Just wanted to say that your channel was one of the channels that made we want to go out in nature again. 25 years of work and city rat race life made me forget about the fun I had in the woods when I was young and in scouts. I’m getting my gear in order on a budget and having loads of fun again. So thank you for your no nonsense ways, you are a inspiration. Keep up the good work. Greetings from the Netherlands
I have tried to explain to my friends that what ever knife they enjoy carrying all the time will most likely become their "survival" knife when they find themselves in need of it. The more comfortable in your environment, and the more practiced you are with your "bushcraftiness"... the less you need with you to be capable in a survival situation. Thank you Lars for the amazing videos that you put together for us! Munro
...you are lost and/or cold, frightened, dehidrated, injured... or you might be ok but you have to care about a pal who is not well... I would feel confortable with my knife, the one I chose to be with me in that trip, the one I know well, that feels ok in my hand... A "strange" knife that I do not know may be dangerous, as I could injure myself more easily... Just choose the gear you like best, use, re-use it, go into the wilderness, get more experienced, respect the Forest and all living forms, the wind, the sun, the rocks...and if things go bad at least you die where you like most to be, right? not in hospital bed or run over by a car...!
...awesome Lars, like always... At least those who watch your videos stand a better chance if anything goes wrong, as you always give sound advice...!!! Thanks, and I hope your arm get in top shape soon!
Love me some reloading,been doin it since was kid with dad...load my own 223 & 45...have dies for Dillon 550 from dad for lots of other calibers but cant afford to do them all these days! Lol! Such a satisfying hobby and survival skill that is definitely part of a.dying breed! I've never bought a box of bullets in my life...hahahhaa
Well said Lars. The traditional Mora type knives survived hundreds of years of field use and daily carry for a very good reason - they work in the environment. Good logic of the parang example from Indonesia / Malaysia (same here in Thailand also). In many parts of Australia the hardwood timber grain of native trees is curly / knotted, so a large felling axe finds it difficult to split cut logs for the fire. It will bounce off the cut end. The Silky saw is 'tactical' because the axe stoke can be heard at long distances in the forest. The large 'survival' / Rambo knife is just another Hollywood myth. Good knife selection BTW. Greeting to you all from Greg in Thailand
Greetings from Thailand Greg, I agree. The Rambo Survival Knives are just a fad and not worth anything. They have no tang and could easily become separated from the blade. Having a good 6" full tang blade,knife is all you really need. Good observation on the Mora. I got introduced into them by watching Dave Canterbury's channel and he said the same thing you have said.
I have heard great definition of survival knife. "Survival knife is knife which can do all tasks which you normally do using knife or axe, but not good enough to be assigned to other category." You are 100% right. But you are right because you do survival not paying in survival. Great video. Thanks.
Thank you Lars. You finally voiced what so many of us have been thinking, for years in some cases. It really all depends on the situation and what you have on you/with you at the time. I agree with what Brennen Munro states below. Great 'lessons' Lars. You allways get our minds working. Cheers for sharing cobber.
Once upon a time in the Northern Rocky Mountains of Montana ... I was no longer involved with a high speed low drag unit of the U.S. Army. I had sold my beloved Randall Model 1-7, Sambar stag handle. To replace it, I had ordered another Randall, this time a Model 5. In those days it took about a year for the knife to arrive. Meantime it was hunting season. No way would I miss hunting season because I didn't have a good fixed blade. Using a .300 Win Mag I dropped a dandy 5X5 mule deer buck in his tracks at a little over 300 paces. My buddy laughed at me when I told him I would gut it with my Swiss Army Knife. That little knife surprised both of us at how well it worked for the task. At the end, however, every little nook and cranny was crammed with blood and guts. Because this is a survival channel, 'knife people', I want to give you something to chew on. In my opinion bacteria and insects are an often overlooked danger in what we do outdoors. I washed the hell out of that knife, carefully watched it while in boiling water for a few baths. At the end of the day, I was still always very leery of potentially harmful 'things' I couldn't see, smell or feel. That experience convinced me that fixed blades are the ONLY way to go. They simply clean up much, much better, especially in the field. My current EDC is an L.T. Wright Next Gen, flat ground A2, forced patina using orange juice. Fantastic little fixed blade, it goes with me virtually everywhere. Primary blade is a Battle Horse Knives Battlelore, saber grind o1 steel, no patina. I keep it clean using a Nagura stone to make slurry on the whetstone and rub the blade with the slurry. Works great. Note that over a period of many years I went from a 7 inch blade (there WAS a legitimate reason for that length) to much, much shorter blades of 3 inches and 4 1/2 inches respectively. The Battlelore in particular is a magic wand. Now, to answer the questions posed; 1. Is bigger always better? No, but a longer blade could be the difference between life and death depending on circumstances. 2. What makes a survival knife? Speaking for myself only, foremost an iron clad warranty from a reputable maker, a sturdy fixed blade of carbon steel 3 to 5 inches long, 1/8 inch thick, full tang, synthetic scales with bonus points if she's pertty!... and we all lived happily ever after ; )
Thanks for the shoutout Lars. :) This topic is of great interest. I'm in agreement with you on the points you made about knives. A folder can be called a survival knife if it helps one survive in a bad situation, though obviously a knife with a solid handle is best for that. As you say it's in what you know, as it is in how you implement things. That shelter will look dang awesome when finished! My camp/woods/fishing knife/"Puukko" is at least 60 years old, it's come down the family. Handle has a great shape, blade around 10 cm and a bit less than 2cm high. Great for gutting fish and making feather sticks. Wish I knew who forged it but that blacksmith's name is lost in history.
I am in agreement with all your points. My ideal outdoors knife is 8.5 inches long with a 4 inch blade.......like most of the Moras! I do have a few large knives and use them mostly for fun ........for batoning and clobbering.
@Shashkin's Cozy Survival well here in France opinels are like an universal edc, from my grandfather to friends of mine on anyone really, some of the new models are kindof titanium and shit but nothing can really go wrong with a good old stainless opinels with the slit in wich you put the blade widened a bit to avoid from getting it stuck by the wood 'getting bigger with water
Have to agree that an opinel is hard to beat for the price and throw brilliant sparks with a ferro rod, had my opinel number 7 for 20 years and it has served me well and is a faithful companion but I prefer a nice little fixed blade, had a nice one made for me by a friend but the bench made hidden canyon keep calling my name... Kind regards all the best
The Varusteleka Skrama is the ultimate big knife for me, I can use it for anything, I use it for butcher chickens, garden work, spoon carving, and allways bring it along with my chinsaw and the silky big boy when i make firewood, in the deep dark woods of longisland denmark :P I also carry a good oldschool 8cm Lowenmesser folder like, I will bet you know someone who allso used to have those.
