Ideal size survival knife

Discussion in 'Survival and Wilderness Skills' started by Graphyfotoz, Sep 19, 2016.

  1. JMJ

    JMJ Member

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    A better place!!!!
    OP, I missed part of you question. I'm a huge fan of a choil on a knife. I've got XXL glove wearing hands and like the extra control the choil provides me for doing small tasks, especially with bigger knives. I plan to add a choil to my Junglas and possibly my 5.
     
  2. trench

    trench Member

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    I'm the opposite, the majority of my pack is empty in the event I need to put stuff in there as I go. So while have all that, the pack is not heavy.
     
  3. JMJ

    JMJ Member

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    I do go lighter in the summer. In winter I go heavy since I'm in secluded areas a lot for work on the water. If an airboat breaks down on marsh it can take hours til help gets to us. MREs, rocket stove, small tent, brick of fatwood, personal FAK and extra dry clothes. Probably overboard, but I'd rather be comfortable and hang close to the boat. We also carry SPOT locators.
     
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  4. Graphyfotoz

    Graphyfotoz Member

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    My EDC lately. I have long fingers so you see the choils here.........
    I might get caught without my fixed but my folder would be fine in a SHTF situation.
    Spyderco Manix 2 XL with a thin blade of almost 4in...grippy and decent sized.
    More than useful to skin what ever and survive with.
    Much prefer my fixed 5 1/4in blade but SHTF just to have a blade is a plus!

    [​IMG]
     
  5. FortyTwoBlades

    FortyTwoBlades Moderator Staff Member

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    "Ideal" is defined by the context. What's the environment and season? :)
     
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  6. CWB

    CWB Member

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    Fiddleback producing kephart for me. 4" blade perfection. Another would be a Nathan Coruthers EDC
     
  7. Mountainmistwanderer

    Mountainmistwanderer Member

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    ESEE 6
     
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  8. Mountainmistwanderer

    Mountainmistwanderer Member

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    You're a knife whore and will be editing this comment in 30 days or less.
     
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  9. CWB

    CWB Member

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    Not with this one. This is my go to knife
     
  10. Mountainmistwanderer

    Mountainmistwanderer Member

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    Yaaaaaaaawn
     
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  11. AddictedToSteel

    AddictedToSteel Member

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    I would go with a 6 inch knife, give or take. ESEE 6 or Ratmandu.

    I would try real hard to secret a scandi, too. Several of the Helle line would be enough or even a Mora Bushcraft.

    Only one? The 6 or RMD.
     
  12. Graphyfotoz

    Graphyfotoz Member

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    My Rodent 5 is same size blade length wise as the Ratmandu.
    I like the handle and the way it feels in hand better than the RMD.
    Also like the more defined pummel so if I need it won't booger up the handle.
     
  13. nofuss

    nofuss Member

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    Ideal/sized survival knife? Only One?

    The 4. Enough heft to manage the big stuff, small enough to easily conceal when low profile is the better stance.
     
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  14. koolaidnd

    koolaidnd Member

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    Tough call. Chances are I will be in an urban or suburban environment when TSHF so I'd pick my Dpx Hest original. If I know I'll be in an austere environment, then I'd pick my Esee 6.
     
  15. Adventurer

    Adventurer Member

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    If I had to choose only one knife length I would have to go with 4.5" blade.
     
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  16. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    Wife says size doesnt matter. :)

    After a lot of thought ive come up with: Whatever blade you got during your survival event will do. Important part is have it on you. For me ive got a couple of three inch blades on me at all times. One to cut dirty things and one to cut things that i eat.

    With all that being said id love to have my esee four on me. Maybe ill whip up a simple sheath and start carrying the 4. Then a junglas sheath. And an ar15 sheath. Yikes.
     
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  17. mil spec

    mil spec Member

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    I'm gonna say a 4 inch blade. I have debated this in my head and packing different knives on outings from hunting, fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains, to hiking and bike riding trails. I am very fond of the Esee 6 and believe it is an excellent choice for a survival knife but the length kills it for me for most of my outdoor adventures.
     
  18. ThreeRidges

    ThreeRidges Member

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    I'm a fan of the 4-4.5 range, and I have a few that go from light to heavy. ML Kephart, Spyderco Bushcraft, LT Wright Scatty Crafter. My next might be a 3 HM, that looks like a winner.
     
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  19. Klynesquatch

    Klynesquatch Member

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    My ideal survival blade is an axe without a doubt, but my only bring one knife is usually my 3. That said I like something with a 5"ish blade, choil and a bit of heft
     
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  20. Ravenous12

    Ravenous12 Member

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    This is it. Bark river aurora II in 3v
    [​IMG]
     
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