Recommend a survival knife under $50...
- Thread starter Davo
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bubbygator
Member
The guys who mentioned Becker didn't give link. Look at this:
http://www.camillusknives.com/1mainframe.htm?bkt/index.shtml~main
http://www.camillusknives.com/1mainframe.htm?bkt/index.shtml~main
Eleven Mike
Member
Define easily. I know I used mine to split some small logs in half. (By placing the blade where I wanted the split and whacking the spine repeatedly with another small log.)
They are less than an 1/8" thick, but strong enough for use as a knife.
I'm a big fan of the Ontario/RAT knives. The 4.25" blade TAK models are my favorites for general outdoors use:
Not too big. Nice construction. Straightforward blade and grip design. Available with either D2 tool or 1095 carbon steels. Not bad for $65-75.
Not too big. Nice construction. Straightforward blade and grip design. Available with either D2 tool or 1095 carbon steels. Not bad for $65-75.
FourTeeFive
Member
I second the Ontario knives; great value. Check out the RAT-7. Good prices can be found on eBay and other online retailers.
Eleven Mike
Member
Those do look like good knives, despite the lack of a substantial guard. Review, please. 
11M,
The Ontarios have plenty of "guard" with that finger choil. I've handled them and was impressed. They are more lightly built than the Beckers using a thinner steel. Of course heavier doesn't mean better in every application. There have been complaints about blade deformation when they knives were used for digging, prying and heavier chopping, but were reported to hold up well for more normal uses and batonning.
The Ontarios have plenty of "guard" with that finger choil. I've handled them and was impressed. They are more lightly built than the Beckers using a thinner steel. Of course heavier doesn't mean better in every application. There have been complaints about blade deformation when they knives were used for digging, prying and heavier chopping, but were reported to hold up well for more normal uses and batonning.
grizz
Member
Isn't the best survival knife still a swiss-army, or a leatherman?
A couple blades, a can opener, some screw drivers, a saw, and a few other tools seem to make more sense in a survival situation than a 6 inch blade combat knife.
A couple blades, a can opener, some screw drivers, a saw, and a few other tools seem to make more sense in a survival situation than a 6 inch blade combat knife.
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Oh, Lord, Where To Start . . .
Lots of good suggestions.
Ka-Bar, Camillus, Ontario: all good stuff.
Cold Steel, yup, also good.
There is an awful lot of good hardware out there. I own a bunch. Its a serious character flaw.
That said, I do have a favorite type. The Scandinavian designs, embodied in the Mora knives (made by K.J. Eriksson, Frosts, and Normark), the Finnish family of that basic design, chiefly by Marttiini -- excellent stuff -- and the Norwegian brands (more expensive but very well finished), e.g. Helle, Brusletto. I have several of the Eriksson and Frost knives (military, utility, skinners, whittlers). I really like the Swedish Army version and the Mora 2000. Awesome tools.
The Scandinavian grind is a simple single bevel from a usually laminated piece of stock. Shaving sharp and brutally rugged. I have one today that I picked up on a ship in Sweden more than 30 years ago. Its wooden handle is pretty ugly now, but its edge is still very much a working edge.
My prize set is a Finnish (Marttiini) set, a double scabbard with a small 3-inch "puukko" on the outside of a larger "Leuku" knife. The smaller one is a great all around utility knife. The larger one will chop kindling, skin reindeer, and slice tomatoes.
I also have the whole set of Marttiini "MN-x" series of hunting knives (MN-10, -14, -15, -16, and -17). They range from 3 inches to 5 inches (the MN-15 is a very comfortable 4-inch blade) with a rubber handle. Very useful.
Both Ragnar's Forge (http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html) and Kellam Knives (http://www.kellamknives.com) cover a wide range of possibilities.
As others have advised, I would not try to get a single knife to do everything. I have a set with a light hatchet and the large & small Marttiini blades. If you can only use two, then a hatchet and a 4-inch or 5-inch utility knife. If you're stuck with just one, then the 5-inch puukko-style utility knife will earn its keep.
The Swedish and Finnish knives are inexpensive (for the most part) and will take all the punishment you can dish out. The high-carbon blades hold a great edge. The stainless blades do quite well, too. I use both.
Oh, and carry a good folder, too. I happen to like the Buck 110 and the Kershaw 3120 or 3140.
You can't have too many knives.
Lots of good suggestions.
Ka-Bar, Camillus, Ontario: all good stuff.
Cold Steel, yup, also good.
There is an awful lot of good hardware out there. I own a bunch. Its a serious character flaw.
