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The Knife, a personal choice

ByEvil von Scary

Jul 2, 2013

The Knife, one of the most overlooked survival tools!
But yourself is the most important in mind,body and spirit.
In discussing the “Arkansas Toothpick” with a co worker I got the idea to cover knives as a topic for this week, get more into that one a bit later.
So let’s take a look today at knives. Knives as a survival tool are as various as the people using them, come in all shapes and sizes and excel at some tasks better than others.
(at left “Thats not a knife”-Crocodile Dundee)

So what does someone do with a knife? Many think Rambo or some kind of Ninja like application and it can serve that purpose. But what about hunting or making a spear with a knife. Yup. Slicing a sandwich or an apple? Cutting open a can of stew, popping off a bottle cap,cleaning a fish, chopping vegetables,cutting a seat-belt and getting someone out of a burning car? Self defense, taking out a sentry? Yes, yes and of course all the above and more. It all depends on the intentions of the wielder according to the situation they may find themselves in.

So whats the best knife out there? Maybe one of those Swiss Army knives with all of the gizmos? Maybe but I don’t necessarily think so, but it is better than having no knife at all. However one of my old army buddies ,Sean Kennedy (from Patrolling with Sean Kennedy) is a fan of folding knives and all types of gear. Check out his videos.

Some things to consider before buying a “proper knife“

A comfortable handle that wont slip– also finger guards are a good feature. Some make their own grips out of para-cord or leather strapping.
Thick blade say 1/4″ to about 5/32″- sturdy and can hold an edge, wont snap on you opening a paint can!
Fixed blade -folding knives can break easily.
Full Tang– the metal is right from end to end one piece. Again durability and strength of the blade
Length– how long before it’s really a sword? Well it’s personal preference yet again really.Rough guide should be as long as your hand for the blade but again depends on what you want it for.
Material– it should be sturdy and easy to sharpen. For all intents a purposes an obsidian knife (yeah used by the caveman and earthier tribal peoples) is also a damned sharp knife! Also old car springs (ie leaf spring style now usually seen on trucks only) and metal files with high carbon content can be great materials as well. Also an old lawn mower blade can work!
Price – you get what you pay for sometimes,but then again. Hitting an auction (and having some research beforehand) or checking out an online auction type site just might get that previously out of reach price into a range you can afford. Most Gun shows also feature knives as well as any hunting and fishing exhibitions.

Knife etiquette:

Pointing a knife at someone and saying “Im going to kill you muther fucker” is a bad thing. Don’t do it. Never make a threat, either do it or do not. If you pull it out you better use it. Better to do things quietly than make big boasts. However situation and terrain dictate everything.

Handing a knife to someone- hand it with handle toward them. When in doubt the safest course must be taken!

Make clear your intentions and get permission before picking up someone else’s knife. This will avoid any potential misunderstandings.
Always clean a knife before sheathing. Grit,dirt, and other filth and corruption will wreak the dirty knife over time.
If you get a knife as a gift give the person a coin otherwise it “cuts the friendship”. Same goes with someone who sharpens a knife for you. Its an old superstition but who knows really. Best not to anger the knife spirits.

Question -“Ok Evil I’m still lost what’s the best knife out there overall?”
Answer- Good question, Im glad you asked. There is no “best knife“, a knife is a very personal thing like tattoos should be. Flash is o.k. but is it really something you can call your own? A personal knife should reflect your needs and abilities. That being said Ive got quite a few but then again all for different purposes. I’m still on the hunt for one that I could call my own but have had a few that have come close. For instance the Puma Skinner (a German made knife and according to the serial number made in July of 1967) has been my favorite so far and I carried it my entire time in the army, and was a hand me down from a family member who had also served.
It still holds an edge and works for my purposes 45 years on! (Puma Skinner pictured above)

Below are some of the more popular “general purpose survival knives” that have earned their way into many folks respect. Again I am a fan of the fixed blade, however there are merits to the folding blade but in many countries,states,provinces and territories ” open carry” with most blades is legal while folding blades in many areas can be construed as “concealed”. Check with your own local laws to know where you sit with this. I have personally tested this “open carry” while on duty, on leave and after my service and it holds up in almost every place/country/state/county/province/territory I have been to.There are various provisions in places regarding length of the blade as well being a factor. For instance in the Canadian Criminal code there is NOTHING about length. But yet certain types of knives are illegal period (ie switchblades,push knives,certain martial arts weapons), regardless of length. Knife laws in the United States vary state to state(and in some cases town,city,county). For instance in Texas you CANNOT carry a Bowie Knife! AGAIN, DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!!

Some reviews of knives. Again though choosing a knife should be a very personal thing. Be sure to do lots of research!

1/ KA-BAR USMC Utility Knife

2/ Shrade Survival Knife ( at about 50 bucks!) puts a good knife into the realm of reality for any budget.

3/ Bowie Knife – that famous (or infamous) knife made famous by Jim Bowie of Alamo fame. Folks have been skinning bears (n such) and each other with this one. Various manufacturers continue to make this one. I would even argue it is the original “survival knife” as we see such things today.

4/ Anything Cold Steel (ie Tanto and other models also the SRK)
OK this has to be one of the harder core knife manufacturers out there. Fuck Ginsu 2000 these guys brutalize knives during testing. If you can afford it buy it, I doubt theres anything most people could do to destroy these knives, lol.

5/“Arkansas Toothpick”

Another famous (not as famous a Bowie but should be just as famous) knife. These started out as big metal files. Necessity, being the driving force of invention, created these knives. Metal files were of high carbon steel and readily available. With a bit of know how and patience regular folks were able to create some damned tough knives out of an old metal file. There’s alot of confusion out there, people thinking the Bowie and the Arkansas Toothpick are the same, but its not true at all. For starters Bowie’s brother made his famous knife in Louisiana not Arkansas. There is a TON of controversy on the Arkansas Toothpick and people who think the Bowie Knife is the same thing. Most sources I can find have the toothpick as a double bladed knife (dagger) similar to the Scottish Dirk. Will Hayden from Red Jacket Firearms also mentioned that the “original” Arkansas Toothpicks were made from metal files.(at right Arkansas Toothpick made from metal file- courtesy of PaleoTube member)