Author Topic: survival knife? (Read 13860 times)

FourBee · « **Reply #30 on:** September 19, 2010, 06:27:47 PM »

This is my Survival Knife. It went with me thru the Vietnam War in (68). The original Scabbard has rotted away years ago, but I still carry and use this knife, and it is razor sharp. Some Gi's didn't like it because they couldn't get it sharp with the little hone that it came with. But I used an Arkansas Stone, and boy did that make a difference.

kynardsj · « **Reply #31 on:** September 20, 2010, 03:27:45 AM »

One knife won't fill all the applications of any situation. You need a big hacking, chopping something, and one or more smaller knives for cleaning game and fish and such. Then there's the chance one knife could break or get lost. Several knives would be the safest way to go. My go everywhere fanny pack has four in it along with the other items I would need to get by for a while in the woods.

Swampman · « **Reply #32 on:** September 20, 2010, 03:29:05 AM »

Any more than 2 is unnecessary weight. A small folder and a moderate fixed blade.

ironglow · « **Reply #33 on:** September 20, 2010, 05:32:39 AM »

Quote from: kynardsj on September 20, 2010, 03:27:45 AM

One knife won't fill all the applications of any situation. You need a big hacking, chopping something, and one or more smaller knives for cleaning game and fish and such. Then there's the chance one knife could break or get lost. Several knives would be the safest way to go. My go everywhere fanny pack has four in it along with the other items I would need to get by for a while in the woods.

Some like to carry a hatchet and a medium, full tang knife.

teddy12b · « **Reply #34 on:** September 20, 2010, 06:28:33 AM »

When I think survival knife I think of one that has a hollow handle. I really like the Chris Reeve style knives, but I can't pay $200 plus for a knife. I just can't justify that when there's plenty of reasonable options out there.

I bought one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/Schrade-Extreme-Survival-SCHF2SM-NIB-/140434271095?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item20b288eb77 It's the Schrade version of the Chris Reeve knife. This link is actually to a horribily priced one, they should be about $50 or less. Mine is razor sharp, and built like a tank. The blade is nice and thick for abuse and the hollow handle holds plenty of fishing line, hooks, flies, and matches. It's an outstanding value for the money!

Look up the Schrade Extreme Survival series of knives. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

243dave · « **Reply #35 on:** September 20, 2010, 08:36:15 AM »

Teddy thats looks to be a nice knife at a great price. Where is it made?? My take on a survival knife is you need/want 3 or 4. A 1. machette/hatchet, 2. a good fixed blade, 3. a fillet knife, 4. and of course a good leatherman with the pliers and screw drivers and other things. If I had to choose just one I guess a good heavy fixed blade would do.

teddy12b · « **Reply #36 on:** September 20, 2010, 08:47:27 AM »

The way I understand it..... Chris Reeve or his producers in South Africa retired so he sold the design to Schrade. Schrade took the design and had it made over in China, I think. It's not produced in the USA, just as the old Chris Reeve's weren't but it's less than 1/4 of the price too. Chris Reeve really overpriced his knives. Not that they weren't quality, but they weren't "that" good either. Keep in mind the Schrade version comes with a very handly tool bit set inside the handle. The cap that unscrews from the handle holds the bits as a handle. The cap itself is shaped like a nut that you can get a wrench on also unlike the rounded Chris Reeve knife. It's just a couple nice little touches that add some value to the knife if you look into the detail of the knife. When I bought mine, I filled the handle with fishing line and hooks and placed it on my emergency kit backback. It's not my only knife, but it's certainly a good one, and for the money, it's hard to beat.

Swampman · « **Reply #37 on:** September 20, 2010, 08:51:56 AM »

Hollow handled knives tend to break where the blade joins the handle.

kynardsj · « **Reply #38 on:** September 20, 2010, 09:11:59 AM »

I also own one of the Schrade Extremes. Very nice knife. I just wish it had a good guard on it.

teddy12b · « **Reply #39 on:** September 20, 2010, 09:26:14 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on September 20, 2010, 08:51:56 AM

Hollow handled knives tend to break where the blade joins the handle.

