Three necessary knives?

[kamagong]

The M43- along with the Sirupati- are among the kukuris that just feel wrong to me.

Feeling right: WWII, AK, (B)GRS, BDC, Chitlangi.

John,

I can understand the difference in feel for certain khukuris, especially given their handmade construction. But the problem is that every khukuri is unique, unlike Sebenzas where consistency is a main selling point.

I have a few other HI knives that I like -- a Shop 1 BAS, Shop 1 AK, BGRS, and 20" Sirupati. They all feel good for me in their own way. But I can't really write off a particular style of khukuri because of the variation between individual pieces. Often times two knives look similar, but the weight, balance, and even handle shape are different resulting in a quest to find the "right" knife for you. It's a bit of a PITA to be honest, but when you find one that "fits" it is well worth the trouble.

- Christian

 

[sixgunner455]

I kind of agree with Nessmuk's group: something big - a hachet, machete, kukri - something medium, and something sturdy but small is what is needed for most day-to-day tasks, which, as has been stated, is really what you're talking about. You just are looking for stuff that won't wear out soon, and is quite sturdy so it doesn't break, since if you are left with only these particular tools to rely upon in an emergency-type situation, then you want to be as prepared as you can be.

Consider the kid whose hand and wrist got trapped under a huge boulder while he was hiking by himself. He was stuck for days, no one could find him, and it was impossible for him to shift the boulder. His only tool was a multiplier-type tool. It is quite a dramatic tale, but in the end, he did not free himself by digging out a hollow under his arm. He cut his hand off, and saved his own life by doing it. It would have been quite a lot easier to do with a bigger tool, or a folding saw, I would think. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around the desperation of that situation.

Anyway. That's not really a day-to-day situation, just an example of how a day-to-day tool got pressed into a task that it wasn't really designed for, but it was sturdy enough to get through it without failing and breaking.

 

[FiremanJim]

My personal knife choices for a survival situation are.

1. Gerber Silver Trident Bowie knife.
2. Gerber Mark II Combat Dagger
3. CRKT M-16 folder Tanto blade.
4. Gerber or Leatherman Multi-tool.

I have these knives handy when I travel to rural areas.
Havent had to engage in knife combat, but they are good knive to have around for whatever comes up.
At Work, I carry the M-16 FD folder and a Gerber Multi-tool with me always.
I have a multi-tool and a folder in my bunker gear.

 

[SleazyRider]

A question about that Becker BK7, HSO, if you don't mind: The only negative review I've read about it says the sheath that's included with the knife is unworthy of the knife. Do you agree? And if so, could you suggest an alternative sheath? Thank you!

 

[X-Rap]

I would go along with some who have claimed 4. I would be hard pressed to not have
a good multi tool
a 6-7" fixed blade like the LMF or K Bar
M-16 CRKT
and a 6" fillet knife

I have used them all in the wilderness and found them to be of high value when needed.

 

[hso]

unworthy of the knife

Weeeell, if you think the Becker is the best deal going it can be hard to live up to that standard with a sheath.

I don't have a problem with the sheath, but there are others who think it should be more. I showed a guy how to use a ft. of paracord to make several changes that others were suggesting in about 30 seconds, but then I like paracord.

 

[NoirFan]

8" Chef's knife
Heavy cleaver
4" paring knife

All made by Victorinox/Forschner.

I figure in a true "SHTF" scenario I'm dead meat anyway, so I would try to finagle my way into a survivalist commune with my culinary skills.

 

[Yo Mama]

1. Spyderco Endura- (I have more expensive, but function is everything! )
2. Gerber sport multitool- (used and always came through for me)
3. Kabar heavy bowie
4. Estwing camping axe (if i'm on foot Gerber camping axe)

 

[sixgunner455]

noirfan - that's cute. Honestly, cooking knives are the most used knives most folks have, so they have the most familiarity with how to use them and maximize them. Wouldn't really be a bad thing to choose some well-made kitchen knives to keep around for that kind of stuff.

 

[valnar]

I just bought the following knives for a variety of tasks....some yet to be determined. I used all the recommendations in this thread and others.

Kershaw Outcast
Spyderco Endura plain edge
KA-BAR Fighting knife
Buck 141 PakLite Large Skinner
Leatherman Blast Multi-tool

I bought the Spyderco Sharpmaker too.

 

[JShirley]

Those sound like a good selection. Let us know how they work for you.

 

[GLOOB]

I'd opt for a Swiss Tool Spirit for its excellent selection of tools and pliers.

I'd take a carbon steel Mora Classic #1/2 for a working blade for its light weight, edge retention, ease of sharpening, and ease of cleaning. Don't see too many carbon steel folders, I suppose due to the rust issue. And I've yet to handle a folder that is as light, yet still has a comfortable handle. Although a carbon steel Opinel might be an option. I haven't used a razor/utility knife since I got my Moras. I can sharpen them about as easy as changing the blade on a utility knife.

I'd take a Santoku chef knife, because it's probably my most used knife that covers 99.5% of my cooking/kitchen duty.

Aside from an Exacto, these are just about the only knives I ever use. And I can replace the Exacto with the Mora, most of the time.

I suppose for a fourth, I'd add a machete or an axe, just in case. Or maybe a kukri, if I could learn how to sharpen one.

 

[EmGeeGeorge]

butter, bread, and filet.

 

[Sgt_R]

What Timbo and hso said. Big knife/hatchet, little knife, multitool, folder.

I EDC a decent folder (CRKT M21), small fixed blade (Ka-Bar TDI), and basic multitool (Leatherman Juice). If I was planning a backcountry hiking/camping trip, the only other blade I'd want would be a quality hatchet of some kind.

