by CONCHOKID » Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:42 pm
Ive had many of these type of knives, many good such as my Cold Steel Trailmaster Bowie, and Bushman (a great value). Everything Ive got from Cold Steel has been worth owning. Some of the Scandinavian knives such as Mora make excellent inexpensive hard use survival tools. Survival knives are tools, with two different camps of followers. Those whom purchase very expensive knives they will probably never use, saying that if your life depends on these items you need to get the best, or whats cool. the second camp using what works, or mostly fit their budget. My thoughts are get what works for you and makes the most sense. Avoid anything thats too big and fancy. I will pay large amounts of money for a knife if it works and is worth owning. IT IS A TOOL, USE IT!!!That said, currently I use the Rat Knives, and like them alot. Ive got the TAK, RTAK, and folder from the former manufacturer, and the SERE-5 from RAT respectively. The TAK and RTAK are excellent knives, the folder very disappointing. The folder I purchased has a very cheap look to it, its better to purchase a M-16 CARSON from CRTK, as its four times the knife. The SERE number 5 is a better made knife then the contractor made knives, the TAK and RTAK. To be fair the TAK and RTAK are excellent, but the SERE is better in every way (fit,finish,blade strength). All are hard working knives you can depend your lives on, meaning they can take the bush and not let one down. The SERE 5 is a work horse, Im impressed !
As a note:
Ive purchased the DPx HEST and cannot wait to get it and put it to use. Anyone not ordering one of these is probably missing out on a really good thing.
For myself Ive done primitive survival since 1984, which started off as an Anthropology class at University. Ive hunted,trapped since mid-1970's. Military schools in the Army, etc..and am the grandson of LT. Col. Lucien Conein where I got my interest in primitive and military survival. Conein-WW2 Jedburgh, 45-46 Indochina OSS,Korea, VietNam 1954-1973, Lansdales teams, Commander 7th Special Forces, MACV-SOG,Iran 1957, CIA, Bay of Pigs, Diem Coup, Director Special Operations DEA,etc....
Im not an expert in anything, but I know a good product and I give the Randall Adventure Training/RAT knives (made by them) a high recomendation. Cold Steel is an excellent source too.Knives of Alaska, and CRTK make wonderful knives.