Seriously you're going to want to have about 4 different knives for different purposes.

A small sawed folder

a double edged blade, a large one for protection.

Maybe a smaller blade maybe 6 inches that you can use as a general tool.

a machete for traveling through tough spots.

a pair of wire cutters to cut vines that tangle your gear.

and a filette edged knife, cause field dressing a carcass with a hunting knife isn't too easy, it's very sloppy and the blade is beveled too much. a filette edge will help out a lot.

I got a Ka bar machetti, good fer choppin' and sharper than a razor for cutting meat, i just need a good sized sharpening stone now.

your going to have problems sharpening the knife with a moon stone an axe grinder works better. I just pay the dude at the cutlery store 25 bucks and he sharpens it for me. also keep that blade oiled or it'll rust pretty quick.

on recent trip in china i found m9cuk somwhere on the street.so i bought it
for fun.once at home i fixed the blade with file and made it into razor sharp edge.it's heavy,has stone sharpener on the sheet,and in speare nylon pocket -i can put all those rembo mambo stuff in.
i would have buck888 only as seckond knife.
i also have excalibur-lock folding pocket knife.has drop point and half blade is saturated.and blade is about 10cm long.i use it daily-i made it razor sharp too.
on survival situation i would relay on my m9cuk.
i read they likly to brake....i didn't manage to do that jet.
i made my own tracker-it is interesting knife-i skin the deer with it.

Preferably approx 3-in 3/5-piece (usually it's 3-piece) folding knife rather than several piece folding knife.
it's a bit bigger
additional would be 2 multitools
.
it seems the addition of mini nail clippers are separate items?
.
Other options:
2/3 survival hunting knife (with hollow handles) perhaps
.


[edit on 27-7-2008 by SnowWhite]

After a good while having the Fallkniven A1 in my posession, and using it a lot in the field, I have nothing but great things to say about it. It's as good as new, have not lost any edge (not more than I could bring back in a matter of less than a minute with the ceramic side of my sharpener) and is a dream to work with. It's the best knife I have ever used. The only minus is that the black coating quickly vanishes when chopping wood. The black coating is purly cosmetical in the context of my use of the knife now days though.

It's in all probability one of the top 10 or maybe top 5 best fixed blades in existance. Based on my own experience in light of what other people have said about their experience as well.

Originally posted by Anuubis
Don't buy a survival knife, most are weak and won't last very long under hard use. Buy a Ka-bar. It's the best knife ever made and are a lot cheaper priced than most good quality knives. You can get one for about $50.

When we say "survival knife", we are only using it as a term for a knife that could be kept at hand for survival situations. That could include any knife you see fit, also a Ka-Bar. The Ka-Bars are very nice and are often reffered to as a survival knife. The fixed blade I had prior to my new Fallkniven was a Ka-Bar design, allthough probably made by a low-quality manufacturer. I agree to the fact that a Ka-Bar from a high quality manufacturer is a good choice.. For example Ka-bar knives Inc.

Originally posted by SnowWhiteOther options:
2/3 survival hunting knife (with hollow handles) perhaps

Be careful with the hollow handle knives. Most hollow-handle knives produced are absolute #, and even those produced in high quality (most known manufacturers don't even bother with them) are a lot less sturdy than a full tang. As mentioned earlier... if you really want a hollow-handle, check out Chris Reeves knives. They are expansive though. I find a tactical sheath with a good front compartement to be a much better alternative. You can usually store more there anyway.


[edit on 29-7-2008 by me_ofef_seraph]

For the price point - rat cutlery all the way. the RC-4 is a good size.

+1 on the Fallknivens - can't go wrong with them.

If you need to go cheapy - Cold Steel Bushman in Sk-5 steel is a proven performer.

First tip is that if you actually want to be found, then appropriately bladed knives make an excellent signalling reflector.

Second tip, always have a high quality backup knife that is carbon steel.

Carbon steel is very important, because it can be used to create sparks. Quartz rocks can be used if a common flint is not available. And of course theyll help produce brilliant sparks when coupled with a flint.

Only trouble is that carbon steel tends to rust alot easier, but you need a quality sheath that will ensure it stays dry in severe weather.

And of course, the other benefits of a backup knife are obvious when considered.
I'd recommend the carbon knife also being specialised to some degree, just like any backup should be.
Basically any model is just going to be emergency backup for fire making, but additionally look around for something that suits your specialisty needs and high quality carbon steel still rates among the very best materials for knives. I would say THE best, if not for it being subject to corrosion.

Another blade you should never be without is the Word of God - the sharpest and most reliable sword there is.

Fancy knives dont mean a thing. All you need are good reliable ones to do specific jobs.

And if you have just one knife, then make others out of materials around you.

Survival is not just about having all the fancy schmancy tools, its about adapting and overcomming obstacles, like making the tools if necessary.

Cheers!!!!

intresting to me that the ontario survival knife is a carbon steel blade..not a stainless as is so common today.

I am myself begining to look around for carbon steel blades in lieu of the stainless one so proliferous everywhere one looks today.

For right now ..my daily use blade is a damascus type folder by Browning.

Also RFburns point about fancy blades is a good one. KISS..keep it simple stupid..goes along way in many things.

For this very reason I am in no hurry to get a new car or truck. To much fancy schmancy on them. Keep it simple stupid!! How did our parents, grandparents, great grandparents,..etc etc...make it this long without fancy schmancy??
The sky will not fall down upon us if we dont have fancy schmancy.

Thanks,
Orangetom


[edit on 8-10-2008 by orangetom1999]