Let’s see those Survival knives

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I'm a big believer in the "big knife, little knife" concept I originally got from the Gurkhas about 25 years ago. That could be a big blade like a machete, kukuri, or big Bowie, matched with a small knife that could even be a small folder.

Sam and I are currently working on a compact fighter that could do many things, in a pinch...

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I have a lot of knives that would work. My current favorites:

Fallkniven S1 Forest Knife--Laminated VG10 Steel (knivesshipfree.com)

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Another good choice is my semi-custom BK16. I stripped the coating off the blade, added better handles and a better sheath. Both have 5" blades which I think is a good compromise.

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I am really in awe of that Fallkniven, it looks very solid and user friendly. Really like the design. Three questions…

How is the balance?

Have you used it much and how does it stand up to a lot of cutting?

How does it sharpen? I’d likely be using a Worksharp Ken Onion and finish on ceramic sticks…

Thanks!
 
I can tell you- The Fallkniven S1 pro I had was a real struggle to sharpen Cobalt steel

I sent my A1x out to Lt Wright knives (Great guys) and had it professionally sharpened, they got it to a Industry Razor sharpness, with a polish and 90 degree the spline for Ferro rod. Hacking and splitting trees with it , Battoning …. Still shaves arm hair.

I have a Fallkniven Diamond Ceramic Dc3 for touching up
 
I like big choppers.

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The top one is a Reinhardt Combat Kukri, the one below it is a Pacific Cutlery Bushmaster.

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The top one is a Ka-Bar Becker BK-21 and is a copy of the Reinhardt Combat Kukri. The second one is a Blackjack Knives Marauder.

As much as I like these, I think it would take a lot of time using these to be fluent in their use. If not, I think the user would have a hard time with them in a survival situation.
 
I like big choppers.

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The top one is a Reinhardt Combat Kukri, the one below it is a Pacific Cutlery Bushmaster.

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The top one is a Ka-Bar Becker BK-21 and is a copy of the Reinhardt Combat Kukri. The second one is a Blackjack Knives Marauder.

As much as I like these, I think it would take a lot of time using these to be fluent in their use. If not, I think the user would have a hard time with them in a survival situation.

Dude- Those are pretty awesome regardless of use
 
I always have my buck 110 and leatherman original. If I'm feeling frisky, I'll carry my buck 192 in place of the 110. I also generally have a pocketknife like a case stockman, trapper, schrade old timer 33/34.

Could I survive with the 110? Yeah, but not as well as the 192, and that not as well as a stronger knife. But the 110, my leatherman original, and a pocket knife are my general carry provisions. As well as a paracord keyfob thing. And a zippo, though it wouldn't take long to run dry. That's all in my pockets all the time.
 
How is the balance?

Have you used it much and how does it stand up to a lot of cutting?

How does it sharpen?

The balance is good for me.

I've not used mine much. I've carried it attached to the outside of my daypack each time I've hunted since October, but I've not had a reason to actually use it yet other than just trimming a few branches to see how it cuts

Mine is the less expensive version with VG10 steel and other than just a few strokes on a ceramic stone to polish the edge right out of the box I've not sharpened it yet. It didn't need anything when new, but I hit it a few strokes anyway. That is the same steel Spyderco uses on a lot of their knives and it should be easy to sharpen. Based on my experience with Spyderco I'd anticipate middle of the road edge retention with middle of the road sharpening.

I think I paid about $130 for mine. I caught it on sale at the knives ship free site. The ones with the better steel were closer to $300. That was just more than I could justify spending and based on my experience with Spyderco I figured the VG10 steel was good enough for me.
 
Sam and I are currently working on a compact fighter that could do many things, in a pinch...

I like the looks of the ones in the photos. Most of the time I find myself only using the 1st couple of inches of the blade anyway and a shorter blade would work. The problem with most knives with short blades it that the handle is too short. That is addressed with those.
 
I will say I was a bit under impressed with the Randall made knives.

They do make Survival type designs.

I sent the knife back to the company and asked it to be sharpened…. and received a less than stellar edge back. I’m not suggesting it was dull- yet not cutting paper is a Poor edge.

It showed me two things
1.) Not a Performance knife and Even tho high quality, not the quality I wanted. Looks good dosnt help with task.

