survival knife?

[blind ear]

A 4" Old Hickory or Ontario pareing knife is big enough to do any skinning job. It can handle deboneing to. The black iron tool steel blade won't break nearly as easy as a stainless blade.

 If you are processing meat into steak cuts from large muscles you might want something longer like a sliceing knife. The pareing knife will carry well in the woods and do most jobs though. ear

[FourBee]

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.

Junior; I like the Sharpfinger too.  It's my second best survival knife.   I use it to bleed out my slaughter lambs.

[vacek]

I always have my Airforce survival knife, Leatherman Wave, and a Tool Logic.  The air force scabbard has a military canvas pouch sewed on which hold some fishing line, waterproof matches, and fishing gear.

[FourBee]

I always have my Airforce survival knife, Leatherman Wave, and a Tool Logic.  The air force scabbard has a military canvas pouch sewed on which hold some fishing line, waterproof matches, and fishing gear.

Can ya give us a 'PIC' of that set-up ? 

[vacek]

I've never posted a pic.  Let's see if this works.

[Bugflipper]

For me it's hard to beat a 10-95 steel knife for survival. No doubt there are far better super steels out today. I just like one I can sharpen on a rock and maybe find an old whiskey bottle or mason jar out and about to put a shaving edge on it. I have been carrying the RAT RC-6 for several years now. Last year I added a carbon steel Mora knife for a light duty chore knife. Soaked it in lemon juice over night for a patina to prevent rust and all has been well. I also filed the spine flat near the handle to get more spark out of a flint.
http://gunkings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1734&source=googlebase
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=FT840MG

[FourBee]

vacek; when you mentioned 'AirForce Survival Knife', I knew it had to be the Camilus of NY.  I carried mine over to Vietnam in Spring of 1968.   That same knife can be found in discount stores at a very reasonalbe price.  Guys; this is a 'real survival knife', get one if you can.      They feel great in your hand.  Just don't use the little stone that comes with it. It is too coarse.

[vacek]

FourBee.  Thank you for your service to our country.

Agreed this is a really good knife and has the primary requisite for survival.  It is strong, heavy and very well balanced for holding, cutting etc.  As an aside, once you get the hang of it, ist is a very nice throwing knife if necessary, but you have to learn how to throw by the handle not the blade.  I actually had 2 of these.  This one, and another I used and abused to learn how to throw.  Amazing penetration.

Anyway, I had the sheath modified by a boot maker back in 82 before heading out to Alaska for the summer.  I have modified the contents over the years but the current choice of contents have been essentially constant for about 20.  The little skinning knife is for just that and I keep that very sharp.  The Large blade is sharp but not razor sharp as it is used for heavier work.  The little matchbox is actually hooks, sinkers, and swivels.  The popcicle sticks have mono, braided and artificial sinew.  The ziplock contains a book of matches and some waterproof ones.  Yes, bookmatches.  Regardless of their bad press well kept ones have never let me down.  The waterproof are backup.  Currently missing from the pack is the  P38.  The stone is for the little knife and to somewhat touch up the big one.  You are right, the included stone that came with it was of little use.  This is a different stone.

This has traveled the world with me as my job takes me pretty much everywhere often.  I leave for SE Asia on 3/9 for a month.  Will be in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. 

[vacek]

FourBee, by the way.  Where at in Oklahoma?  I grew up farming and ranching in the Texas / OK Panhandle and have my masters from OSU.

[teddy12b]

I keep this in a small back pack in my back of my vehicle.  It's that schrade cheapo survival knife that I mentioned earlier.  I just like knowing that I have a little kit for light, starting fires, and catching fish just in case I need it for something.

[FourBee]

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.

teddy12b; you and vacek show some nice survival rigs.  Thanks for sharing those pics too.

vacek; I'm about a 15 minute drive from Fort Smith, Arkansas, on the Oklahoma side.   Lots of corporations in Ft Smith have Okies on payroll.

[OutdoorsmanEd27]

There are seriously tons of great survival knifes out there. It really is up to you but if you want my opinion then i must say I am a sucker for Bowie survival knifes.