Knives

I am sure that I can go back and search the thread history to get this answered. But I would appreciate you opinion.

I would like to read your thoughts on the best knife blade for a backcountry knife that can be used in a survival situation or hunting.

I think the best knife is one that you can carry on your person at all times. The particular knife differs from person to person. The "best" knife that there is isn't going to help you when you fall off the kayak and crawl to shore soaking wet. It only counts if you can keep it on your person at all times. It also has to be legal in your expected locations.

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I decided to EDC a lanyarded "cat" knife.

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/K55/merc...teel-army-issue

I can keep it nice and sharp. It is small and inobtrusive. Works well. Most importantly, I am comfortable using it. Only downside is that it is carbon steel and isn't as pretty. Oops.

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Backup EDC is my Leatherman. Unfortunately, I have not figured out a way to keep a lanyard on the Leatherman.

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In my pack, I keep a cheap Mora. Nice and light.

http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion...p;keywords=mora

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I retired my old Buck 110 since it was a bit bulky on my belt in addition to my Leatherman.

http://www.amazon.com/Buck-110BRS-Fld-Hu...ywords=buck+110

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I own a wonderful Rodan Condor but it is too heavy to carry around.

http://www.amazon.com/Condor-5-25-Inch-Polypropylene-Handle-Leather/dp/B002CBWQ0C

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I suppose I will regret not having a heavy knife if I have to baton something but I am trying to reduce pack weight. There is no need to fetishize a $300 knife. Its JUST A KNIFE! I am not going to fight the Japanese in the Guadalcanal.

I carried a Swiss Army knife for many years before purchasing my first Leatherman. I now EDC a Wave. Both have been perfectly for required tasks. For me, a knife has been most critical when on a boat, regardless of size, or when scuba diving.

The most important characteristics of a knife carried for emergency purposes is that it be situated so that it is quickly and easily at hand when needed and that it be adequately sharp. I have about thirty blades ranging from a machete to a SAk Classic and they have all come in handy at times, but something with a blade 4" or so is probably the most versatile.

My short answer would be the Fallkniven F1. I feel this is a near-perfect all-around outdoors knife that is more than tough enough for any survival situation you could find yourself in.



For a more detailed explanation of why I choose this knife, check out a post of mine from a couple years back: Choosing MY knife. It outlines the attributes I felt were important in a knife and ultimately how that led me to the F1. Of course, you may have some different needs or priorities than me which may make the near-perfect knife for me less than optimal for you. For example, I'm not a hunter so I don't know how to judge how well this particular knife would fit in that role.

I agree with the comment that your best practical knife is the one you have with you all the time. Therefore, a folding knife or a short fixed blade knife. The folder is particularly easy to carry.

Look around - there are lots of knives that will do the job. try going to a local knife store so you can see many choices. the knife is primarily a tool - so get a simple strong blade - no cutouts or holes.

Pete

carry multiples, carry quality. find things that fit your hand and you like. brand not important as long as its well made. fixed blades need high quality sheaths.

i carry a SAK, a single-blade locking folder, and sometimes a 4-5" kydex-sheathed fixed blade. in the vehicle i keep a kydex-sheathed 10" camp knife "just in case".

Like others, I have a number of knives, folders and fixed blades. I bought the larger (10") blades with the PNW cascade range in mind. While their main attribute is size, they stay in the truck because of that size. They are much more capable in some tasks, but if you won't keep them hanging from your belt while hiking, they are at best a camp knife and not a survival knife.

Large format SAK's (Rucksack/Trekker), locking folders and smaller fixed blades are what I carry on my belt/pocket. A Leatherman MT is in my backpack.

my leatherman squirt and older model wave plus my sog multitool all have some type of a 'ring' on them - alongside the other tools - to which i have then attached a small split ring. can then tie paracord or ??? or attach a small gate-type clip and then paracord or ??? for detaching when needed. none have ever failed.

I recently purchased a EnZO Camper 5' Fixed blade D2 semi stainless Scandi Grind Bushcraft knife with Green Micarta handles. Very handsome and functional with a traditional thick quality leather Sheath.

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ENBRI20...-leather-sheath

Match it up with a Silky 270mm folding Saw, and this combination should prove very handy.

If more chopping requirements are required then the Gransfors Small Forest Axe will be taken along as well.

I know about the ring. The problem is that the ring is pretty much useless. It is inside one of the tools. When extended, the tool doesn't fit in the sheath. Thus, I can't keep the lanyard attached to the tool unobtrusively when the tool is in the sheath.