That said, I do have a favorite type. The Scandinavian designs, embodied in the Mora knives (made by K.J. Eriksson, Frosts, and Normark), the Finnish family of that basic design, chiefly by Marttiini -- excellent stuff -- and the Norwegian brands (more expensive but very well finished), e.g. Helle, Brusletto. I have several of the Eriksson and Frost knives (military, utility, skinners, whittlers). I really like the Swedish Army version and the Mora 2000. Awesome tools.
The Scandinavian grind is a simple single bevel from a usually laminated piece of stock. Shaving sharp and brutally rugged. I have one today that I picked up on a ship in Sweden more than 30 years ago. Its wooden handle is pretty ugly now, but its edge is still very much a working edge.
My prize set is a Finnish (Marttiini) set, a double scabbard with a small 3-inch "puukko" on the outside of a larger "Leuku" knife. The smaller one is a great all around utility knife. The larger one will chop kindling, skin reindeer, and slice tomatoes.
I also have the whole set of Marttiini "MN-x" series of hunting knives (MN-10, -14, -15, -16, and -17). They range from 3 inches to 5 inches (the MN-15 is a very comfortable 4-inch blade) with a rubber handle. Very useful.
Both Ragnar's Forge (http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html) and Kellam Knives (http://www.kellamknives.com) cover a wide range of possibilities.
As others have advised, I would not try to get a single knife to do everything. I have a set with a light hatchet and the large & small Marttiini blades. If you can only use two, then a hatchet and a 4-inch or 5-inch utility knife. If you're stuck with just one, then the 5-inch puukko-style utility knife will earn its keep.
The Swedish and Finnish knives are inexpensive (for the most part) and will take all the punishment you can dish out. The high-carbon blades hold a great edge. The stainless blades do quite well, too. I use both.
Oh, and carry a good folder, too. I happen to like the Buck 110 and the Kershaw 3120 or 3140.
You can't have too many knives.
FourTeeFive
Member
A great bargain
Someone mentioned it earlier; for the money it is hard to beat the Glock knives. Usually around $25 or so.
Someone mentioned it earlier; for the money it is hard to beat the Glock knives. Usually around $25 or so.
Davo
Member
Coyote3855
Member
Marbles Fieldcraft.
http://www.marblesoutdoors.com/cutlery/fieldcraft.html
Swedish Camper's Hatchet from Garrett Wade:
http://www.garrettwade.com/sdx/H35736.jsp
Basic Leatherman multitool
Whereever
18" Swedish Bow saw.
Home Depot
My dad used to say, "the bigger the knife, the dumber the tenderfoot." He used a 1950's Buck 110 with the green scales. Everyday carry knife on the ranch was his Case Boy Scout model, on a lanyard and in his right hip pocket.
Coyote3855
http://www.marblesoutdoors.com/cutlery/fieldcraft.html
Swedish Camper's Hatchet from Garrett Wade:
http://www.garrettwade.com/sdx/H35736.jsp
Basic Leatherman multitool
Whereever
18" Swedish Bow saw.
Home Depot
My dad used to say, "the bigger the knife, the dumber the tenderfoot." He used a 1950's Buck 110 with the green scales. Everyday carry knife on the ranch was his Case Boy Scout model, on a lanyard and in his right hip pocket.
Coyote3855
I would like to offer a slightly different opinion, but I will admit that I don't have as much experience as most of you, so I am quite open to the possibility of being corrected
Those of you who suggested a small knife and a machete/hatchet are fine, but a lot of people (by no means all) have instead given suggestions for a outdoor utility knife and so suggested a smaller blade. I would agree with this, but that isn't what the original poster asked about.
If a person is actually in a survival situation, would he really prefer a small knife to a medium to large one? I can see very few situations where I couldn't choke up on a larger knife and use it as a small one, but I can think of a lot of situations where I might wish that my knife was a lot bigger. I think that knives like a Buck 110 (which I have) are great for general work, but I can think of a whole lot of others that I would rather have in a survival situation as my primary knife.
Having said that, I would prefer to have a good SAK along with a big knife such as a BK7 or 9.
Those of you who suggested a small knife and a machete/hatchet are fine, but a lot of people (by no means all) have instead given suggestions for a outdoor utility knife and so suggested a smaller blade. I would agree with this, but that isn't what the original poster asked about.
If a person is actually in a survival situation, would he really prefer a small knife to a medium to large one? I can see very few situations where I couldn't choke up on a larger knife and use it as a small one, but I can think of a lot of situations where I might wish that my knife was a lot bigger. I think that knives like a Buck 110 (which I have) are great for general work, but I can think of a whole lot of others that I would rather have in a survival situation as my primary knife.
