Combat Survival Knife

Sugestions for other combat knives will help too...

Short answer is that it's not that good as one, do it all tool. It's rather short, blade geometry is not optimal for the uses you described.
Guerrilla Sauce was correct in his assessment of combat knives. You don't use them to fight enemies, but mainly for pretty rough use, which might include prying, chopping and other heavy duty works.

As such, seal pup isn't the best choice. AUS-8 steel used in it isn't the best choice either. Hardened at 57-58 HRC it is an ok choice at best. It wont hold the edge as long as other other, better combat knives. That steel, especially at that hardness is pretty tough, but again, in such a short knife toughness isn't very critical, because it's not likely you can chop with it real hard.
The tip of the knife is also fairly delicate. It's good for stabbing and delicate works, but those aren't qualities you're looking for in a survival knife.

One more thing if you are in US service and gonna be deployed it's unlikely that you will be using that knife or any other.After exchanging numerous emails with US servicemen in various branches regarding knives, as far as I can tell pretty much nobody is using their own knife. You get issued standard bayonet and that's your primary knife. Good folder is a welcomed complement.
Although, I know quite a few guys who use their Busses and Swamp Rats while in service.

For the other suggestions. For starters if you want one more or less universal knife then you'd need to go with something bigger - 7" or more.
Jerry Busse makes exceptional combat knives with his proprietary INFI steel, but those are relatively expensive and pretty hard to get, but he offers discounts and priority service for active duty personnel.
INFI steel performance for hard use combat knives is extremely good.

Swamp Rat knives is very reasonably priced alternative to Busse line. SR-101 steel is modified 52100 steel and offers excellent price/performance value.

If you insist on SOG, they used ot make X42 Field knife out of BG-42 steel. It's a lot more utility/field knife than the seal pup and better steel as well.

Strider makes good combat knives, sadly mainly with paracord handles, you'd have to hunt for G-10 handled knives, if you don't like paracord.

Benchmade also makes some good and not too expensive field/combat knives.

Fallknives is also good choice, especially A1 for the survival/combat use.

There's 50+ combat/field/survival knife reviews here - http://www.zknives.com/knives/fixed/inde x.shtml
Including Busses, Swamp Rats, Strider, Chris Reeve and others including relevant links.

Bunch of folders here - http://www.zknives.com/knives/folding/in dex.shtml

2009-02-16 23:28:54 by brandon_0916

The RAT-7 promises to be a good survival knife, especially for the money. Good steels, ergonomics, blade shape, and an OK sheath round out a good ...

I want either a Ka-Bar Marine knife, a Glock field knife, or a Gerber LMF II.
Any suggestions?
The knife will be used for survival/field utilitarian type functions.
The Glock knife is $30, the Ka-Bar is $60, the Gerber is $100.

Being a former Marine, it's hard not to like my Ka-Bar. Unless you want to be like Rambo (and you are not going to survive very long), I would avoid it as it's main purpose is for close quarters combat. Ka-Bar is probably the best American made combat knife around as it has been battle tested and hasn't changed since before WWII. KA-Bar does have other knives as well besides the standard issue. Your question is a little vague though. If you are looking at a knife that is for survival, a standard combat knife is not the way to go. Out of the three you listed, the Gerber is more of a true "survival knife". Do some research on other brands as well. Just because a knife has a higher price tag, doesn't mean it's the best. Look for functions that the knife has to offer, durability, etc.

2010-02-02 11:19:13 by Dustin

Price: $17.95

I am looking for a knife similar to that of Kensei Muguruma in Bleach and its very unique with the thumb hole on the side and if someone could find a website where I could purchase a knife similar to this, that would be fantastic. For those who don't know what I am talking about, here in a picture you can see the circular thumb hole off the side of the combat knife,

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5496/ swordpt36sk.jpg

If anyone could help me with this, that would be great!!
Thank you!!

http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eComme rce/main_front.jsp
has the "World's Largest Online Knife Showplace"

2008-03-16 12:41:12 by Marksman

Price: $50.00

Includes nylon carry sheath
Overall length: 11.1-Inches; Weight: 18.6-Pounds
2.4-Inch 420 stainless steel cutting edge

http://www.trueswords.com/kabar-bowie-he avy-w-sheath-p-2601.html
Is it full tang?

Yup. Any fixed blade knife by ka-bar will be full tang, they're legit.

2010-01-17 10:17:23 by ralnavarro@verizon.net

I want to start a knife collection. Someone gave me a WWII era knife to start out.

Out of curiosity, what makes the best combat/survival knife?

Is a longer knife always better? I've seen some with a 12 inch blade? Or is that bad?

I've seen straight knives with sharp pointy edges, I've also seen weird curvy knives. Which is better?

I used a CRKT knife in Iraq. I still have it 4 years later. Best knife I've ever purchased.

Benchmade makes some good knives too. I still preferred the CRKT over the issued benchmade though. :)

2009-05-22 15:48:49 by Oppression Killah