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Looking for the ultimate survival knife/tool.

  • 07-05-2017 8:44pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 1,494 ✭✭✭JackieChang


    My brother is a bit of a mountain guy. He knows the local terrain and forests like the back of his hands and goes for 10 hour long wanders.

    For his birthday I'd like to get him a great survival knife just in case he ever gets lost in the back of beyond and needs to kill a deer.

    Can you recommend some decent survival knives under €100? The more multi purpose the better. I'm thinking Rambo style.


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,221 ✭✭✭✭ Franco Some Crab


    Mora Kniv us the best knife out there for the price (about €20). If you are more interested in looks than build quality or versatility, then any bowie knife will do. I would suggest against that though as most are complete rubbish.

    This knife is a little over budget, but quite nice.

    Another nice knife from condor.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,979 ✭✭✭Stovepipe


    get a Leatherman or a Gerber multi tool unless the guy is a serious animal-skinner.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,221 ✭✭✭✭ Franco Some Crab


    Stovepipe wrote: »
    get a Leatherman or a Gerber multi tool unless the guy is a serious animal-skinner.

    All due respect, definitely don't do this. There's no comparison between a multi tool and a full tang knife. You don't have to be a "serious animal skinner" (whatever that is) to use a proper knife.


  • Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭lostboy75


    I ignored this thread, assuming a troll.
    If it's just hiking etc. I would suggest the leatherman as well. Who has ever gone for a hike, something has come up, and the only logical solution is to kill a deer? It's much more likely you need to repair something, make a bit of shelter etc. Fixed blades are great. But you might need to carry additional gear as well.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,764 ✭✭✭my3cents


    I'd actually go with both a leatherman type tool but one of the smaller more basic ones and a good single blade folder.

    Weight is an important factor when your out and have to carry everything and for me most of the big leatherman type tools are just far too heavy. So I now always have a Leatherman Style CS (50grams) in my pocket but the Micra and Mutt would be suitable lightweight alternatives.

    I don't carry a larger knife, even though I have numerous ones I could carry, but if I did want to lug around a lump of steel and was buying new I'd go for something like the CKRT Batum (~8cm) or the CKRT Batum Compact (~6cm). both have big fat blades that don't look like something you'd stab anyone with but both would be useful out in the woods. Again they aren't heavy the larger one around 200grams and the smaller not much more the 100grams.

    Its the old story of having something is better than having nothing, a machete would be my tool of choice but you can't carry one around legally all the time but you aren't going to notice the 100 grams of a small folding blade in your pocket so are likely to have it with you when you need it.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 6,587 ✭✭✭Feisar


    Right, a really good knife is a Fallkniven F1, S1 if you want something a bit bigger.

    However, and this is a big one, where is he going? There's no wilderness in Ireland. The worst that could happen is he could be stuck out over night due to weather/an injury.

    So a mini tarp like the Gear Pods one
    Some line like the Atwood micro cord
    A Swiss Army knife, the Farmer model is good as it has a wood saw
    a ziplock bag and some water puri tabs
    A small whistle and a button light thingy - signal for help
    A couple of bic lighters (by the way you can dunk these in water, shake them of and they work)
    A small roll of duct tape (used to patch the zip lock bag if it tears/gets a hole for water purification)

    All that will fit in a very small pouch.

    However if yer set on the knife let me know the budget and I'll offer a few suggestions.

    First they came for the socialists...



  • Registered Users Posts: 6,587 ✭✭✭Feisar


    Sorry, didn't read the post properly - €100

    Something full tang, that means the steel runs right through the handle. For the money a knife from a company called Condor would be a good idea.
    I'd steer away from Rambo, you want a fixed blade 4 to 6 inch knife with a comfy handle and a blade steel that robust and reliable. If he is unfortunate enough to get stuck out he ain't going to be jumping out of trees spearing wild pigs.

    The Fallkniven F1 is the survival knife of the Swedish Air Force if that helps, a bit outside your budget though.

    First they came for the socialists...



  • Registered Users Posts: 6,587 ✭✭✭Feisar


    my3cents wrote: »
    I'd actually go with both a leatherman type tool but one of the smaller more basic ones and a good single blade folder.

    Weight is an important factor when your out and have to carry everything and for me most of the big leatherman type tools are just far too heavy. So I now always have a Leatherman Style CS (50grams) in my pocket but the Micra and Mutt would be suitable lightweight alternatives.

    I don't carry a larger knife, even though I have numerous ones I could carry, but if I did want to lug around a lump of steel and was buying new I'd go for something like the CKRT Batum (~8cm) or the CKRT Batum Compact (~6cm). both have big fat blades that don't look like something you'd stab anyone with but both would be useful out in the woods. Again they aren't heavy the larger one around 200grams and the smaller not much more the 100grams.

    Its the old story of having something is better than having nothing, a machete would be my tool of choice but you can't carry one around legally all the time but you aren't going to notice the 100 grams of a small folding blade in your pocket so are likely to have it with you when you need it.

    Good stuff, I like your thoughts.

    First they came for the socialists...



  • Registered Users Posts: 6,587 ✭✭✭Feisar


    Mora Kniv us the best knife out there for the price (about €20). If you are more interested in looks than build quality or versatility, then any bowie knife will do. I would suggest against that though as most are complete rubbish.

