That survival knife of your dreams

[Chief Grit]

I have been working lately on a design for a fixed blade for myself, because none I can afford (~$200) are suitable. What I am asking is if you happened to have the perfect survival knife for YOU, what would it look like? What features would it have, or not have? Material suggestions, colors, handle materials... anything; blade thickness, length, design/shape, edge style... should it have a strap cutter type thing on the blade, a window breaker, a flathead screwdriver or a refrigerator? Perhaps an internal .44 magnum?

Some standards that I will decided on are: no tanto blade, full tang and probably no backsaw... which reminds me, what do you think of backsaws?

Please keep in mind, I already know what I want, but I am looking to what others want if I were ever to sell this knife(s).

edit* If you want to say it depends on the environment, just go with where you live, you nearest forest, mountain, canyon, valley, lake, river, desert or what have you.

Thank you for your input and ideas.

[h8mtv]

I am waiting to see the price tag on the Izula neck knife from Rat Cutlery. I have a RAT3D2 and it is great. Sometimes with demand, name, etc companies see it fit to slam its customers on price. I hope the Izula is reasonable because I do not know if I can live without it.

[crashdive123]

Chief Grit - if you seriously want to know what others think, take a look at this thread. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1297 When you get a chance, head on over to the introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself. Thanks.

[Chief Grit]

Chief Grit - if you seriously want to know what others think, take a look at this thread. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1297 When you get a chance, head on over to the introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself. Thanks.

I was browsing that thread just a few minutes ago, what I noticed however is that most only would mention a specific knife they liked or wanted, and not why that was or what they like in particular about the knife. I am looking to see what most like or dislike, as well as any knew ideas.

About the introduction section, that slipped my mind; I think I'll get to work on that real quick.

[Sarge47]

I've answered this question many times before...check out my Blog on the blog portion. One of the "clinchers" for me on any knife would be the history of the company & it's knife-maker(s). That's why I stick to who & what I know. Also, I don't believe any knife should be made specifically for Survival. Unless, of course, you're Bear Grylls.:cool:

[crashdive123]

I'm sure you'll get many answers. For me, it depends on what I plan on using the knife for. My fixed blades - full tang, no serrations or saw back, steel with either high carbon content or stainless - depending on environment, blade size and shapes vary for me, again depending on the intended use.....but I do not venture into the wilderness with just one knife.

[Chief Grit]

Very true, about the one knife thing; I suppose I should have specified the environment...

[Blood Groove]

Well if I'm in a survival situation, so I'd want a knife that had some designe where near the tip of the blade it got heavy so it could be used for choping. Because I think chopping is most important for making shelter. There are lot's of different oppinions, and it usualy ends up that teh most experienced people like smaller knives that are under 6inches or under. But although I'd like a knife heavy adn thick on the end I'd also want it to have as much of a strait cutting edge as possible. It would have to fillet fish and do random cuttuing tasks, but also big jobs like chopping. The Tom Brown Tracker is actually really similar to what I was just describing. It's used in that movie The Hunted.

[Chief Grit]

Well if I'm in a survival situation, so I'd want a knife that had some designe where near the tip of the blade it got heavy so it could be used for choping. Because I think chopping is most important for making shelter. There are lot's of different oppinions, and it usualy ends up that teh most experienced people like smaller knives that are under 6inches or under. But although I'd like a knife heavy adn thick on the end I'd also want it to have as much of a strait cutting edge as possible. It would have to fillet fish and do random cuttuing tasks, but also big jobs like chopping. The Tom Brown Tracker is actually really similar to what I was just describing. It's used in that movie The Hunted.

That tracker knife is precisely what I was thinking of as I was reading your post. As for length, I plan to make it 6", no need for a 7" KA-BAR but i'll need some length for chopping. I am not sure how I could add weight to the point without ruining the design though.. I plan the blade to be relatively 'tall' and .25" thick, which will add some good weight for chopping as well. And for the back of the blade, there will probably be no back saw to allow hammering on the blade with wood, or even a rock; as well as pushing the top of the blade with your hand if you happen to be forcing the blade through aluminum (can't see why that would be necessary, but you never know).