2.) A knife company Should be able
To Place a Very hair shaving edge on the knife they made.
 
I have a Condor Woodlaw that I keep in my GHB. It is a pretty simple straight forward design and really not optimal for get-home applications. When I purchased it, the Woodlaw was fairly cheap, I see now that they're going for $75 to $80. That is too expensive for what it is.

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The other knife I have that fits into this category is the 140mm (5.51") 80crV2 carbon steel Terävä Jääkäripuukko from Varusteleka (with sheath) that I purchased for $75.00. They now cost $84.00 +$10 S&H and are a much better value than the Woodlaw.

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This saved my butt many times with its screwdrivers.

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And the pliers on this one have saved my butt even more times.

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I don't live out in some fantasy paleolithic wilderness where I survive by running down game and eating them raw! I live in an environment with a lot of mechanical and electro mechanical items.

I have my fantasy knives, thankfully I have never stumbled into a time warp and popped out in prehistoric times. A place I would have died, due to lack of survival skills, regardless of any big honking knife on my belt.

You going to take this on, with your survival knife?

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Nah,

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@Slamfire

Come on, I grew up watching land of the lost as a kid! And I'm ready to hunt a T-rex with my 50 BMG, then chop it up for food with my Kukri.

What would Marshall, Will and Holly think about your lack of enthusiasm? o_O

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If I were to pop into a fantasy land anywhere, I want Gilligan's Island. No one ever looks sweaty, the place has idyllic Southern California weather, and Ginger and Mary Ann are hot and single! :thumbup:

:D
 
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Technically, the SK in ASEK makes it a Survival Knife, but the sawtooth is much better at cutting sheet metal than wood, lol. Still, the massive pommel makes for a decent hammer.....:)

I would actually prefer an old Ontario sawback machete If I was dropped in the woods with nothing but a blade to get home.
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Ive chopped up some bad, bad bush with one of these puppies.
 
I just love seeing those pretty knives, but it’s a shame that they haven’t been put to use. You never really know how much you like a knife until you’ve had to use it.
Here’s an old friend that walked through hell by my side.
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Here’s a couple I traded for in the Philippines back in the 80s
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Another that has seen some use.
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And a daily carry .
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I just love seeing those pretty knives, but it’s a shame that they haven’t been put to use. You never really know how much you like a knife until you’ve had to use it.
Here’s an old friend that walked through hell by my side.
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Here’s a couple I traded for in the Philippines back in the 80s
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Another that has seen some use.
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And a daily carry .
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Nice!
Are Marine KaBars issued or do you have to buy them?

Do the "hooks" at the base of the Phillipine knives have a purpose or just a decorative style?
 
Nice!
Are Marine KaBars issued or do you have to buy them?

Do the "hooks" at the base of the Phillipine knives have a purpose or just a decorative style?
Back in the 80s the only Marine infantry that were issued kaBars were those that were issued pistols. The actual knife was not made by KaBar and the handles and pommel were not as nice.
I bought the KaBar pictured from the PX in 1983 or 84.
The hook on the handle of the Philippine knives is there for people with small hands to help get a better grip.
 
Back in the 80s the only Marine infantry that were issued kaBars were those that were issued pistols. The actual knife was not made by KaBar and the handles and pommel were not as nice.
I bought the KaBar pictured from the PX in 1983 or 84.
The hook on the handle of the Philippine knives is there for people with small hands to help get a better grip.
When I was a Company Armorer on Okinawa for D/1/9 in 1972, Kabar/USMC fighting knives were part of the armory inventory and were checked in and out just like any other weapon. Most but not all were Camillus, a few were actual Kabar. I think but not sure we had maybe 10 for the entire Company. They didn't grow legs and disappear either. Nobody left the Company area until the inventory was right. And everybody wanted to get done ASAP and go grab a beer.
 
I just love seeing those pretty knives, but it’s a shame that they haven’t been put to use. You never really know how much you like a knife until you’ve had to use it.
Here’s an old friend that walked through hell by my side.
View attachment 1038624 View attachment 1038625 View attachment 1038623

Here’s a couple I traded for in the Philippines back in the 80s
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Another that has seen some use.
View attachment 1038628

And a daily carry .
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What's the tape on the Kabar sheath about? Inquiring minds and all that.
 
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