When backpacking/hiking I carry a Benchmade 151 , which is very similar to the Ritter Mk3 but I found the 151 at REI where I could scoop it up with my dividend. Otherwise I would have grabbed the Mk3.

I carry a Ranger Knives RD7 if I am going up into the mountains/back country. I went with Ranger Knives because they seemed closest to the Becker mold of knives (since out of business) and the maker, Justin, offers lots of customizations and great customer service.

If I know I can have back country fires I carry a Sven Saw, which I personally think is exceptional for its size and weight. You can see how small it folds up here:

Sven saws are great for backpacking, or for small emergency kits.

I think the first question should be 'what do you plan on surviving?' Somebody who sails the oceans will tell you a 440 series stainless knife is mandatory ( how DID al those sailors manage before?)A Pilot perhaps the Reeves Aviator and a Mors Kochanski student the Mora.

I am all three, own all three. I figure those knives can be switched around with no great angst on my part.

What do Alabama sportsmen carry? I doubt it will something with a peer pressure parameter of $300 a 1/4" thick and 10" blade.
that's 3 F1 Fallknivens or @ 2 dozen Moras!

It's also a good sleeping bag and enough food to keep you fed and well rested in between all this inordinate amount of environmental modification everybody invisions.

I was at a garage sale this morning. I picked up the latest addition to my knife menagerie. It's a slipjoint folder with celluloid handle image of a NWMP and his trusty Husky from a 50s t.v. show.
I can't wait to clean it up and go hiking. I have visions of building a birchbark canoe, butchering a moose and repairing my Winchester with it. Finallly I'll gift it to the indian chief in exchange for the captive missionary daughter with red hair.

You will find what we need, and what knife makers and popular folklore would tell us we need isn't much different than that old series.

I too have an affinity for red-headed missionary daughters. Too bad I am already spoken for...

There are actually four Ritter knives - the RSK Mk4 Gentleman's Folder is the fourth one.

My dear wife REALLY surprized me with an Mk4 Gentleman's Folder one or two Father's Day back.

I actually also have one of Doug's RSK Mk1 with M2 steel.

I can't say enough great things about these knives.

If you seek the best survival knife, you must study those who have gone before, grasshopper.

Begin with Otzi, the oldest forum member. His was a flint blade with an ash handle in a plant fiber sheath, seen here.

Best features-state of the art materials, constructed by the owner (maybe), could be resharpened (he had a retoucheur with him made from antler) reproducible by the owner if damaged or lost using available natural materials. These are the ultimate desirable features in a survival knife.

Second best might be a purchased knife that the owner has modified to suit exactly the favored survival scenario-( see the Everybody's Knife Book in the Lending Library).

Least desirable survival knife: one that some evil marketer has touted as making the owner taller, stronger, smarter, faster or tougher. Knives do not do this.

That said, knives are also works of art, fashion accessories, status symbols, totems, mood elevators, tools and , for the moment, relatively unregulated: get a knife that makes you smile. There are several knives in the image gallery that I find comforting to look upon-consider one of those. Like most things in life, the spiritual value is in seeking the knife, not finding the knife.

Om mane padme hum....

Good deal all and thanks for the responses.
I did replace the last KBar I broke all those years ago. It's just handy for a lot of things.
I do own a Leatherman and it is part of the kit and I usually carry my fathers old pocket knife or the Gerber Gator.
I'm also looking to add a camp axe one of these days.
But there are times when it’s impractical to carry the machete or camp ax when doing minimalist camping/hiking not to mention survival (SERE for emergencies) hence why I'm looking for something in this line.
I’m getting back into the swing of things and wanted to see what was out there and the experiences of those who used them.
With the way the world is today I'm preparing more than I used too and trying to bring my family in line with it.

General preparedness is what I've been looking at and growing up on a dairy farm has served me well not to mention 12 yrs in the military.

The one problem I do have is like so many employers these days we cannot have weapons in our vehicles and this include knives or anything else that could be used as a weapon. Needless to say I'm looking for somewhere else to be.

I'll check back and when I finely buy it I'll post the test results.
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Seriously planning to ad an RSK MK3 to the gang by years end!

Here is a site all may be intreasted in;

http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/

Quote from their site;

"Kukri/khukuri house of Nepal owned and run by ex-Gurkha army officer.


Kukris/khukuris made in Eastern part of Nepal by ex-Gurkha armory specialist.


Gurkha knife/knives and original kukris/khukuris inspected, admired and recommended by Gurkha VCs. VCs’ visit the Kukri/Khukuri House."

Check out the military line.
Don't know anything more about them than whats posted on their site.

I carry a Swiss Army Locksmith in my pocket. It has a wood saw, metal file and saw and a larger than normal (for a Swiss Army knife) locking blade.

In my back pocket is a one hand opening lock blade, usually a Spyderco with half blade serration.

On my belt is an old Gerber BMF. I have carried this knife since about 1986 and it is still fantastic.

I have a bad habit with knives, I will deliberately try to break a knife after I get it. I will try anything short of clamping it in a vise and hitting it with a sledge hammer (although I did that once with a Cold Steel Recon Tanto, and it held up), just so my knife does not break on me when I need it most. It can be expensive though. My sheath knife is a tool, and must withstand great abuse. The Gerber BMF has done that. I even drove it into a crack in some rocks once, and hung three grown men from in a rope. I have Kabars, but they are more for sentimental value, I have broken many of them. The Tanto was strong, just not designed as a good field knife (size and shape). It took more abuse than any other knife I have ever seen, only needing a bit of sharpening afterward.