Having said that, I would prefer to have a good SAK along with a big knife such as a BK7 or 9.
Rambo knives make me want to hurl
Expensive, heavy, not very practical and that hollowed out handle does nothing for lateral strength of blade and handle.
Almost any knife will work well if you know what you can use it for and what you should avoid. Yeah, don't split firewood with a swiss army knife! I'm a fan of simple knives.
No excessive blade length.
No serrations
no compass
convenient sheath and retaining system.
I'm a huge fan of scandinavian knives. Some firms offer a combination Leuko/Puukko housed in the same sheath. The leuko is used for the heavy stuff, chopping/splitting and the Puukko for everything else.
Expensive, heavy, not very practical and that hollowed out handle does nothing for lateral strength of blade and handle.
Almost any knife will work well if you know what you can use it for and what you should avoid. Yeah, don't split firewood with a swiss army knife! I'm a fan of simple knives.
No excessive blade length.
No serrations
no compass
convenient sheath and retaining system.
I'm a huge fan of scandinavian knives. Some firms offer a combination Leuko/Puukko housed in the same sheath. The leuko is used for the heavy stuff, chopping/splitting and the Puukko for everything else.
Gordon
Member
Well based on my experience, this is it!
http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=001774#000001
http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=001774#000001
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Survival Knives
+1 on the "Rambo knives make me want to hurl"
That said, there is a line of survival knives that makes me drool.
Chris Reeve makes a line of knives with hollowed-out handles. These are machined from a single solid billet of tool steel. They're not dramatically large. They are, however, just plain tough.
Naturally, they aren't anywhere near $50. Here are a couple:
Those first two have 5.5-inch blades.
Five and a half inches not enough? How about nine?
Hey, after all, it's only money.
+1 on the "Rambo knives make me want to hurl"
That said, there is a line of survival knives that makes me drool.
Chris Reeve makes a line of knives with hollowed-out handles. These are machined from a single solid billet of tool steel. They're not dramatically large. They are, however, just plain tough.
Naturally, they aren't anywhere near $50. Here are a couple:
Those first two have 5.5-inch blades.
Five and a half inches not enough? How about nine?
Hey, after all, it's only money.
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The Cultural Woodsman
Member
Personal preferance....
Ask ten different guys you will get ten different answers. The bottom line is you should be capable of using any knife worth being called a knife(notice I said "worth being called a knife) to do just about any job. The question is your skill with the knife and the ability to keep it sharp.
You have to remember that native cultures around the world got by with sharp rocks for a long, long time. Were they ideal? No. Not even close, but the point is they had the knowledge and skill to complete a given task with what was available.
If you are going to pick a specific knife and say this is my "survival knife" it is hard to go wrong with a Scandinavian ground blade of good steel like a Mora in your price range. Main reason? Ease of sharpening. A dull knife is almost worthless (at least to me). This is, of course what I say for a beginner.
Learn with a pocket knife (NEVER trust any lock completely) a small sheath knife and a large sheath knife....as many different kinds as you can.
My point? Even a $50.00 knife is worthless unless you have knowledge and skills to pack with it. And the best survival knife in the world is the one you have when you need it. Just my humble thoughts, not saying anyone else is wrong.
Ask ten different guys you will get ten different answers. The bottom line is you should be capable of using any knife worth being called a knife(notice I said "worth being called a knife) to do just about any job. The question is your skill with the knife and the ability to keep it sharp.
You have to remember that native cultures around the world got by with sharp rocks for a long, long time. Were they ideal? No. Not even close, but the point is they had the knowledge and skill to complete a given task with what was available.
If you are going to pick a specific knife and say this is my "survival knife" it is hard to go wrong with a Scandinavian ground blade of good steel like a Mora in your price range. Main reason? Ease of sharpening. A dull knife is almost worthless (at least to me). This is, of course what I say for a beginner.
Learn with a pocket knife (NEVER trust any lock completely) a small sheath knife and a large sheath knife....as many different kinds as you can.
My point? Even a $50.00 knife is worthless unless you have knowledge and skills to pack with it. And the best survival knife in the world is the one you have when you need it. Just my humble thoughts, not saying anyone else is wrong.
Welcome to THR! Nice post The Cultural Woodsman.
sm
member
The Cultural Woodsman,
Welcome to THR and I too agree with your post. Funny, when I have been on extended canoe and portage trips in Canada, I took along a Old Hickory Paring, or Utility knife and Case Camp knife. We were out from 9 days to 21 days.