R

 

[Malodorousroadkill]

1. Good folding knife. You got a benchmade, they're great. A nice new Benchmade Griptilian would go nicely towards your SHTF needs if you feel yours is already getting crusty. CRKT m16 series are great liner locks. Get a plain edge.

2. Mid sized fixed blade. 4-5 inch blade here. Or close. My go to is a Benchmade fixed Griptilian. They're great. Good for all the little tasks and also for self-defense. Stainless isn't bad here as I use this size for food prep a lot.

3. Larger bush ready knife. Bowies, true tantos, bolos etc. You'll want one that has a flat spine for batoning wood, 6 or more inches long, and is make from either high carbon steel or stainless laminate. Cold Steel's Trailmaster in SK5 or San Mai III is great for this. So are most of the Ontario Spec Elite series. I have the sp43. Fallknivens are awesome, but rather spendy.

For knives I like http://knifecenter.com/ and also http://midwayusa.com/ . With Midway, if you have a Curio & Relics License you can get some very nice discounts.

 

[T.R.]

I could do everything related to hunting and wood craft with these three knives.

TOP: Schrade folding hunter

MIDDLE: Cold Steel Master Hunter

Bottom: Camillus scout knife

TR

 

[Unistat]

If you could have three or four knives (and I hate saying this) for a SHTF scenario, what would they be? I assume three different kinds for different purposes that would be good to own just in case. I assume I would need at least one non-folder, like a Bowie knife. Specific quality recommendations and a place to order them would be great. I'll buy all three or four at once.

1. A big knife suitable for chopping, skinning, and batonning. I have an Ontario Afghan.
2. A small bushcraft knife for detail work and dressing game. I have a Mora.
3. A pocket knife. This could be a good multi-tool or folding knife. I carry both, a Leatherman Wave and a Benchmade 710.

All three of these knives are going to be general purpose knives and therefore not as good at all the tasks that a collection of a dozen purpose specific knives would be.

I've read some of the survivalist forums but am not inclined to join just to ask this question. They aren't really my kind of people.

As an aside, this is a weird thing to say when you are asking for this kind of advice. The people most likely to respond are "those kind" of people. So if I gave you this advice on another forum you wouldn't take it, but because I'm on THR too, it's going to be ok? People are more than the one hobby or interest that may be reflected by their participation in an internet forum.

 

[valnar]

Mods, I have already purchased my knives so feel free to close this thread.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Questions

There may still be people who have questions.

We can have those questions here or, if you prefer, you could open a new thread for those interested in hearing how your new knives work for you.

What's your pleasure?

 

[AStone]

What's your pleasure?

My thinking is, even though this thread is 273 days old,
it's still got good info, so I'd rather add to it than start a new one.

My three necessary blades:

* Spyderco Manix 2 (EDC: JShirley is suggesting that I upgrade to an XL for several reasons)
* SOG Seal Pup Elite : regardless of what you think of SOG, this is a fine knife; general camp chores from cutting veges or paracord to making fuzz sticks
* Ontario Gen II SP53 - chopping wood for fire or (if necessary) shelter, batoning if firewood is wet; ordered last Friday, still waiting ...

I'll post pics when #3 arrives.

No questions at this time.

 

[hso]

Nem,

The important thing to take away is the 3 categories and not specific knives within them.

 

[AStone]

Hso, I just offered my preference for the three categories.

Numerous posts above list specific knives, so I did also.

 

[sm]

Just me, still what will YOU have when you need it...

The reality is, based on MY life experiences, is one very well will have to rely to what they have on person, at the time all heck breaks loose.

I ain't speaking of mutant zombie attacks, instead having to deal with say a tornado, or some other "mother nature" event.

One would be hard pressed to beat a Victorinox Soldier (old issue version), Pioneer, ( same thing currently with a lanyard ring ) or Farmer.
I actually used a Vic Spartan to get me through one tornado...
It was in the glove box.
One is in my "get out here now" bag. A Vic Recruit is in my glove box now.
[I get ahead with monies, a Farmer will be in my glove box...]

I like the awl on the Soldier, Pioneer and Farmer, and the saw on the Farmer is a really nice ...
Better to have it and not need it, than to not not have it and need it.

I am not knocking what others have shared, as some posters have my utmost respect.

Just me, still there is too much Rambo Syndrome being shared today, especially on the Intrawebz...

Think out of the box...
What do you actually have on person (or in vehicle) if worse comes to worse?
Can you tighten a radiator hose clamp, open a can of food, cut yourself or someone else "through" drywall to safety, cut a 4x4 piece of lumber for same, slice meat, , open a can, make a fire...etc. ?

Farmer.

Come to think of it, and to break it down to simple, put me down for a Vic Farmer for THE knife, everyone should have if matters go "kaput".

Yeah, I have my druthers on the other two knives...
Just I do share one suggestion...


Steve

 

[T.R.]

1) sowbelly stockman

2) lockback folding hunter

3) fixed blade with drop point design

These 3 meet all my hunting and fishing needs.

TR

 

[RatDrall]

1. A good locking folder - I don't believe that a more useful knife exists than a Delica or Endura by Spyderco.

2. A good 4-5" fixed blade knife, 3/16" or 1/4" thick with a properly heat treated 1095 or tool steel blade.

3. A Swiss army knife, preferably Victoinox.

4. Don't really need anything else, but if I have the luxury I dig a big chopper like ESEE's Junglas. It's 3/16" thick, so way heavier than a Latin style machete, which means I can chop through heavier/thicker branches which comes in handy Up North in the woods.

So, one of these (except for the trainer):



And either this Bravo 1:



Or this ESEE Laserstrike:



A Victorinox 1H Trekker:



And the Junglas:



I could honestly get by with any one of them, but it's always nice to have a few blades around