Gotta agree with the small knife school of thought. Small STURDY knife. Unless you expect to hunt Griz., build a log cabin, or fight a duel. Otherwise, save the weight for something else. Also, hacking about with a large blade (like Heart of Darkness) is more apt to 1) wear you out and burn calories and 2) remove a non-optional body part.<br><br>

Check out the bushcraft knife on www.raymears.com, it's maybe expensive, but you won't get a better knife. <br>Paoul<br><br>

Paoul,The Mears site is refreshing.The Grizzly Adams and Rambo personaes do get wearisome!The crooked knife can be cheaply fabricated out of a farriers hoof knife.The magazine Wilderness Ways vol6#2 has an article on building the birchbark canoe and shows the knife.This is a useful tool for many woodcrafts.www.wwmag.net<br><br>

Hi Chris,<br>I have little use for chopping also. I suggest the ontario only because"lostinthewoods" was suggesting some large knives.<br>the only realistic use for such a knife is splitting a stump to get dry wood for kindling. A cheap machete will do a fine job at that ,<br>otherwise a small decent knife is much more useful. My largest knife is 5"(blade) I typically use a 4" blade.<br>JB<br><br>Expect poison with the standing water.<br> -William Blake

I am going with USMC Ka-bar for $47.99 at my local outdoor shop. Thank you for all info and ideas. A wire saw is a good thing I always have one. But its a good idea to have a back up I have broke two. As for self defense I use base ball size rocks. I have done this on a mountain loin. It works well.<br><br>wwwaaaaaasssssssssuuuuuuppppppp

Are you getting the k-bar k-bar?there are noticeable differences in the tang and edge geometry between the two makers.Andyo's modifications are very popular with K-bar owners.While your throwing rocks at the lions don't let the mice eat the handle or sheath! they go for the body salts from perspiration.I once woke up to a porcupine eating my boots!<br><br>

I just watched a History Channel program called Modern Marvels.This episode covered current survival technology.They displayed a laser signal that was pretty impressive.Naturally my VCR consumed my only recording tape! Does anyone know about this unit and it's availability?<br><br>

go to the first page(10) of threads and hit survival technology.<br>also click on Greatlands profile, he works on that.<br><br>

Hi There I hope this isn't to late, But if you have not bought your ka-bar yet check out http://www.starknives.com/<br>I got my ka-bar (KA1212) for $30.75 and a Kydex Sheath for $13.00 (really, I ask them for the KA1214) BUT they did not have it in stock, so he swapped the leather sheath for the kydex sheath for FREE. I think shipping was about $6.00 <br><br>"Stay Frosty"

Found this searching for Ka-Bar, and wanted to share that for the money the Ka-Bar is def. the cheapest/best knife available!!! Strong, great grip, and useful.