What kind of blade to start with?

[davidgraef]

thankyou very much!

[Rick]

You might want to put that machete and scabbard some place safe. They fetch between $80-$100 U.S. today. Either that or sell it and buy 6 or 7 machetes with the proceeds.

[Sarge47]

David, I have deliberately avoided this thread until you bought a knife, and I'm glad you chose the Mora. I own two, both with plastic handles and stainless steel blades; I like them both very much. As for a machete, don't use it for chopping wood, they're not made for that. You need an ax for that job. machetes are for clearing brush! Happy trails!

[davidgraef]

You might want to put that machete and scabbard some place safe. They fetch between $80-$100 U.S. today. Either that or sell it and buy 6 or 7 machetes with the proceeds.

where do they fetch that kind of a price? i've looked on ebay and they seem to be about 20-30 bucks.

[Kortoso]

I don't know about the Mora; I generally avoid knives that don't have guards, although I do have a Helle Viking.
viking-new.jpg
My favorite knife right now is my cold steel recon tanto.
31H3D9993CL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Rick]

The tanto blade doesn't do anything for me. I don't have any chainmail to breach or armor to defeat.

[Winter]

The CS Recon tanto, despite the tanto point, is a proven midsize tool. You wouldn't believe the number of special ops type guys that carry and use them.

Non combat stuff too, Army stuff.

I despise tanto points myself, but I know some serious bushfolk that use that knife. Most aren't even tantos anymore after all the sharpening.

[rockriver]

I'm right there with you Winter...but they are very easy to make. Break the blade, no problem. It was already square anyway.

[Wildthang]

A friend of mine who is just getting into survival just bought an " Amazon Survival Knife ", and it is the biggest ugliest thing I have ever seen, with the survival kit in the handle, and the compass on the end.
He brought it over last week to show it to me, and I almost broke out laughing when I saw it. He was saying that a good survivor could survive with this knife alone, and my stomach was convulsing trying not to laugh.
I showed him my little Buck fixed blade, and told him that someday, he would prefer a smaller knife, and that the Amazon would teach him why.
I am sure the handle will fall off if he ever uses it!

[crashdive123]

Just getting into survival? What was he into before that - dying?

[Wildthang]

Just getting into survival? What was he into before that - dying?

He is 50 years old and probably has never as much as been camping, and now is very interested in learning survival skills. Is that better?

[hunter63]

Yes.....LOL, (Man some guys are picky, picky, picky)....I never went surviving...on purpose....LOl

[canid]

It's not a darned tanto point dagnabit! it's 'american tanto'. It's really nothing like a shinogi-zukuri. carry on.

[kyratshooter]

I don't know about the Mora; I generally avoid knives that don't have guards, although I do have a Helle Viking.

In the Scandinavian countries the move from a knife with a guard to one without a guard is one of the rights of passage to adulthood. If your knife has a guard on it you are still considered a kid that has not learned proper knifecraft.

[Rick]

Look, I'll get the hang of it sooner or later then dad will give me a big boy knife. Your jokes about my knife having a guard are slicing thin. (get it? slicing thin? I slay myself).

[hunter63]

Wow this is getting too hard for me.......
Like this one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-...ife-90714.html



I actually have one that was a well meaning gift......not sure what to do with it?

[Wildthang]

Wow this is getting too hard for me.......
Like this one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-...ife-90714.html



I actually have one that was a well meaning gift......not sure what to do with it?

Ha! That is a whole lot like the one that a friend has, only his is black! It is so big, it hangs over half way to his knee, and if he fell on it, it would gut him like a deer!
You can always tell a green horn, because he will show up with a knife that is bigger than his arm!

[Rick]

I do like that Hunter. I could use the guards and hollow handle to make a spear if I need to. I could even use the blade as a signal device. What's not to like for less than $10?! I'll bet a fellah could drive in tent pegs with that pommel.

[Wildthang]

I do like that Hunter. I could use the guards and hollow handle to make a spear if I need to. I could even use the blade as a signal device. What's not to like for less than $10?! I'll bet a fellah could drive in tent pegs with that pommel.

At least until the handle fell off!

[Rick]

Even better. Then you'd have two!