I'm suprised that the RSK's haven't been mentioned yet. I have the MK1 and think it's the best knife in my inventory. I would grab that if I could only take one knife with me. Maybe my KaBar, but I like the weight, balance, grip, blade material, and sharpness of the MK1 over my other knives.

I can only answer from my own experience and (too large)inventory. While on active duty in the 80s and 90s, I carried the standard Pilot's Survival Knife:

http://www.camillusknives.com/camillus/fixedblademil_5733.shtml

Frankly, its a piece of trash. Not once did I ever see an edge on one that could cut a piece of cheese. The edge chipped if you put it into the sheath too firmly. Used to carry a SAK to suppliment it.

As a civilian, I have put some independant thought into my equipment selection. As such, my choice for an AVIATION survivial knife (I carry a different, lighter, knife when backpacking)is the Chris Reeve Aviator:

http://chrisreeve.com/aviator.htm

The Aviator is sturdy, takes a scary-sharp edge, and is small enough to use without lopping off my own ear. I haven't really used the saw-edge, but I am sure it will work just fine. Also, I stuff a few of pieces of tinder and a cut-down spark-lite into the machined out hollow handle (and remember, this is one of the rare Equipped-to-Survive approved hollow handles). I only have two minor qualifications about the knife:

1. I've never really liked the leather sheath it comes with - jabs me in the kidneys. Instead, I sent the knife off to Bob Dozier (http://www.dozierknives.com/) and he made me an extremely comfortable kydex sheath that holds the knife horizontally along my beltline.

2. The knife is not stainless. The knife is coated, but the edge is obviously exposed. I regularly treat it with Sentry Marine Tuf Cloth and no signs of corrosion so far. If I was flying in a salt-water environment or rain forest, I might choose a knife made of a modern stainless steel.

If I could travel back in time 20 years, I would definitely take this knife with me to carry in my survival vest instead of that glorified knife-shaped paperweight that I still use as -- you guessed it -- a paper weight.

By the way, the Aviator is not cheap. That's OK - neither am I...

Aloha kixonrt66,

That Negrito knife is nice. How much do they usually sell for?

I hope if I see one on ebay, you don't.

Then we would be 7 to 1. I really like the way it looks and you say it performs. I can't wait for my Bark River golok to arrive too.

The Victorinox Classic is the one knife I couldn't do without.

Otherwise, my favorite all-around knife from my collection at the moment is my Benchmade 190 Drop Point Hunter.

I've never been a big fan of the "one knife" discussions. It seems like some folks always come up with a big knife that in the real world they would not normally have on their person. If you want to discuss bolo's and their usefulness in survival situations, that's great, but I'll have a good locking folder on me first and last. Those other blades fall in between.

What is your everyday carry knife? If you are going to have a "one knife" discussion, lets start with your EDC. I have used Doug Ritter's RSK Mk I folder as an EDC. Can't say that about any large blade. Why on Earth would I have a big chopper and not have my EDC folder?

Photobucket does all the work for you. Go to your image, and just click on the yellow field under the "forum" label, with what looks like a mutated URL. Thier script will push that data to your clipboard, and then right click in the message, and paste.

That's the point I've been biting my tounge over. The best knife is the one you have when you need it. And if you have a couple to choose from, you're in better shape.

Now, if asked to pick THREE, rescaledand resheathed kukri, a Ka-Bar MKII (leather handle, either the origional or shorty), and either a Vic Ranger or a Leatherman Supertool.

IMHO a longer sheath knife can be pretty useful in almost any environment. I've had the new Kabar with a synthetic grip and sheath for a while and I wouldn't go on any longer trek without it. It's still compact enough for most tasks but it's also got just enough mass that you can chop small branches for shelter poles and the like. Which is very useful in a situation when you don't carry an axe for some reason, and a lot faster than trying to use a folding saw on a multitool or just whittling away with a small blade. That said, I would personally avoid any blade over 7" and/or serrations.

Another good choice would be a smaller Scandinavian sheath knife, 4" or the like. I bought a laminated blade from Frost and mounted it myself. It's excellent steel, tempered to 61 HRc. Takes and holds a terrific edge. Probably as close to the ultimate survival knife as it gets but obviously too small for heavier work so you really need to complement it with an axe or a dedicated chopping tool on the trail. Anyway, this is a fairly subjective topic because it depends on many factors and above all the local climate and vegetation.

I would take either; My Chris Reeves Project I or my old crutch tip Randall Model #18 Attach/Survival.

If not a fixed blade;then either a swiss tool or leatheman Surge.

But a bolo would still be a great choice.

Hello RAS,
My everyday carry knives are a Benchmade Griptilian and a Swiss Victorinox Executive. If I were unexpectedly forced into a survival situation these are the knives I would have with me. However, I travel with a survival kit in my truck at all times and included in my equipment is a medium bolo for chopping and other purposes. I prefer it to a hatchet, machete or saw for cuttin saplings to build a shelter, cutting fire wood, butchering game etc. I mean, I see yoyur point...who walks around with a Busse Battle Mistress hanging on their belt???
So, with that in mind...let's start a new discussion:
What knife do you carry in your pocket? Every day...All the time? As I mentioned, I carry two...A Bwnchmade Griptilian and a Swiss Victorinox Executive.
How about the rest of you?
Kix