Later I went to the SAK , a simple one, much like the Soldier knife, and again a Old Hickory paring, or utility knife. Small Norton India stone, small flat needle file...good to go.
For my use a small folding saw was easier to pack and tote than a hatchet, then again a old, small wooden handled hand axe one worked fine. Depended on what I was doing.
The knife I carried in Canada and all over the US and even in Jamacia was similar this one, except back then the tweezers and toothpicks were not even part of the line. http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?Mode=Cat&Cat=92&range=11&SKU=V5002R
I have since lost it and another SAK .
Other knives I have used include Case Trapper with CV blades, Case Sodbuster Jr, Case slimline Trapper, Case Moose I like Case knives and especially the CV blades
Quite a few Barlows with Carbon Steel blades were used over the years too.
Proven "Survival" knives used by Folks Ranching, Farming, Lumberjacking, Guides on various Trips ( a few guides used Barlows in Canada with a Old Hickory for a fixed blade as I did.) and folks still do.
Buck 110s were popular here and I preferred the Case Mako Shark for that type of knife when I carried one...fits my hands better. Just too many folks have cleaned too many fish and game with what they carried all the time and did everything with - including be out for a week at a time.
I forget the gentleman's name that went to Alaska and built a log cabin. He lived for many years up until his 80's and he used simple tools to survive. He documented with photos, movies and writings.
It was shown on PBS a few months ago. His cabin and all still standing and a "Museum" of sorts if you will.
Survive? Yeah, for decades with the simple tools, all by himself.
Welcome to THR and I too agree with your post. Funny, when I have been on extended canoe and portage trips in Canada, I took along a Old Hickory Paring, or Utility knife and Case Camp knife. We were out from 9 days to 21 days.
Later I went to the SAK , a simple one, much like the Soldier knife, and again a Old Hickory paring, or utility knife. Small Norton India stone, small flat needle file...good to go.
For my use a small folding saw was easier to pack and tote than a hatchet, then again a old, small wooden handled hand axe one worked fine. Depended on what I was doing.
The knife I carried in Canada and all over the US and even in Jamacia was similar this one, except back then the tweezers and toothpicks were not even part of the line. http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?Mode=Cat&Cat=92&range=11&SKU=V5002R
I have since lost it and another SAK .
Other knives I have used include Case Trapper with CV blades, Case Sodbuster Jr, Case slimline Trapper, Case Moose I like Case knives and especially the CV blades
Quite a few Barlows with Carbon Steel blades were used over the years too.
Proven "Survival" knives used by Folks Ranching, Farming, Lumberjacking, Guides on various Trips ( a few guides used Barlows in Canada with a Old Hickory for a fixed blade as I did.) and folks still do.
Buck 110s were popular here and I preferred the Case Mako Shark for that type of knife when I carried one...fits my hands better. Just too many folks have cleaned too many fish and game with what they carried all the time and did everything with - including be out for a week at a time.
I forget the gentleman's name that went to Alaska and built a log cabin. He lived for many years up until his 80's and he used simple tools to survive. He documented with photos, movies and writings.
It was shown on PBS a few months ago. His cabin and all still standing and a "Museum" of sorts if you will.
Survive? Yeah, for decades with the simple tools, all by himself.
The Cultural Woodsman
Member
Thanks for the Welcome
I appreciate the welcome guys...and just so you know I didn't pick my name because I am "cultured and refined", I picked it because of an intense interest in blending cultures in all things, from woodcraft to woodworking and survival techniques.....the world has a lot to offer.
I am particularly fond of the old Russian cultural ways and our American Indian ways, and of course, Scandanavia.
I absolutely love some of the blends of Russian steel for any kind of knife but for a beginner with a budget I think they would be a little harder to sharpen but without question more durable. Try surviving in Siberia...lol
One Russian former Officer that taught me a lot about knives insisted I be able to use any kind of knife for any kind of task. This has served me well and even though I have my "favorites" in woodsman/survival knives I can indeed use most knives for most purposes if they are sharp.
Again I really appreciate the welcome
Oh yeah and most beginners will find carbon steel much easier to sharpen but that it requires more care than some want to give....again just my 2 cents..
I appreciate the welcome guys...and just so you know I didn't pick my name because I am "cultured and refined", I picked it because of an intense interest in blending cultures in all things, from woodcraft to woodworking and survival techniques.....the world has a lot to offer.
I am particularly fond of the old Russian cultural ways and our American Indian ways, and of course, Scandanavia.
