-
Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?
Go here:
Edit Account Details and Profile
Recommendations for Survival Knives?
- Thread starter Oakley568
- Start date
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
While this discussion could quickly turn into one similar to the watch thread, I'm curious as to why you talk about hand protection with that knife?
Two points, in a survival situation (survival = living in the wild, etc), a handguard would protect from what, a tree limb or sharp weeds (serious question, not rhetorical)? From a survival standpoint, a large blade and handguard just add extra weight not needed. That said, a handguard may keep you from getting an occasional busted knuckle.
In a combat situation, if you're in a knife to knife engagement you're going to get cut, regardless of having a handguard or not. A larger blade/knife doesn't mean it'll protect you better or perhaps cut the other guy better, it just means you move a half of a second slower. "Dueling" someone else with a knife isn't going to happen, someone is going to get cut, chances are both will, and a handguard or large blade won't stop that.
For that knife, the blade itself is almost as wide as the handguard anyways, so it in effect negates the presence of the handguard. While somewhat useful, is actually a bit of a hangover from swordplay, when the sword blade could actually ride down the other blade and hit the person's hand, hence the handguard stopped it, plus it could actually be used as a secondary weapon too.
Not trying to bust on your choice, again, knives are a lot like watches, personal preference. Use whatever makes you happy and is of good, quality, construction. However, I've studied empty handed and armed fighting for years to know that I know enough to run away, especially if the other guy is armed and I'm not, to fight only if I actually have to. The size of the blade and the size of the knife only truly matter if the two people fighting have the exact same arm length, otherwise it's a moot point.
FWIW, I've actually had a knife pulled on me and I did run away, even though I had my trusty Emerson in my pocket. Not because I didn't understand knife fighting (I do, but am by no means an expert), but simply because I didn't want to get cut.
About half of those end up under the floorboards...so your THAT guy...
Actually, I post that in loving memory of one of our old DHs, who insisted on taking them flying and would invariably FOD the jet. About the only food I like to take flying is a good PB&J. I'm proud to say that I've never FODed a jet - must be the QAR in me.
Brett
Two words....hand slippage. When under any point load, stabbing, gouging out a hole for a friction bow etc...if your hand slips without a handguard, it will go onto or at least near the blade.
Second, that blade isn't that much bigger than the blade on your Emerson...5"total blade length.
Third, the important dimensional difference is not the difference between the blade and the handguard, but the gripping surface and the handguard as this is what prevents your hand from slipping onto the blade.
I know very very little about knife combat, never said otherwise...my choice is from a much more utilitarian practical standpoint....more tool than weapon. I'd rather hide or run then fight guys with guns with a knife...
As for straight up survival, scoober is right-- a fixed blade is better than a folding knife. Tang to protect your hand from slipping down, more comfortable grip, more leverage, no moving parts to worry about, no crevices to clean and have fish guts fester in, usually has a bloodline, better balance. If you ever try to whittle with a folding knife for a long period of time you will quickly wish you had a fixed blade.
But, a folding blade is so much more convenient, inconspicuous, and saves space. Don't know which is better to take on missions but a fixed blade is always better for survival.
Absolutely true. I've had a folding knife fold up on one of my fingers...wasn't pretty. It really depends on what you're looking for. Survival knife? Combat knife? A bit of both? Go to a knife/sword/weapon shop and look around. Chances are they'll know which would suit you best.
Are you confusing the tang with the handguard? The tang is the same piece as the blade that extends into the handle; separate from the handguard.
BTW, unless you fall into the one part of the world I have never heard of that has no hostiles with guns, remember Rule #1 of a gunfight; BRING A GUN. The term combat knife confuses the issue since any aviator with boots on the ground has no business engaging anybody with a knife; if you are forced into the situation then whatever survival blade you have will serve you just as well as something a little more designed for actual fighting.
Use your knife to make shelter, fire, get food etc. I carried my issue with a better edge I put on it as well as a very small folding knife with a razor edge for small intricate work; skinning Tigers I had snared and that kind of thing.
... And of course, don't forget the blood groove ....
