Recommendations for Survival Knives?

[Oakley568]

Sorry guys for the Knife post in the firearms section: :icon_tong

After reading the other posts about survival knives (meaning I already did the search...haha), I wanted to find out which Brands/Types of survival knives you all would recommend. The PR's down here at API have been telling us that the Knife you get with your vest is pretty much crap...so I've been trying to research survival knives for piece of mind. I know A4's mentioned Randall knives back in the summer...but they seem really expensive (but well worth it). Anyone else have any good suggestions, or should I just go with what they give me and pray that I don't ever need to use it. Thanks guys.

 

[zab1001]

That issued knife opens ravioli cans just fine.

If you still care that much when you hit the Fleet and get your own vest, just get something small that folds. Don't go wasting money on some gucci nonsense.

 

[Oakley568]

Funny you mention that...one of the first things that came to mind when they told us about the 4 or 5 lb optional limit was a can of Chef Boyardee...with the easy pop top. But that's a few years a way for me...

 

[Gatordev]

That issued knife opens ravioli cans just fine.

If you still care that much when you hit the Fleet and get your own vest, just get something small that folds. Don't go wasting money on some gucci nonsense.

Concur. Also, not all knives you're issued are the standard crappy one. If the PRs (and/or AW's in our case) take care of you, they can order other types. My det all got Seal Pup knives right before deployment. Much better than the standard issue and just as cheap.

 

[skidkid]

get a nice Bechmade folder for your flgiht suit. Get a black coated blade to combat corrosion on the boat. The knives in the vest are dummy corded so not real useful day to day. There are some really nice folders with good clips to go on a flight suit from CRKT, Benchmade or maybe Spyderco.

 

[lowflier03]

There are plenty of good options out there. My personal favorite is the switchblade designed for cutting harnesses. I think the one I have is Gerber. You have to provide proof that you are in the military essentially in a flying slot to buy one though...

 

[invertedflyer]

No Ka-bar skidskid? I guess it would be kind of cumbersome... not to mention I can't think of many practical uses outside of using it in a combat-oriented capacity.

 

[Pugs]

Well, you can go with a classic.

http://www.randallknives.com/catalog.php?action=modeldetail&id=26

or what I carried looped to my leg restraint and in my G-suit pocket for ODS, Bosnia, Kosovo and a bunch of ONF and OSW missions

http://www.specwargear.com/images/knife-Mk3-2.jpg

 

[insanebikerboy]

Personally, I like a folder with a clip. That way I can clip it in my thigh pocket and still have easy access to it. I've had an Emerson for years, http://www.emersonknives.com/pics/knives/cqc-7b/large/CQC-7B-BTS.JPG. The best thing I like about it is how it can hold an edge for a pretty long time.

 

[A4sForever]

If you're going into harm's way ... you need two.

A little one for little things; a big one for everything else.

Issue knives are generally crap. The contract went to the lowest bidder.

What's your life worth in a survival situation???

To think you can "get by" on the cheap with a "one-size-fits-all" knife shows a serious lack of understanding of the survival problem.

 

[MasterBates]

I carry a Gerber Gator II in my left thigh pocket, it is sharp and the gut hook doubles as a harness cutter. I started carrying it after I had a harness lock up on me in the aircraft, and was unable to get out. The AMs had to cut one strap and unbolt another for me to get out.

The other is the Issue K-Bar. Except I put a decent edge on it. While on the subject, what do you people carry in your extra 5 pounds?

I carry:
Magnesium & Flint fire starter
Small bag of dryer lint
Sharpening stone
H20 Purification tabs.

Have room for more stuff, but in the helo I usually carry an MRE and some drinks in my helmet bag, and a vaccuum packed change of underware and shaving kit. Never know where you will break down.

 

[scoober78]

No Ka-bar skidskid? I guess it would be kind of cumbersome... not to mention I can't think of many practical uses outside of using it in a combat-oriented capacity.

Don't forget Ka-Bar is a company...not just a knife. They actually make some interesting offerings beside the standard combat knife. Here is one that I plan to take. Very useful in a survival scenario with the unique blade.

I tend not to like a folder much. The generally don't have the hand protection that I would like in a heavy use (combat or survival) situation and they will never be as stong as a full tang knife. There are good ones, but they all have these weaknesses.


https://www.kabar.com/images/1247_large.jpg

 

[skidkid]

get a folder for you and then if you need something heavy duty it is in the vest. If you strap that thing to your gear you will be laughed at and rightly so.

 

[airgreg]

I carry a Kershaw in my flight suit. Clip in the thigh pocket, plastic safety lock, and one-handed "switchblade-type" quick release opener. Good quality at a reasonable price.

http://www.kershawknives.com/

 

[raptor10]

feddoc had a pretty kickass knife that he was showing off when I went through the ASTC last summer.