On these it's all one piece machined from a single hunk of steel.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #40 on:** September 25, 2010, 10:04:17 AM »

This knife did very well on knifetests.com. Better than the Reeve's did by far.

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #41 on:** September 26, 2010, 07:34:54 PM »

I use an M9 bayonet with basic survival gear in the magazine pounch and wrapped the sheath in paracord. The heavy knife I have used for harvesting hogs behind dogs, but can be tied with paracord to make improvised spear or can use heavy blade to make a fish and frog gig.

ST762

ironglow · « **Reply #42 on:** September 27, 2010, 01:16:18 AM »

Schrade (USA) is no more. The name and many designs were sold to a Chinese firm. That doesn't mean the knives are suffering in quality
(although I wish to dickens the knives and other products were being made here). The better Chinese companies are making some good stuff. I don't crave a hollow handle and I do like an oval cross section to the handle (to avoid twisting) but that is just my preference.
The successor to Schrade is Canal Street Cutlery, located in Ellenville, NY ; as was Schrade. Not as large as Schrade and a bit pricier, but beautiful work.

http://www.canalstreetcutlery.com/

bilmac · « **Reply #43 on:** September 27, 2010, 02:00:14 AM »

I carried the same knife as 4 bee in Viet Nam. We were in the jungle for most of the year I spent there and I can't imagine doing that without having a good substantial knife on your hip. A lot of guys in my outfit went without, but a lot of them were always borrowing mine. I still ALWAYS have about a 3" folder in my pocket, and folks are still borrowing it, especially one granddaughter. Whenever my knife isn't in it's place, I feel like I'm running around without shoes or pants, I'm just uncomfortable until the knife is back home.

ironglow · « **Reply #44 on:** September 27, 2010, 04:34:33 AM »

Right Bilmac;
I almost always have a knife (usually folding) with me...I feel undressed without it. Folks know this and often borrow my knife. I keep it quite keen as likely everybody on this forum does...so I remind them each time that it is sharp..
About a month ago my 11 yr old grandaughter asked to borrow my knife. I reached into my pocket and discovered that I had somehow neglected to change it over from yesterday's jeans when I dressed that morning. I had to tell her... "sorry honey, I don't have one with me".

You should have seen the look of surprise that came upon on her pretty little face !

teddy12b · « **Reply #45 on:** September 27, 2010, 04:50:40 AM »

I usually carry a little swiss army or micro leatherman on me and I can totally understand what you guys mean when you say people are always borrowing your pocket knife. It's funny how nobody else thinks to carry such a small & handy tool, but they definately know who to go to when they need one. It's kinda like owning a pickup truck when everyone wants you to help move a couch.

FourBee · « **Reply #46 on:** September 27, 2010, 04:37:14 PM »

Hey bilmac; I knew someone out there had carried one of these in Nam. I've got a few nice bone and wood handle knives that do as a survival knife, but usually when I got out scouting or hunting I can't resist taking my old trusty with me. Pocket knives ? They are as essential as my wallet. I can't leave home without one.

bilmac · « **Reply #47 on:** September 29, 2010, 04:14:33 PM »

I think they sold these knives as "Air Force Survival Knives" The serrated back of the blade was supposed to be for cutting your way through aluminum and plexiglass to escape an airplane. I never found a use for it. The knife was big enough to do a job clearing enough space to sleep in the jungle. It also had a big enough blade to be a credible fighting knife. The pommel is a fairly big chunk of steel that could serve as a hammer.

Just like picking the right rifle, the knife you need depends on the situation you expect to be in.

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #48 on:** September 30, 2010, 05:52:00 PM »

Swampman,

Another question for you: What do you use for a sheath for the Old Hickory 6"? Did you make one? If so, could you post a photo?

Thanks!

-Winter Hawk-

zeke08 · « **Reply #49 on:** September 30, 2010, 07:56:37 PM »

I carry the Gerber BMF (no longer made) its is a little big but its just plain tough! I have used this knife for just about everything in different schools teaching tracking, winter survival, shelters, booby-traps, and EOD. I also carry a benchmade folder that I bought through work and its great pocket knife!

