What folding knife is good in wilderness survival?

Regardless of where this forum resides by far my favorite larger folding knife is the Ritter RSK Mk1 by Benchmade. The size, blade shape, and handle shape/texture are exactly what I want, and the S30V blade is wonderfull.

I honestly can't imagine you'll find a better folder, especially for that money.

For a smaller carry (not really for survival) I like the Leatherman Micra.

A bit pricey, but CHris Reeve's Sebenza's can't be beat.

Why would you buy such an expensive knife? What are its advantages over a $50 knife with a similar shape and quality steel? My experience is limited, but I can't understand why the difference.

I just bought a Benchmade 710HS (plain edge, M2 steel, $130) which I love. It's smooth--like a fine tool, but I don't know that I'd prefer it in the field in a survival situation over something else that's half the price, or less.

What significant advantage does such an expensive knife as what Chris Reeves produces ($300+) have over a $50 knife? Is it the toy factor--mine is cooler than yours--or is the extra $250 worth the difference?

Well, since you didn't say a locking folder, like your other thread, I'm going to say a Swiss Army Knife (SAK). You want something with a woodsaw. A couple good choices are the Victorinox Farmer, any of the Victorinox lockblades, or a surplus Bundeswehr (German Army) knife.


Robert

Yes, life is too short. And I can afford it.

I bought a Benchmade Griptillian with the 3+ in blade. One handed opening and axis lock mechanism. I am not really a fan of folders for main knife chores, but this one is sturdy and well designed. Paid under $70 for it also! Basically the same as Doug's RSK but with the Spidermade hole in the blade for one handed opening. Cheers!

Like rodmeister said, why do these knives have to be so expensive? Isn't there some kind of folding knife that's good and only costs like $50?

I carry both a Wave and a Micra for everyday use. Being in NYC, I don't want to be stuck answering awkward questions about what I'm doing carrying anything more substantial than that. After all, the presumption here is if you're carrying a knife you're going to stab somebody - it's not like knives have any practical purpose after all... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

But even then I find that the Micra is more "PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. friendly," more like a toy than something that could kill. So in mixed company I preferentially use the Micra.

The higher price is paying for high engineering tolerances, the axis locking mechanism and the best blade metal I've yet to see.

Here are my under $50 choices, but there are many:

(prices from knifecenter.com)
Opinel - $14
Gerber E-Z-Out - $27
Kershaw Ken Onion Vapor 2 - $30
Buck 110 - $40

Bettery yet, for $48 you can get a Becker Knife & Tool Crewman fixed blade - one heck of a survival knife. I wonder what a BK&T folder would look like??