Question On Survival Knives

What is your favorite Survival knife?,What kind of sharpening system do you use most? Larry

I don't have a favorite. My survival knife is whatever knife I have on me when the poop hits the propeller. Now if you were to ask what knive I would pick for a given set of circumstances....

Hi Woodhunter
My favorite survival knife has to be the leatherman wave, just for the fact I allways carry it, 2 good blades, saw, scissors and pliers what more do you want.
As for sharpening I use ceramic stones from 320 grit to 5000, followed by toothpaste on an old leather belt as a strop.

I hand sharpen using a two sided diamond coated sharpener. One side is finer than the other. Works great, even on the harder steels (S30V).

When going hiking or camping I carry my fullsize Rittergrip on me, and then have a fixed blade (usually a stainless Mora or a Becker BK10 - depending on the 'sensitivity' of the group I'm with - see below) in my backpack.

All other times I carry a mini-Rittergrip clipped on my pocket.

Both are sharpened with a Spyderco Sharpmaker, using only the 15 degree angle. They rarely need sharpening, and most times I only need to use the fine white rods.

Much of the time I am hiking and camping with my son's Boy Scout Troop. My troop recognizes the value of a fixed blade knife and allows them (unlike many). Sheath knives are not allowed on Scout Council properties, so when I'm on those properties I'll stow an Eriksson #746 with a 4" stainless steel blade and if pulled out it is only for cooking and I refer to it as a "kitchen knife with a protective cover" - not a sheath knife.

When off Council property I'll usually bring along my Becker BK10 in a kydex sheath, unless it is expected to be a very wet trip - then I'll bring the stainless steel #746.

I second the Leatheman Wave, with my Ritter Griptillian a close second!

The one on the left is currently the knife I take with me, if I know I am going to be relying on a knife for a long time.

It is a full tang 4 inch blade hunter I made years ago and at 3/16" thick the blade is almost indestructable. I am working on another, slightly classier knife which will be just as tough but with a grippier handle.

I always have my Gerber Multi Tool on me as well.

I normally use a Smiths three stone sharpening system with a bevel guide, to get the edge to a consistant shaving sharpness.

Howdy fellow Texan! You'll find a lot of us Lone Stars here on Equipped.com.

As for my favorite survival knife:
1. Camping: Mora + mini-kukhri
2. Hiking/canoeing: Mora + leatherman Wave
3. At work: Leatherman Kick + Traveller Swiss Army Knife (SAK)
4. General out and about: Leatherman Wave + Camper SAK
5. Texas Renaissance Festival: Himilayan Imports 12" kukhri + mini-kukhri + Tibetian dagger + Chinese "Scavenger" knife + Spanish Navaja knife + whatever other shiney-pointy DW will let me buy. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The Kukhris are sharpened on a leather-wrapped dowel covered in emory cloth. Lansky sharpening system takes care of the rest.

-Blast

SOG SealPup and an Edgemaker shapening system.

While hunting, I carry the Becker BK10, a Buck S30V PBS crosslock, a Leatherman KF4 Juice, and the 2" Helle blade in my PSK. If I'm hiking only, I'll omit the PBS. In an urban setting it's the full size Ritter RSK and the Juice. All are sharpened on a Spyderco Sharpmaker (great setup by the way.)

On a daily basis I carry a Benchmade 730 Ares and Leatherman Juice KF4 and sometimes a SAK Farmer. When I am outdoors I always have a Fallkniven F1, Leatherman Wave and a SAK Farmer. I can depend on that F1 for just about everything I would need and the convex blade is easy to sharpen with some wet/dry sandpaper. The other knives get sharpened on a Spyderco Sharpmaker.

Ready

I dont have it but I think of it alot.

Being now in a somewhat urban setting, I carry my RSK Mk I all of the time, so it has to be my favorite. I don't carry a full size multi-tool anymore since moving to the city. I have a micra on my keychain, I am thinking of getting a Juice. I carry various fixed blades when in the backwoods, I am still looking for the one I am satisfied with.

I do a lot of wood carving, so I wear out knives quicker. I use a Smith's diamond coated hone steel (pocket size) when out and about and then strop it on the back of my cowhide belt. At home, I use various larger stones and leather strops and sometimes find a Shrade honesteel handy when in the middle of a heavy wood-carving task.

