Best survival knife for under $200???

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However, and I'm surprised I forgot to mention this, you can get yourself a Spyderco Rock Salt for around $220 but you'd have to do some digging. It's a bit more but still a quality piece and a reasonable compromise from my prior suggestions.

FB20PBK.jpg


It's designed by Ed Schempp and the dimensions are as follows:

length overall - 10 1/2" (311mm)
blade length - 6 3/4" (171mm)
blade steel - H-1
cutting edge - 6" (152mm)
weight - 9.2oz (261g)
hole diameter - 15/32" (12mm)
blade thickness - 1/8" (3mm)
handle material - FRN
 
For mountain climbing I carry three blades so I can clear brush, cut rope, wittle, etc.
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Demitrios, you aren't talking about technical climbing are you?
 
Alpha 6165 or whatever...If you want a real survival knife go to Smoky Mountain Knife Works. Go into the search bar and type in ASEK KNIFE. I own 4 of them. My son in the U.S. Marines carries 2 of them. (plus his KBar) My little grand neice own's one I gave her.
I think item # is ON1410, not sure. Made by Ontario for U.S. Military. 1095 high carbon steel. This knife is tough as hell and will do lot's of stuff. Check it out unless you're just one of these arm chair survivalists. When you find it be sure to blow up the picture and read about it and the scabbard. I think the price is still probably around $130.00. No one on the face of this earth can carry a better survival knife..Great White Hunter..
Gerber has a copy of it they made, but it's not near as good or as complete as the Ontario. The U.S. Military told Ontario what they wanted and what they wanted it to be able to do and Ontario built it for them. It passed every test. Gerber is just a copy to try and get part of the civilian knife market....
 
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Check it out unless you're just one of these arm chair survivalists.
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No one on the face of this earth can carry a better survival knife.
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Wow....................:confused:

I must be an armchair "survivalist".:eek:

Since I am not a pilot I don't need a slightly updated version of a Pilots Survival knife. I just can't see myself needing to cut,pry,and smash my way out of a downed aircraft.:eek:
 
Camillus

T.R.

Well, well. I have that same knife.

camgi.jpg

It's been riding in the glove box of our family vehicle for more than ten years. Picked it up in Las Vegas at a desert outfitter's store for something like five bucks and chucked it in the van's glove box. We eventually sold the white van, got the red van, sold it and got the SUV "truck." That knife's been in each glove box.

I had to put the truck in the shop in December for some body work, and cleaned out the console and glove box. When I went to put it all back, I found the knife, opened it up to check it, and just stared. It's never needed sharpening in more than ten years. Clean and bright. "Like new."

There's a Wenger SAK in the truck now, and the Camillus is on my desk.

If you look around at some of my older posts in this section, you'll see some pictures of "my desk" and the clutter of knives on it.

And now there's one more.

 
alpha 6164,

By your criteria I'd suggest spending significantly less than $200.00. Get a Ranger RD-6. You will never look back. They are built like a TANK. Justin (the proprietor) is the nicest guy to work with that you can imagine. The knife has a full-tang - important if you are in the bush and your handle breaks you still have a knife that is 100% functional.

Holds an edge and cuts like crazy according to my son who owns one and skinned many wild hogs out with it. Free resharpening if you want to send it back to him at any time too (I think Benchmade and others do this as well).

The RD-6 is . . . (your going to think I'm making this up) a mere $89.95! See link here .

It has of course a lifetime no BS guarantee.

Take the other $100 or so left over and get for a back up (also pleasantly "overbuilt" knives) a Benchmade minigriptialian in D2 (from Cabelas) or a Spyderco Manix (or mini Manix would probably be even better than a full size Manix as this is your backup knife that you'll keep in your pocket).

I tried to order a Busse knife with my son in mind, then a Swamprat or Scrapyard. No go on any of them - they didn't have any available in the styles that I wanted (the Busses were also about 3 times the cost). They have a very loyal following (I can certainly see why) and buy up their knives quite quickly.

So I looked around the net and eventually got him the "poor-man's Busse" - the Ranger. Wow! You won't regret it.
 
Mr. Todd A, sir, perhaps you need to read a post and make damn sure you understand what was said in the post before you start with your smart aleck remarks. I didn't say it would be someone's favorite knife. I didn't say they may not like one better. (I prefer my USMC KBar) I didn't say the ASEK had to be their favorite knife.. What I did say was that for a survival knife no one on earth can find one any better. I stand by my statement. If you want to argue the matter I would suggest you take it up with the U.S. Military. Pilots and grunts and Force Recon units alike..Great White Hunter..
 
I would suggest you take it up with the U.S. Military.
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The US Military has ,over the years, issued hundreds of differant models and makes of knives.The BK2 is just one example which is better suited for woods work,"survival" if you will.

There is no "best" knife...it is the skill and knowledge of the user that counts.

I am a knifenut and own several fixed blades that can be "survival" knives. But,the truth be told,I can survive with just my Victorinox Hiker.
 
What the heck is a "Survival knife" anyway? Choice depends....