[Blood Groove]

That tracker knife is precisely what I was thinking of as I was reading your post. As for length, I plan to make it 6", no need for a 7" KA-BAR but i'll need some length for chopping. I am not sure how I could add weight to the point without ruining the design though.. I plan the blade to be relatively 'tall' and .25" thick, which will add some good weight for chopping as well. And for the back of the blade, there will probably be no back saw to allow hammering on the blade with wood, or even a rock; as well as pushing the top of the blade with your hand if you happen to be forcing the blade through aluminum (can't see why that would be necessary, but you never know).

So what knife are you thinking of getting? I like a "tall" blade, but what I really like is a nice thick spine. It makes the overall knife more tough adn it can be used for prying better. It's also got to have a good thick but sharp tip. I HATE broken tips on knives. Also I hear that it's good if the knife has some lashing holes so it can be attached to a pole to make a spear, but I don't know if that's a really good idea or not. The Gerber LMF has lashing holes in the handle guard. I've read about that knife a lot and it's supposed to be a great survival knife. The spine is also wicked thick.

[Chief Grit]

Well, making one, not getting one. I can't know the true strength of the tip until I make the knife, but from what I can estime the tip I have drawn out should hold up quite well. I do have two holes incorporated into the rear of the grip for lanyards, I think it should be easy enough with some extra paracord to make an ideal spear. Since the blade will be .25" thick, the 'spine' will be aswell, because widening the spine would inhibit penetration when defending yourself against Mr. Bigfoot.

I think I am going to work a bit more on my drawings and then scan it onto the computer and post it up here for you to look at.

[sgtdraino]

My preference is something around 14" in length overall, generally in a bowie style. Full tang, of course. No saw back, I feel like a saw back can weaken the blade strength, plus you can't push down on the back to get more force. Very thick tip. Steel about 1/4 inch thick. I prefer a convex grind, especially towards the tip. Approaching the handle, I would shift to a finer flat grind. Very tough handle, probably zytel. The tang should extend all the way through the handle, and poke out the other side, so if need be it can be hammered on, or used as a hammer. I like to throw knives as a hobby, so my perfect knife must be tough enough to consistently take that level of punishment. I'm less knowledgeable about steels, but from what I have seen and experienced first hand, the AUS6 of my SOGs is quite extraordinarily tough. I tend to prefer stainless steel to carbon, because I have heard that the onset of rust can rather quickly ruin the micro-thin edge of a carbon steel blade, even between uses. That's just what I've heard, I don't know for certain that is true. I do like a quite small serrated area, mainly as a backup if I run into a situation where my blade has gotten too dull to be effective.

Each to his own, but I really did not like the Tom Brown Tracker at all. It looked cool, then my brother got one, and to me it just feels completely clunky and unwieldy.

[Blood Groove]

I'd love to be able to handle a Tom brown Tracker and feel the weight and such. It does seem like it might be a little chunky feeling, but I'm used to using a kukri, so I don't think it'd be that bad. What I'd REALLY like to handle is a Sabertooth knife. I just saw one in a magazine and couoldn't stop looking at it. I don't know if it's a reasonable knife at all, but it looks amazing. I'm usually never one to want a knife because it looks cool, but the Sabertooth is an acception I guess.

[sgtdraino]

I'd love to be able to handle a Tom brown Tracker and feel the weight and such. It does seem like it might be a little chunky feeling, but I'm used to using a kukri, so I don't think it'd be that bad.

I dunno, I like Kukris, but I don't like the Tracker. To me, it felt like a short hatchet. Too short to be a really effective chopper, and yet too unwieldy for detailed fine work. Nor is the saw long enough to be very effective. For me, it also felt ill-balanced for throwing (of course, for most of you, throwing a knife would be the last thing you would ever want to do with it, but each to his own).



What I'd REALLY like to handle is a Sabertooth knife. I just saw one in a magazine and couoldn't stop looking at it. I don't know if it's a reasonable knife at all, but it looks amazing. I'm usually never one to want a knife because it looks cool, but the Sabertooth is an acception I guess.

That does look pretty neat:

http://www.spiveysabertoothknife.com/

I was trying to find out how thick the steel is (couldn't figure it out) and what kind of steel it is besides "the kind they use on tanks." I also wondered what the grips are made of. Neat looking knife, but I want more details. Seems like it would be a bit tricky to saw with it when you've got that fingerhole on one side. If I got one, it would probably be a variation without the saw blade.

