What general outdoor knife?

L

Lindenwood

Inactive
Preface 1: I am looking at knives that could be used for a multitude of purposes, from "general" survival to defense. It doesn't necessarily have to be small enough for super intricate work (wittling a fishing spear or whatever), as I would have a multitool for things like that. I'd kinda like something that I could attach to my belt or pack strap that I could carry around hiking and such.

Preface 2: I don't really know the first thing about "combat." I have pretty much no experience with any sort of weapons, and I won't pretend to. My "fighting" training is limited to basic boxing and kickboxing.

My EDC is a Gerber 3.5" fixed-blade knife ("Profile," Drop Point). That is pretty much the only knife I have right now really worth anything, the rest are just cheap folders and multitools acquired along the way.


Ive been doing quite a bit of research on both survival knifes and combat knives, and it looks like, for both general survival as well as defensive uses, a blade of around 6-7" is ideal. As most of you surely know, going to big seems to be often more of a burden than a help.

Here are some of the knives I've been looking at:

http://www.coldsteel.com/bowiemachetes.html
While it obviously does not fall into what I just said above (for 12" length), it also has the obvious advantage of reach and greater chopping and slashing ability than the other knives I've been looking at. I just wanted to see what you guys thought of it.

http://www.coldsteel.com/shanghaishadow.html
This one seems to be well-suited for combat and specifically piercing, though I've read that for novices, the second edge can be more of a danger to the wielder than to the other party. And as a survival knife, the second edge might be pretty much useless for simple cutting tasks, it would lessen the efficiency of tapping the back of the blade to make deep cuts, and it would still likely endanger the user's hands.

http://www.coldsteel.com/trueflight.html
I don't think Id ever try to throw a knife in self defense, but it seems like a nice blade in general, especially for the money. It is pretty thick at 5mm (a bit over 3/16), and has a pretty nice grip. The only thing I'd worry about is its lack of a hilt, which could result in the accidental sliding of my fingers down the blade (eep!).

http://www.coldsteel.com/bushmanseries.html
The Bushman knives seem like a nice general-purpose blade, and there probably really isn't anything wrong with them functionally. I don't know if Id ever try to make a spear out of it unless I had little better to do, but I guess its nice to know the option is there? Their test video is very impressive, though.

http://www.coldsteel.com/gitanto.html
This just seems like a generally good blade for my purposes.



From other research I found that overall the best hand weapon for a novice would be a simple bludgeon (pipe, bat, etc). After that, I cut a section of 1"-diameter, 1/8" wall steel tubing about 20" long. I wrapped about 5" of it with nylon rope to serve as a handle, and welded a plug into the other end to add a little weight and prevent it from being crushed in on hard impacts. It is about 2lbs total, maybe a couple ounces less. I don't have a sheath for it yet, but I'll likely make one that attaches to my belt and thight. If, for whatver reason, my firearms were not available for use, would I be better off pulling out my pipe (teehee), or would you guys recommend a good ~7" blade with which I've had some practice?

*edit*
Or should I use the pipe, but still get a blade suitable for SD should I ever need it?

Thanks!
Sorry of my post is confusing, but I hope my points were clear enough!
 
Last edited:
Metalpressr

Have you ever thought about a custom, handmade knife? Instead of a factory... there are so many more options. The big difference between Survival/Camp knife and Tactical is, that tactical is really only for small chores and fighting, hand to hand.
I'm building several bowies right now... in different configurations, types of steels, and in different sizes. Also, build one knife called The Gather'r.
A camp knife or bowie knife you can do many chores with, and also use as a weapon, if neccessary. A custom in not the thick, bulky, pain to carry around... kind of knife, anymore.
Take a look at my website and you'll see patterns for specific jobs...
 
My general all purpose camp/outdoor/survival knife is a Cold Steel SRK, it is simple, no yuppy gadgets and has served me well for years.

My folder is a basic Buck 110, here again, no frills but really well made and has also served me well.

I do not use a knife to fight with as I have other means and resources, so I cannot answer that issue.

Gringo
 
I don't know about those. Reminds me of a tactical ginsu. Take a look at Ka-bar or Marbles. Ka-bar makes some nice military blades and Marbles has some big bowie knives, the Ideal is one of their oldest designs, and the Trailmaker is nice too. With Marbles just make sure that it is pre 2005 when they were still made in Gladstone, Michigan. Unfortunately, they are now overseas and the quality......
 
Puukko. Kellam makes some really good ones.

kellam_wolverine1b.jpg
 
No joke

Check out the "Rough Use" knife from Cheaper Than Dirt: Sturdy, utilitarian and the best 10 BUCKS you'll ever spend...
 
