Tactical/Survivor Fixed Blade

[alabamaedge88]

In your opinion, what is a good choice for dual purpose tactical and survival knife? (please no rambo knives lol)
Something that fits in both categories: able for defense and the elements. My vote is probably on the Kabar....but i dont know many other options.

[philco]

Bark River Bravo I .

(Picture "borrowed")

[Owd Wullie]

Ka-Bar

[alabamaedge88]

man that kabar 1247 warthog is my kinda knife but it is hard to find!!! its sweet though! read that they dont make em anymore.
i also found becker in the prosess of looking.....very cool also.
Im also liking Ontarios ranger knives...not bad for the money.

with me(as usual) money is an option. i cant afford to spend $250 for a knife all at once.....the kabar, becker, and rangers
seem to fit my budget.....and prolly as good as some of the high end knives.

[sextonknifeworks]

try this case xx

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Case-XX-USMC-Gr ... ble_Knives

[elbertson]

My vote is for something in the 5" blade range, flat ground, slight drop point. If you like military knives, then a Mk1 fits the bill. There are scores of good commercial knives made that also fit that criteria....probably because it works.

[Froggyedge]

Have you seen this thread about Wilderness Knives?
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... ness+knife

You don't really need a very expensive knife.
Take (for instance) a look at some of the Buck models, like the classic Pathfinder (great all-rounder), the Nighthawk (if you like a somewhat bigger and more "survival-like" knife, or the very affordable BuckLite Max.

[Owd Wullie]

Frode,

I'm glad you posted that link. Now I have to get off my fanny and take and post those pictures of my beat up old Swiss-Tool. LOL

[Froggyedge]

You didn't think I would let you get away that easy, did you?

[Steel Dragon]

I would go with a Ka-Bar any day. USA made & get the job done without a ridiculous price. I would buy the traditional 7" blade with a leather handle,but i like the black synthetic or tan handles too more these days.Pick your sheath.

https://www.kabar.com/tour.jsp

-In order to begin the three step heat treat process of stainless steel blades, KA-BAR first runs the blades through a 70 foot conveyor oven that takes approximately 1 hour to cycle.

-The second step in a three phrase heat-treat process, KA-BAR cryogenically freezes its stainless steel blades to -120° F to optimize blade performance.

-Tempering stainless steel blades for approximately 7 hours in a walk-in oven enhances steel toughness. KA-BAR is well-know for it's three phase heat-treat process in which tempering is the last step.

The Desert KA-BARS are constructed with non-reflective black epoxy powder coated 1095 cro-van blades and desert-colored Kraton G® handles. Available with a straight or serrated blade, both knives are sold with desert-colored glass-filled nylon (hard plastic) sheaths. Blades measure 7”. Overall length is 11-3/4”.

[alabamaedge88]

Do the Beckers go through that same process? I know that theyre owned by or partners with Kabar.

Me and my wife just got back from the mall....while she was shoe shopping me and jr. snuck off to the knife store.
Place mainly sells junk knives but they just picked up kabar. I looked at the full size black, the next generation stainless knife and the small tanto. Not as fond of the tanto as the other two.

[oldblinddog]

These work for me.

[Owd Wullie]

I've got one of those mini machetes in my work truck. Most of the time it's a hat rack for my hard hat. Comes in handy when I need to whack something that my edc's won't handle. Mine was made by Tramontina Brasil.

[MITCH RAPP]

I like my Ontario Afghan knife for Camping etc.

Ontario Afghan Knife
The Ontario Afghan knife is made of 5160 steel and is 10" in overall length. The knife blade of the Afghan knife is 5" long, a quarter of an inch thick and is coated with a black texture powder coating.

The Ontario Afghan knife comes complete with a MOLLE compatible black nylon sheath with a utility pouch and a hard plastic insert that protects the edge of the Afghan Knife Blade.

The Afghan knife is available in six different variations:

•Black Micarta Handle with plain or serrated edge
•Tan Micarta Handle with plain or serrated edge
•Orange G10 Handle with plain or serrated edge

[Froggyedge]

The classic Ka-Bar has proven itself for decades, being used and abused under harsh conditions all over the globe. No wonder it still has many followers!
If you need and like that style of knife, go for it and you will probably not be disappointed.
Personally I do not use one.
Not because it's a bad knife. It's not. But I simply find it to be unnecessary big, bulky and heavy for the way I use a knife in the woods or mountains.
Most (of my) knife tasks in the wild can be accomplished just as well and often better with a smaller and lighter knife. And now I'm talking about common tasks like preparing a meal, eating, whittling, making a fire, cleaning fish etc.
I do not fight that many bears and for those occasions where I expect to do much firewood chopping, I will rather bring a small axe for that purpose.

Mitch,
I'm not familiar with the Ontario Afghan, but it looks interesting!
A full flat grind?
I guess it's a great choice for those who need and prefer a rugged, sturdy knife, but at the same time do not want to carry a big Bowie or a classic Ka-Bar.