I am pretty content with my Vic Adventurer knife for most things although I would not want to dig a pit with one.

For a basic knife, the RC-5 is hard to beat, and I like the SOG Seal Pup Elite (plain edge) for general outdoor purposes (price vs what you get). It's tough and would make a good general carry belt knife along with a SAK. In my book it ranks about a 8/10 but I don't know many 10's as it's a personal choice. I also like the 12" Ontario machetes.
 
Mr. Todd A..Now that sir is a good answer. I can certainly live with that statement. I own USMC KBars, Case XX's that are on the same model as the KBar that was submitted for testing, a few Randalls, the ASEK's, and several others. Just knives I'vd accumulated over the long years gone by. (I'm getting to be an old man) Mostly what I reach for nowadays is an Old Hickory. It's good enough for me. Most of ya'll probably own more knives than I do. All I meant was that stuck out somewhere in the mountains, in the swamps, in the deserts, just where ever and under most any circumatances (and I'vd been in all of them) the ASEK is a damn good knife to have at hand. There's no better knife to have at hand. There are some with better steel, cost more, cost less, whatever, it dosen't matter. Me, I would grab for my KBar I guess but I could get by with my Leatherman Super Tool..Great White Hunter..Sorry if I offended..
 
I've always thought the whole term and class of "survival" knives were an overblown thing. Any knife can be put into survival use, and in fact, from what I've read about the numerous accounts of "survival" stories, most have got by with a Buck 110 on the belt when they got stupid enough to get themselves in trouble.

Before one jumps on the military issue bandwagon, remember how they determine the final product; the cheapest bidder. Having spent 10 years in the service, I'm not automaticly impressed by military issue gear. As for the Air Force survival knife, it's an okay knife, but it has its downsides. The most recent and most highly publisized account of a downed airman was Captain Scott O'Grady shot down in Bosnia by a SAM. While hiding on the ground, he found his sak with a saw blade more usefull than the pilot survivla knife, which he found to be too blunt, and too ineffective.

Situations vary greatly, and equiptment for one part of the world will vary from another. But a cutting tool is still the most effective 'survival' tool thereis. When NASA did a very in depth study of what to give an astronaut to survive with in any part of the world, they came up with a 12 inch machete and a scout type pocket knife. In live action field tests, that combination of gear worked from temperate hardwood forrest to jungle, to arid brush country.

Lots to think about a 12 inch all round blade vs a 5 or 6 inch knife. The Ontario 12 inch machete, or the bit lighter 12 inch Tramontina are very versitile cutters. When Karen and I did our rain forrest trip in Costa Rica, all the guides carried 12 inch machete's in nice leather sheaths as thier all purpase knife, with a sak and a Bic lighter in a nylon/velcro pouch in the belt for detail work. On our 5th night, they even used the 12 inch machete's to butcher the pig on the pig roast. They made good ham slicers to be sure. I came away converted to the camp of the small machete. For years now I just carry a pocket knife or two, and a 12 inch Ontario. I haven't found anything that combo won't cover, anywhere in the U.S.
 
MY Camillus pilot's survival knife is not blunt. It has a point like a needle,and an edge like a razor. The Captain should have maintained his equipment.
 
It's very difficult to beat the SAK saw blade for making small concealment blinds. The saw cuts quickly and doesn't foul. I carry the SAK Farmer because of the saw blade.
 
Years ago, I spent an enjoyable 2.5 weeks hunting caribou and moose with a Cree Indian guide. The hunt was arranged through a contact who knows the local Jesuit missionary priest. The Cree people of Saskatchewan support themselves by hunting, trapping, and trading. In my opinion, these folks have more survival experience than most of us combined.

My guide carried 3 knives and a long handled hatchet (not heavy head like an axe). The common "trapper style" two blade knife was used for a wide variety of outdoor tasks. He also had a "scout knife" like the all purpose GI knife shown in my previous reply. Lastly, his belt knife was a large kitchen knife that was carried in a nicely crafted leather sheath.

To me, surviving is being safe and comfortable until rescue is accomplished. The movie EDGE is an example of how not to go about it. They should've made camp near a ridge and gathered a large supply of firewood. Three (3) fires spaced about 40 feet apart is the signal that help is needed. Add green or wet material when a plane is sighted or heard to form plumes of smoke.

You can live without food for a week or more. But you need water and shelter to survive. A large bowie type knife or axe can be used to frame a shelter and cut materials for roof and bedding. The smaller knives are useful for dressing small game, fish, and other tasks.

Before buying the most expensive knives, please understand that the Cree people I met were pleased with their rather ordinary knives. A few generations before these steel knives were available, cutting tools and weapons were fashioned from bone, obsidian, flint, and other materials. Even these ancient less-than-ideal knives were useful indeed!

TR
 
Survival knife...

Good information so far. Two differing schools of thought coming up though. The first is the "Whatever knife you have on you" for emergencies and in that case, everyone should carry a good pocket knife. Benchmade makes great pocket knives that are easy to carry and thus always on your person. The second school is about the knife you will consciously carry with you in the event you'll run into some tough, outdoor situation. In that case I would recommend the Gerber LMF. It's a great knife that can be found on eBay for about $75 and it has a good, flexible sheath/carry system. Just another opinion to throw on the fire. ;)
 
After contemplating this question and doing much research I finally decided on my Survival Knife.