    This knife is a little over budget, but quite nice.

    Another nice knife from condor.

    Nice one, I recommended Condor as well before reading your post.

    First they came for the socialists...



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,494 ✭✭✭JackieChang


    Thanks for the recommendations folks.

    No I am not a troll.

    My brother is not a survivalist, but likes forest walks and just thought it would be a good birthday idea to get him a cool knife. I think I will go with a multitool type.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 3 The_Commander


    My brother is a bit of a mountain guy. He knows the local terrain and forests like the back of his hands and goes for 10 hour long wanders.

    For his birthday I'd like to get him a great survival knife just in case he ever gets lost in the back of beyond and needs to kill a deer.

    Kill a deer with a knife?? That is the most stupid thing I have ever heard.

    Apart from being impossible you know this is illegal, right??

    Do yourself and your brother a favor and get him a Rambo DVD or similar.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,494 ✭✭✭JackieChang


    Kill a deer with a knife?? That is the most stupid thing I have ever heard.

    Apart from being impossible you know this is illegal, right??

    Do yourself and your brother a favor and get him a Rambo DVD or similar.

    It's not illegal if you are trapped in the wilderness with no other source of food.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,764 ✭✭✭my3cents


    It's not illegal if you are trapped in the wilderness with no other source of food.

    Just ignore him some people come here looking for things to make a fuss about so don't bother to rise to the bait.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,494 ✭✭✭JackieChang


    my3cents wrote: »
    Just ignore him some people come here looking for things to make a fuss about so don't bother to rise to the bait.

    I just noticed how easily that guy got angry so decided to troll him. My brother will not actually kill any deers, I was exaggerating in my OP.


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,554 ✭✭✭Pat Mustard


    I have a Leatherman Supertool and while it's a big, robust multitool and it's okay to carry in a pack, it's too big and awkward to carry around in your pocket.

    If you are getting a Leatherman, my advice is don't get the Supertool. Get something smaller like the Wave. The Leatherman Wave also has a scissors, which the Supertool doesn't have.

    Most Swiss Army knives are very compact and have a scissors and very importantly, a corkscrew!


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,171 ✭✭✭Ubbquittious


    Any place to buy a Mora knife without spending 15 quid on shipping?


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,676 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    Where are you based?


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,171 ✭✭✭Ubbquittious


    Tabnabs wrote: »
    Where are you based?

    Cork


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,676 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    http://thecamoshop.ie €6.99 P&P.


  • Registered Users Posts: 622 ✭✭✭Deise Musashi


    I love my Swiss Army knife, think it's the Climber model?

    If he already has one, get a small set of long nose locking pliers to go with it.
    Now you've all the gear of a leatherman, and a small vice grips is very handy for lifting hot pots, or for fixing gear with a sail needle, or bits of fence wire.

    For a fixed blade I wouldn't go over 3-4 inches, Mora are great, also look at Condor (Joe Flowers keeps designing great stuff for them), ESEE/RAT 3, Becker/Ka-Bar, and the smaller TOPS knives.

    1095 will rust, but a rub of oil after he gets home will keep it good (use Balistol or Camelia oils if using for food prep, 3 in 1 or sewing machine oil if not, food oils get gummy and rancid.
    CLP and Break Free etc are all good also, but you don't need the high spec mil. oils for maintenance.

    A folding saw might be appreciated also, depends where he goes and what he's at.
    Bahco Laplander, Silky Pocket Boy or a Lidl/Aldi Special are all acceptable, and handier than hacking through timber.


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  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,584 Mod ✭✭✭✭blue5000


    Any place to buy a Mora knife without spending 15 quid on shipping?
    This Polish seller on ebay includes it in the price


    http://www.ebay.com/itm/MORAKNIV-ROBUST-MORA-of-Sweden-Hunting-Outdoor-Knife-with-Sheath-CARBON-STEEL-/172825205249?epid=2267983999&hash=item283d2f5a01:g:FdQAAOSwYAdZlo9P

    If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,494 ✭✭✭JackieChang


    As a knife n00b can somebody tell me what's so great about a Mora knife?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,764 ✭✭✭my3cents


    As a knife n00b can somebody tell me what's so great about a Mora knife?

    Price is the main thing. They make good no frills blade at a cheap price.


  • Registered Users Posts: 37 Coax


    Leatherman Surge as an all round EDC both for urban and rural. Useful for so many things you'll wonder how you ever got along without it. Hardest thing is to remember to leave it in vehicle etc when not needing it for work or at home. So easy to walk into shop etc carrying it......

    For more serious things like battoning wood etc, a Cold Steel SRK with the VG1 steel.

    I have both and swear by both.

    Worth the money and will last for years.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,584 Mod ✭✭✭✭blue5000


    New easy opening stuff from Leatherman

    If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,764 ✭✭✭my3cents


    Handy if you have injured a hand.

    Edit> Will have to keep a close eye out for discounts on old stock :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 172 ✭✭jeepcj


    Sog powerassist, much better than leatherman brand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu_CTGz5i9U


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,979 ✭✭✭Stovepipe


    It looks quite like the old Supertool, even down to the ruler etching on the sides.


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