Author Topic: SHTF Knife (Read 2998 times)

keith44 · « **on:** September 02, 2012, 08:49:14 PM »

yeah yeah I know, the one you are carrying at the time blah blah blah

Now that that's out of the way

What do you look for in a knife to be used in a survival situation? I have two fixed blade knives, and one folding knife that could do some jobs likely to be encountered. The folding knife and one of the fixed blades are Buck Knives. Both sharpen well, but require care to get the angle correct. Both blades are hard (the fixed blade has had the tip repaired (re-ground) due to snapping off. Also that same knife has some kind of rubber handle molded to the tang. Both of these are well suited for modern knife uses, but IMO are too likely to fail under the heavy use likely seen in a survival situation.

That leaves the other fixed blade knife. I have had it for years, used and abused it. Some time around 1993 I set it aside in favor of "nicer" knives and it has lain forgotten since. Yesterday, cleaning out a tool box I discovered it, still in the leather sheath, still looking well worn, but serviceable. I spent three hours with a file, and four different bench stones putting an edge on this knife and sharpening it to a where it would cut scrap leather. The only markings on the knife are on the heavy nut shaped (as in bolt and nut) hilt. Ontario 9-87 The steel is hard, but I have never needed to do anything more than sharpen this knife. I used a file to smooth out some of the poor shaping done when this blade was ground to make it easier to sharpen. I do not remember what I gave for this knife, but this looks to be close to what I have:

http://policelink.monster.com/products/products/5990-ontario-pilot-survival-knife

Any thoughts on this knife, or this type of knife for survival use?

Foggy · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2012, 01:36:27 AM »

The USAF been issueing it for years ith their survival kits I have one that if I'mm out in nature Huning fishing camping or hiking It's on my belt carried it for years. Small enough you don't look like a rambo wnata be but will do what you need. Just a good tough knife

IMHO
Foggy

AtlLaw · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2012, 02:33:44 AM »

The Army issued me one in 1966 when I arrived in the now defunct RVN. A few weeks later I left it in my aircraft when I had to exit it rather hastely as said Huey was burning like a torch.

Several months later back in the same location a recently deceased resident of the northern half of that country had the knife among his posessions, the handle having been burned away and replaced with a wrapping of com. wire.

A pretty tough instrument I'd say.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2012, 03:21:01 AM »

I recently picked up a BK-2 Ka-bar. Was in the market for a knife like this and caught a good deal. I will use it as a farm knife, so it will get abused a lot. But, also thought it would make a good camping knife...my girls are getting into camping. And in the back of my mind was a survival knife.

I also picked up a BK-11 Ka-bar, otherwise known as the Becker-Necker. This is a smaller, lighter but still tough neck knife. I really like this knife. It is very handy.

I think the pair will make a good survival set. The BK-11 will do most of your smaller work, food prep, ect. And the BK-2 can do your heavy work, batoning, chopping, hammering, processing game, ect.

http://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/1
http://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/5

Neither of these are fighting knifes, but I think they serve good as utility knifes. I think the knife you have shown is a good all around knife. My thought on the subject of SHTF knife if I could only pick one would be a knife like you mentioned. But my true thoughts, are a good pair of knives would be needed. Although, the BK-2 can do finer task..I am not real good at doing them with it or other big knives. The BK-11 easily does the finer task.

Another interesting knife, I have on order for food prep while camping and would be an interesting SHTF addition. Other knifes would be needed, as well.

http://www.blade-tech.com/ULU-Orange-pr-1096.html

pab1 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2012, 05:41:48 AM »

Quote from: mattmillerrx on September 03, 2012, 03:21:01 AM

I recently picked up a BK-2 Ka-bar. Was in the market for a knife like this and caught a good deal. I will use it as a farm knife, so it will get abused a lot. But, also thought it would make a good camping knife...my girls are getting into camping. And in the back of my mind was a survival knife.

The BK-2 is my favorite fixed blade knife. Not too big, not too small, perfect weight/balance and built to last. IMO its better than knives that cost several times more. I like it so much I own four of them.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #5 on:** September 04, 2012, 07:11:29 AM »

A Kabar knife as issued will do everything needed. Mine is like Richards 1967 vintage and just as good a design today as it was over fourth years ago. Mine is made by Camillus.

CW

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** September 04, 2012, 09:49:28 AM »

I have two of the Camillus knives , got them in a surplus store in TN. on a trip to Dallas over 30 years ago. Got the first on the way out and the second on the way home (still had a few extra dollars). They were around 15-20 bucks back then. The second was a spare , still is. Its easy to keep sharpe and it will shave you. I got a K-Bar a few years ago and its also nice but I still use the old Camillus . AtLlaw that was a great story thanks for shareing .