[red5]

what we need is a full tang mora knife

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

A good knife to me is a knife that you can split wood with, use like a hatchet, chisel and work stones ( including Knapping ),. The problem with a knife is Maintaining the sharp points and edges once they have been compromised in the field.A knife has to be an all-around tool and its the most used tool. You have to be able to depend on a Knives performance every time you call upon it.

[Sarge47]

If you're designing a knife just for "Survival" then you're going to make your money in the area of the "Stroud/Grylls" fan arena. Anybody who's truly prepared will probably NEVER find themselves in a survival situation. My knives are excellent quality FIELD knives that would also help me through a survival situation. List all the knife catagories you can think of:

1.) Camping
2.) Hunting
3.) Fishing
4.) Utility
5.) Combat

These are all I can think of for now. However, any one of my knives fit into all of those categories. Actually Cody Lundin & Mors Kochanski advise nothing more than a good Mora knife, & if I was going to carry one just for Survival that one would be it. I think you're just "re-inventing the wheel" myself. But good luck to ya young 'un; you've got a lot of work ahead of you. Trial & error, finding the right steel, learning how to heat treat it, etc..
If you can come up with just the right thing then contact Dr. Ron Hood, he likes big, heavy, custom-made knives. However, I'd buy an Ontario RAT 7 in D-2 steel before going to an unknown brand. An important fact to consider in any knife is it's reputation.:cool:

[Tony uk]

I've been working on the ultimate survival knife for 16 years now. I have literally devoted a large portion of my life to this endeavor. It's coming along beautifully.

It's full tang is crafted from damascus, which I bought while actually visiting damascus (the city) on business where I was part of a security detail protecting a prime minister which will not be named at this time. This particular piece has been in the forging process for two thousand years. 69 generations of a certain syrian family has devoted their entire lives to this blade. It is legendary in that part of the world, and I paid dearly for it.

The handle itself is made from the ark of the covenant, which I explored in 1992 during an expedition with my harvard students I was teaching at the time. It has solid 24 karat gold inlays that describe in detail all the wilderness survival missions I have completed. It also has my name engraved and filled with solid platinum.

The elaborate sheath is fabricated from king tuts testicals, which I had rehydrated and reconditioned into the perfect sheath. A cache of precious jewels outline the entire edge.

There are a number of secret additions I am adding to this knife, which will not be discussed here.

I also created a certificate of authenticity which was printed on the back of the magna carta (first edition).

You need professional help.

[Chief Grit]

If you're designing a knife just for "Survival" then you're going to make your money in the area of the "Stroud/Grylls" fan arena. Anybody who's truly prepared will probably NEVER find themselves in a survival situation. My knives are excellent quality FIELD knives that would also help me through a survival situation. List all the knife catagories you can think of:

1.) Camping
2.) Hunting
3.) Fishing
4.) Utility
5.) Combat

These are all I can think of for now. However, any one of my knives fit into all of those categories. Actually Cody Lundin & Mors Kochanski advise nothing more than a good Mora knife, & if I was going to carry one just for Survival that one would be it. I think you're just "re-inventing the wheel" myself. But good luck to ya young 'un; you've got a lot of work ahead of you. Trial & error, finding the right steel, learning how to heat treat it, etc..
If you can come up with just the right thing then contact Dr. Ron Hood, he likes big, heavy, custom-made knives. However, I'd buy an Ontario RAT 7 in D-2 steel before going to an unknown brand. An important fact to consider in any knife is it's reputation.:cool:
Your point about a "survival" knife is quite true, and I do agree. The term "Field" knife would have been more appropriote. You are right, I am "re-inventing the wheel", however I am re-inventing it to fit my car. I am looking to make something that can perform in the areas listed below; though I understand that one cannot make a knife that will do everything better than any other knife; that's impossible.