[Owd Wullie]

Froggy,

Do you carry an axe on a hatchet? Most of the "big" knives will do a fair job at hacking. Not as good as a small axe or hatchet but they will get by. I think that is reason that they are designed as such.

Like most dual purpose things that have been designed usually both functions suffer. LOL

[Froggyedge]

Froggy,

Do you carry an axe on a hatchet? Most of the "big" knives will do a fair job at hacking. Not as good as a small axe or hatchet but they will get by. I think that is reason that they are designed as such.

Like most dual purpose things that have been designed usually both functions suffer. LOL

My thoughts exactly!
If I were to carry a big Bowie or classic Ka-Bar, the main reason for doing so would be firewood. I do not find the really big knives practical for ordinary cutting/slicing tasks, food preparation, whittling etc. I've heard about people using a Bowie to skin a mouse, just to prove it can be done. I don't deny that, but a good tool for the job it is not. Two alternatives then:
1) Big knife for firewood and small/moderate sized knife for other tasks.
2) Small axe for firewood and small/moderate sized knife for other tasks.
Personally I prefer alternative 2).

I have a very nice sportsman's axe from Estwing, but it is quite heavy. For light to moderate needs, I often bring this one.

The handle is hollow and it does not weigh much. Surprisingly effective for such a small tool!

I got home from a day hike just a couple of hours ago. I had a fixed blade (blade length about 4") on my belt and a 4" Stockman in my pocket. We did not make a fire and I never missed a bigger blade. In fact the Stockman saw most use and I could have managed well without the fixed blade. Collecting firewood to keep a small fire going while we were eating would have been an easy task without either a big knife or an axe/hatchet.

I do not criticize those who prefer to carry a big knife when hiking. Nothing wrong with that! I'm just telling that my choice is not to do so...

[Owd Wullie]

We're of a same mind.

[Darksev]

Mitch already mentioned my company of choice. RAT cutlery, or as they call themselves now ESEE. The ESEE-5 or 6 would be a nice all rounder, but the Junglas wins if I had to use is to fend someone off 3/16 1095 with a powder coat finish, full flat grind, no frills, indestructible.

[oldblinddog]

I've got one of those mini machetes in my work truck. Most of the time it's a hat rack for my hard hat. Comes in handy when I need to whack something that my edc's won't handle. Mine was made by Tramontina Brasil.

Yeah, mine too. I'm sold on the Tramontina's. That one's a 12". I have an 18" in the toolbox of my truck (also in a sheath) with which I have cut down a 7-8" diameter oak tree before. They work!

[Froggyedge]

We're of a same mind.

Probably those Nordic genes..!

Darksev,
The ESEE-5 looks very nice and sturdy! Personally, that's about as big as I would go for normal use...

The Junglas is tested by Terrill Hoffman in the November issue of Tactical Knives.

The knife proved to be one of the better large blades I have had the pleasure work with. [...] The "Junglas", with its 10-plus inches of sharpened steel matched to a well-designed handle, proved to be an outstanding performer.

[alabamaedge88]

Well i just purchased a Becker BK2! Cant wait for it to arrive!

[Froggyedge]

Alabama,
That's a sturdy knife you won't wear out in a couple of years!
My only concern would be the weight...
Please tell us more about it when you get the knife!

[alabamaedge88]

Just got the Becker Bk2 in the mail this morning so heres what I think.
1. It is a heavy knife yes, but I'm 6'1 and 260+ lbs so a heavy knife to me feels right at home.
In fact I've gotten rid of knives because they were too light.(thats why i cant get used to Opinel, dont even know
its there) So a heavy knife fits me better than some superlightweight knife.

2. If you had to baton wood, this knife is built that it would take the abuse and keep on swinging. I prefer a machette,
hatchet, or kukri for the job personally but the bk2 is more than capable.

3. I like the fact that it is chrome vanadium vs stainless. Thats why I chose it over the Kabar next gen. Ive had bad luck
with sharpening SS before.

4. Bells n Whistles: Sheath is okay. If the knife is inside the sheath its not gonna slip out unintentionally, even if you
dont have the strap fastened. The kydex sheath has plenty of holes for paracord or what-not, making mounting
this knife on a pack very easy. Theres a lanyard hole in the handle, I like making a loop with paracord to put around
your hand when your batoning or swinging it (especially in wet conditions around water)

5. Tactical point of view: Not a fighting knife but if you hand to defend youself it would work. However, one solid blow
to the temple with the butt end of the handle......nighty night!

Overall, this unit fits me quite well. Weight might be an issue fo some though. This thing is a tank....almost like a
very sharp prybar! But for a long term survival knife this one fits the bill.

[TDCase]

Alabama, I've been looking at this knife. Is your BK2 the 1st or 2nd generation version? Pretty sure I'll order one of these based on reviews and general reading. You have had this one for several weeks now so are you still happy with it? Thanks TD