Knife/Survival Knife Info.

[Sarge47]

Well, I am thinking of getting a fixed blade, and using it for pretty much everything... well, everything camping involved! How much I'd spend? Well, I don't think I'd like to go too much over 100 bucks, but if it were a really good knife, and everyone said that the company who made it was good... then I might... Thanks for your replies!

You have a good working budget. You say you want the knife to be used for "pretty much everything camping involved." Clearing brush? if so check out Ontario's RTAK-II with it's 10 inch blade, a good cross between a hunting knife and a machete. Brigade Quartermasters sells them for $90 + S.& H.

Too long of a blade? Ontario's RAT-7 has a 6 1/2 inch blade and is available from Brigade for about $100 + S&H. Kabar's fighting knife is also good with it's 7" blade. Cost is about $50 if you shop around. Buck's general can be bought from Cabela's for $55 +S&H.(7 1/2' blade) Wal-Mart carries the next size down from the General, the #119 Special for $35. (6" blade)

Need a smaller blade than that? Brigade Quartermasters sells the Gerber LMF II for $79. Check out the Buck Vanguard for about $50.

You should always carry a folding knife of sorts for small tasks like whittling, cutting small notches in wood for stakes, figure 4 trap triggers, etc. A good quality Swiss Army knife is good for that. Top quality ones are made by either Wenger or Victoinox. Hope that helps.

[ZTGuy]

Funny YOU should ask.....I love Leatherman, and carry a Charge Ti everywhere I go, but my HANDS DOWN all time favorite brand/maker is Strider. They are not cheap, but IMHO, they are the most rugged, hard use, high quality knives out there. Not to mention the customer service and warranty are second to none. According to Strider, their policy is "If you break it, first, we'll be impressed, and second, we'll fix it." I also am a big fan of Benchmade and Kershaw/Ken Onion.

[Sarge47]

Funny YOU should ask.....I love Leatherman, and carry a Charge Ti everywhere I go, but my HANDS DOWN all time favorite brand/maker is Strider. They are not cheap, but IMHO, they are the most rugged, hard use, high quality knives out there. Not to mention the customer service and warranty are second to none. According to Strider, their policy is "If you break it, first, we'll be impressed, and second, we'll fix it." I also am a big fan of Benchmade and Kershaw/Ken Onion.

The Strider's run from between $350 to $750, and that just what I saw for a few moments. Does Bear Grylls know about these guys?

[ZTGuy]

The Strider's run from between $350 to $750, and that just what I saw for a few moments. Does Bear Grylls know about these guys?

Hey there, Sarge! If he doesn't....then dare I say he's not TRULY hard core ;-) After all, the Strider Knives motto is: "High speed tools for HARD CORE individuals". BTW, IMHO they are WELL worth the ching. And you're correct, Sarge....their least expensive knife is $325. Their "customs" (technically, since ALOT of hand fitting goes into each knife, they consider all of them "custom") run up to $1,500+. I have one that ran me a grand!! You get what you pay for.....

[Sarge47]

Hey there, Sarge! If he doesn't....then dare I say he's not TRULY hard core ;-) After all, the Strider Knives motto is: "High speed tools for HARD CORE individuals". BTW, IMHO they are WELL worth the ching. And you're correct, Sarge....their least expensive knife is $325. Their "customs" (technically, since ALOT of hand fitting goes into each knife, they consider all of them "custom") run up to $1,500+. I have one that ran me a grand!! You get what you pay for.....

That company needs to change they're motto to "Really expensive knives for really RICH individuals"! There is no reason to ever pay more than $150 for a knife, and that's only if it comes with a really great sheath. I'll put my Buck or Ka-Bar up against any one of 'em. You actually paid a grand for a knife? I hope it came with a new car!

[RobertRogers]

I like the SOGs 'cause they are made for wet conditions, like where I live.

I carry a SOG Seal Pup knife.