Greyman knives

I have a friend who bought the West Nile Warrior. Nothing bad to say about it other than it's a 1/4' thick chunk of steel and a little ont he heavy side for backpacking long distance.

I have the Bushman and it is roughly 1/3 the weight of that West Nile but it's decent for carry long distance.

For a folder survival knife I would take my Cold Steel Black Rock Hunter. It's light but tough and fits in the pouch on the courdura sheath for the bushman as well as a whetstone. Everything I need.

As a bonus you can rubber band a baggie with matches into the grip of the Bushman which then can also be used to make a spear.

I still like this though:

GRAX_500.jpg


GRAXSHEATH2.jpg
 
If the quality is good, I would think that your Gerber should be adequate for most things.

If the size isn't too much, I wonder if an ordinary machete or maybe a hatchet might be better for your purposes. Tramontina's machetes are very well regarded, and quite affordable.

You might also consider picking up a Swiss army knife. Perhaps one with at least a pen blade, wood saw, tweezers, and an awl. Although it's not good for defensive purposes, it can be awfully handy.
 
I generally go backpacking with 2 knives. My camp knife is a Ka-Bar Kukri, and my all purpose carving/opening MRE/stabbing my buddy because he farted in the tent knife, is an Applegate Fairbairn Combat Fixed. Skins stuff alright too.
 

Attachments

  • Kukri.jpg
    Kukri.jpg
    1.7 KB · Views: 38
  • Applegate.jpg
    Applegate.jpg
    1.5 KB · Views: 42
outdoor

When I am hiking, I have a Leatherman Wave on my belt, a Schrade "Old Timer"
in my pocket and a Granfors mini hatchet in my pack.
When hunting, I carry a Shrade "Sharpfinger" instead of the Leatherman. Upland hunting, I carry a bird knife instead of the "Old Timer".
Here's a simple "usta be a saw blade" utility knife that I made last weekend. Once I make a sheath, it'll end upon my belt this Fall. Still needs some finish work (which I may or may not do).
IMG_1772b.JPG
[/IMG]

Pete
 
Last edited:
http://sogknives.com/store/S37.html

I've had that for a while. I got it on amazon for about $100. I've used it as a hammer and rag cutter (I cut old jeans into rags and use the rags to polish my guns). Heck, I've even used it to trim the plastic insert on my revolver's front sight.

It shows no signs of wear so far (except the grip, which I used as a hammer). The edge is still sharp after a few hundred cuts, so I would say it holds its edge fairly well.

Not that it matters for your use, but these knives can be soaked in salt water for a week without rusting.

If that one is too big for you, you can always consider the smaller Seal pups.

I'd like to have all of the SOG knives, but at $70+ a piece, I can't justify the purchase of all of them.

P.S. Amazon seems to have the best prices most of the time. But http://www.manventureoutpost.com/outdoor/ have good prices too; just check both before you make the purchase.
 
Last edited:
I have the S&W HRT love it!! & I daily carry a CRKT Bagger spring assisted .

I really like Ka-bar's Bowie ........ & Cold steels Trail master
 
In my book, a fight'n knife and a general purpose knife are knives of a different color. They are not the same knife.

A combat knife has to be tough and I suggest, large. Jim Bowie had it right, you see. You wanna gut a man do it with a K-Bar. The handle of a big Buck knife is too slick. The K-Bar has a nice ribbed, leather grip so it's easier to hold when things gets bloody. One does not want to drop one's knife in a knife fight.

I have a friend who was on Iwo. He told me that he cut thoats on that sainted Isle and he used a K-Bar; enough of a recommendation for me.

As for a general purpose knife, search no further than one of the Buck (or similar) folders. You can skin with it and hack with it and dice rope with it. The most important thing about a general purpose knife is that you actually carry it. So get a folder that's easy to haul. A cool, pro-made drop point is nifty, of course; but you'll probably leave it home in your desk drawer. I know that I do. I take it out every now and then and re-run a steel along the edge just to freshen it up - again.

I carry a little C-2 Leatherman as a GP pocket knife. I am never without it. It takes a pretty good edge too. I use those little needle nosed pliers constantly. If I ever find that I have to cut a man's throat I guess I'll have to do it in several slices.
 
Last edited:
My bad, I didn't read the part where you mentioned defense.

Your EDC is fine for defense purposes, just practice quick deployment.

A smaller knife is actually appropriate for defense purposes; most states will only allow you to carry a knife with a blade that's 4" or shorter. Check your local laws.

Despite what you see in movies and tv shows, disarming a knife or fighting someone who is also armed with a knife is not as easy as it looks. I would avoid confrontation altogether.

But if you're really interested in knife fighting, you can look up some instructional videos on Vuze. Use your judgment and avoid BS videos.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top