READERS COMMENTS

I like the ESEE knives, these are built by a guy who teaches a survival and escape school to civilians, LE, and military. I own the ESEE 6 which has a 6 inch blade and is made of 1095 steel. Perfect for batoning, hacking, chopping, etc. I spent the extra money on this, versus a becker, because it has a lifetime no questions asked warranty. It also comes with micarta scales and a great sheath.
Posted: Apr 26, 2012 Justin Case

Opinions on knives are as varied as the orifices at the base of our spine. Everyone has one and as long as it works when needed, no complaints. While the quality of knives vary, if you don't have the knowledge even the most expensive knife will be of little use.
Posted: Apr 08, 2012 Outdoor Scout Leader

I have seen quite a few comments about which knives are better, and to be honest, even the el cheapo knife from wally world is better than nothing, but that doesn't mean it'll help. I personally carry 3 knives with me out in the woods, only one is part of my every day carry set.

The first one, and the only one that makes it anywhere other than the sticks, is my $8 china made folder, and I don't care what people say, for what your gonna use a folder for, you do not need it to cost $90 and be made of 1095, all it's gonna do is cut tape, maybe some paracord if you get bored and a pizza box if you get really bored, and, it's cheap to replace.

The second is a Victorinox swiss army knife, it has scissors, a 2" blade, a 1" blade, an awl, a toothpick, pair of tweezers, bottle opener, can opener, 2 sizes of flat head drivers, a phillips head driver, and it's a nice bright red.

The third varies depending on where I go and what I can bring based on whether it's being modded or not, and the 2 options there are a Ka-Bar/Becker BK 2, which is a 5" drop point, 1/4" fixed blade knife made of 1095 CroVan (a variant of classic 1095), or it's younger brother, the new BK 16, which is also a drop point, although much thinner than the tank known as a BK 2, it's only a fraction of an inch shorter, both of them are beautiful bush crafting knives, and they only cost about $64-$65 shipped, the biggest difference in them, other than the size, is the sheath, which is why the BK 16 comes in at the same price as the BK 2, less knife, more sheath.

Now, all that being said, I just told you every knife I own, all of them are great at what they do, but out of all 4, the only 2 I would trust in any sort of survival situation are the Beckers. Yes you can baton with a folder, but there is no need to baton wood that's only 3" wide, heck, my wrist is that big, and the only ones that would not break or bend while batoning would be the Beckers.

Now, I know a lot of people don't like batoning for one reason or another, but the Beckers are also zero-sabre ground, even though they say flat (flat ground versions are on there way though, Ka-Bar got a new laser etch machine, so now they don't need the flat area to mark them), from the factory so they are easier to maintain because you only have one bevel instead of two.

Ok, that's my rant, if you have a personal issue with it then learn to deal with it, my rants are based on my opinion and the facts I gather, nothing more.

Your's in Scouting,
Joseph - Life Scout.
Posted: Mar 28, 2012 Joe

be sure to practice the recommended skills before you go out-experts who demonstrate great looking ways to build a shelter or make a fire have done those things over and over-practice, practice, practice. You can have the best equipment, but it is useless if you don't know how to use it. Learn how to correctly sharpen a knife or you will be sorry about the results.
Posted: Mar 01, 2012 dave

Are you people for real? Check the header on this page- its Backpacker.com. If you venture further than a mile from your vehicle, you don't carry K-bars, screwdriver- filled Swiss Army crap, or anything else designed for newbs, scouts, or the profoundly apocalyse- ready. At best, a single, quality blade that you can open with one hand. At worst, a tiny multi-tool. I don't care how many knives you may have- if you have your sh*t together, you only need one
Posted: Feb 28, 2012 J

Are you people for real? Check the header on this page- its Backpacker.com. If you venture further than a mile from your vehicle, you don't carry K-bars, screwdriver- filled Swiss Army crap, or anything else designed for newbs, scouts, or the profoundly apocalyse- ready. At best, a single, quality blade that you can open with one hand. At worst, a tiny multi-tool. I don't care how many knives you may have- if you have your sh*t together, you only need one
Posted: Feb 28, 2012 J

Using the rocks from the fire for heat is a good trick but don't give in to the temptation to use those nice smooth river rocks you find in the river or creek bed. Rocks that have been immersed in water can hold moisture inside that when heated can expand causing them to crack, split, or even burst creating a potential hazzard.
Posted: Feb 26, 2012 Camproughingit