I understand everyone borrows my knife and I always have it on me! my wife of 16 years once told a guy she worked with when he didn't have a knife that he wasn't a man since he didn't have one. I explained to her that the male libido was fragile and she should apologize she did and made me buy her one for her purse as to not embarrass anyone else! lol she means well just no home training

Swampman · « **Reply #50 on:** October 01, 2010, 02:30:21 AM »

I've been using the sheath I made for the Queen Cutlery knife but I need to make a shorter one.

teddy12b · « **Reply #51 on:** October 01, 2010, 04:39:01 AM »

Quote from: zeke08 on September 30, 2010, 07:56:37 PM

I understand everyone borrows my knife and I always have it on me! my wife of 16 years once told a guy she worked with when he didn't have a knife that he wasn't a man since he didn't have one. I explained to her that the male libido was fragile and she should apologize she did and made me buy her one for her purse as to not embarrass anyone else! lol she means well just no home training

Ouch! Next time tell her just to kick him where it hurts and go easy on him, lol.

That cracked me up and reminded me of a time when my wife and I were standing next to my dad in his garage when he was showing me his new knife. He had bought the smaller sized Kabar and was pretty happy with it. When my wife saw it (keep in mind she's seen the full size one I took overseas) she looked at him and was completely honest when she said "Awww that's cute". That was one of the funniest moments of my life and I could barely stand as hard as I was laughing. Dad laughed too, but you could tell his man pride was shrinking by the second.

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #52 on:** October 06, 2010, 06:38:51 AM »

I can't find a 6" Old Hickory butcher knife anywhere. 7" is available, but not 6" Does anyone have a link to where I can get one? Maybe they don't make them any more and I need to go for the larger one? All help will be appreciated!

-WH-

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #53 on:** October 06, 2010, 05:19:04 PM »

I didn't see any at the knife stores on the net that I visit. Maybe look on ebay? They don't list a 6" model on the Ontario website. That's who makes Old Hickory.

JRiddle · « **Reply #54 on:** October 31, 2010, 07:43:42 AM »

I love my Buck 184 Buckmaster. It's a tad heavier than my others, but by far the toughest.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #55 on:** October 31, 2010, 08:24:46 AM »

I would recommend a high quality multi tool and a small axe, as an excellent survival combo. An axe is much more capable than some Rambo looking knife when it comes time to build a shelter, split kindling in a pouring rain, kill hostile invaders, quarter large game, you name it. A good Leatherman will allow you to possibly repair your car, rifle, tent, what have you. The file will come in handy to touch up the axe bit, the can opener serves suprisingly well at... opening cans, pliers are ideal as a pot hook, the blade is plenty for gutting deer.

A good survival knife on the other hand looks bad azz when you are discussing your Spec Op experiences.( smiley here) It can be used for many of the tasks listed above, except for all the tool functions, and is a bit less handy in the chest cavity of a deer. I might replace the small axe with the big knife, but I'm looking for the right axe to replace my small saw.

I recently got my introduction to quartering with an axe, I will not be using a saw again. Well I might use a cordless Sawzall, maybe.

oldfart · « **Reply #56 on:** February 20, 2011, 02:02:22 PM »

do the old hickory hold up well as a camping-hunting knife? i am needing a good knife but don't have alot to spend, does it take and hold an edge well? thanks

Swampman · « **Reply #57 on:** February 20, 2011, 02:04:11 PM »

They hold up very well.

squirrellluck · « **Reply #58 on:** February 20, 2011, 04:05:24 PM »

Oldfart, you will find ol'hickory is a very good inexpensive knife. We use them in the kitchen. We have some that came from my great grandmothers kitchen. Don't let your wife use it in the kitchen or you will lose it

. I have ol'hickory and forstner and use the hickory more because they are easier to sharpen and seem to hold an edge better when processing deer.

Junior1942 · « **Reply #59 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:57:22 PM »

Like the photo below shows, I put a blue jean button on the side of every pair of jeans I own so I can easily pack my Mora knife when I'm in the woods. I also like Schrade Sharpfinger and Deerslayer knives; China or not they're high quality. I recently bought one of each with blaze orange handles for deer season. I put the Deerslayer in my spice box for camping to use as a butcher knife. The orange handle makes it easy to find.