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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2010 3:58:03 GMT
Hello, joined to get advice from a trustworthy knowledge base.
I'm looking for a decently sturdy, mutli-use fixed blade knife, not EDC but more survival-oriented, preferably with self-defense as a second priority. I know many of these exist, but I am looking for something with a VERY slip-resistant grip. I have palmar hyperhidrosis (aka super sweaty hands) that comes and goes randomly, but often when the adrenaline starts flowing (like in an outdoors survival situation or fear for my life).
As I'm not very rich, I'm also looking for something below $50 or so, but will consider saving up for the right blade if there's an excellent one that costs a few times more.
Thanks in advance.
-R
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 23, 2010 4:20:50 GMT
Well, first off, welcome to SBG, Root! As for the knife itself, if it weren't for the sweaty hands, I would have recommend the Cold Steel Bushman, which is a 20$ knife, but it's hardy with a hollow grip for storing any small items and can also be fixed to a pole for a spear if necessary. However, it's grip is metal with no option to wrap it in paracord (easily, at least), so time to look at other options. Those that I found that I would personally trust are a little over your price range, but not by much and could be accomplished with a little saving. Here they are: Benchmade's CSK (Combat Survival Knife) - www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... ?s=BM158BK Cold Steel's SRK (Survival Rescue Knife) - www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... l?s=CS38CK Cold steel's Recon Scout - www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... s=CS39LRST (This is the most expensive of the ones I found, so from here, it's mostly downhill in the price range.) KA-BAR's Becker 7" Utility Knife - www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... ml?s=KABK7 Ontario Ranger Bush Series 7 - www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... s=ON9445BM (If it's not grippy enough, the micarta could most likely be replaced easily.) Ontario Ranger Assault Knife - www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... =ON9414BCH
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 23, 2010 4:37:52 GMT
Under or around $50 the best knife for you is probably a good ol' Ka Bar fighting/utility knife. Next up is a Becker BK2. Usually a little over $50. Nice thing about them is the handles are removable and hollow (if you get the second gen ones) so you can actually put some survival gear inside. Though you might need to wrap 550 for better gripping or use a dremel to carve some texturing into the handle. Cold Steel Bushman is also a doable blade and can serve as a spear. Again you would need to wrap the handle for better grip. It is the least expensive of these. Good luck with your search, the Ka Bar fighting knives have been around for a long time and still quite respected. The Beckers are now made by Ka Bar for Ethan Becker and are the new favorite of many survivalists out there. Becker BK2 review from one of my favorite gear reviewers Adam from Equip2Endure
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 23, 2010 4:40:32 GMT
Hahaha, we have some of the same recommendations though many of those you mentioned will be above the $50 mark
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 23, 2010 4:47:35 GMT
Oh can't believe I forgot this one, The coldsteel Throwing knife. They sell around $20 and make a great survival/camp knife. In fact I usually bring mine out with me when I am hiking.
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Oct 23, 2010 4:53:56 GMT
Just one thing about the Benchmade CSK ; one youtube reviewer, NutNFancy, had his snap in two while he was batoning wood in the forest, during winter. Dunno if he got a lemon or if its a flaw in the design... I'd take note of that before buying that one.
Personnaly, my knowledge of survival is very limited, but I suggest you check out NutnFancy on youtube. If you keyword that name, you will very easily find his page and his reviews. Check out his large knives playlist, and his other stuff, if you want, you should find useful infos there.
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 23, 2010 4:57:17 GMT
How to paracord wrap coldsteel bushman
How to paracord wrap a Becker BK 2
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 23, 2010 5:06:07 GMT
NutNFancy does have some good stuff for sure. Though in winter might be part of the reason for the trouble. I haven't seen that video so not sure but if the knife was cold like all metals when cold they become more brittle. So it might have been partially user error of not warming up his knife before putting it under extreme stress. Or it might have been a factory flaw. Benchmade typically is a brand you can trust and one of the more respected knife makers out there.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 23, 2010 5:11:25 GMT
Well, I did say that they were over his 50$ mark, but I'm not much of a survival knife person; I think more along the terms of EDC/Fighting knife. I can't believe I forgot the True Flight, as well, but I probably forgot it since I was thinking 'survival/hunting' instead of throwing.
@sebastien: That's a good point. Nutn is a very trustworthy guy who reviews all manner of things. However, I'm with Ineff on this one; batoning it in winter may have been part of the problem, but he could have also gotten a lemon. Still, Benchmade is a great brand with excellent quality control, better, I would say, than Cold Steel's.
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 23, 2010 5:35:26 GMT
Some interesting paracord mods to the coldsteel bushman *edit to fix youtube link
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2010 5:06:25 GMT
Thanks a bunch, looks like I'll most likely go for the Bushman and wrap it with paracord, test it out and if I don't like it I'll only be out about 20 dollars and have a much better idea of what I do/don't want from a survival knife. The easy spearhead feature is rather nice too since I'm rarely without a walking stick when I go into the woods.
Oh, and the embedded video in that last one doesn't show up for me, the other ones do though.
-R
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 24, 2010 6:29:49 GMT
Fixed the link on that one. Good luck with the knife.
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Post by CivilSavage on Oct 24, 2010 6:33:09 GMT
Frankly, I'd go with a Kukri. There is a wide range of manufacturers/price ranges available. If you are worrried about cost, Kult of Athena has the Windlass version for $34 and some change. It is very modifiable if you feel the need and you aren't out a whole lot of money. Also it is very tough and certainly a tried and true versatile knife.
If you think you might want to spend more, you always can try Himilayan Imports or Kukrihouse. Both make very nice knives at fairly reasonable prices, lot's of selection. I'd personally go for the Jungle Panawal or Survival Panawal by kukrihouse, but there are plenty to choose from. Both of the knives I mentioned are approx. 15 and 17" OAL and weight between 750 grams (1.70lbs) to 1000 grams(2.2lbs) which includes scabbard and by-knives(if any).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2010 6:42:22 GMT
I have many of the same recommendations. Although I love my Blackjack Mamba, I think a simple, tried and true knife like a Ka-bar or Ontario is the best. I can't personally attest to these, but hey, they look fun... Ontario Spec Plus USN-1 Clip Point With Line Cutter 5" Blade www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... l?s=ONSP24 Cold Steel Recon 7" Tanto AUS-8A Steel Blade with Concealex Sheath www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... ?s=CS13RTK (very popular in the old Carbon V style) SOG SEAL Pup Elite 4.85" TigerStripe Black TiNi Combo Edge Blade with Nylon Sheath www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... =SOG37ETSN There are a lot of high quality (ie expensive) knives over $100, but I really don't see them being that much more useful. With a really expensive knife, you're paying for blade steel (S30V or what have you) and the brand name of the smith/maker.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2010 6:51:37 GMT
If I had to have one knife for survival and tactical use, I'd go with the KA-BAR Becker Magnum Camp Knife 8" Blade, Nylon Sheath www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... ml?s=KABK5 It's on my Christmas wish list :-D
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 24, 2010 6:58:32 GMT
Haha, that's funny; I just posted that in the new Knife Nuts thread a few days ago; it's on my list, too.
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Post by vince on Oct 24, 2010 22:57:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2010 2:52:00 GMT
I would say Ka-Bar . Any of the Kraton G handled ones. I love the feel of those handles, very secure. Great value for the money as well.
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Post by vince on Nov 7, 2010 23:49:55 GMT
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Nov 8, 2010 1:45:17 GMT
TOPS make some really scary-looking knives, although I didn't hear much about the overall quality of their product (something that has kept me from taking the plunge with them, due to the high cost of their products).
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