Victor3 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2012, 12:00:07 AM »

I think my Cold Steel SRK might make for a good survival knife. I don't use it much though. I like a thinner full-flat or scandi ground blade for most tasks. However, if I had to hammer a blade through wood to make kindling my lighter fixed blades might not hold up too well. And I certainly couldn't use them to punch through car hoods like I see on the Cold Steel videos.

I keep it in the truck with my other "just in case" items.

I think I'd grab the SRK if I couldn't carry a small hatchet AND a light fixed blade with me. It's a sturdy knife, just a bit clunky with its thick blade.

Gunrush128 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2012, 12:07:51 AM »

Have you looked at the Gerber LMF 2? I own one, and while it may be a little on the heavy side, it will certainly hold up to a beating.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2012, 06:18:34 AM »

Quote from: Victor3 on September 06, 2012, 12:00:07 AM

I think my Cold Steel SRK might make for a good survival knife. I don't use it much though. I like a thinner full-flat or scandi ground blade for most tasks. However, if I had to hammer a blade through wood to make kindling my lighter fixed blades might not hold up too well. And I certainly couldn't use them to punch through car hoods like I see on the Cold Steel videos. I keep it in the truck with my other "just in case" items.

I think I'd grab the SRK if I couldn't carry a small hatchet AND a light fixed blade with me. It's a sturdy knife, just a bit clunky with its thick blade.

I have a custom SRK knife and it is a real favorite!!
I stripped the blk off. Polished up the hilt and installed a piece of mule deer horn.
Not as good as a "real" knife smith could do but plenty serviceable and feels good in my hand.

CW

blind ear · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2012, 12:13:41 PM »

If my in pocket folder won't work I will use a 10" Old Hickory Butcher's knife for any task that any other 10" knife will do and it is cheap to own or replace and easy to find. ear

mechanic · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2012, 12:28:28 PM »

If I could only take one, it would be the Kabar. Blade is long enough to use a stick to force it through wood to split it. Light enough to carry. Holds an edge. Hard to find fault with it. Mine dates to the VN era as well.

Ben

KansasPaul · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2012, 01:32:17 PM »

I've been searching for the perfect "emergency" knife for a long time - just haven't found it yet. I looked at the BK-2, but I want something with serrations. I like drop tipped knives. Tried tanto blades but they just don't work well for me. Guess I'll just have to keep looking.....

Paul

Bugflipper · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2012, 09:18:36 PM »

I talked the old dept into sending me through the classes RAT offers. I do like their knives but they are pricey. The 5" is about right for me.
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/fixed+blade+knives/Ontario®+RAT-5%26%23153%3B+Survival+Knife+with+Olive+Drab+G-10+Handle+-+Plain+Edge/ON8627.html

This is the one I've been trying out lately. So far it's done pretty well in the woods.
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/OKC9420TM.html

If a fellow wants a cheap knife that can sharpen up easy on a rock you pick up, this one is pretty good. http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/condor/Condor®+Rodan%26%23153%3B+with+Black+Polypropylene+Handle/CTK2376HC.html I was skeptical with that kind of handle but you can beat on the spine with a good size hunk of wood and it doesn't come loose when batoning it through wood.

The ideal knife for me is around a 5-6" drop point blade. Not too thick but thick enough for strength. Has a full tang. A recurve blade. Sharpens easily. Holds an edge well enough. And throws a spark with a flint. I haven't found it yet. That ontario night stalker is about as close as I've found so far. I like a recurve blade because they cut like a much longer blade. But you don't have to worry about them being a much longer blade so less weight and less chance of it deflecting back and biting you if you are hacking on something.

I tried field dressing a deer when the serrated knives first became popular. I threw the thing in the creek after I finally got it done.

I just have one today and it's for cutting seat belts. I don't know how you fellows use them. I finally found a recurve plain blade auto for the seat belts so now the serrated one just stays on the side of a duty bag in case I forget the normal carry one on my street clothes

vacek · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2012, 04:20:17 AM »

Without a doubt my old USAF Survival Knife. I have carried one since 75.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #15 on:** September 07, 2012, 06:37:08 AM »

WOW

my dad had one of those when i was about 12

he gave it to me and i broke it within a week

vacek · « **Reply #16 on:** September 07, 2012, 12:18:33 PM »

45-70 You broke one of these???

keith44 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2012, 07:09:36 PM »

that would require some serious abuse

Bugflipper · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2012, 08:13:40 PM »

I have broken a few kabars as well. The pictures aren't mine but can show where they break. You just heat the braze that connects the pomel to the tang. Weld the tang to the blade. Put the handle back on and weld the tang at the pomel end. They aren't exactly fragile but you have to think about what you intend to do with it, respecting that it isn't a full tang. Or like me just have a few that were beat to crap when I got them, so use them for worse tasks you don't want to put your good knives through and just fix them if they break. They are tougher than they look with that little tang. But enough abuse and they will snap. You are taking a risk with batoning, using as a spear or prying. But they may hold up to a whole lot of all before they break. I haven't had the two break a second time after welding and they still get put through very hard use.