[Sarge47]

Here's two knife places that handle about all of your "non-custom" affordable knives at lower prices. The first one I found to be lower than the rest. Check out that new Kabar "Bill Dozier"!

www.gpknives.com

www.knifecenter.com

Happy browsing!

[ZTGuy]

That company needs to change they're motto to "Really expensive knives for really RICH individuals"! There is no reason to ever pay more than $150 for a knife (in YOUR opinion), and that's only if it comes with a really great sheath. I'll put my Buck or Ka-Bar up against any one of 'em (You'll lose). You actually paid a grand for a knife? I hope it came with a new car (nope...just the pride of ownership)!

The moral of the story is: To each his own. No need to be a hater. Everything I qualified with in my first and second post was strewn with "IMHO"s for a reason. Just my .02 ;-)

[Sarge47]

The moral of the story is: To each his own. No need to be a hater. Everything I qualified with in my first and second post was strewn with "IMHO"s for a reason. Just my .02 ;-)

Not hatin, dawg. Yes it is my opinion. And FYI Buck has weathered the jungles of Vietnam strapped onto our boys fighting over there without any problems. For $1000 you'd better be proud, as well as have a good paying job! I can get a better deal at Bailey Knives & even get Bear's signature to boot, which'll probably run the value down Anyway, Strider, the Wolf who started this thread, stated he was looking for a knife in the $100 range, so that's what I recommended, & I did say the quality went up the further up the money tree you went, remember? Now for the kicker. I can get a Kabar fighting knife for around 50 bucks. If I go through 19 of 'em I'm still money ahead of what you paid for yours. Please tell me one thing that your knife can do that a Buck, Kabar, or any of the good-quality lower-cost knives can't do?

p.s.: It could be worse, though, you could be a "Cubs" fan as well!

[ZTGuy]

Not hatin, dawg. Yes it is my opinion. And FYI Buck has weathered the jungles of Vietnam strapped onto our boys fighting over there without any problems. For $1000 you'd better be proud, as well as have a good paying job! I can get a better deal at Bailey Knives & even get Bear's signature to boot, which'll probably run the value down Anyway, Strider, the Wolf who started this thread, stated he was looking for a knife in the $100 range, so that's what I recommended, & I did say the quality went up the further up the money tree you went, remember? Now for the kicker. I can get a Kabar fighting knife for around 50 bucks. If I go through 19 of 'em I'm still money ahead of what you paid for yours. Please tell me one thing that your knife can do that a Buck, Kabar, or any of the good-quality lower-cost knives can't do?

p.s.: It could be worse, though, you could be a "Cubs" fan as well!

No prob, bro. I just got my hackles up because I simply extolled the virtues of one knife brand, while simultaneously NOT bashing any other brand (my personal policy- if I don't like it, I try to keep it to myself), and then felt like I was taking incoming mortar rounds for my personal decision. I have had, carried, been issued, and collected knives since I was a kid...Bucks, SAKs, Case, Ka-Bar, pretty much everything there is maybe barring a couple. It is based on many years of unintentional product evaluation through hard use that I arrived at my own decision that the hardest jobs- involving anything from twisting torque type use, chopping, cutting, to even prying if absolutely necessary, were handled better by my Strider knives than any of my other knives. Now I'm not bashing the other brands.....many have served me well and admirably. I simply feel much more confident with a tool that I pretty much know will handle the job. Hell, if our USMC SOCOM/MARSOC grunts contracted Strider to make their combat folders (the Strider model SMF Generation 2 actually has a National Stock Number -NSN), I'd say that speaks to their quality a little bit better than little ole me ;-) Of course, YMMV. Out

P.S. And yes, Sarge.....my heart truly goes out to Cubs fans, for I know their pain. I guess the goat's curse has a little more juice than the Bambino!!!