I picked up a Kabar BK7 off of ebay for $65

BK-7.ForSite.Large.jpg
 
"Survival Knife" - maybe it's because i was raised in the 80's, but i only assign that word to hollow handled knives. of which, incidentally, i would only consider a Chris Reeves.

what you are describing is what i would call a general purpose field knife. as far as which one - there's plenty of good choices. the thing i always ask myself is: how much prying or batoning do i plan on doing. if the answer is "not much", i don't go very thick.

i just got a Benchmade Presidio (fixed blade), yesterday. while i haven't put it through the paces, yet, it seems like it would be great for the purpose you are describing. it's a good "Florida" knife :D it's right around your target price, appears to be quite durable/capable, has enough cutting edge where you can afford to spend some it on serrations, and it has a little flare to it (it's not a clunker)

check it out :)
 
Multi-tool.

One of our members, a buddy of mine, retired Army that has been there and done that from blistering hot, to sub-zero temps informed me:

"If I had to go into combat today, right now, and do what I had did, I would not take a knife, instead my Leatherman Super Tool".

He looked at me as we were heading down the road, to see my reaction.
He knew I had little experience with multi-tools. I had shared I had won some in shooting, and never really used them, and do not know what happened to them.

He is familiar with some of what I have done, some of my lessons, and mentoring, and knives used.
"You are bit crazy, about some minimal stuff you have done, not a bad thing, actually good, still some is borderline crazy and some is flat out crazy".

We have different backgrounds, life experiences and all, and we agree to disagree.
Simply because, we have not done what the other has, so we learn from each other.

So he gave me a Leatherman Super Tool.
I understand this one is no longer made, and I forget which model took its place in the Leatherman line.

So I used this Super Tool for all sorts of uses, just as I might in survival situations.
I used it in my kitchen for food prep, to doing home repair, fixing electrical, plumbing, engine (lawn mower), cutting down small trees, I needed to cut down.
I do mean small trees, along with smaller hedges and shrubs, and I had a huge brush pile when I was done. It shocked my neighbor I did all that with a Super Tool.


Now this member has used GI Demo knife, Victorinox Soldier, K-Bar, Bayonets, and a custom fixed blade he showed me, plus some other knives, and I think one included a Buck 110.

Still when he said he would take a Super Tool into combat, and want it for survival needs, I paid attention and listened to what he had to share.

Define "survival" , it can and does mean different things to different people.

I always wanted a pair of channel lock pliers when I was out and about...and have used these with a pocket knife or fixed...

Another friend always wanted Vice Grips in addition to his ~ 4" carbon steel Stockman pocket knife

He too has been there, done that all over the world.

Yet another refuses to be without a Victorinox Farmer.

Yeah, I miss my Farmer, and is another knife on my list to replace.

I have spent 14 days in Canada , canoeing and portaging with nothing but a Case Peanut, yellow handle with CV blades.

Same knife I took a 5 day survival dealie mentors had me do.

Boker Tree Classic 240, with Rosewood handles, which is a pen knife about 3 1/8" closed length with carbon steel blades is another knife I have used in "lessons" , "set ups" and in real life when I had to use, what I had on person.
Someday, I would like another of these, if they can still get this knife in the US.

Case yellow handled with CV blade Slimline Trapper is another old friend of mine that has been with me and been used for...name it I have used it for it, including stopping a threat. Case Sodbuster Jr is another.

Multi-Tool is another tool in the toolbox, and again I pay attention to what some folks share with me, as they have been there and done that.

Hence the reason I still use this Super Tool gift to educate myself and get some skill sets with a new to me tool.

I don't have a sheath for mine, I instead sometimes use a shoe lace for lanyard, and have in my pocket.
I was mentored to have a knife in pocket, as sheaths can lose folding and fixed blades, when serious situations occur.

Always always always have a knife of some kind in your pocket. You never know when that is all you have to work with , the items in pocket.
 
I'll second the vote for a machete sized knife.
I love love love my Cold Steel ghurka Kukri.
Shorter than a machete, just a bit longer than a Ka-Bar, great camp tool and has replaced a pocket knife, camp axe, and saw though I do duplicate a bit anyway.
This weekend practacing fire bow making. I was able to cut branches in a few swipes, de bark and even whittle, though that's better left to a multi tool. Even cut a path through thick underbrush, stripped pine boughs in seconds for shelter bedding, felled an arm sized tree (already uprooted) for a shelter roof, split a log, hammered a stake into the ground, dug a cat-hole, and for a bet, threw and hit a pie plate at 10 yards burying 5" into a redwood trunk! (lucky throw, I'm not that good yet!)
Fits on a belt or sidesaddle to a day pack, holds an edge, and is by far my best camp tool.
(not married to Cold Steel, kukri design is just awesome!)
 
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