But the question still remains,
Would you bet your life on this knife in a survival situation?
Is it 'Big' enough and stout enough to chop wood for fires, shelter, hunting gear?,
Can you pry things apart with it?,
Can you use it to chip rock to make hunting points?,
Can you drive or pull a nail with it?,
Can you comfortably cut sheet metal with it?,
Will it readily cut through wire?,
Would you try and dislodge rusted screws/bolts with it?,
Is it large enough to split the breast bone on big game?,
Will it take out a black bear that thinks you are dinner because you smell like fish?,
Large 'Bowie' style knives are not so adept at 'Fine' work, but they will do it...
And in the case of actually being lost in the woods in an actual survival situation, I'd have to say I'd prefer a Tomahawk and smaller knife than a 'Medium' size knife that was a specialized 'Skinner' or other 'specialized' knife.
Drop point, good curve in the blade, stout back bone makes for a good large game skinner,
The top one skins the best, the middle one works best on smaller game, and the bottom one is MUCH more rugged.
The bottom Becker makes a very good skinning and camp knife.
I sure wouldn't want to bet my life in bear country on any of these, but for what I do around here, they work GREAT when I'm trying to keep pack weight down!
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My first choice for a 'Survival Knife' would be this thing from Ontario Knife Company.
Model SP8 And called a Machete,
http://www.ontarioknife.com/specplus_pg1.html
1/4" thick back, functioning saw back, and it's the first chisel ground blade that is actually facing the right way for a right handed person!
The only draw back I have ever found is,
It doesn't have a 'Stabbing Point', so it would be useless for serious self defense...
But it's GREAT around the camp and in the woods!
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When it comes to large knives, it's hard to beat a Bowie style!
The knife is just so successful because it's so functional!
Fellow Marines will have to forgive me, my Kabar is in a vehicle that isn't here right now, so I can't snap pics of it with these!
Don't fool yourselves people, the Marine Corps P-4 standard issue 'Fighting/Survival' knife for 50 years is VERY hard to beat in the field!
Top one is a Kempo karate fighting knife, but I find it very comfortable to use in about any situation.
The bottom one is a Becker Bowie that I'm currently using in the woods a lot. Light weight, good balance, and it's REALLY TOUGH!
I did skin the scales off and cord wrap the handle, makes it easier for me to hold onto...
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This is an 'Rescue & Extraction Tool' being issued to our troops on a selective basis..
VERY interesting design!
Ontario calls it a 'Spax' for 'Special Purpose Ax'.
I've seen a couple, but haven't laid hands on one for field work yet!
The funky shaped hole in the middle turns on and off fire hydrants, gas meters and other fire/rescue stuff.
The military guys say this design will go through aircraft skin like butter, and works great on doors, 2x4's, ect...