SHTF Fixed blade

I bought a USGI M16 bayonet. Sharpened her up good. Nice chunk of steel. Happy with that for now.

got my BK9 yesterday, 14 3/4" overall, and razor sharp. i thought the BK2 was a handfull until i got this thing

My Machete is my SHTF "Fixed Blade".

Originally Posted by geminidglocker

My Machete is my SHTF "Fixed Blade".

That's badass. Does that get heavy or do you not notice it?

Dude, weight isn't the problem with a machete, it's the flappin' and slappin'.

I'm "issued" a machete at work, and I traded it for the Gerber Bush Hook quicker than an Oly can FTF.

I too have several. I keep a cheapo hollow handled rambo copy in my car, just in case.
I also have a Cold Steel Bolo that hangs in my garage, just in case.

But if I am thinking serious needs I use the one below, it is 1/4" thick and yes it can penetrate the side of an aluminum container, just in case

Kind of old fashion, it comes with being old, is I still like my Ole' K-Bar. Stood by me for two tours in Vietnam. Both for utility and fighting. Mine was given to my by my father and came with the old MKII Navy sheath. Still have it, it's rough, but keeps a great edge and just keeps working. It ain't pretty.

I agree with some folks above that you need more than one knife. For smaller than the K-bar, I have folders that will do what I need done. Emerson Commander and Bench made etc...

For heavy work I am partial to my old Cane Machete. I don't know where we got it back home in Melbourne, Florida in the 1950's. It has a mild Hook on the end. very heavy/thick, and has always cut through what ever I need it to. I think my father picked it up in an old Army Navy store. Great blade.

There are a lot of quality good knives out there. Even though I have a few, I really don't see much more they can do than my old K-Bar. Full tang, rugged, and can hold an edge. What more is there? Not the best knife for every job, but it does most every job that needs doing.

I guess I am either a tradtionalist or a Fud, or both. But the stuff has proved itself, and will still do the do.

Go figure.

Fred

I will agree with the Ka-Bar it is one of the best all around field-combat knives. A good basic design it will punch through c-rat cans or a chest wall, hack twigs and small branches or skin game. I disagree with not pretty, nice design, my guess that yours is beat up by use, makes it a beauty really.

Fact is you sound like a practical guy, problem there are lots of knife "lovers" and lots sellers ready to keep us stoked. I used to have a for real WWII Ka-Bar not a hunter but used it for a ton of camping in the 70's and "back then" it was just an old surplus and never thought about it. I have a more current issue Ka-Bar and it's a fine knife can be had for around $50 and will serve one well. The IDF makes a similar and very good one for a few bucks more.

That said, the Randall #1 is very similar in design to the Ka-Bar and "if" you are a knife nut type there are a ton of things to tickle ones fancy. I like to have a smaller pocket knife and find something like a Swiss Army to be ideal. The most useful tool, tweezer. Well the wine bottle opener too, a decent (small) Camper or a better, I like the Fireman gives you a set of basic tools too that can be handy.

Depends on your budget and just what floats your boat. A pocket knife with tools and or a leatherman type multi tool makes sense, I think the most important is tweezers, that's just me. A utility/fighting knife, Ka-Bar, Randall, Rat, Becker type are all fine, if it's strong enough for a pry bar too that's a big bonus. Not to diss the Ka-Bar but it's not as stout here to some others, still it will serve you well and not break the bank, or your heart if you loose it.

A good company (although I don't think anything is made in the USA) is Cold Steel. Take a look at the "Bushman" cheap, decent and oddly versatile. Toss it in the trunk or a cheap back up. I've had the standard for years and the new Bowie blade make alot of sense. Instant spear is a nice touch, while one can stuff survival gear in the handle (according to the ad) that's pushing it as it does NOT seal.

http://www.coldsteel.com/bushmanseries.html

Originally Posted by bgoode

Damn....might have went overboard on the above post but I had too many available examples to not use them. Explore what combination of sizes work and not the 1 knife scenario so many strive for.....Myself Included

Love the knives Brian! Your absolutely right the one knife scenario is a fantasy. The knife that I want for camping/survival is different from the one I want to carry into Iraq CBQ and the what I want for urban self defense. Just as different firearms serve a different purpose, i makes sense to have a stable of applicable blades for various scenarios. Right tool for the right job!

My Machete is one of those cheap Ontarios but it serves me well, and retains an egde while dealing with thick stuff, as long as I take good care of it. I use a carbide/porcelin=rough/hone that I picked up at the local hardware store to treat the cutting surface, then add Militec-1 and apply hair dryer.