1.) Camping (chopping wood etc.)
2.) Hunting (skinning, removing limbs of a game animal)
3.) Fishing (beating a massive King Salmon to death)
4.) Utility (screws, wood crates, MRE's etc.)
5.) Combat (defense against wildlife, or people if it comes to that..)
6.) Entry (stuborn door knobs, door jams, windows (what is the purpose of a window breaker when you have a knife point on the other end of the knife by the way?))
7.) Search and Rescue (creating your own entrance into a downed aircraft or car, most of the things that come with camping, utility and entry)
8.) movie prop;)



I've been working on the ultimate survival knife for 16 years now. I have literally devoted a large portion of my life to this endeavor. It's coming along beautifully.

It's full tang is crafted from damascus, which I bought while actually visiting damascus (the city) on business where I was part of a security detail protecting a prime minister which will not be named at this time. This particular piece has been in the forging process for two thousand years. 69 generations of a certain syrian family has devoted their entire lives to this blade. It is legendary in that part of the world, and I paid dearly for it.

The handle itself is made from the ark of the covenant, which I explored in 1992 during an expedition with my harvard students I was teaching at the time. It has solid 24 karat gold inlays that describe in detail all the wilderness survival missions I have completed. It also has my name engraved and filled with solid platinum.

The elaborate sheath is fabricated from king tuts testicals, which I had rehydrated and reconditioned into the perfect sheath. A cache of precious jewels outline the entire edge.

There are a number of secret additions I am adding to this knife, which will not be discussed here.

I also created a certificate of authenticity which was printed on the back of the magna carta (first edition).
Dale Gribble? Is that you?

[RangerXanatos]

Stringer, that's pretty funny.

To me, if I were going to try to build a perfect, full tang, survival knife, I would probably build a thick Nessmuk with a carbon blade and then put a clear finish on it so it stays shinny, and convex the edge along the whole way. The Nessmuk style will let you still skin and gut animals without the fear of puncturing organs, the thickness would let you baton, carbon steel supposedly throw out better sparks, and you may be able to use the shinny surface as a signal mirror. Shelter, food, defense, and signaling are about the only things a survival knife should have to do IMHO.

Just my .02
Daniel

[klkak]

I like buying and trying different knives to much to commit myself to a single knife. As for chopping, I carry a "Knives of Alaska Hunters hatchet" or a "Wetterlings Wildlife Axe". IMHO, a knife is for cutting and a hatchet is for chopping.

[Blood Groove]

I dunno, I like Kukris, but I don't like the Tracker. To me, it felt like a short hatchet. Too short to be a really effective chopper, and yet too unwieldy for detailed fine work. Nor is the saw long enough to be very effective. For me, it also felt ill-balanced for throwing (of course, for most of you, throwing a knife would be the last thing you would ever want to do with it, but each to his own).



http://www.spiveysabertoothknife.com/

I was trying to find out how thick the steel is (couldn't figure it out) and what kind of steel it is besides "the kind they use on tanks." I also wondered what the grips are made of. Neat looking knife, but I want more details. Seems like it would be a bit tricky to saw with it when you've got that fingerhole on one side. If I got one, it would probably be a variation without the saw blade.

Actually I've (sadly) thrown all my knives, kukri included (but I've only done taht once) I don't know I really can resist it. LIke when I have a knife there's a terrible voice in my mind that makes me throw it. I think it's just the feel and sound of it sinking into a tree. Yeah all they say about teh saber tooth is it's tank steel. THe saw I've read is actually really effective. More so than saws on other knives. Something about the angle and stuff. There's not tons of info on it. I really wish that like Cold Steel would make a cheeper version of it, like they do with some knives. I've got one of their throwing knives which has the EXACT dimensions as a Tru-Bal bowie axe. LIke the ones used in vietnam. The handles aren't that good though, their just plastic. They broke off,a dn I wrapped it with cord.

[crashdive123]

Hey Stringer - sounds like you've been drinking too much urine. Oh, and Tony's advice........it was good, follow it.

[Sarge47]

I've been working on the ultimate survival knife for 16 years now. I have literally devoted a large portion of my life to this endeavor. It's coming along beautifully.

It's full tang is crafted from damascus, which I bought while actually visiting damascus (the city) on business where I was part of a security detail protecting a prime minister which will not be named at this time. This particular piece has been in the forging process for two thousand years. 69 generations of a certain syrian family has devoted their entire lives to this blade. It is legendary in that part of the world, and I paid dearly for it.

