What knife would be best for a SHTF situation?

What kind of knife would you have with you if SHTF? A hunting knife? Pocket knife? Or just a swiss army knife?

Any particular brands or suggestions?

SpeedBump

reply to post by SpeedBump


I would go for a selection of knives and tools.

-lightweight foldable saw, BUCK sells a good one.

-multitool.

-a dagger, or any good medium to large survival knife made out of one piece.

-folding knife you can flick open with one hand, best with partly serrated edge, imo.

I also always carry a foldable army shovel with me when I go into the woods.

With these tools you're pretty much set for anything.

This is what I currently have



I would also suggest a good versatile multi-tool.

Other than a sharp one, you mean?

Personally I've never been a fan of folders... I prefer my knives to be one piece about 8 to 10 inches long, including the hilt... My current fave is a Kershaw utility knife...a bit bigger than I normally carry, but strong as all get out...I've used it to open all sorts of things... from gutting fish to oil drums... It sharpens right up, and holds that edge. Though that oil drum wasn't exactly a great idea...took forever to hone that burr out...but it came out and is good as new.

SHTF? That'll be the first knife going onto my belt, fight beside the SW .38 revolver.

Yeah, I'm old school about certain things...

I would personally go with a full tang hunting knife of good quality and a trusted sharpening stone.

I think I'll get one of these babies.

KA-BAR FTMFW!

Only thing I will ever need. It's reliable, easily sharpened and stays sharp.
KA-BAR

I have the more modern, black handle, silver blade...
But it has proven to be a workhorse so far and I've had it for 10+ years.

Heavy, sturdy, can be used as a hammer...
Anything that folds will eventually break under enough stress.
I have folders too, and a Gerber LMF II which is an incredible knife also.


But nothing will out-last and out-perform my KA-BAR.

Tough to settle on one
If I had to settle on one it would be my hatchet

but normally
my go bag contains
10 inch filleting blade
8 inch hunting knife
6 inch kc pro multitool
3 inch kc pro multi tool
2 inch japanes handmade lock back
coarse and fine ceramic stick sharpeners
medium steel
strop
spare hatchet head/ wedge
nail clippers
nail scissors
heavy duty scissors

edit oh ya a couple hatchett handle wedges

[edit on 16-6-2010 by Danbones]

It would help to know what type of S is hitting what F and where. Different types of knives are more useful in different situations than others. In a jungle environment, a good machete is all that you need. In cold, hardwood forests, you would probably want a small axe, paired with a 4" fixed blade.

There are literally thousands of knives on the market that can be used for survival. It just depends on your environment, your skill set, and what you may be comfortable with.

An excellent "all around" knife is the Bark River Bravo-1. It was designed for, and is used by USMC Force Recon as their go-to survival knife. It is state-of-the-art, with no gimmicks or doo-dads that detract from function.
(not sure of the link posting rules, so I've removed the link. Just Google "BRKT Bravo-1" and you'll find this knife all over the place)

Bark River makes superb knives. Other companies that make excellent, solid, dependable knives:

Busse
ESEE (formerly Rat Cutlery)
Condor/ Imacasa
Fallkniven
Chris Reeve
Becker (Ka-Bar)

The ESEE RC-4 is another superb "all-rounder", as is the Fallkniven F1. You do not need a big, flashy "Rambo" style knife. Although if you like that sort of thing, a Busse Battle Mistress or an ESEE Junglas are big, beefy, indestructible knives, with no dumb gimmicks. The new Busse Basic-11 is outstanding, as are most of the Swamp Rat and Scrapyard knives.

These are all fixed blades. For folders, add Spyderco and Benchmade to the list.

[edit on 16-6-2010 by moonwilson]

I have 2 actually a multiplier and a large cheap knife.
But the multiplier is invaluable so I guess that would be my choice.

(Edit)
Oops forgot about my ULU this is awesome for kitchen food prep and skinning. cheap but sharp as a razor. And here's my cheapy it is a beater. You use a log on the backside of the blade and split wood with it.
[edit on 16-6-2010 by g146541]

[edit on 16-6-2010 by g146541]

reply to post by Crossfate


Sweet.

Never have liked serrated edges, though. Too much work to sharpen for my tastes. IMHO, the less work you have to do keeping your tools up to snuff, the easier the survival will be. I'm lazy, that way...

There is no 'best knife' in my opinion. I always have 3 handy:
-Kershaw Ken Onion 'Leek', partially serated with assisted opening. This is my 'quick draw'-can literally be opened with with just your index finger
-Leatherman 'Wave'-truly any good multi-tool will do
-I carry a 'KaBar Heavy Bowie', but truly any decent fixed blade knife will do.

KA-BAR is legend.
Another popular "survival" knife is SOG SEAL in many versions.
Here´s one

Don't forget about a machete.

reply to post by Zmurfix


I own the smaller version, the SOG Seal Pup Elite.

sogknives.com...

With my other tools, I don't need a super large knife, the pup is light and strong, and handles very comfortably.







[edit on 16-6-2010 by Point of No Return]

Multi tools have their place. I have always kept a Leatherman or SOG Power Plier at the ready.

However, for general purposes it has to be a fixed blade. Some good brands have already been mentioned and skies the limit for your wallet.

ESEE (Rat Cutlery) RC-4 is my work horse. I also keep a Mora Clipper handy as well. The Clipper is under 20 bones, holds a great edge and is built like a brick **** house for the money. The Swedes know a thing or two about blade design and the ever durable Sandvik and Tri Flex steel. Check out bladeforums.com for some more fun, pictures and good advice.

www.swedishknives.com...

You will need more than one knife.
One for skinning, cutting meat.
One for general purpose.
A Swiss Army type to have in your pocket.
A larger hacking knife.
A personal food knife.
Keep them sharp, keep them separate, keep them clean.
My 2 cents.

I have a swiss army knife with tweezers, screwdrivers, can opener, awl, scissors, a toothpick, and best of all, a small magnifying glass.

I use it everyday, so in an emergency, I'd imagine it'd be a lifesaver.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/7506738ec38e.jpg[/atsimg]

That's a knife.

I am with the above posters, if it may only be a single knife, make is a KA-BAR.

I would have to go with the TOPS Tom Brown Tracker.

Very tacticle and practicle, plus it was in the movie "The Hunted"