Absolutely right. It depends where in the world the survival situation is, which tools are realy useful. Example rainforest, a machete type blade is king... In Germany i use mostly a Ochsenkopf hatchet, a Silky Super Accel saw and a Benchmade Bushcrafter knife
this is why your my fave youtuber, because you bring up so many points. what I learned through camping, and getting hypothermia when i was younger is a knife alone can not be survival in my opinion. in fact i would say the knife is number 4 or 5 on the list of a survival kit. so its sleeting, and the wind is blowing, what will that knife do for you? you will end up spending 2 hours soaking wet making a shelter with a knife of any size. then how are you gonna start a fire with soaked wood?. A tarp I would say is number one, then ferro rod with lots of tinder number two, depending on situation water/saw/knife and that's a survival kit. If your in the desert, or can't trust the water then containers holding water, and filters should be number one. the rules of 3s really apply here, and based on where you are your situation can be different. desert means dehydration, winter means hypothermia.
The knife some one needs comes down to experience. 5 years ago I would of swore you had to have a full tang knife . Now with my knowledge and skill set today I would feel comfortable with a folder. I can cut saplings for shelter skin and prep game strike a fire steel or flint cut wedges to split wood. don't get me wrong I still have my full tang customs that are a dream to carve with. My skill set has just evolved and with what I know and carry.
Let's try to stop the survival knife myth. A survival knife is the knife you need to have, at the moment you don't have it, in your location, season, and terrain -- for a specific need and purpose, that will either help to get you home, or will assist in feeding you, or will help to get you warm and sheltered; that is to say, any knife that suits your particular "survival" need at the moment you need it -- is a survival knife. Even a 2" Swiss Army knife, with those little scissors, might be that knife. With that being said, carry any knife you want that fits your budget, style, pocket, purse, or haversack -- *that* will be your survival knife; that is what you will "survive" with, then use your main survival tool, your brain, and the *knowledge* in it. There is no such thing as a "survival" knife; nothing on Earth satisfies every survival need. :) ...and PS...forget *forever* the idea that you will be able to protect yourself from any wild animal on earth with a knife...it ain't gonna happen; if you try it, you will probably die from blood loss; a sharp stick is a far better "weapon" in that instance, trust me...putting more distance between you and danger is the best strategy, not in-close combat with a bloodthirsty enraged beast. :) :)
I carry a mora companion, stockman folder, and leatherman nearly everywhere I go. I'm gonna get a silky saw on your recommendation, but as far as survival knives go, I'm comfortable with any of the ones I carry and even though they all fill different needs, they can all pinch hit for eachother.
A case pocket knife is all I carried for many years, with a saw and axe you can do anything you need to. Excellent video as always, thank you for sharing it.
For me the sweet-spot is between 4-5 inches. My Buck Selkirk at 4 1/2 inches and my 1950s vintage Coast Cutlery knive at 4 1/4 inches to me are the perfect length for survival. bushcrafting, or just bumping around outside.
What I use in forrest ( North Karelia Finland ), is Tommi knife, and Fiskars X10 axe. Most cases those will do job well. Rarely I use saw, but when I use, I use my Sthil :D
I just wrote like 40 lines of rant on how knife marketing is BS lol. I saved you the trouble and deleted it. Lol great video Lars. I love that you just keep showing common sense is still around. It's rare these days! Have an Awesome weekend
I think, the size of the knive depends mostly on the task it is used for. For my needs, the Mora and the Victorinox is suitable. But i am very sure, that i never have to deal with a moose or something like that. And im also sure, that some guys need a big knive to compensate... something. :D
Our stoneage ancestors used flakes for every day tasks as much as well knapped or pecked and ground points and heads. A whole deer can be processed with a couple good flakes. John and Jerry Mcpherson's well documented process proves the point. Take the Hadsa people of the Namib desert, their steel knives are very primitive compared to our average knives and they survived just fine. With all that said, i keep a SAK in my pocket, a leatherman wave on my belt and carry a mora of one type or another in the woods. With all that said, winter would be made more difficult without a saw or axe.
Well said. The thing that gets me about knife reviews is they never, ever comment on how much better the “new and improved “ model is over what ever you already have to warrant the extra investment. I’ve bought some expensive knives myself, but I don’t anymore. The ones I already have are more than adequate. Once you’ve checked the box, the money is better spent on food storage or ammo. Real survival stuff.
Nice to know that an experienced woodsman such as yourself uses the exact same make and model of mid-sized " survival " knife that I also use ! My Cold Steel SRK in VG-1 San Mai 3 goes with me on almost every outing .The concave grind , blade length and thinner tip profile may not make it the ideal choice for regular bushcraft use , but for overall survival performance , it's a great tool for the job . The Japanese take their bladesmithing seriously , and it really shows in the quality of this knife ! ATB
The knife I use the most is a small Gerber EZ Fold that I've carried for decades. The blade is like 3" long, the steel doesn't retain the edge that long but a few stokes on a strop and it shaves hair again. I can't remember that last time I actually used a stone on it. It won't take the abuse so many UA-camrs put their knives through but I've never had a reason to abuse my knife and see no reason to start beating on it now. lol I always carry a full tang knife as well but seldom use it.
Any size knife could be used like a survival knife as long as it’s been made properly also depends on your skill level and preference it doesn’t matter what people think it’s what each one of us is comfortable using.
Absolutely agree Lars! Over the years i've gone smaller and smaller in the knife department. Now my go to is simply a mora with the plastic sheath. All i've added is a Canadian jam knot tie in so it doesn't pop out of its sheath, then have slipped some tyre tube over the sheath for fire lighting and dulling any noise when it bangs on things when pushing through scrub. However as i pig hunt with dogs, although the mora is workable, for absolute safety when sticking big feisty boars i prefer a larger knife that has a guard between the handle and blade. IMO the Ka Bar with the rubber handle is just awesome for this purpose and is my goto when pig hunting. Lastly i try to always carry a leatherman wave multi tool for any repairs in the field. It can then double for everything/anything else that i might need it for in a pinch. It will saw wood, butcher an animal start to finish, sharpen knives, stick a pig etc... Fantastic wee tools with a wide range of uses.
I have a Mora that my grandfather gave me 50 years ago, and it is still my favorite knife. I have collected many, many knifes in my lifetime (including other Moras), but it is my original Mora that I always take with me every time I go into the bush.
Oww an opionon on survival knife video. Time time to get some popcorn and a dark and stormy and ready the comment section. For my part I agree with you Lars...
What a coincidence, earlier I was watching a channel I subscribe to with an Irish chap building a pretty decent shelter with an SAK Farmer to test it. You can get by with a lot of not very perfect items but the best thing is to think ahead and carry accordingly.
Totally agree with you once again Lars ..I used to have a British army machete on my belt (good bit of kit ) but a small modern axe or folding saw is more useful unless you are point man in a thick wood or jungle ..I always had a Swiss army ISSUE knife my Swiss friend got me ..awesome knife ..(Lost it when I moved home ) now I carry a Mora . folding saw and small axe if I need it ..it is handy as a hammer if nothing else .