I absolutely love some of the blends of Russian steel for any kind of knife but for a beginner with a budget I think they would be a little harder to sharpen but without question more durable. Try surviving in Siberia...lol
One Russian former Officer that taught me a lot about knives insisted I be able to use any kind of knife for any kind of task. This has served me well and even though I have my "favorites" in woodsman/survival knives I can indeed use most knives for most purposes if they are sharp.
Again I really appreciate the welcome
Oh yeah and most beginners will find carbon steel much easier to sharpen but that it requires more care than some want to give....again just my 2 cents..
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3 gun
Member
Of course it depends on how you define survival as to what would be best. A vote here for a Leatherman like tool rather than a large fix bladed knife for most uses. Of course if you have the room for more than one knife, a large fixed blade survival does have its good points. Still I think the Leatherman style tool and a small axe/hatchet combo would be better, unless your area would be better suited to a machete over an axe. Either way a big fixed blade survival knife is more a movie prop than real life. IMHO
Exmasonite
Member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
- Messages
- 561
Alce Knives
I picked up one of these for $35 about 7 years ago and have taken it hiking/backpacking 3-4 times a year since. i've beaten on it pretty well and it's held up. holds an edge very well (sharpen every 1-2 years although i don't require "surgical" sharpness).
http://www.a2zoutdoors.com/alce_knives.htm
i got the top one w/ the serrated edge.
I picked up one of these for $35 about 7 years ago and have taken it hiking/backpacking 3-4 times a year since. i've beaten on it pretty well and it's held up. holds an edge very well (sharpen every 1-2 years although i don't require "surgical" sharpness).
http://www.a2zoutdoors.com/alce_knives.htm
i got the top one w/ the serrated edge.
Zero_DgZ
Even in desert or very sparsely timbered terrain. A short machete can, in a pinch, be used to dig, pry, even form the basis for a short splint. Chop/cut snow blocks for a shelter, or break ice to gain access to water underneath. Not to mention a good weapon.
Like ArfinGreebly, I have a weakness for quality cutlery; in particular knives by several makers such as Chris Reeve, Randall etc. And they are worth every penny IMO - if you can afford it. Like a budget folder or small fixed blade these can be paired nicely with a short machete or ax.
--------------------------------
http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
And there's wisdom for you.
Even in desert or very sparsely timbered terrain. A short machete can, in a pinch, be used to dig, pry, even form the basis for a short splint. Chop/cut snow blocks for a shelter, or break ice to gain access to water underneath. Not to mention a good weapon.
Like ArfinGreebly, I have a weakness for quality cutlery; in particular knives by several makers such as Chris Reeve, Randall etc. And they are worth every penny IMO - if you can afford it. Like a budget folder or small fixed blade these can be paired nicely with a short machete or ax.
--------------------------------
http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
They are as tough as any other quality blade of the same thickness and materials.
Their carbon steel blades can be made super sharp - the Sandvik 12c27 will take a pretty sharp edge too. Both make for effective and practical cutting tools.
---------------------------------------
http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
knife under 50 dollars
Well I have to agree that a knife with a blade over 5" is a lot of extra weight to carry around all day. When my son first joined the boy scouts I bought the becker 7 and don't get me wrong it is a wonderful knife but I found for most of my chores my SAK trekker did most of the jobs and for the few things that a bigger knife would have been better lest just say my SOG field pup now takes care of those. Like I said it a good knife just found to be heavy. Now if I were going say to the wilderness for extended periods over a month I would consider taking it then again I might just take two of my smaller lighter fixed blades.
under 50.00
Becker 7 or better yet 5, KaBar
I just found out in brigadequatermasters about the becker necker sounds like it could be a option also.
Two other great knives are the grohmann boat knife 69.00 AGrussell and the yukon belt knife by knives of alaska ( I have in D2 steel) great knife also gets used regularly on fishing and camping trips. 89.00
Well I have to agree that a knife with a blade over 5" is a lot of extra weight to carry around all day. When my son first joined the boy scouts I bought the becker 7 and don't get me wrong it is a wonderful knife but I found for most of my chores my SAK trekker did most of the jobs and for the few things that a bigger knife would have been better lest just say my SOG field pup now takes care of those. Like I said it a good knife just found to be heavy. Now if I were going say to the wilderness for extended periods over a month I would consider taking it then again I might just take two of my smaller lighter fixed blades.
under 50.00
Becker 7 or better yet 5, KaBar
I just found out in brigadequatermasters about the becker necker sounds like it could be a option also.
Two other great knives are the grohmann boat knife 69.00 AGrussell and the yukon belt knife by knives of alaska ( I have in D2 steel) great knife also gets used regularly on fishing and camping trips. 89.00
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