The sequence would have to be:
1. remove tool
2. extend ring
3. remove and attach lanyard
4. use tool
5. detach lanyard and put away
6. retract ring
7. sheath tool.

This is NOT a sequence that works in the real world (for me). One of my old Leathermans (?PST, ?Supertool) had an EXTERNAL hole attached to the tool hinge that I could attach a thin string lanyard which was marginally useful.

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My pocketknife is permanently lanyarded. The knife is in hip pocket with the lanyard looped around the Leatherman sheath.

The sequence is.
1. put lanyard on
2. pull out knife
3. open knife
4. use knife
5. close knife
6. put knife in pocket
7. loop lanyard around Leatherman sheath.
There are very few EXTRA time-consuming steps in using a lanyard.

beg to differ.

1. remove from pocket.
2. use tool.
3. replace in pocket.

a 57.14% reduction in expended energy.

Works well for smaller tools like the squirt that can fit in the pocket. For full size tools like the Wave/Supertool, it needs to go into a sheath.

The calorie expenditure of carrying a smaller tool in pocket is also significant but weighed against the more useful full sized tool.

The following comment has nothing to do with the ownership of this forum!!

When at home or at work I carry my EDC knife in my pocket.

When living outdoors I carry my two favorite knifes - one in pocket and the other in a smallish "survival" gear daypack that goes with me everywhere. I've just never liked the feel of a fixed blade on my belt.

EDC Pocket: Mini Ritter RSK Mk1 (original)
Pocket: fullsize Ritter RSK Mk1 (original)
Daypack: Ritter RSK Mk3

My second favorite fixed blade is the RSK Mk2, but it is a tad too big for my personal preference on a general camp knife. I have a Becker BK10 Crewman from years back, but it was way too heavy. The Mk2 is like a right-sized BK10 to me. Still, the Mk3 is just the right combination of blade size and shape for all round camp use.

If I was forced to do a survival show (sigh) then I'd be bringing my Mk2 for sure.

The daypack also usually has either a Leatherman Micra (if keeping weight down) or a Leatherman Wave (if weight is less an issue). I almost NEVER need the tools on the Wave - the scissors and pliers are the most used tools. The pliers are most used for cooking - handling hot pots, so the LM Micra plus thickish leather gloves are becoming more the norm lately. I found my hands would get surprisingly beat up when gathering/cutting wood - thus the gloves. I'd rather have non-leather so it would dry faster but haven't found anything I like.

I should mention that I'm not a knife only person. I grew up as a Boy Scout so I learned outdoor living involves a knife, a saw, and an axe (sized to meet portability and weight needs - the axe doesn't go backpacking).

I stow stainless Mora knives (4+" blade) in my truck and several places in my house. They made great kitchen knives back when we had a camper trailer.

I am a huge knife nut and hoarder.In your area(Pacific NW)I would go with a stainless blade.This is purely for convenience.A plastic sheath is the other thing.I like the MORA Bushcraft series.The Bushcraft Black is a corbon steel blade with a micro coating for corrosion resistance.It has an 1/8 inch thick blade that can take a lot of abuse.This is also MORA's survival knife that they also make in stainless.The Bushcraft Force is stainless and a thinner blade.It is a really good slicer that can take some abuse.I have other bigger and more expensive knives (like a Randall camp and trailknife)but always bring a MORA along.I have even sliced down small trees ( 2"to 3.5") with one. Mora's are a great balance in economy, function, durability and edge retention.You don't get the heaviness on the belt either.I was using Mora's so i wouldn't mess up my nicer knives.Why should I carry nicwer knives if I'm afraid of messing them up.For the cost and weight buy and carry two. One on you one in the pack.....

BOATMAN
John

"Like others, I have a number of knives, folders and fixed blades. I bought the larger (10") blades with the PNW cascade range in mind. While their main attribute is size, they stay in the truck because of that size. They are much more capable in some tasks, but if you won't keep them hanging from your belt while hiking, they are at best a camp knife and not a survival knife."

agree 100% with this opinion.

Like others ... I own WAY too much of this sharp steel.
I own enough knife hardware that I could have loaned it all to the legendary Jeremiah Johnson and he would have taken over the entire Rocky Mountains :-)

I am more impressed with folks like Bear Grylls who can take a simple small knife ... and use it for a wide variety of survival skills and practical tasks.

Pete