For boreal forests the best in most cases is a blade about 4-5" then have a axe and a folding saw. Then you are secured against most scenarios. But i can see in tropical forests that a machete like the parang then have a small knife would work. Tried with a machete here in Norway, but found that in most cases the wood was to hard for it to be effective over say a hatchet or a folding saw. So it now is more of a wall hanger then a tool i use. Sami Knifes are multi tools, but the smaller knife, axe and saw combo is more effective and can deal with most situations. But for survival situations, even a pocket folding knife might save your life, it about the skills you have that makes the difference in that point.
Realistically looking at it the most important tool is the saw.When I first started spending time in the woods I had a machete and used a big knife to baton wood and that's fine but it does waste a lot of energy compared to the saw.Very rarely do you need to split wood and what I've noticed is that I always carry 2 knives with me if I'm going to be doing so- one big thick knife and a simple mora companion for everything else like finer work and food preparation.As soon as I'm done batoning the wood the big knife is no longer used so might as well just use a saw,procure the right size wood and save on the weight.
Okay, here in the United States I've been watching the television series "Alone". If you are not familiar with this show, they have a website associated with the "History Channel". The contestants are allowed to select 10 items from a list of tools and supplies to be used in the wild to see who can survive the longest. What 10 items would you choose? These contests videotape themselves and this raw video is used by the producers to create one season of the show. The last person surviving wins $500,000 US. The contest is held in different parts of the world but seems to be in colder climates and during the fall of the year.
i got folder saw and and 2 moras in my backpack and are mainly using the cheap mora 2000 that is stainless and the other one is a carbon steel mora with wood handle ..cheap, low weight, works great
Case Trappers are fine knives (funnily enough, I am sharpening my Case knife as I watch this video)! I own a few and my father owns many. I also have four Moras, a carbon steel Craftline Robust (very thick and strong blade, indeed), a carbon steel Companion, a Sandvik Stainless Companion and a Sandvik 20.5mm All Around. Some people don't like double sabre/"Scandinavian" edges; I personally don't care much for double bevels, except in kitchen knives, which is why I like Moras. Thanks for the fun little vid! I've been watching your videos for a year or so now and I really enjoy your honesty and non-fad bull- crap-free approach to outdoorsmanship! I've been in the woods since I could walk and I know bull crap when I see it. There is NONE on this channel. Keep up the great work good sir. -Cheers from the U.S. Gulf Coast.
My take on survival knives. Any knife that you have on you is better than just your nails in any given situation, in a survival situation or in daily life. Living in Switzerland, I obviously carry a large Swiss army knife of some sorts, with one or two others in a bag and my car. For backpacking, also a fixed knife of some sorts. A smaller knife can do most of the chores. I also carry a Silky Bigboy for wood processing, or another smaller saw. I do not carry an ax, and prefer the combination of saw and big knife, especially for wood processing. If possible, I carry and rely on my beloved Cold Steel Trailmaster Bowie, or a Kukri. Between a Swiss army knife and a Bowie, the smaller knife becomes quickly redundant. I fully agree with the saying that it is easier to do little chores with a big knife than big chores with a small knife. A big knife has more edge length and will offer some sharp edge-part longer. I do use smaller fixed blade knives (always carbon steel - easier to sharpen) as a back-up that stay in my packs permanently, and if I go abroad to avoid hysterical reactions of French or German custom officials who would confiscate bigger knives.
Ouch! Sorry to hear about your better half breaking her arm. I used to make knives myself. I would just grind them down from old files. There is nothing tougher than an old file. You could chop bricks with them. But before long the prices of old files in the pawn shops in town went through the roof.
I used to think a 'survival' knife needed to be big, but now I realize it really does depend on what, where and who is going to be using it. I hope Mr's Survival Russia is doing okay! Thanks Lars and looking forward to the next one!
Very interesting. Somewhere batoning became the be all end all of knives. Must sell more that way. I’ve got too many knives but have become more resistant to lengthy videos that are not much more than infomercials. A Mora, a fiskars, and a sturdy saw are all you will ever need in real knife. Nothing wrong with buying more as a hobby but need is not the issue.
I just love your ways Lars! Many of the things you present on your channel is like when I was I child. Like the shelter you are doing now. My grandpa did that and I have not seen it being done anywhere on the internet. He made it often with his tarpaulin though. He told us of doing it with bark and other things but when we went out it had to be quick and the frame takes about an hour to make so therefore the tarpaulin I guess. Bästa hälsningar från oss!
I have 3 knives. Buck survival knife which is in a sheath (non folding), Bear Grylls paracord knife (which I abuse a lot) and my favourite is my MOD 4 British Army 'Survival' Knife (aka The Pig). It's not like I'm going to get stuck in a survival situation and for that reason alone that's why I love The Pig. For what I need, that knife does everything. 👍 🇬🇧
laws, environment, work places, and social gathering places will determine what size knife will be on your person when something goes really wrong. thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I totally agree that the environment dictate what's the best gear to do things! In the jungle I had a Machete and small knife smaller than the kansbol and the combo was perfect! In Europe I carry usually just a folder and it does the job nicely! Great video! Keep on going!
All these fancy knives and I have always used a bone-handled Case knife. Have it in my pocket right now. Rambo, I am not. I have used it outdoors for fifty years.
I generally carry an Ontario Raider Bowie, it is a massive heavy knife. That being said 95% of the tasks I do when I'm out during survival practice get done with the folding knife inside of my multi-tool I consider my Raider Bowie a kind of in between Hatchett / machete that I found useful in my small area around the Great Lakes. That being said much further north and I would be reaching for an Axe and saw combo. I think the entire concept of a survival knife is based around having a single tool that is capable of doing a wide variety of necessary tasks, it's not necessarily the best possible tool for each individual task but it is capable of doing that task in a pinch and the logic goes that anything you can do with a small knife you can do with a big knife however not everything you can do with a big knife you can do with a small knife. My Bowie knife is not necessarily the best tool for carving a fish hook, or trap toggle but it can do the job while also maintaining the ability to cut down a small tree or hack my way through dense thorny underbrush without getting too many scratches and cuts.
I agree in most part , the best survival knife is the one u have with you and most of all the knowledge to be able to us it! Still watching in Alabama!
Simply wonderful. If given the choice I would like a larger knife in a survival situation, for the reason that it is more steel to work with. It could become a draw knife , pry bar, weapon, ect… I am a butcher by trade and if I only had one piece of cutlery to work with it is always the cimeter.
James is absolutely right The best survival knife is the one you have on you quite frankly I kind a like a bigger knife but that is personal preference
In Arkansas I carry a M1942 Machete and a small two and a half inch gerber folder. The machete covers the larger knives, hatchets, and even digging a cat hole.
Best wishes to mrs. Survival russia.. I agree a small knife is jst as effective as a big knife of you know how to use it.. I always carry a mora and gerber pocket knife when I'm the woods.
