A good knife...

Okay, so I will probably win an award for the worst posts, but I find Id rather ask lots of questions and look dumb than ask no question and look dumber. So, I was curious about knives. What is in a good knife that is well made for wilderness survival and living? I was looking at a Ka-bar 5-1/4" Partially Serrated Clip-Point Blade Short Black Fixed Knife with 1095 carbon steel, 56-58 HRC or a Ka-bar 5-1/4" Plain Clip-Point Blade Short USMC Fixed Knife with same grade steel, both at www.cheaperthandirt.com . Alot of this is Greek to me. What is a good knife, one that can be used for a variety of things (axe, other tools, weapon, whatever else)? More specifically, what is a good metal, width, material for the handle and sheath? Are serrations and other special features to the blade really important? I pretty much am sold on a knife that is fixed and has 5" to 6" long blade. What else is important?

I asked this question on here not to long ago myself. The answers I got led me to a becker BK7 from www.camillusknives.com - I also have a Buck Special 119 or just a 119 for everyday use and small camping trips. Both are 7" long in blade length. For a general purpose knife, its best, in my opinion, to get a straight edge all the way with no serrations. There hard to sharpen the serrations when dull and don't do that great of a job sawing if thats what you plan to used them for. It's all about your tastes and your style. Survival knives come in all flavors.

Start by reading the section on Sharps in Doug's equipment section. First of all, there is no such thing as a 'survival knife.' There are knives used in survival situations. Some knives have been designed as dedicated survival blades. The Fallkniven F1, it's big brother the S1 and the similar Cold Steel SRK are good examples along with the Becker series. Survival knives tend to be ROBUST and SIMPLE. Who, or what 'sold' you on a 5-6" blade? You would be well served buying a inexpensive blade to start. My friend Ragnar @ www.ragweedforge.com sells very inexpensive moras. You can learn sharpening, knife safety and determine just how much blade you actually need. You should also understand that while a single core survival knife may be your most essential tool a well prepared kit will have a modest selection of different models. my present set has a Fallkniven F1 as core knife, a Ritter RSK as pocket carry and several of the above mentioned Moras scattered about my kits. The old carpenter's adage ' measure twice and cut once' can be amended to 'examine twice and buy once' with this most romantic, and magpie inspiring object of shiny acquisition.

My vote goes to the SOG "Seal" line of knives. They offer the Seal, Seal Pup and Seal Pup Elite. I have the Seal Pup, but would have bought the Elite if it had been available at the time.

I was in the same boat as well and likewise decided on a Becker, in this case, the BK10 Becker Crewman at 5-1/2". I also have Moras scattered all over the place and like them very much for lighter tasks.

Regards, Vince

Personally, I like Cold Steel. In the length you describe the SRK is an excellent knife. In a folder the Voyager series is also very good, I wish it had take down capability for cleaning. I don’t like serrations.
When I was younger/poorer, all hunting and outdoor chores were done with a Kabar, a Buck 110 and a boy’s axe from Westlake. In retrospect nothing I use now works that much better, except the quality of steel in the blades requires less sharpening. I still use the boys axe.

You will receive much good advice here, based upon the practical experiences of others. But do not overlook learning how to use a knife properly. Like anything else, a knife requires maintenance and care. Reading about it is NOT the same as having someone show you how, having you demonstrate what you have learned, and having them correct any errors.

Also, you may need to consider what laws apply to where you are planning on carrying your knife. This is one reason that some have more than one knife.

And also, if you really are planning on using a knife as a weapon, understand the law as it pertains to self defense where you are (and where you might be going to). Expert instruction is required to use a knife effectively as a weapon. Without it (and the mindset to use it) the knife will be taken away from you and used against you. A knife fight is a close-up, intimate, and very messy affair.

Lastly, a knife should "feel right" in your hand, performing whatever tasks that you require of it. You will only know this when you pick it up.