I trust my life to a modified Carbon V - Cold Steel - True Flight Thrower (sides filed smooth, red and black cord handle, and very sharp), a Leatherman Charge Ti, and a Gerber Sportsman Saw. I use credit card size diamond plates to hand sharpen my knives.

Just noticed that www.basegear.com has a sale on Leatherman knives. I just bought a ChargeTi for $74.95

It's now become my EDC knife/tool.

- Brian

Like what has already been said, "whatever knife I have on me". Since I've never actually had to "survive" anything much more than a bit of tiredness on those uphill switchbacks <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> , I can't say from realworld experience. I imagine I'd like my ColdSteel SRK the most in a real survival situation. That's obviously not an EDC item, and I'd only have it while hiking/backpacking. The knife on me all the time is my Spyderco Native (current EDC), so that's probably my most likely "survival knife".

Posting a favourite implies there is some quality in x over z that may give you the 'edge' in a survival situation. I don't think anyone has done a statistical study of knives used, how they performed and how many failed. But given that our armed forces send people out with knives like the USAF survival knife, MOD4 for the brits and SAKs by most of the hiking fraternity it could easilly be extrapolated more people have used these makes than say, Fallkniven, Chris Reeves, Swamprats, Sting, Excalibur or Julia Child's well honed Chef's knife. Reality is both we all have our favourites AND they all will probably work reasonably well enough building those poorly illustrated deadfalls in survival books, digging a solar still in desert pavement at high noon or chopping up a 100 year old cactus for undrinkable fluid. Thats the stuff you have to worry about, not which wunder steel your knife is made out of. I've packed everything from the USAF to a Fallkniven. I've managed to cut myself on all. I use a card sized diamond plate and a ceramic rod. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ah, Julia Child... the mother of the survival movement. If an overweight lady can eat like 8 or 9 thousand pounds of butter in her life and still live to like 118 (at least she looked it), then I say she was doing something right!

No real survival issues I can think of off-hand. But I use the LM Wave all the time. I use the Micra even more frequently. I also have started carrying one of LM's newer knives, though haven't used it too much as yet. Throw that in with my Becker Necker (as recommended here) and I think I'm all set. I have the Spyderco sharpener, but mostly have used diamond or fine stones. I'm only just now learning puting a new edge on vs. honing. I think I've been poorly sharpening for ages (probably ruining otherwise good equipment or letting it go in a drawer before it's time)

For survival, I think a solidly built full tang fixed blade and a sturdy multitool would serve you in most any situation. Throw in a small backup and you're set.

Ok in this case I hate to name names, but I'm kinda forced to. I carry a Gerber 600 multi and a Gerber LMR fixed blade. The LMR is long since discontinued but has served me well for many years. They're of moderate price and good steel. Find what works for you, use it and practice with it. If it fits your needs, keep it.

I use a fine diamond Steel for sharpening. I test by shaving my hairy arms. If it will shave in one stroke, it's sharp.

Victorinox Outrider SAK A not overly tough locking blade and a usable saw. Paired with a quality 4" fixed blade (many to choose from) or a small axe and you've got lots of bases covered.

I use a simple medium Arkansas stone, nothing special.

The point that I was trying to make to the members is that you cannot predict when the "Poop is going to hit the Propeller" (PHP?). Therefore its a good idea to make sure that your carry knife is of the best quality you can afford. There does seem to be some concensus about good knives or bad one's. You have to be carefull about Armed Forces use when it comes to knives. Some units have a rule book up their collective ass and won't allow their members to use anything other than issue equipment. Even if it is crap.

I have one of these in my BOB, it is a great knife in a good sized package. For about half the price of a Leatherman Wave, it covers most of the same fuctions I choose the Wave for. While not a replacement for a good sheath knife, like most if not all multi-tools, it is a great knife!

I don't think there is any one perfect survival knife, I choose mine based on my experiences and needs. Even then, I choose to carry a minimium of two knives in the field with me, a good multi tool (like the Wave) and a good fixed blade or Sheath knife.

I think TSHTF has always been the preferred acronym. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Not if my Mum's present!....