Hi lars good video as usual, as you have said in previous videos the idea is not to get in to a survival situation in the first place but if you do then as said by some others on here anything and everything you have on you will help you survive but only if you know how to use it. Like you I look at what the old frontiers men used all over the world and we seam to manage with just a lump of flint at one stage, people watch to much tv and think they know everything but as you have mentioned on many occasions your best survival tool is your brain. I have known some of the best soldiers with the best equipment crack because they head had gone As you say if you in that situation calm down take a knee and control the situation then anything is possible Keep up the good work
For me, my knives need a relatively thick spine, great edge retention and they need to be a full tang. I can see the pros and cons of different blade sizes but I'm not picky as long as I have a blade on me. Excellent video.
Really liked this one . I think the only other one I’ve heard discussing knife size and appropriate woodland was Cantenberry . I agree the knife should fit your need . I also use an SRK as my main belt knife but usually use smaller full tang like the condor teresaure.
i prefer a fixed blade, full tang knife, with a 3-4" blade. i prefer stainless steels particularly the CPM steels like those made by crucible which retain the best aspects of stainless while also being exceptionally tough. i prefer tough handle material like g10 or micarta fastened with epoxy and corby bolts.. i've had handles fail before. i favor "pukko" style knives, and convex grinds, i like to maintain with a strop & compound. I always have a silky saw in my pack as well, usually just a small pocket boy. it doesn't get quite as cold in my area so i can depend on clothing / shelter and could make a smaller fire to stay warm even in the coldest months if necessary. my favorite knife is my bark river bushcrafter, cpm 154 steel. i agree, the concept that a survival knife must be a large blade is flawed thinking imo. another good video!!
The Mora 511 basic is a decent knife. It is lightweight,sharp and inexpensive. I used it to make stakes to make a lean to with my Plash Pakatka along my Soviet mpl 50 shovel and it worked pretty good. Too bad I can't post pictures here of the shelter. I'm going to see if I can use it to make a handle for my shovel to make it even better.
Mr. SR so many opinions people have but they/we all came to see your videos. You do what you do and that will be good tra la la. I see 2K thumbs up and 19 down do not feel you need to answer the 19 for what you know is correct. But do teach i learn from almost every video. Thanx
I also carry a saw and never do any battoning so don't have a need for a huge knife. My all around choice is the Cold Steel Master Hunter. Not too big, not too small, but just right. It will easily do everything I need a knife to do.
Good advice here Lars..as always. As you say the question "What makes a good survival knife" has many possible answers. And as you say it depends on where you are. The environment and weather conditions dictate. So a small folder with a 3in sharp blade would do you proud if you don't need a big fire in cold conditions and there's plenty of dead dry sticks and branches about the place. In colder climes it would be next to useless if you have no saw or axe and you need big logs for your fire. Even then an axe would not be awesome. But your silky will do most things you're likely to need. Personally if I could only pick one tool it would be a good reasonable sized saw. Keep your axes and survival knife. In that scenario you have no ferro rod or anything so it's friction..I reckon your saw will see you ok ..but an axe? A knife.? Well you might be ok with a decent knife but then you might need those bigger logs.
I have a several hunting knives and survival knives . The surgical steel knives like the swiss army knives don't rust but they will never hold a super sharp edge . Most of the high carbon german knives will hold a real sharp edge . My favourite is a french folding knife is made by Opinel and is easy to sharpen but I have to keep it oiled . It looks like a Hungarian hunting knife .
You always have such common sense videos! Thank you, Best wishes to your lovely wife, hope she meds well and soon., Oh - I see your jacket and wonder, what is the weather there at this time of year? Thanks for all you do!
You always have great insight into issues. One of the many reasons I love your channel! Actually, Lars, your channel is my favorite channel (that's for DANG sure! :-) ). Excellent video.
Most days up here on the mountain I just carry a 9cm locking folder as a fixed blade oftain gets in the way when scrambling on steep loose ground . Have a leatherman don't oftain carry it unless I have a specific job for it .most used blade on it is the saw . The the main problen I have re buying a knife is that most have dark coloured handles . This is fine for combat use but for a work or survival situation it Mackey them difficult to find if they get dropped which happens when you are tired hungry ect
That Case folding knife is a great skinning knife and is great for removing fur from an animal killed in the field. That French knife should be a good survival knife and can be used for skinning animals also.
I think the "Big Knife" guys are ones that get caught up in the "one tool" idea. Most cultures throughout time that I have looked into had a big tool, which was their primary. Depending on the climate, it would be a machete or axe type tool. They focused the most on this. The smaller knife wasn't thought of as much, because it's for more delicate tasks, and doesn't have to be super, just maneuverable, and able to be made and kept very sharp.
I have a Gerber Prodigy and Ontario Sk5 that's the perfect size knife in my book,... You are right that older SRK is to long the new ones in SK5 don't have that silly ricosso its a much better knife but now its a slight hollow grind so the tip is more fragile. I don't mind a big blade they do have their purpose but for survival that's mostly marketing brainwashing. BUT you can baton larger wood and depending on where you live like jungle or swamp land a larger knife is a must have . Places like Florida and Louisiana have snakes and gators so big blades are a really awesome tool. We folks who live in green forest have a different bush to deal with then they do.😉
Survival Knife being big is usually somebody's idea of a one tool option. I don't follow that logic because if I'm carrying heavy tools, I want the tools for my environment. Usually a saw and knife blade. My psk has a backup knife (3cm folder). I carry the knife and saw as regular gear. A SAK, a leatherman or a saw and Mora together. Add an axe, machette or spade as needed. Don't expect one tool will do it all!
Great video🙂👍🏻 The more I am outside the smaller my knives get as well. They get thinner also. Right now the knife I use most is a regular mora companion. It’s funny because it’s the cheapest knife I own lol. I live in the south east US. I use knives for slicing, saws for felling and bucking, and axes for felling and splitting. I will always have all 3 on me
My EDC is a case Congress&the mora survival belt knife has the faro rod&diamond stone on the sheath I don’t really Baton I can finde enuff smalls&maybe make some feature sticks if I’m going in the woods I switch my belt knife to a 5”or bigger full tang&a saw
I do use big knives and like them butttttt when I use them it is taking the place of a hatchet/small axe. Much like your viewer from Malaysia. It's never the only knife, a small trade knife (very similar to the classic Mora) or my Case trapper(which I EDC in a slip with a Swiss army Huntsman) is it's companion. Used with a saw of course. When carrying an axe the big knives stay home. I'm much the traditionalist and find myself doing things like the 18th century American Frontiersman. I've toyed with the idea of making a 10-12"+ blade with a socket grip so I can insert a longer handle when needed to be use much like a bill hook.
I think people demand larger knives to be survival-ready because of the whole batoning-meme. Because survival = you start batoning left and right. Saws are not en vogue probably because push saws do not perform that well in general when they are a size that is larger than the Victorinox saws, and not many people recognize the usefulness of the pull-saws.
