Fixed Blade Survival Knife

Regardless of price what is the best fixed blade survival knife for general purpose woodland survival? Kabar, Kershaw, Benchmade, Gerber, Cold Steel, Ontario, Fallkniven, SOG, Busse...etc? What make and model in your opinion? I want a full tang design. Please don't tell me a Rambo knife with compass and a hollow handle for holding fishing line and hooks. lol.

There is an endless debate what a survival knife should be, small utility blade or larger one that can take and dish out lots of punishment.

If you go with second definition, then Busse knives are probably on top of the list. Very tough, pretty much indestructible and unusually high wear resistance and edge holding for those types of knives.

I own (and owned) Busses, Cold Steels, Sogs, Benchmades and bunch of other fixed blades. The toughest are Busses for sure.
As for the Cold Steel tests I am very skeptical about those, because they void the warranty if you try to replicate the tests.

My vote for heavy duty blades goes to Busse or if you are on the budget then Swamp Rat knives(SRKW).

Busse reviews - http://zknives.com/knives/fixed/busse/in dex.shtml
SRKW review - http://zknives.com/knives/fixed/srkw/ind ex.shtml

If you want something more exotic the kukris are also quite versatile and very tough use knives.
Kukris - http://zknives.com/knives/fixed/himp/ind ex.shtml

Those are the knives that you can cut, chop and pry with.

For more utility type knives benchmade Nimravus is pretty good and not too expensive.
Fallkniven A1 is also quite tough knife from decent steel VG-10.

Cold Steel SRK was a good knife in older version of Carbon V steel. new ones are not as good unfortunately. Though, nowhere near to Busse or SRKW in heavy duty use.

All of those knives are full tang design.

More fixed blades here - http://zknives.com/knives/fixed/index.sh tml

2009-04-25 17:01:10 by Roger M

www.SurvivalReviews.com Review of the Kershaw fixed blade Survival Knife model 1005. This knife was made in 1989 and is the perfect Survival type ...

i am willing to pay up to 70-85 dollars for it.

Hello,
This question is very personal in nature, as each person has a differet expectation for a knife, a different view of style ......etc.

I own close to 50 knives! not all fixed blade, not all are for everyday use, but I do know what I like and what I look for when I add a new one to the collection.

I do not have much spare cash for blades. I do carry one or two with me at all times though and I expect them to be functional. I carry a vitorinox pioneer model (swiss army knife) with me at all times, (when I'm camping and when I'm not) and then a few various fixed blades.

I expect my knives to be strong, hold an edge well and be reasonably easy to sharpen (trade offs are the rule....holds edge or easy to sharpen...I opt for holds edge). For camping and survival I'll carry a knife that can be used to split wood, prepare meals....basically do everything. I like a length of 3 5/8" to 5" with a good sheath.

High carbon or hand forged blades tend to be very sharp, and can be exceptionally strong if tempered/treated right.
But they also can stain and riust if not cared for right.


Army knives are great, Ka-Bar is a good knife and I have a great one in my stash, but the blade is just a bit too akward and long for me to use as a general camping/survival knife.

Before you buy one, check out Helle. A Norwegian knife company. They are sold by many dealers and the prices all tend to be low, whereas the quality is high. I own a good half dozen of their knives. They have a triple laminated blade (like a metal sandwich). They get wickedly sharp and do hold an edge very well. I had one old "scout" model given to me as a gag by a norweigen friend (because I was an eagle Scout). It became an almost daily use knife and ended up as a utility blade until I lost it. When I was looking for a replacement the very next day, I knew that I had found a good knife! This was their least expensive model too!
Hella is also known for selling kits. This way you can get the best blade you can afford and save a few bucks by putting it together yourself.

look here. They sell Helle, as well as other great blades,and have great prices.

http://www.ragweedforge.com (I have purchased from them)

check out this dealer (I have not purchased from them)
http://www.helleknives.com/CATALOG2.HTML
look at all the models but be sure to look at:
Hunting knife
Hovding
Helle Eggen
Pan

Good luck!
Oh, make sure to get a sharpening stone, sharpening sticks or whatever it is you are more familiar with. See If the dealer has any discounts on a sharpening system with the purchase of a knife. Some knives have space for a stone in the sheath.

2007-11-16 15:09:01 by duhtorrey105

Price: $29.99 $10.95

Nylon Sheath with Belt Loop
Hard Rubber HandleOverall Dimensions: 10.25 x 1.125 x 2.125 inches
Features include: 440 Stainless Steel Full Tang

It has to be a fixed blade knife it's a school thing it lasts 5 months and I'll be needing something that keeps it's edge and performs well under some pretty stressful use.

Main use will be primarily survival oriented. Blade length 3-6, preferably leaning towards the 3.

willing to spend $30-80 Canadian.

Go nuts!

Have a look at Kershaw Knives. They make good quality blades for just about anything you need. I have a Deer Hunter, but it's a pretty expensive one. Look at the Antelope Hunter II or Bear Hunter ($40-45 US). There are many more.

http://www.kershawknives.com/products.ph p?search_by=category&brand=kershaw

2010-01-16 22:12:18 by Nathan B

Price: $66.66 $33.00

1095 High Carbon Steel
15.9 ounces
Kraton handle

The Gerber SteadFast is one of the few good ones in that price range.

http://www.rockynational.com/2454_22-011 20_Gerber_Steadfast_Fine_Edge.html

6" Blade, 10" overall and a very comfortable handle. Very decent knife for the money.

2009-03-15 17:54:30 by Nick F

i have a BUCK nighthawk tatical/military survival knife that is 4 7/8 in. long and need to know how long the max length a knife can be in florida that is not concealed.

I don't know that there is a max length
The laws concerning carrying knives address concealed knives and allow for 4 inch blades

I used to carry a Sharp Finger and have co workers that carry sheath knives around five inches long
I carry a caping knife with a small blade now

We have an excuse due to our jobs but I have never been stopped for doing it

2008-06-13 17:22:13 by rstarr63