[Sarge47]

No prob, bro. I just got my hackles up because I simply extolled the virtues of one knife brand, while simultaneously NOT bashing any other brand (my personal policy- if I don't like it, I try to keep it to myself), and then felt like I was taking incoming mortar rounds for my personal decision. I have had, carried, been issued, and collected knives since I was a kid...Bucks, SAKs, Case, Ka-Bar, pretty much everything there is maybe barring a couple. It is based on many years of unintentional product evaluation through hard use that I arrived at my own decision that the hardest jobs- involving anything from twisting torque type use, chopping, cutting, to even prying if absolutely necessary, were handled better by my Strider knives than any of my other knives. Now I'm not bashing the other brands.....many have served me well and admirably. I simply feel much more confident with a tool that I pretty much know will handle the job. Hell, if our USMC SOCOM/MARSOC grunts contracted Strider to make their combat folders (the Strider model SMF Generation 2 actually has a National Stock Number -NSN), I'd say that speaks to their quality a little bit better than little ole me ;-) Of course, YMMV. Out

P.S. And yes, Sarge.....my heart truly goes out to Cubs fans, for I know their pain. I guess the goat's curse has a little more juice than the Bambino!!!

Someone asked me once what I thought about the Cubs and I said "I have two options for you, take your pick....CUBS either stands for 'Can't Understand Baseball Strategy', or 'Completely Useless By September'" Needless to say, I didn't win too many people over.

As far as knives go, I believe that Strider brand is obviously a great product. So's the M1 Abrahms Tank, but I don't expect to buy one of those anytime soon either. For what you paid for that knife It has to be very, very strong. My point simply is this, unless someone's really loaded they aren't going to want to put that money into a custom knife. Even if I was loaded I wouldn't do it. Now the Busse Battle mistress....well...;>)

I just found out today that Savage-Stevens is only making their high end Model 24 Over & Under. I can get one for around $600. I told the person in charge of sales that the gun was way overpriced and I wouldn't pay that kind of $$ out. Didn't make a friend there either.

One thing you gotta know about me, I'm Irish-German, and we Irish discuss things oft-times in a loud, highly agitated manner, but it isn't a put-down. That simply means that we respect you and your opinions. If we didn't we wouldn't bother talking to you at all. I Told a guy once that I was Irish-German and he said "Does that mean that half of you wants to take over the world but the other half is too drunk to do it? I'd a hit him, but I was laughing too hard!

[ZTGuy]

Someone asked me once what I thought about the Cubs and I said "I have two options for you, take your pick....CUBS either stands for 'Can't Understand Baseball Strategy', or 'Completely Useless By September'" Needless to say, I didn't win too many people over.

As far as knives go, I believe that Strider brand is obviously a great product. So's the M1 Abrahms Tank, but I don't expect to buy one of those anytime soon either. For what you paid for that knife It has to be very, very strong. My point simply is this, unless someone's really loaded they aren't going to want to put that money into a custom knife. Even if I was loaded I wouldn't do it. Now the Busse Battle mistress....well...;>)

I just found out today that Savage-Stevens is only making their high end Model 24 Over & Under. I can get one for around $600. I told the person in charge of sales that the gun was way overpriced and I wouldn't pay that kind of $$ out. Didn't make a friend there either.

One thing you gotta know about me, I'm Irish-German, and we Irish discuss things oft-times in a loud, highly agitated manner, but it isn't a put-down. That simply means that we respect you and your opinions. If we didn't we wouldn't bother talking to you at all. I Told a guy once that I was Irish-German and he said "Does that mean that half of you wants to take over the world but the other half is too drunk to do it? I'd a hit him, but I was laughing too hard!

It's all good, brother.......Just to clarify, some of the knives I have (mostly my high-end expensive ones like the one I referrenced earlier) are collector pieces....I'm an incurable collector. Although they would be quite capable, they just don't see much, if any, use. The others are my users, and USE them hard I do. I am by no means rich....you might say that I often have Champagne taste, but only beer money (which is funny, 'cause I don't drink....I hope that doesn't offend your Irish, or your German side, Sarge ;-). Good luck to you and your Cubbys. I know how hard it is to stay true to "your team" during the thin years, but you never know when that break out season will happen; BTW, I was a Ryne Sandberg fan as a kid!