I carry a Spyderco Police model and a Leatherman Supertool everyday, and add a USAF survival knife when I backpack. There is also a small folding knife in my survival kit, but the make and model escapes me at the moment.

Good luck in your search. The journey is half the fun. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Personally I love Moras. I have other knives but I have yet to find something I like more than a Mora. I carry a Mora and a small axe in the bush and I've never, ever, ever found myslef poorly equipped.

Honestly I don't know what I would want a big knife like a 7" Becker etc. for. Some people seem to do chopping tasks with them but I use my axe for that and I'm certain the axe is better for chopping!

I can't claim to have personally tried this but I read last year that the Canadian survival expert Mors Kochanski favours Moras over pretty much anything, and his description of the torture tests he uses to determine a good knife are not for the faint of heart! Pound them two inches into a tree, stand on the handle, etc, etc.

Anyway I love my Moras and while I'll switch if I find something I prefer, so far I haven't even come close to switching brands! And for what, ten bucks? How can you go wrong?

I lean toward the philosophy of having a knife (knives) that increase the odds of having a knife with you when the need arrises. Said another way "The best knife is the one you have with you."

For me, I can't carry a fixed blade to work, so I carry a mini-Rittergrip. It works for me.

I recently had a scare where I thought I'd lost the mini-Rittergrip (I hadn't), so that prompted me to buy a Kabar Dozier Spearpoint ($20) that I carry when going somewhere where I think there is a higher chance of the knife coming off my pocket. I still wear the mini-Rittergrip to work though.

When out camping with the Scouts they don't allow fixed blade knives, so I carry a fullsize Rittergrip and a SAK.

When camping with my family I sometimes carry a fixed blade knife in addition to the fullsize Rittergrip and the SAK. I have a BK10 Crewman and a few Moras. In general the Moras get more use. Each has advantages. I am anxious to see Doug's upcoming Benchmade fixed blade knife.

While I share your love of Moras, and agree that an axe--or even a hatchet--is better for chopping wood, the Becker is definately better for splitting wood than a Mora--a much more useful thing to do in the woods than chopping. It's also better for digging roots and gutting an animal than an axe/ hatchet. If you can only carry one tool--and many of us do while hunting--then we opt for a stout knife.

Obviously the more you can carry the better. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

Well a lot of times you knife selection is dictated by the budget: Kabar vs Chris Reeve. Also budget dictates to certain extend if the knife is going to be on you or not: more expensive blades have a tendency to be left at home.

You didn't ask for a knife that you can carry with you everyday but you did mention wilderness activities. So I'm assuming you are looking for a fixed blade knife. Look thru Doug's tips for sharp stuff here:
http://www.equipped.org/devices4.htm

Doug's choices gives you many knives to choose from:
http://www.equipped.org/devices8.htm

I like SOG knives since I have one for the past 12 years and it is an excellent tool. But if I ever had to upgrade I would get one of the Reeve Aviators which I consider to be (with proper planning) an excellent survival tool.

Also look at the folders. Many folders will to excelent job in the wild, will be easy to carry but will not be as strong in some areas such as chopping.

What would be your preference for knife length?

Like I said, I have a BK10 and tend to use smaller (4" blade) moras around the campsite (mostly cooking and fire prep - don't hunt anymore) but I sometimes wonder if I should have gotten the BK7 instead.

It's funny you should ask. I could not decide between the BK7 and the BK10 because I was buying off the net, so I bought both. I figured I could always use the other one for a truck knife. It took me about 10 seconds to decide I'd rather carry the Crewman. I prefer it because it has a stouter tip and a handier length. But I would have been happy with the BK7 as well. I ended up selling my BK7 to a guy I work with for $50, which was $2 more than I paid for it, and bought a Brute for the truck. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I should mention that if I were concerned about combat, I would have picked the BK7. The tip is skinnier and looks like it might penetrate better. That might be a consideration for some.

Regards, Vince