True smaller blades can do it all in really enjoying my little guys done many camping trips with them many yrs ago I was Rambo !0 knife on me now it worthless I use what I have usually that trapper model . And that's why Finnish ppl and so on carry the ax and a small blade its more useful be good brother oh great job on the shelter
Great video Lars! Good food for thought on knives. But I would offer that in MOST normal circumstances, I'm sure you are right, that as long as your knife is at least big enough and sharp enough to get the job done, then a 6" - 8" blade is more than big enough to survive. UNLESS, you're trying to survive from some sort of predator attack or something like that! If you don't happen to have a firearm, Then I want the biggest damned "survival knife" I can get my hands on!
I can use any one of my knives for survival,. I just like a bigger knife for chopping. I don't usually carry an axe unless I'll be at a camp for a few days.
Hi Lars, great video 👍 Your type and description of survival equipment might change and depend on if you are living with the wilderness or fighting against it. If you are living with it you are comfortable, not stressed, confident within your environment and will have the time to pick and choose your methods to suit your equipment. If you are fighting against it you are scared, cold, wet, Hungary and in fear of your wellbeing. You will be short of time and resources. So when fighting for your survival you will want tools that will process your materials and do your work as fast and as easily as possible. So some might think that a bigger knife might do the work rough but kick and easy because who needs finesse in that situation. 🤔
Every tool has its purpose, #1 would be a multi tool, small, light and many purpose.... #2 would be a folding saw, silky 180 as a minimum. #3 would be a larger knife, blade length about 150 mm. #4 would be a small hatchet/ hammer, max blade width 100-125 mm. Anything else would be a bonus...
Big fan of your channel Lars but the best knives are the ones that have been gifted me from my father, I have several that were handed down from my grandfather and have never let me down, these new blades are not only expensive for what they are but cheaply made and prone to failure, your best bet is old school.
Just wanted to say that your channel was one of the channels that made we want to go out in nature again. 25 years of work and city rat race life made me forget about the fun I had in the woods when I was young and in scouts. I’m getting my gear in order on a budget and having loads of fun again.
So thank you for your no nonsense ways, you are a inspiration.
Keep up the good work.
Greetings from the Netherlands
Considering that the hand axe was the standard survival tool for some two million years, I do wonder about the desire to wield a mini sabre.
I have tried to explain to my friends that what ever knife they enjoy carrying all the time will most likely become their "survival" knife when they find themselves in need of it. The more comfortable in your environment, and the more practiced you are with your "bushcraftiness"... the less you need with you to be capable in a survival situation. Thank you Lars for the amazing videos that you put together for us!
Munro
could not agree more...absolutely!...woods
Truth right there.
agreed,the one you have on you is the best at that moment
...you are lost and/or cold, frightened, dehidrated, injured... or you might be ok but you have to care about a pal who is not well...
I would feel confortable with my knife, the one I chose to be with me in that trip, the one I know well, that feels ok in my hand...
A "strange" knife that I do not know may be dangerous, as I could injure myself more easily...
Just choose the gear you like best, use, re-use it, go into the wilderness, get more experienced, respect the Forest and all living forms, the wind, the sun, the rocks...and if things go bad at least you die where you like most to be, right? not in hospital bed or run over by a car...!
...awesome Lars, like always...
At least those who watch your videos stand a better chance if anything goes wrong, as you always give sound advice...!!!
Thanks, and I hope your arm get in top shape soon!
Love me some reloading,been doin it since was kid with dad...load my own 223 & 45...have dies for Dillon 550 from dad for lots of other calibers but cant afford to do them all these days! Lol! Such a satisfying hobby and survival skill that is definitely part of a.dying breed! I've never bought a box of bullets in my life...hahahhaa
"It takes more time the less prepared you are". What a great statement. It needs to be added to all survival literature.
Well said Lars. The traditional Mora type knives survived hundreds of years of field use and daily carry for a very good reason - they work in the environment. Good logic of the parang example from Indonesia / Malaysia (same here in Thailand also). In many parts of Australia the hardwood timber grain of native trees is curly / knotted, so a large felling axe finds it difficult to split cut logs for the fire. It will bounce off the cut end. The Silky saw is 'tactical' because the axe stoke can be heard at long distances in the forest. The large 'survival' / Rambo knife is just another Hollywood myth. Good knife selection BTW. Greeting to you all from Greg in Thailand
Greetings from Thailand Greg, I agree. The Rambo Survival Knives are just a fad and not worth anything. They have no tang and could easily become separated from the blade. Having a good 6" full tang blade,knife is all you really need. Good observation on the Mora. I got introduced into them by watching Dave Canterbury's channel and he said the same thing you have said.
I have heard great definition of survival knife. "Survival knife is knife which can do all tasks which you normally do using knife or axe, but not good enough to be assigned to other category." You are 100% right. But you are right because you do survival not paying in survival.
Great video. Thanks.
Tralalala and Bob's our auntie, I like the idea of having saw and swiss army knife
Thank you Lars. You finally voiced what so many of us have been thinking, for years in some cases. It really all depends on the situation and what you have on you/with you at the time. I agree with what Brennen Munro states below. Great 'lessons' Lars. You allways get our minds working. Cheers for sharing cobber.
Once upon a time in the Northern Rocky Mountains of Montana ... I was no longer involved with a high speed low drag unit of the U.S. Army. I had sold my beloved Randall Model 1-7, Sambar stag handle. To replace it, I had ordered another Randall, this time a Model 5. In those days it took about a year for the knife to arrive. Meantime it was hunting season. No way would I miss hunting season because I didn't have a good fixed blade. Using a .300 Win Mag I dropped a dandy 5X5 mule deer buck in his tracks at a little over 300 paces. My buddy laughed at me when I told him I would gut it with my Swiss Army Knife. That little knife surprised both of us at how well it worked for the task. At the end, however, every little nook and cranny was crammed with blood and guts. Because this is a survival channel, 'knife people', I want to give you something to chew on. In my opinion bacteria and insects are an often overlooked danger in what we do outdoors. I washed the hell out of that knife, carefully watched it while in boiling water for a few baths. At the end of the day, I was still always very leery of potentially harmful 'things' I couldn't see, smell or feel. That experience convinced me that fixed blades are the ONLY way to go. They simply clean up much, much better, especially in the field. My current EDC is an L.T. Wright Next Gen, flat ground A2, forced patina using orange juice. Fantastic little fixed blade, it goes with me virtually everywhere. Primary blade is a Battle Horse Knives Battlelore, saber grind o1 steel, no patina. I keep it clean using a Nagura stone to make slurry on the whetstone and rub the blade with the slurry. Works great. Note that over a period of many years I went from a 7 inch blade (there WAS a legitimate reason for that length) to much, much shorter blades of 3 inches and 4 1/2 inches respectively. The Battlelore in particular is a magic wand. Now, to answer the questions posed; 1. Is bigger always better? No, but a longer blade could be the difference between life and death depending on circumstances. 2. What makes a survival knife? Speaking for myself only, foremost an iron clad warranty from a reputable maker, a sturdy fixed blade of carbon steel 3 to 5 inches long, 1/8 inch thick, full tang, synthetic scales with bonus points if she's pertty!... and we all lived happily ever after ; )
Thanks for the shoutout Lars. :) This topic is of great interest. I'm in agreement with you on the points you made about knives. A folder can be called a survival knife if it helps one survive in a bad situation, though obviously a knife with a solid handle is best for that. As you say it's in what you know, as it is in how you implement things. That shelter will look dang awesome when finished!
