

As for the SAK, there is no reason not to have one on your person at all times in the woods. SAK's are great. I would take along a model that had most of these features: a saw, file, magnifying glass, awl, 2 blades, tweezers. I'm probably forgeting some.
-Kevin
P.S.- Put in something to sharpen them with. If you can't fit something I guess the SAK's file could put a toothy edge back on a blade.
 
thanks for the info guys, the equipped to survive site is awesome. Morgoth, quick question what fixed blade would you recommend? I am pretty much a folder guy and don't know a lot about fixed blades. The only one I own is an old Pacific Cutlery Weehawk boot knife. Thanks for the help.
 
You might take a look at the Cold Steel knives. The bushman is an inexpensive alternative if it's not going to be a regular user. Cold Steel also sells seconds, like the SRK. http://www.coldsteel.com/

My personal choice has been the Camp Tramp by Swamp Rat Knife Works.
http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/ You may find some good info in their forums, too.

You might also look at the TAK by Randall Adventure Training. These folks also have some great forums. http://www.jungletraining.com/rtak.htm
 
For your kit:

Camillus/Becker BK-9 Combat Bowie.
Camillus/Becker BK-10 Crewman.
SOG PowerLock (multi-tool).
 
Actually I'm a folder guy myself. But I do know some highly recommended brands:

Busse,and as a cheaper alternative that is probably just as tough, Swamprat. Cold Steel, while I dislike their folders, makes some nice fixed blades. Camillus's Becker line is supposed to be an amazing value. Kabar is a cheap but durable brand. There are probably others but that's what comes to mind. Anything from those companies should serve you well.
-Kevin
 
For me the Swiss Army knife are ok but they seem to be pretty frigile and weak. I prefer leatherman wave. Its abit bigger but the tools are alot stronger.
 
Well, I started writing my reply when I realized that glockman had already put in two of my three choices :). The BK-10 and the SOG EOD powerlock are both economical and extremely tough.

However, if I were to add another blade, it would be a Spyderco Moran, a superb all-around utility/cooking knife. The blade has a good belly (in contrast to the SOG and the Beckers) and is much better suited to "non-abusive" tasks.

Alternatives for the Powerlock would be a Leatherman Supertool or the Victorinox Swisstool: both also extremely tough. The SOG get's the nod because of the built in 1/4" drive and tougher steel than the Supertool. The Swisstool is just as solid as the other two, but many of the implements are too smoothly polished. I can't recommend the Wave for emergency use because of the lack of locking tools, although I love the compactness (a Wave is part of my EDC).
 
For a fixed blade knife a 6" blade is what you want. Depends on how much money you want to pay.

The Camillus Becker 7" or
Kabar 'Next Generation Knife'
Cold Steel ( has several )
Busse Steel Heart ( expensive )
Mad Dog ATAK ( expensive )

Good luck !

Originally posted by gorlank
thanks for the info guys, the equipped to survive site is awesome. Morgoth, quick question what fixed blade would you recommend? I am pretty much a folder guy and don't know a lot about fixed blades. The only one I own is an old Pacific Cutlery Weehawk boot knife. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
 
For a tackle box, I would get a Becker BK-10. An SAK is a good choice, but I'd like the utility of a multi-tool as well. Pliers are a very handy thing to have anytime. Victorinox makes a very nice multitool, it's my personal favorite.
 
SAK's are far from weak. Especially Alox SAK's. If you could break an Alox SAK under normal use, that would be amazing.
-Kevin
 
For emergency kits, it's hard to beat the low-priced combo of a medium sized Mora, (I like the Swedish Army Knife from Frost's; available for $8 or so from Smokey Mountain Knife Works) and your favorite Swiss Army knife or multi-tool.
 
Survival knives and related in my go bag are:

spyderco endura
cold steel srk
SAK
Flexible saw
sharpening stones

Others have made some good recommendations here for your review.

Brownie
 
Cold Steel SRK
Fallkniven A1
Becker BK7
KA-BAR USMC #1217
Victorinox Trailmaster
Victorinox Rucksack
Leatherman SuperTool
 
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