I can certainly say I've had more than my fair share of cutlery over the years. The 3 that stand out (and that I still carry) is my USMC K-Bar. Big, heavy, gets things done, bult like a tank, holds an edge like nothing else. The downside is that it's a sheath knife, something the BSA frowns on, and its size. The other sheath knife I've been using for about 10 years in the field (not with the Scouts unfortunately) is a Mora. Cody Lundin has made this model pretty popular again. Great edge on it and super lightweight. My general "go-to" for daily use as well as backpacking trips is the Swiss Army Classic. That little thing weighs nothing and stays sharp pretty well. Typically I just cut sticks to make "fuzz sticks", trim threads, cut 550 cord, and other general housekeeping tasks with it. It never let me down and I barely know it's there. Your mileage may vary :)
Posted: Feb 26, 2012 IL_Scouter

Benchmade model 581 BK. Great folder, excellent steel and the axis-assist is just icing on the cake. My go to for just about everything
Posted: Feb 26, 2012 Anon

What can I say, I have over 50 knives in a box here near my desk. From my 1960's Boy Scout Knife to my Marine Corps issued K-Bar. But there are four that I reach for over and over again. #1 is my Victorinox Classic with it three blades. Next is the Victorinox Work Champ which if it only had a magnifying glass and a Fish Scaler would be perfect. I have written to Victorinox about that but heard nothing back. Most importantly, It has a locking blade with slip proof handle, Pliers, Saw, File, Can opener two sizes of Philip Heads, etc. It has less tools than the famous but heavy regular Big Champ. I've used it to fix a couple of stoves on the trail as well as fishing reels and bicycle issues.. On Occasion I carry a Dozier Survial Knife which is a bit smaller than a K-Bar. And lastly my now 30 year old Buck Folder purchased at the Buck plant in El Cajon before the Demoncrats drove them out of the State, which has skinned out many an animal and fish as well as cut wood for supports to hiking sticks and has a nice thick blade whose back is perfect for striking with a flint stick and it just feels good in my hand. Most modern knives I find to be, well, pretty and stealthy looing and bad looking but they just don't stand up to the rigors of the trail and years of use like the four I mentioned have all of which are older than 15 years.
Posted: Feb 26, 2012 meanolddog

old hickory butchers knife . cheap great quality strong used for decades !
Posted: Feb 25, 2012 bushcraft bill

old hickory butchers knife . cheap great quality strong used for decades !
Posted: Feb 25, 2012 bushcraft bill

old hickory butchers knife . cheap great quality strong used for decades !
Posted: Feb 25, 2012 bushcraft bill

old hickory butchers knife . cheap great quality strong used for decades !
Posted: Feb 25, 2012 bushcraft bill

i have found any knife is useful if you use it personally i make my own so i know what i have is good for what i use it for most people cant do this so look around for a good review and also the price carbon steel blade with full tang is best easy to sharpen but rust learn how to use it safely
Posted: Feb 24, 2012 don/cda7420

Just a little comment. Mora knives are not "full tang", they are called either "hidden tang, or "through tang" or something indicating the blade steel extends up into the handle. A "full tang" knife has metal that extends to the full profile of the handle. In other words, your hand comes in contact with the metal all the way around the handle.
Posted: Feb 24, 2012 tom whisenhunt

Best knife I have is my old scuba diving knife... sturdy, wide blade so I can dig a cathole with it, holds an edge and nicest thing is the end of the handle is a flat 1 1/8`` inch oval of metal which lets me pound stakes or even small nails with it... bought it back in the 1970`s... for $15.
Posted: Feb 24, 2012 ken

In the 60s I just carried a Swiss Army and was fine. Over the years I have carried many big working knives that I have liked allot. Now that I am old and weight matters, I am back to a Swiss Army Fireman folder and it works great without the weight. I still have a drawer full of expensive big knives that will some day be handed down to my son and daughter for their back woods trips.
Posted: Feb 24, 2012 Asa Foley

Want to start a fire but the wood is damp...

Squirt some Purel hand sanitizer or any hand sanitizer on it... it`s minimum 62% alcohol in a gel base -- so it sticks and burns slow -- with a blue flame... enough time to hopefully give you the time to build on it...
Posted: Feb 24, 2012 Ken

Aside from the knife, a mention was made of fire, that Vaseline soaked cotton balls OR a butane lighter work. Not one without the other. You can't light wet wood with a butane lighter, nor a Vaseline-soaked cotton ball with a mag/flint starter. They work only together. Believe it.

As for my knives? A Victorinox Swiss Army Champion Plus in the pack/tent and my trusty J. Russell 35-243 I keep at my belt on the trail. The first does everything okay, the other does one thing quite well.

Both are shave-sharp, and I can use them both blindfolded.
Posted: Feb 24, 2012 bigsilk

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