My camp/woods/fishing knife/"Puukko" is at least 60 years old, it's come down the family. Handle has a great shape, blade around 10 cm and a bit less than 2cm high. Great for gutting fish and making feather sticks. Wish I knew who forged it but that blacksmith's name is lost in history.
The awesome viewer from Finland :)
I would never use a folding knife either and I have a scar to prove it
I am in agreement with all your points. My ideal outdoors knife is 8.5 inches long with a 4 inch blade.......like most of the Moras! I do have a few large knives and use them mostly for fun ........for batoning and clobbering.
I totally agree, there should be more talking about survival-saws, but they are not that fancy to sell than knifes.
Nice video Lars!,,thanks!
Try with opinel folding pocket knifes,,they are cheap, very reliable and excellent for wood working.
Lampros, totally agree!
@Shashkin's Cozy Survival well here in France opinels are like an universal edc, from my grandfather to friends of mine on anyone really, some of the new models are kindof titanium and shit but nothing can really go wrong with a good old stainless opinels with the slit in wich you put the blade widened a bit to avoid from getting it stuck by the wood 'getting bigger with water
Have to agree that an opinel is hard to beat for the price and throw brilliant sparks with a ferro rod, had my opinel number 7 for 20 years and it has served me well and is a faithful companion but I prefer a nice little fixed blade, had a nice one made for me by a friend but the bench made hidden canyon keep calling my name...
Kind regards all the best
The Varusteleka Skrama is the ultimate big knife for me, I can use it for anything, I use it for butcher chickens, garden work, spoon carving, and allways bring it along with my chinsaw and the silky big boy when i make firewood, in the deep dark woods of longisland denmark :P I also carry a good oldschool 8cm Lowenmesser folder like, I will bet you know someone who allso used to have those.
the best survival knife is a good axe !!! combine a axe with a small knife such as the Mora and you'll survive just about any conditions
Exactly, Mora companion(12€) and Fiskars axe(30€) is way better then any 300€+ survival knife.
Absolutely right. It depends where in the world the survival situation is, which tools are realy useful. Example rainforest, a machete type blade is king... In Germany i use mostly a Ochsenkopf hatchet, a Silky Super Accel saw and a Benchmade Bushcrafter knife
this is why your my fave youtuber, because you bring up so many points. what I learned through camping, and getting hypothermia when i was younger is a knife alone can not be survival in my opinion. in fact i would say the knife is number 4 or 5 on the list of a survival kit. so its sleeting, and the wind is blowing, what will that knife do for you? you will end up spending 2 hours soaking wet making a shelter with a knife of any size. then how are you gonna start a fire with soaked wood?. A tarp I would say is number one, then ferro rod with lots of tinder number two, depending on situation water/saw/knife and that's a survival kit. If your in the desert, or can't trust the water then containers holding water, and filters should be number one. the rules of 3s really apply here, and based on where you are your situation can be different. desert means dehydration, winter means hypothermia.
The knife some one needs comes down to experience. 5 years ago I would of swore you had to have a full tang knife . Now with my knowledge and skill set today I would feel comfortable with a folder. I can cut saplings for shelter skin and prep game strike a fire steel or flint cut wedges to split wood. don't get me wrong I still have my full tang customs that are a dream to carve with. My skill set has just evolved and with what I know and carry.
Let's try to stop the survival knife myth. A survival knife is the knife you need to have, at the moment you don't have it, in your location, season, and terrain -- for a specific need and purpose, that will either help to get you home, or will assist in feeding you, or will help to get you warm and sheltered; that is to say, any knife that suits your particular "survival" need at the moment you need it -- is a survival knife.
Even a 2" Swiss Army knife, with those little scissors, might be that knife. With that being said, carry any knife you want that fits your budget, style, pocket, purse, or haversack -- *that* will be your survival knife; that is what you will "survive" with, then use your main survival tool, your brain, and the *knowledge* in it.
There is no such thing as a "survival" knife; nothing on Earth satisfies every survival need. :) ...and PS...forget *forever* the idea that you will be able to protect yourself from any wild animal on earth with a knife...it ain't gonna happen; if you try it, you will probably die from blood loss; a sharp stick is a far better "weapon" in that instance, trust me...putting more distance between you and danger is the best strategy, not in-close combat with a bloodthirsty enraged beast. :) :)
I carry a mora companion, stockman folder, and leatherman nearly everywhere I go. I'm gonna get a silky saw on your recommendation, but as far as survival knives go, I'm comfortable with any of the ones I carry and even though they all fill different needs, they can all pinch hit for eachother.
A case pocket knife is all I carried for many years, with a saw and axe you can do anything you need to. Excellent video as always, thank you for sharing it.
me to, i carry the SAK
For me the sweet-spot is between 4-5 inches. My Buck Selkirk at 4 1/2 inches and my 1950s vintage Coast Cutlery knive at 4 1/4 inches to me are the perfect length for survival. bushcrafting, or just bumping around outside.
What I use in forrest ( North Karelia Finland ), is Tommi knife, and Fiskars X10 axe. Most cases those will do job well. Rarely I use saw, but when I use, I use my Sthil :D
I just wrote like 40 lines of rant on how knife marketing is BS lol. I saved you the trouble and deleted it. Lol great video Lars. I love that you just keep showing common sense is still around. It's rare these days! Have an Awesome weekend
I think, the size of the knive depends mostly on the task it is used for. For my needs, the Mora and the Victorinox is suitable. But i am very sure, that i never have to deal with a moose or something like that. And im also sure, that some guys need a big knive to compensate... something. :D
Our stoneage ancestors used flakes for every day tasks as much as well knapped or pecked and ground points and heads. A whole deer can be processed with a couple good flakes. John and Jerry Mcpherson's well documented process proves the point.
Take the Hadsa people of the Namib desert, their steel knives are very primitive compared to our average knives and they survived just fine.
With all that said, i keep a SAK in my pocket, a leatherman wave on my belt and carry a mora of one type or another in the woods.
With all that said, winter would be made more difficult without a saw or axe.
