good all around field/utillity knife

[conw]

The glock field knife is heavy (1/2 lb!), large, and probably doesn't come that sharp or hold a very good edge. Worse, it won't do much of what you really would want a knife to do, and while it would excel at prying tasks (probably), and maybe at chopping, it's best not to make a habit out of using a $30 knife for those purposes...and it's best to have a knife that excels at "knife tasks" rather than a prybar and chopper that sucks at knife tasks.

Was I close hso?

 

[hso]

Isaac,

Why don't you tell us what you think would make a good $30 knife for what you think you need since the folks here haven't provided any suggestions that fit your idea of what a SAR knife should be.

 

[lemaymiami]

Here's another alternative for that knife you're looking for... but it's a bit more money (roughly $20 more including shipping). This is a sturdy blade available in standard configuration or serrated and will literally be something you can carry in the field for years and years. It's the little brother of the Ka-bar that the Marines used. Go to E-Bay and look up Ka-bar Mark I.... I'd like to own one myself as a utility/survival item - it's the modern version of what our Navy seamen carried in WWII...

 

[Brian Williams]

i need somthing a little bigger that will be able to chop and saw through wood and rope

OH, by the way, you would get a time out in my platoon if you decided to start hacking at wood with a sheath knife, cutting rope is ok in a hurry other wise you untie it.

Time out in the Marines was a few hours either cleaning the nastiest latrine or until I was tired of you grunting doing either bends and thrusts or pushups.


You want a chopper, get an axe or a machete.
http://www.ontarioknife.com/catalog/item/49
buy it from amazonhere
http://www.amazon.com/Traditional-C...GI/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1325687127&sr=8-15

 

[Blackhawk30]

I like the Cold Steel Master Hunter.Prior to that I used a knife that resembles a Buck 119 but had a 4 inch blade.Your basic bowie blade stacked leather washers with aluminium pommel and butt cap.Mine was made by Western.

 

[JVoutilainen]

i need somthing a little bigger that will be able to chop and saw through wood and rope, remember, this is for Search And Rescue Academy

I think you should listen to more experienced people and get a mora. They will teach you why it was a particularly good choice when you get to the academy.

 

[Der Stro]

Indeed JV,

I've done exactly what he's doing, and you need nothing more than a small bush knife. I don't think they allow machetes anymore, but if they do then bring one of those as well for giggles. All firewood can be scavenged, all shelter can be accomplished with the paracord and poncho you're expected to have in your 24 hour pack, and you're not fighting through the jungle. I went through several different schools with nothing more than a Kershaw folder and made out just fine.

 

[hso]

I had a few guys "comment" on a camp that I was spending wayyy too much time looking for a place to set up for the night when they just hacked a clear spot out. Instead I picked a nice spot on the downwind side of the ridge with a large healthy tree forming a bowl filled with fodder just down slope from the crest everyone was camping on. I found a springy branch and put it in the crook of the tree resting the other end on the ground and tossed a poncho over the branch and anchored the corners to various other trees and roots and made one corner my "door" by tying it with paracord to a dead piece of log. I moved my "door" and tossed a tarp on the ground under the poncho so I had a little "tent" and tossed my bag into my shelter. When the wind picked up overnight I was on the lee side of the ridge in my padded little bowl under my poncho/tent while the other guys were on top of the ridge fully exposed to the wind. I think I spent more time asleep than they did and more comfortably in spite of their more advanced gear. The only thing I needed a knife for that weekend was cutting food and making fuzz sticks to start a fire.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Probably the most difficult thing to teach young men is software > hardware.
Especially in our culture, what with Kratos carrying two giant blades and Aragorn swinging a two handed sword.

But, I remember growing up in the 80's and having rambo knives too. So, it's probably something every generation endures.

 

[isaac.eck]

Ok, thank you very much everyone, i think im going to go with the Morakniv Companion. Thanks again!

 

[hso]

Sounds good.

If you get a sharpener you can get the super saver shipping from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion-MG-Mora-Sweden/dp/B004TNWD40

 

[Spec ops Grunt]

The best part about knives with Scandinavian grinds is that they are easy to sharpen.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/scanshrp.html

 

[Brian Williams]

Good.

 

[whetrock]

For the sake of discussion I'll add the Old Hickory butcher knife. I know they label it as a meat processing knife but people have been using them as field/hunting knives for years you just have to supply your own sheath.