All Around Knife Length?

Gondor · 08-09-2012, 12:37 PM

What do you think would be the length of a knife that can be used for all tasks in a survival situations - long enough to process wood but also be short enough for more delicate tasks?

Barney · 08-09-2012, 12:45 PM

Everything bellow 4 inches cannot be considered a survival blade, in my opinion. I wouldn't want to carry a knife longer than 7 inches either. It should be somewhere in between.

wvbreamfisherman · 08-09-2012, 01:04 PM

Barney has it about right, although you can do a lot with a short blade as long as it's good and strong.

I'd look for something in the 5-6 inch range, fairly thick, with a decent drop point and full-tang handle with a non slip grip. A small handguard can be a plus, but nothing big.

High carbon steel is my preference.

There as many opinions about the right knife as there are knife users.

Hikenhunter · 08-09-2012, 11:42 PM

5 to 6 inch is about right but I wouldn't leave home without a small folding knife as well. I carry at all times a swiss army pocket knife with a three inch and a two inch blade and I use it for a multitude of tasks.

Gondor · 08-10-2012, 06:35 AM

I always carry a small folding knife that's about 3 inches which I use for simpler tasks but survival blade is something I would want bigger. So far my favorite choice to buy would be Bark River Bravo 1 due to its thickness, grind and steel but I'm afraid that 4 1/4 length of the blade will be too short. They make Bravo 2 which is 7 inches - too long and is less thick.

Barney · 08-10-2012, 06:52 AM

Carbon steel - yes, convex grind for survival purposes - yes, full tang - yes, thickness more than 3/16" - yes, length - I would say it depends. If you have all previous features than you are ready for processing wood, length in that case only determines how wide logs will you be able to process. Bravo 1 is maybe one of the best choices but I can't help the feeling that 4 1/4" is too short.

One more thing. If you rely on this knife as a one option tool, which mans chopping besides splitting, than heft if what you should be looking for as well, and that translates to knife weight. You would need a heavier knife.

oldsarge · 08-10-2012, 07:31 AM

Quote:

There as many opinions about the right knife as there are knife users.

How true! Also techniques in using a knife in the field. You would be surprised on what you can do with a really small blade. I too carry a small folder such as a Swiss army knife with me for those small jobs. 7" is the absolute maximum for me but I would prefer the 5"-6" range as this is what I'm used to.

I watched Panamanians use a machete for all kinds of things. I guess when you grow up using these on a daily basis you can do about anything.

**CozInCowtown** · 08-10-2012, 09:16 AM

In a survival situaation I would hate to rely on only a knife to get by on.
A knife is a knife. Not an axe. Not a machette. Not a sledge hammer. Not a surface to air missile. Not anything but a knife.
That being said (my opinion) a nice folding pocket knife that is comfortable to carry would be my first choice.
For all other task I try and use the correct tool for the job and not have to improvise.
JMO,
DC

wvbreamfisherman · 08-10-2012, 10:28 AM

My EDC knife is a Gerber FAST 3 inch folder. I also carry a swiss army knife and a Buck Stockman. The little scissors on the swiss army knife are unbelievably handy!

Grandpa · 08-10-2012, 08:35 PM

5-6 inch is plenty for me as well.

I busted my hand up one day riding a 4 wheeler, just before dropping a 6x6 elk. Hand was too swollen and sore to handle my hunting knife so I dressed that critter all the way down with my 2" gerber pocket knife, including splitting the pelvis. A good knife and a little pocket steel and you can do just fine.