SHTF KNIFE

[Hanwei]

I looked for a knife for SHTF and I bought these: Gerber LMF II ASEK

I like this one because it has a nice sheath, a sharpener built-in, the little seatbelt-cutter gadget slips in with the sheath, the steel is tough and not brittle. It is pretty idiot-proof. Yes I should know how to sharpen a knife decently but I haven't taken the time to practice and learn how, so I like the built-in knife sharpener (you just draw the blade through and it does an o.k. job.) I have used it to dig roots with and cut small branches. It feels good in the hand, it is thick and sturdy. In fact I really love this knife.

I have this exact knife in my BOB as well. It comes very sharp from the factory... Lilorfnannie covered the pros pretty well. Though I will mention that the butt of the LMF ASEK is a glass breaker, and the 3 holes in the grip can be used to thread rope to tie the knife to a stick, etc, for spearing/fishing. The grip and buttcap are also insulated from the tang so it will not conduct electricity (yes, you can cut live wire with this knife without being fried).

 

[Mike-Mike]

60/40 right up the middle

 

[Jaxon]

Something like this;

+1

I don't have a real picture, but I have this as my SHTF knife on my harness..

And I have the Cold Steel version in my POV's GOOD bag..

 

[arlow]

1/2 Straight, 1/2 Serrated. Best of both worlds.

+1

 

[Mr Weebles]

Gerber Prodigy for me.

I love this knife.

 

[atmay]

Strider SnG, SMF and SLCC

 

[pbearperry]

If I ever have to use a knife to keep someone from killing me,I want a serrated knife that will leave a nice, big, jagged wound he will never forget.However,my first choice would be that I am never attacked period.

 

[ShadeWPI]

Evan,

It looks good. I have a strong preference for full tang knives; even if the grip fails, you can wrap it with leather, cloth or cord and you're back in business.

I'm not sure how well a flat 1/4" thick grip would handle for extended use, but it does help reduce the knifes size and bulk.

If the serration is less than 1" on the blade, I'd take that option, if it's more, it'll get in the way with such a short knife.

 

[sig shooter]

Evan,

It looks good. I have a strong preference for full tang knives; even if the grip fails, you can wrap it with leather, cloth or cord and you're back in business.

I'm not sure how well a flat 1/4" thick grip would handle for extended use, but it does help reduce the knifes size and bulk.

If the serration is less than 1" on the blade, I'd take that option, if it's more, it'll get in the way with such a short knife.

I'm looking for a tougher knife to carry than my two folders, that knives small size and solid frame really turned me on to it.

 

[Shark_Cage]

Mine is an old USMC KBar

 

[atmay]

I'm not sure how well a flat 1/4" thick grip would handle for extended use, but it does help reduce the knifes size and bulk.

I can tell you from experience with my Strider SLCC (which is 3/16" i think), its really not that bad. Of course, the SLCC has a well shaped grip, I'm not sure how it'll work out on a knife the size of that TOPS one.

 

[ShadeWPI]

I have two flat steel knives from diving. One in black one in stainless steel. They're fine for light work but I find they get uncomforable with any heavy cutting opperation (like cutting a spear point or notching branches for lashing.

 

[codenamepaul]

Ka-Bar, cutting necks since WWII.

Ditto.

 

[TimJ]

Try making a feather stick with a serrated blade. I hate them, and think they are only good for bread knives or if you work with rope...

 

[Raoul Duke]

My main go to BOB knife is a combination blade.

Most of the blade is straight and the closest part of the blade to the hinge is scalloped.

9050SBK
ComboEdge®/ BK1 Blade Coating/ Black 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle Scales/ Lanyard
Add to My Favorites
Retail Price: $237.00
Restricted Item. Learn More

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=9050#

I also have one of these in my BOB. I linked to the pic as its huge and I cant find the pic of my knife in my Photobucket album at the moment.
I never realised how expensive this knife is lately, when I bought mine about 20 years or more ago it was in the $50.00 area.
http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/puma_whi...tory&utm_content=USA&currency=USD&country=USA

http://astorarms.ca/images/Accessories/Puma White Hunter model 6377, DSC_3419.jpg

Second this knife. I bought mine back in the early 90s for $85 or so...Yikes time flies but after 15 years it's still works perfectly! Not too shabby for an auto. The only problem is legality. Being an auto in some states that's a problem.