Well said. The thing that gets me about knife reviews is they never, ever comment on how much better the “new and improved “ model is over what ever you already have to warrant the extra investment. I’ve bought some expensive knives myself, but I don’t anymore. The ones I already have are more than adequate. Once you’ve checked the box, the money is better spent on food storage or ammo. Real survival stuff.
Nice to know that an experienced woodsman such as yourself uses the exact same make and model of mid-sized " survival " knife that I also use ! My Cold Steel SRK in VG-1 San Mai 3 goes with me on almost every outing .The concave grind , blade length and thinner tip profile may not make it the ideal choice for regular bushcraft use , but for overall survival performance , it's a great tool for the job . The Japanese take their bladesmithing seriously , and it really shows in the quality of this knife ! ATB
The knife I use the most is a small Gerber EZ Fold that I've carried for decades. The blade is like 3" long, the steel doesn't retain the edge that long but a few stokes on a strop and it shaves hair again. I can't remember that last time I actually used a stone on it. It won't take the abuse so many UA-camrs put their knives through but I've never had a reason to abuse my knife and see no reason to start beating on it now. lol I always carry a full tang knife as well but seldom use it.
I very much agree with you on the knife selection. And the winter is definitely a time for saws and axes. Really good video.
Any size knife could be used like a survival knife as long as it’s been made properly also depends on your skill level and preference it doesn’t matter what people think it’s what each one of us is comfortable using.
Absolutely agree Lars! Over the years i've gone smaller and smaller in the knife department. Now my go to is simply a mora with the plastic sheath. All i've added is a Canadian jam knot tie in so it doesn't pop out of its sheath, then have slipped some tyre tube over the sheath for fire lighting and dulling any noise when it bangs on things when pushing through scrub. However as i pig hunt with dogs, although the mora is workable, for absolute safety when sticking big feisty boars i prefer a larger knife that has a guard between the handle and blade. IMO the Ka Bar with the rubber handle is just awesome for this purpose and is my goto when pig hunting. Lastly i try to always carry a leatherman wave multi tool for any repairs in the field. It can then double for everything/anything else that i might need it for in a pinch. It will saw wood, butcher an animal start to finish, sharpen knives, stick a pig etc... Fantastic wee tools with a wide range of uses.
I have a Mora that my grandfather gave me 50 years ago, and it is still my favorite knife. I have collected many, many knifes in my lifetime (including other Moras), but it is my original Mora that I always take with me every time I go into the bush.
I agree that the Original is an awesome knife :)
love my Mora Companion, but really love my Opinel number 12 had it over 15 years and still razor zharp
Oww an opionon on survival knife video. Time time to get some popcorn and a dark and stormy and ready the comment section. For my part I agree with you Lars...
What a coincidence, earlier I was watching a channel I subscribe to with an Irish chap building a pretty decent shelter with an SAK Farmer to test it. You can get by with a lot of not very perfect items but the best thing is to think ahead and carry accordingly.
Totally agree with you once again Lars ..I used to have a British army machete on my belt (good bit of kit ) but a small modern axe or folding saw is more useful unless you are point man in a thick wood or jungle ..I always had a Swiss army ISSUE knife my Swiss friend got me ..awesome knife ..(Lost it when I moved home ) now I carry a Mora . folding saw and small axe if I need it ..it is handy as a hammer if nothing else .
For boreal forests the best in most cases is a blade about 4-5" then have a axe and a folding saw. Then you are secured against most scenarios. But i can see in tropical forests that a machete like the parang then have a small knife would work. Tried with a machete here in Norway, but found that in most cases the wood was to hard for it to be effective over say a hatchet or a folding saw. So it now is more of a wall hanger then a tool i use. Sami Knifes are multi tools, but the smaller knife, axe and saw combo is more effective and can deal with most situations. But for survival situations, even a pocket folding knife might save your life, it about the skills you have that makes the difference in that point.
Realistically looking at it the most important tool is the saw.When I first started spending time in the woods I had a machete and used a big knife to baton wood and that's fine but it does waste a lot of energy compared to the saw.Very rarely do you need to split wood and what I've noticed is that I always carry 2 knives with me if I'm going to be doing so- one big thick knife and a simple mora companion for everything else like finer work and food preparation.As soon as I'm done batoning the wood the big knife is no longer used so might as well just use a saw,procure the right size wood and save on the weight.
Okay, here in the United States I've been watching the television series "Alone". If you are not familiar with this show, they have a website associated with the "History Channel".
The contestants are allowed to select 10 items from a list of tools and supplies to be used in the wild to see who can survive the longest. What 10 items would you choose?
These contests videotape themselves and this raw video is used by the producers to create one season of the show. The last person surviving wins $500,000 US.
The contest is held in different parts of the world but seems to be in colder climates and during the fall of the year.
interesting i must give it a good thought before i choose 10 items
My favorite knife is (for now) the Mora Robust. sucker is small, but a powerhouse!
i got folder saw and and 2 moras in my backpack and are mainly using the cheap mora 2000 that is stainless and the other one is a carbon steel mora with wood handle ..cheap, low weight, works great
Case Trappers are fine knives (funnily enough, I am sharpening my Case knife as I watch this video)! I own a few and my father owns many. I also have four Moras, a carbon steel Craftline Robust (very thick and strong blade, indeed), a carbon steel Companion, a Sandvik Stainless Companion and a Sandvik 20.5mm All Around. Some people don't like double sabre/"Scandinavian" edges; I personally don't care much for double bevels, except in kitchen knives, which is why I like Moras.
Thanks for the fun little vid! I've been watching your videos for a year or so now and I really enjoy your honesty and non-fad bull- crap-free approach to outdoorsmanship! I've been in the woods since I could walk and I know bull crap when I see it. There is NONE on this channel. Keep up the great work good sir. -Cheers from the U.S. Gulf Coast.
My take on survival knives. Any knife that you have on you is better than just your nails in any given situation, in a survival situation or in daily life. Living in Switzerland, I obviously carry a large Swiss army knife of some sorts, with one or two others in a bag and my car. For backpacking, also a fixed knife of some sorts. A smaller knife can do most of the chores. I also carry a Silky Bigboy for wood processing, or another smaller saw. I do not carry an ax, and prefer the combination of saw and big knife, especially for wood processing. If possible, I carry and rely on my beloved Cold Steel Trailmaster Bowie, or a Kukri. Between a Swiss army knife and a Bowie, the smaller knife becomes quickly redundant. I fully agree with the saying that it is easier to do little chores with a big knife than big chores with a small knife. A big knife has more edge length and will offer some sharp edge-part longer. I do use smaller fixed blade knives (always carbon steel - easier to sharpen) as a back-up that stay in my packs permanently, and if I go abroad to avoid hysterical reactions of French or German custom officials who would confiscate bigger knives.
Ouch! Sorry to hear about your better half breaking her arm.
I used to make knives myself. I would just grind them down from old files. There is nothing tougher than an old file. You could chop bricks with them. But before long the prices of old files in the pawn shops in town went through the roof.
