Posted on 06/14/2013 3:36:08 PM PDT by virgil283
"A “survival knife” is just as it sounds–a knife that can help you survive. It is a tool with literally hundreds of survival-related functions.....Survival Knife Feature #1: Size: Does size matter? Yes, but when it comes to your survival knife, bigger is not always better. If your blade is too big, you sacrifice the ability to effectively use it for detailed tasks such as dressing small game or carving precision snare sets.... A fixed blade knife is more durable and reliable than a folding knife...Not only should your survival knife be a fixed blade, but it should also be FULL TANG........"
(Excerpt) Read more at artofmanliness.com ...
Not only do I recommend a single-edged blade, but I prefer for the back side (spine) of my survival knife to have a flat 90 degree grind....Solid Pommel: The “pommel” is the bottom of the knife’s handle–also referred to as the butt. I regularly use the pommel on my survival knife for light duty pounding and hammering..A survival knife is not a magic wand nor does it have inherent magical saving powers. The true value is in the skill of the one who wields it. Skill only comes from practice and repetition. You don’t buy a survival knife to decorate your man cave–it is a tool that’s meant to be used. Since the beginning of mankind, the cutting blade helped to shape how our ancestors hunted, fought, built, and survived. From cavemen with sharp rocks to a soldier in modern warfare, there will never be a relationship quite like that between a man and his blade. Choose yours wisely....."
K-Bar. Period. Next question.
mine, PumaTAC1... 
For preppers??
Probably the best idea is to have several different knives including a machete, a few Swiss Army knives, several fixed blade such as a Kabar, a Cold Steel SRK, a file, a sharpening stone, maybe a stockman pocket knife or anything else you want.
My Father brought a Puma home from WWII. I have owned a bunch of them over the years and they are remarkably good knives.
Like gunz, it’s good to have plenty of knives on hand.
I usually have at hand a 38 year old Cold Steel Recon Tanto, a Chris Reeve Large Sabenza, and a Schrade something-or-other pocket clip folder.
i also have a Spetznaz survival tool strapped to my ruck, chop, dig, saw, not much it won't do... 
Cold Steel Trail Master bowie, and their Gurkha Kukri for serious action (much more useful than a trail axe or any other machete).
Invented by Ronov Popielski!
Fallkniven F1.
My three favorite full tang, fixed, long blade knives:
Ka-Bar...This Piece-O-Crap is ugly but, takes a beating and asks for more.
Fiskers, Gerber knives. I’ve bunches of these thing and I can’t say I prefer one over the other.
A good knife is the Bear Grylls knife. I a couple in each of those as well.
Sharp, thick for beating on as a hatchet, and excellent grip. I actually took the 1st Bear Gryll knife out and tested it against my Winchester folding knife.
Well, it didn’t take long for the Winchester blade to snap in two as I pounded on it, with a hammer to cut through a four inch piece of wood. I was 1/2 way through.
A friend said “Oh no”
I said “Perfect! Always wondered if this Chinese made thing was a POS”. It is.
The Bear Gryll knife went through the piece of wood and was still sharp enough to cut climbing roper, paracord, and crummy cheap rope that I carry for tying or hanging things. I prefer to use the cheap stuff 1st before I degrade more expensive rope.
Next up is Buck. Nuff said.
My .02 cents:
Tanto style, 90 degree solid back, 6 to 8 inch blade length, a good thick blade and tang, guard with a small hole, hollow handle (tube) to hold small stuff 6” long, handle wrapped or braided in paracord, screw on water tight cap, cap to have a flat hammer like top.
Sheath should be strong plastic or leather and hold a small sharpening stone, have belt loops, and a strap to retain the blade.
In short, something like the K-bar but with a hollow handle to store a couple of survival goodies.
Things that you can do without:
- hooks in the blade
- built in compass (unless you dont know how to determine north)
- saw teeth
- ceramic blades
- any narrow or thin points
- holes in the blade
- “blood” grooves
- fancy handles
- any thing that looks Klingon
I also have the Cold Steel Kukri and did have a Trail Master Bowie but a guy traded me an AK-47 even for it so I no longer have it.
I disagree about either of them being better than a good machete. There is nothing better than a U.S. Surplus Ontario machete. Especially if it comes with the self sharpening sheath.
SURVIVAL CANE
I’ve got that knife and it’s by far the best I’ve ever owned. Mine is one step above yours. It’s automatic opening. (slightly different model)
My dad still has his. Hoping to inherit it in the distant future!
Colonel, USAFR
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