Having said that, here's my go-to knife. The SOG Bowie 2.0

 

[RG617]

My general pocket knife is a half-half Gerber EVO. Opens via thumb knob, spine lever, or a quick flick of the wrist if you take the time to adjust it correctly. It's tough enough to handle everyday use and comfortable enough (for me) to use in self-defense in a pinch, yet affordable enough to replace if it ends in the water while fishing or if I damage it. I keep one in adult size and a smaller one for my trips into Boston, where magic somehow turns an extra inch and half of sharpened steel from a tool into a weapon of mass desctruction.

I currently don't have a serious SHTF, full tang fixed-blade after an aforementioned fishing incident, so I'm reading the overall debate here with great interest.

 

[Chrisg67]

I looked for a knife for SHTF and I bought these:

Gerber LMF II ASEK

i have always wanted that knife, if it came in a straight blade

 

[Chrisg67]

here is my SHTF knife (in 4.5 not 6 as shown)

ranger knives RD4.5. its basically a 1/4" sharpened pry bar

 

[Knob Creek]

Cold Steel Bushman: Inexpensive enough to own several.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq1EFWVV3C0

 

[BaldAssCat]

Cold Steel Bushman: Inexpensive enough to own several.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq1EFWVV3C0

Cold Steel is pretty sneaky. At first you think “Wow, that’s pretty cheap. I can get that and maybe a little something else”. Next thing you know you have $200 worth of thing you don’t need in your cart.

 

[esswun]

Just get a kukri. Hacks through brush, hacks through limbs.

 

[RJM52]

Just started carrying a Columbia River Knife&Tool Ringed Razel. Super sharp, no point to break and as tough as it gets....

If you Google Razel you will end up over on the originators site....shows you what this knife and do...

Bob

 

[EzGoingKev]

I have a Grayman West Nile Warrior but with the green colored gator finish handles.

It is not a safe queen, they are made to be used and used hard.

 

[glostamon]

I decided to go half & half on the blade.
The SOG "Seal Pup" was my choice.
I consider it good value @ $60 bucks.(so far good!)

 

[ranger4-7]

My Randall #15 Airman with the straight edge is the go-to (not my picture):

I carry a CRKT m-16 folder for serrated edge needs.

 

[glostamon]

My Randall #15 Airman with the straight edge is the go-to (not my picture):

I carry a CRKT m-16 folder for serrated edge needs.

Holy Knife porn! Really nice Bowie.

+1 on the CRKT m-16 folder.I got the digital desert model from u.s cav via the NES link it was ONLY $36.

 

[Viper22]

I've been starting to look at fixed blade knives, and found this one that I like. Does anyone have experience with this knife or knife company?

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/TOPS-Knives-C.A.T.-200-Covert-Anti-Terrorism-Knife

Also looking at the RAT RC 3 and RC 4

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/Rat-Cutlery-RC3

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/Rat-Cutlery-RC4

 

[Chrisg67]

RAT knives have a great reputation. VERY strong. similar to my ranger. just make sure you dont end up with the ontario version

i have heard mixed reviews on the TOPS

 

[Alchymist]

If it really hits the fan, the knife is not my first choice...I want a hatchet. Do almost anything a knife will, and some things a knife wont. JMHO..

 

[RFWAVELENGTH]

When choosing a B.O.B knife, Serrated or Straight blade,thoughts?

Straight blade, kept razor sharp. Not more than 4 1/2" long. Any job that requires more cutting power than that is best performed with a hatchet or other small axe. Serrated edges dull too easily if they hit a hard substance (such as wire or bone) and are very difficult to resharpen.