[Sarge47]

It's all good, brother.......Just to clarify, some of the knives I have (mostly my high-end expensive ones like the one I referrenced earlier) are collector pieces....I'm an incurable collector. Although they would be quite capable, they just don't see much, if any, use. The others are my users, and USE them hard I do. I am by no means rich....you might say that I often have Champagne taste, but only beer money (which is funny, 'cause I don't drink....I hope that doesn't offend your Irish, or your German side, Sarge ;-). Good luck to you and your Cubbys. I know how hard it is to stay true to "your team" during the thin years, but you never know when that break out season will happen; BTW, I was a Ryne Sandberg fan as a kid!

I'm not much of a baseball fan, but if I were I'd be partial to the Braves! To be fair, they did pick up some great former Cubs players.

And if you read an earlier post of mine you'd know I don't drink either, or smoke, etc.. But I do love the outdoors. I also understand collections; and I agree with you. Taking an expensive knife out in the woods may not be the brightest thing to do, huh?

Right now I've added the new Kabar Bull Dozier($70 + S. & H.) to my consideration list. Ironically, I could buy the RTAK-II, the RAT-7, the Gerber LMF-II, the aforementioned Kabar, and still pay out less than half what that Strider cost you. Also, you gotta admit, Buck Knives has a great warranty!

BTW, can you post a pic of your Strider so we can all see what a 1K knife looks like?

[ZTGuy]

BTW, can you post a pic of your Strider so we can all see what a 1K knife looks like?

Sure thing pal!
The first two are of the crown jewel Strider in my collection, it's the model Mick Strider Custom RCC Framelock with a "Nightmare" grind Tanto Recurve blade (the second pic is taken from the website of the company where I bought it-True North Knives---second to none!!). The fram is solid Titanium with G10 inlays, and the blade is CPM S30V steel. The next three are of my "field use" knife.....with this I've pryed doors open and cut sapplings down!!! It's made of what they call a "3/4" grind, full tang CPM S30V steel, with G10 slab handles......built pretty much like the Abrahms tank you referrenced in one of your last posts!

[ZTGuy]

Here are two more, the first showing the top of the blade and the "blood groove", and the second showing the underside with a view of the full length tang. The thing in the background is the Kydex sheath that I wear on my belt. BTW, I apologize for the grainy pics.....it's too late for me to dig around for the digi-cam, so I used my cell phone- adapt, improvise, and overcome I guess .

I also want to offer my apologies to Strider (the one who initiated this thread, not the knifemaker) for hijacking his thread to do a sermon on the knives that bear his screen name. I guess that's the Italian in me getting all overzealous and boistrous!!! See Sarge, we both have quirks attributable to our ethnicity ;-)

[Sarge47]

Sure thing pal!
The first two are of the crown jewel Strider in my collection, it's the model Mick Strider Custom RCC Framelock with a "Nightmare" grind Tanto Recurve blade (the second pic is taken from the website of the company where I bought it-True North Knives---second to none!!). The fram is solid Titanium with G10 inlays, and the blade is CPM S30V steel. The next three are of my "field use" knife.....with this I've pryed doors open and cut sapplings down!!! It's made of what they call a "3/4" grind, full tang CPM S30V steel, with G10 slab handles......built pretty much like the Abrahms tank you referrenced in one of your last posts!

No offense dawg, I'm sure that the knife you're showing me is of top quality, the best steel, and superior craftsmanship. However my Buck Lumina LED (folder) will do the same thing that one will do, and that is : cut! Also Buck has a lifetime guarantee if the blade should ever break. I would also agree with Volwest about what type of knife should be used in the field. Of course you have also mentioned Benchmade and Kershaw as well so I'm sure you wouldn't risk the Strider knife in an outdoor situation if you could help it. Lose it and....well, who wants to see a grown man cry? BTW, I have a watch you might be interested in.......