BTW those Air Force ones you guys are posting are my favorite kabars. I used one for several years for deer hunting. When all you could find was cheap stainless bladed knives the 1095 kabars were always great knives and still are today.

Victor3 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:43:44 PM »

Quote from: KansasPaul on September 06, 2012, 01:32:17 PM

I've been searching for the perfect "emergency" knife for a long time - just haven't found it yet. I looked at the BK-2, but I want something with serrations. I like drop tipped knives. Tried tanto blades but they just don't work well for me. Guess I'll just have to keep looking.....

Paul

I haven't found my perfect emergency knife either, but I've been impressed with this one. Got it a year or so back. Doesn't have serrations per se but the saw works very well; not just a Rambo-ish decoration. This discontinued model is marked USA. IIRC, the new Team Leader (no saw) is made in Taiwan and has a nylon sheath...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOG-TL-02-Team-Leader-Survivor-Knife-NEW-/271020824429?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item3f1a19976d

I'm half tempted to buy this one as a spare. It's no pry-bar with its .150" thick blade, but it's a great slicer (flat grind) and holds an edge well.

pab1 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 08, 2012, 07:30:06 PM »

Bugflipper, thats why I prefer full tang knives like the BK-2. Much stronger.

Couger · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2012, 12:03:27 PM »

Quote from: vacek on September 07, 2012, 12:18:33 PM

45-70 You broke one of these???

My pops did! THREE of them! While running the USAF-survival course at Eglin when he as a nugget at NAS Pensacola where he learned to fly Navy helos for 21yrs.

However rough my dad was or was not with them, at least one knife broke opening C-ration cans!

My pops carried a Navy Kabar (Camillus) in a thigh pocket on his flight suit as part of his 'kit' and flying gear.

Tip was rounded down to a chisel point for (theoretically) chopping and cutting one's way out of a plexiglass cockpit! (which fortunately was never tried

).

My idea of a survival knife includes my hunting knife (Cold Steel Pendleton Hunter) or a couple other Cold Steel designs. I agree that a serrated (partial) blade is a tool that could be a GOOD and "critical" in certain situations.

geezerbiker · « **Reply #22 on:** October 03, 2012, 07:39:38 PM »

I always have either my Gerber Multi-plier or my Leatherman tool. Either of those with whatever knife happen to have has gotten me out of all sorts of scrapes. For every day pocket carry its either my Kershaw or Gerber single blade pocket knife. Out in the woods I supplement the multi-tool with a cold steel Tanto reground to the shape of a conventional hunting knife.

I'm not concerned so much about SHTF but remembering lessons learnt as a boy scout. Be prepared (it's also a Tom Lehrer song but I digress.)

Tony

tomtomz · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2012, 10:48:25 AM »

These CRKT knives are very rugged. I bought one after I saw a guy slice through pickup door to open the latch:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/947836/crkt-m16-special-forces-folding-knife-3-1-2-8cr14-serrated-stainless-steel-blade-g-10-handle-desert

In Kansas, I'm told that you can't carry a fixed blade knife, even on your belt in a leather sheath. Hunters get ticketed for making this mistake, which could be a Felony depending on the charge.

This knife has 3 1/2 inch blade which is under the legal limit.

kynardsj · « **Reply #24 on:** October 11, 2012, 11:32:39 AM »

My Kershaw Clash is my everyday carry knife. Excellent steel and reliability. Because of a member asking about a Cold Steel Spartan, I became interested in them. Quite possibly the most awsome folding knife I have ever seen. Bought one for me and two more as gifts for my friends. The handle looks strange but is very comfortable.

m-g Willy · « **Reply #25 on:** October 16, 2012, 06:05:24 PM »

6-7 inch double edge blade with one edge kept razor sharp and the other edge used for everything.
That combined with aa full tang is what a SHTF blade should be.

teamnelson · « **Reply #26 on:** October 24, 2012, 01:48:34 PM »

These will last longer than me ...

I made these BTW, and encourage y'all to try making your own. You'll get a much better quality steel,
and the satisfaction in knowing you made it. Top on is 3/16" Aldos 1095 High Carbon, KOA handle.
Bottom left to right: 1/4" A1 with multicam G2 grip, 1/8" 1080 HC, and 1/8" D2 (wife's kitchen knife)
I'd bet a Kabar or USAF blade will snap before any but the 1080 did; they're also all full tang.

pab1 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 25, 2012, 05:32:25 AM »

You can't lump the Ka-Bar Beckers in with other Ka-Bar knives. The Beckers are full tang and very well built. Like the guy in this video says, its like a Busse at a fraction of the cost. Look at the blade thickness at about 1:36 of this video.