What's THE best survival knife?

I'm interested in a fixed blade, in a sheath by the belt.

(Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere .. just lead me to it)

No fluff. Does the business.

I don't like the idea of a fixed blade on my belt while on a Bike. I carry an Emerson CQC7 Tanto in my pocket and a Gerber Multi Plier in my tankbag.

I use the Ka-Bar Kukri when camping:

quite useful

The thread title reminded me of the $14 Rambo Knife from the '80s with the compass in the butt and the fishing kit and Band-Aid (first aid kit) in the handle.

I have several, and they all work good. The key is to have a sharp one...so a sharpener is as important as the knife. I keep a carbide sharpener (the size of a ball-point pen) in my pack. The carbide sharpener is the best combination of speed and edge repeatability I have been able to find.

gerber lmf, best bang for the buck

austrian army combat knife by glock. 'bout $16.

The best survival knife is the one you have on you when the shit hits the fan. You ain't gonna have the Kabar when you really need it . . . or any big sheath knife for that matter. A good pocket knife is the answer. I carry a Victorinox made for the German army, a little bigger than an ordinary Swiss Army knife (longer blade) with only sawblade/can opener, corkscrew (essential) and awl. It has a lanyard hole (essential). I have it attached to my body unless I am nekked.

Where did you find it for that price?

"survival" ? In the context of motocamping or something else?

what tasks do you want the knife for?

what is your intended price range?

erda: a gun store here in alabama had a few of 'em. it's a simple, kabar klone with a little longer blade and modified clip point. real snappy plastic sheath and belt clip. it can go on left or right side. just turn knife around for either strong side ...

i suggested the glock because of the low price and ergos. i'm sure there are lots of "better" knives at higher prices ...

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.asmc.de/images/product_images/info_images/38023_0.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.asmc.de/en/Knives-Tools/Daggers/Glock-Combat-Knife-olivgreen-p.html&usg=__XxLvMEbEbpp_ExWpYYkmmZkgJAI=&h=300&w=300&sz=32&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=WeB5It0hEWPtgM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dglock%2Bcombat%2Bknife%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-USfficial%26sa%3DG

Another thing to think about . . . Kabars and similar large sheath knives are considered prohibited weapons in Texas and other states. A Kabar is a pretty crappy survival knife unless there is the possibility that part of the survival will include a knife fight.

generically... assuming this is for outdoor tasks and carried on the bike, fixed blades are more robust.

stainless or carbon steel? Stainless would be my preferred option but carbon steel is easier to sharpen and hardier if you are batoning logs.

handle? Should be a full tang to put up with abuse like batoning. Wood and bone scales are more aesthetically pleasing but synthetic materials like G10 and micarta are more practical.

Here are a couple of excellent knives designed for outside work:

$200



$165
(they do a folder called the RSK Mk.1 which is an excellent pocket knife too.)



But as you are an Aussie, for the money you can't beat a custom John Foxwell knife. I have one, quality is superb, and at £80 which is about £130 US / $150 Aus you'd get a stainless [ATS-34] custom-built knife that will last a lifetime.

I have a necker [smallish knife, G10 handle, neck sheath, first pic] but he does all sorts.





He posts on another forum I visit and he's a splendid fellow... for an Aussie. He's based in Junee. No connection other than a very satisfied customer.

http://www.akg.org.au/component/option,com_zoom/Itemid,37/catid,35/


Or, if you ride a KLR:



Frosts of Mora stainless 'Clipper', ten quid, which is $20 Aus, and for that money it's unbeatable.

I have had a LMF since I was in the Marine Corps , great knife! I always said that it stood for "Land mine finder"

+2

I'd throw a vote for ka-bar if you can carry it. It will cut just about anything you'll need to cut. It even does a fine job spliting fire wood if needed. I'll take it anywhere. That said I carry a couple of knives of varying size as it never hurts to have extra or versatility.

This one :

+1 on SOG knives.

Puma make great,although expensive knives. I have the Puma Trail Boss which has a folding 4.5" blade.