The handle itself is made from the ark of the covenant, which I explored in 1992 during an expedition with my harvard students I was teaching at the time. It has solid 24 karat gold inlays that describe in detail all the wilderness survival missions I have completed. It also has my name engraved and filled with solid platinum.

The elaborate sheath is fabricated from king tuts testicals, which I had rehydrated and reconditioned into the perfect sheath. A cache of precious jewels outline the entire edge.

There are a number of secret additions I am adding to this knife, which will not be discussed here.

I also created a certificate of authenticity which was printed on the back of the magna carta (first edition).

I saw that movie! Hey Stringer, you're lucky that "being stupid" isn't a ban-able offense! (Are you related to "Mall Ninja?):rolleyes:

[nell67]

I've been working on the ultimate survival knife for 16 years now. I have literally devoted a large portion of my life to this endeavor. It's coming along beautifully.

It's full tang is crafted from damascus, which I bought while actually visiting damascus (the city) on business where I was part of a security detail protecting a prime minister which will not be named at this time. This particular piece has been in the forging process for two thousand years. 69 generations of a certain syrian family has devoted their entire lives to this blade. It is legendary in that part of the world, and I paid dearly for it.

The handle itself is made from the ark of the covenant, which I explored in 1992 during an expedition with my harvard students I was teaching at the time. It has solid 24 karat gold inlays that describe in detail all the wilderness survival missions I have completed. It also has my name engraved and filled with solid platinum.

The elaborate sheath is fabricated from king tuts testicals, which I had rehydrated and reconditioned into the perfect sheath. A cache of precious jewels outline the entire edge.

There are a number of secret additions I am adding to this knife, which will not be discussed here.

I also created a certificate of authenticity which was printed on the back of the magna carta (first edition).

You didn't pay dearly enough for it,or are you typing with your toes?:rolleyes:

[crashdive123]

Nell, he may have. I mean think about it. His post certainly came out his arse.....maybe that's all that is left.

[nell67]

LMAO,I think you are right Crash:D

[crashdive123]

Or as Beo would say....Freakin Azzhat. Where is Beo anyway?

[nell67]

Not sure,have not heard from him at all since Ike went through here,after it passed me,it was heading his direction,so maybe he is doing clean up there in Cincy???

[SARKY]

Hey Sarge47, please don't put Bear in the same catagory as Les Stroud. Grilles belongs in the same class as Jeraldo Revera. Neither one has any credability, and they are both adrenaline junkies!
As to knives the one knife that I have carried both in my SV-2 (aviators survival vest) and as a SERE instructor is an old BenchMade Bushmaster. It is a short belly forward blade with a slight curve or arch to the spine giving it tremendous slashing and choping power and yet it isn't overly large to use for small chores.

[FVR]

I've kind of held off resonding to this thread because, I think knives are just so over rated by most people.

But, that being said. My ultimate knife, would be a knife blade the shape of a full size Kabar, same blade design only about an inch longer. The knife would be made out of an old horse file and tempered to the point where it keeps an edge, it won't break doing camp duties yet the back of the blade can be used as a striker.

The handle wood be of wood, maybe a good piece of hickory, guard is optional.

[tonester]

a good survival knife would be one that can cut!

[Gray Wolf]

My ultimate knife would be a knife blade made of a high tech indestructible metal that has all the good qualities of the best stainless steels, yet has all the good qualities of the best carbon steels, never needs sharpening, 5" of cutting edge, and the handle would fit perfectly in my hand.

Gee that's not to much to ask for....

[trax]

drop point blade for skinning, (4 1/2--5 1 /2" blade is plenty) good edge retention, thick backside on the blade for camp chores, I'll use some small manner of axe for chopping thank you (as long as it's available) full tang. That or a Jedi light saber, you can't go wrong with a Jedi light saber.

[Gray Wolf]

You'd have to be really good to cut that Thanksgiving turkey with a Jedi light saber. :D

[crashdive123]

You'd have to be really good to cut that Thanksgiving turkey with a Jedi light saber. :D

if not, just call it turkey ala king.

[trax]

if not, just call it turkey ala king.