[ZTGuy]

No offense dawg, I'm sure that the knife you're showing me is of top quality, the best steel, and superior craftsmanship. However my Buck Lumina LED (folder) will do the same thing that one will do, and that is : cut! Also Buck has a lifetime guarantee if the blade should ever break (If you read my earlier post carefully, so does Strider- no questions asked, no matter what- I doubt Buck's is as inclusive). I would also agree with Volwest about what type of knife should be used in the field (Oh, that's right, it momentarily escaped me that I should have adhered to what type of knife you and volwest decree should be used in the field, 'cause you're consummate authorities, have endless field experience, and are obviously right.........right???). Of course you have also mentioned Benchmade and Kershaw as well so I'm sure you wouldn't risk the Strider knife in an outdoor situation if you could help it (Wrong again, captain- I think that's your third strike!!!!...Don't be so quick to assume- you know the old addage, don't ya?). Lose it and....well, who wants to see a grown man cry? BTW, I have a watch you might be interested in (If it's a Breitling, thanks but I already have one- I hope that doesn't draw more fire 'cause it cost more than $30).......

Volwest..........HUH???? Your response makes little sense, and what I was able to decipher was full of assumptions, conjecture, and and general drivel. "Require alot of maintenance"???? Huh? "Stare at it all day long"??? What? "Dainty and pretty"???? Dude, You so painfully obviously have not idea even WHAT a Strider knife is, do you.......your ignorance speaks volumes on this.

Sarge.....you ask me to post pics, and you still $#it on me. The addage is usually true that people tend to hate, criticize, or scorn what they cannot have or afford. BTW, I use the knives (aside from the collector piece) ALL the time......on duty and off. You all should write reviews on knives and outdoor gear....you obviously have the field experience. Ya'll are some opinionated M.F.s

FWIW- not ONCE did I ever criticize, putdown, or (if I DID have a comment) do anything but praise any other knife brand, or any brand of gear for that matter, in my short time here........I guess it's just a little quirk I have called courtesy.

[owl_girl]

The addage is usually true that people tend to hate, criticize, or scorn what they cannot have or afford.

I don’t think they Hate or scorn the knife just the price tag.

[ZTGuy]

In the end, to each his own.

Yup.......

[ZTGuy]

lolll

Since you call me dude, i will do the same.

Dude, i was not talking about Strider knives in particular. But, you seem pretty defensive about it all...i wonder why...
You talk about assumptions, and yet you do the same thing.

I didn't mean to talk about your girlfriend that way (I'd prefer you not talk about my girlfriend at all since I'M MARRIED just kidding- about the g/f that is, I really am happily married)...but i was just voicing my opinion on what a knife shouldn't be...My view on this is personal, and in the end, knives are a touchy subject i guess...lol

The price tag is of course a big part of buying a knife. It is not necessarily a question of affordability as you presume, but also the fact that there are excellent knives on the market, for a third of the price and less. (I agree that there are MANY excellent knives from other makers out there, I just happen to like Strider the best)
As i see it, those striders are like driving a ferrari in Africa...it's a bit...too much. (Your analogy is slightly lacking in that the vehicle more appropriate to represent a Strider would be a Land Rover or Hummer.....or maybe a Sherman tank )
A friend of mine is crazy about them, he has many strider knives, and they are not for me. But i have noticed that when we go out in the "wild", he carries a simple, rugged, $50 Ka-bar.


In the end, to each his own.

To each his own indeed. I'm not trying to persuade anyone toward my line of thinking, and I'm not a Strider salesman, I just expect to get the same amount of courtesy with respect to my OPINIONS and tastes as that which I give. Take care.
P.S. Sorry you took offense to the "dude" comment......it was not meant disrespectfully.