Or get real whacky with it and call it Thanksgiving guests a la king.

[Blood Groove]

I'd like to try throwing a lightsaber.

[crashdive123]

Nora's not going to like all this talk about light sabres.

http://kwc.org/blog/archives/resources/2006/jedi.squirrels.jpg

[crashdive123]

Nora! NORA!!!!!!!!! How the heck do I turn this thing off?

http://byfiles.storage.msn.com/y1pBKssGQlOz_TMS6gpZa45XSN1A_K9fvdFlO6rg3v1I67M62L BWVQQk5nfVyKqLNgX

[nell67]

quick update: i needed a presentation box so after some searching i was able to buy pandora's box. i also picked up the shroud of turin to wrap over it. this will be the best knife ever of all time too.
Whatever yer smokin',please don't share,it's all yours.

[crashdive123]

Just another pimply faced booger eating troll.

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

Already own mine one is an SRK and the other is a Seal Pup they do all I wish for in a knife am quite content I still buy and use others but I'm not out looking for a new survival knife just another knife for my collection is all . Mora's are awesome and cheap yet just werent sturdy enough to be all around which is why I have the SRK and Seal

[Sarge47]

Why don't we all put Stinger on our "Ignore list". That way we'll deny him the attention that he seems to so desperately crave.:confused::eek::cool:

[klkak]

I didn't know I could do that Sarge. Thank you for the insight. I will do it now.

[Tony uk]

Why don't we all put Stinger on our "Ignore list". That way we'll deny him the attention that he seems to so desperately crave.:confused::eek::cool:

Good idea sarge :)

[tracker1960]

An excellent survival knife to look at is the Anza neck knife offered by Christopher Nyerges. http://www.christophernyerges.com/store.htm#knives

This little knife is small enough to be carried all the time. What good is any knife if you don't have it with you when you need it.

As for serrations, I have watched people in survival classes tear up wood with serrated knives while trying to make simple things like a pointed stick or figure 4 deadfall trap. Also it is very difficult to sharpen serrated blades on rocks in the field. I have never seen a wilderness survival instructor (one who makes his living in the field teaching others) use a serrated blade.

An excellent mid sized knife is the RC-4 by Rat Cutlery, the design is about as good as it gets for a full size survival knife. This knife is always in my backpack, just can't have it with me all the time like the Anza neck knife.

And as previously stated a good pack axe it the way to go for chopping and the best I have seen is the GRANSFORS BRUKS MINI HATCHET.

This is what works for me based on simulated survival situations in classes taken in the field.

[chiye tanka]

Thanks for the link. How about you go to the intros and tell us more about yourself.

[tracker1960]

As requested, Chiye. I am new to using a forum of any kind. I am here to learn, however, I am happy to add to the forum what limited experiences I have had.

P.S. I greatly appreciate what you do for a living!

[chiye tanka]

Thanks Tracker

[tonester]

An excellent survival knife to look at is the Anza neck knife offered by Christopher Nyerges. http://www.christophernyerges.com/store.htm#knives

This little knife is small enough to be carried all the time. What good is any knife if you don't have it with you when you need it.

As for serrations, I have watched people in survival classes tear up wood with serrated knives while trying to make simple things like a pointed stick or figure 4 deadfall trap. Also it is very difficult to sharpen serrated blades on rocks in the field. I have never seen a wilderness survival instructor (one who makes his living in the field teaching others) use a serrated blade.

An excellent mid sized knife is the RC-4 by Rat Cutlery, the design is about as good as it gets for a full size survival knife. This knife is always in my backpack, just can't have it with me all the time like the Anza neck knife.

And as previously stated a good pack axe it the way to go for chopping and the best I have seen is the GRANSFORS BRUKS MINI HATCHET.

This is what works for me based on simulated survival situations in classes taken in the field.

i agree about the rc-4! amazing knife and tool! i love mine

[tracker1960]

The RC-4, in my opinion, is a knife that could save your life in a wilderness survival situation. When it comes to carving figure 4 deadfall traps, pointed spears and small jobs...I just love that little Anza neck knife.

[tonester]

blind horse makes a really good neck knife called the tiger knap starting at 20$. all the reviews ive read on it have been good. i plan on picking one up soon.