I used to think a 'survival' knife needed to be big, but now I realize it really does depend on what, where and who is going to be using it. I hope Mr's Survival Russia is doing okay! Thanks Lars and looking forward to the next one!
Very interesting. Somewhere batoning became the be all end all of knives. Must sell more that way. I’ve got too many knives but have become more resistant to lengthy videos that are not much more than infomercials. A Mora, a fiskars, and a sturdy saw are all you will ever need in real knife. Nothing wrong with buying more as a hobby but need is not the issue.
I just love your ways Lars! Many of the things you present on your channel is like when I was I child. Like the shelter you are doing now. My grandpa did that and I have not seen it being done anywhere on the internet. He made it often with his tarpaulin though. He told us of doing it with bark and other things but when we went out it had to be quick and the frame takes about an hour to make so therefore the tarpaulin I guess. Bästa hälsningar från oss!
Hahaha. “I started to think” “it actually happens”.
You are awesome dude. I pray I can travel to you one day.
I have 3 knives. Buck survival knife which is in a sheath (non folding), Bear Grylls paracord knife (which I abuse a lot) and my favourite is my MOD 4 British Army 'Survival' Knife (aka The Pig). It's not like I'm going to get stuck in a survival situation and for that reason alone that's why I love The Pig. For what I need, that knife does everything. 👍 🇬🇧
laws, environment, work places, and social gathering places will determine what size knife will be on your person when something goes really wrong. thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I totally agree that the environment dictate what's the best gear to do things! In the jungle I had a Machete and small knife smaller than the kansbol and the combo was perfect! In Europe I carry usually just a folder and it does the job nicely! Great video! Keep on going!
All these fancy knives and I have always used a bone-handled Case knife. Have it in my pocket right now. Rambo, I am not.
I have used it outdoors for fifty years.
I generally carry an Ontario Raider Bowie, it is a massive heavy knife. That being said 95% of the tasks I do when I'm out during survival practice get done with the folding knife inside of my multi-tool I consider my Raider Bowie a kind of in between Hatchett / machete that I found useful in my small area around the Great Lakes. That being said much further north and I would be reaching for an Axe and saw combo. I think the entire concept of a survival knife is based around having a single tool that is capable of doing a wide variety of necessary tasks, it's not necessarily the best possible tool for each individual task but it is capable of doing that task in a pinch and the logic goes that anything you can do with a small knife you can do with a big knife however not everything you can do with a big knife you can do with a small knife. My Bowie knife is not necessarily the best tool for carving a fish hook, or trap toggle but it can do the job while also maintaining the ability to cut down a small tree or hack my way through dense thorny underbrush without getting too many scratches and cuts.
I agree in most part , the best survival knife is the one u have with you and most of all the knowledge to be able to us it! Still watching in Alabama!
Simply wonderful. If given the choice I would like a larger knife in a survival situation, for the reason that it is more steel to work with. It could become a draw knife , pry bar, weapon, ect… I am a butcher by trade and if I only had one piece of cutlery to work with it is always the cimeter.
James is absolutely right The best survival knife is the one you have on you quite frankly I kind a like a bigger knife but that is personal preference
Hello Lars🖐🏻😏 Recently l've broken my SRK knife's tip) didn't know VG-1 was so frail🤔 Now it's not so huge as you've said;)😁
In Arkansas I carry a M1942 Machete and a small two and a half inch gerber folder. The machete covers the larger knives, hatchets, and even digging a cat hole.
What kind of knives did the people use in all those old photographs you have?
Best wishes to mrs. Survival russia.. I agree a small knife is jst as effective as a big knife of you know how to use it.. I always carry a mora and gerber pocket knife when I'm the woods.
Hi lars good video as usual, as you have said in previous videos the idea is not to get in to a survival situation in the first place but if you do then as said by some others on here anything and everything you have on you will help you survive but only if you know how to use it. Like you I look at what the old frontiers men used all over the world and we seam to manage with just a lump of flint at one stage, people watch to much tv and think they know everything but as you have mentioned on many occasions your best survival tool is your brain. I have known some of the best soldiers with the best equipment crack because they head had gone
As you say if you in that situation calm down take a knee and control the situation then anything is possible
Keep up the good work
For me, my knives need a relatively thick spine, great edge retention and they need to be a full tang. I can see the pros and cons of different blade sizes but I'm not picky as long as I have a blade on me. Excellent video.
Really liked this one . I think the only other one I’ve heard discussing knife size and appropriate woodland was Cantenberry . I agree the knife should fit your need . I also use an SRK as my main belt knife but usually use smaller full tang like the condor teresaure.
i prefer a fixed blade, full tang knife, with a 3-4" blade. i prefer stainless steels particularly the CPM steels like those made by crucible which retain the best aspects of stainless while also being exceptionally tough. i prefer tough handle material like g10 or micarta fastened with epoxy and corby bolts.. i've had handles fail before. i favor "pukko" style knives, and convex grinds, i like to maintain with a strop & compound. I always have a silky saw in my pack as well, usually just a small pocket boy. it doesn't get quite as cold in my area so i can depend on clothing / shelter and could make a smaller fire to stay warm even in the coldest months if necessary. my favorite knife is my bark river bushcrafter, cpm 154 steel. i agree, the concept that a survival knife must be a large blade is flawed thinking imo. another good video!!
What’s that old saying , a man with a knife can survive but a man with an axe can live like a king!
The Mora 511 basic is a decent knife. It is lightweight,sharp and inexpensive.
I used it to make stakes to make a lean to with my Plash Pakatka along my Soviet mpl 50 shovel and it worked pretty good. Too bad I can't post pictures here of the shelter. I'm going to see if I can use it to make a handle for my shovel to make it even better.
Best channel on UA-cam! All the best from Canada!
Lars , great to see you again , thanks for sharing ! I carry a Victorinox as my EDC knife and add to that as needed.
Mr. SR so many opinions people have but they/we all came to see your videos. You do what you do and that will be good tra la la. I see 2K thumbs up and 19 down do not feel you need to answer the 19 for what you know is correct. But do teach i learn from almost every video. Thanx
I also carry a saw and never do any battoning so don't have a need for a huge knife. My all around choice is the Cold Steel Master Hunter. Not too big, not too small, but just right. It will easily do everything I need a knife to do.
I like just about all knives...each has a purpose. So chatter on about them...I like that also.
Good advice here Lars..as always. As you say the question "What makes a good survival knife" has many possible answers. And as you say it depends on where you are. The environment and weather conditions dictate. So a small folder with a 3in sharp blade would do you proud if you don't need a big fire in cold conditions and there's plenty of dead dry sticks and branches about the place. In colder climes it would be next to useless if you have no saw or axe and you need big logs for your fire. Even then an axe would not be awesome. But your silky will do most things you're likely to need. Personally if I could only pick one tool it would be a good reasonable sized saw. Keep your axes and survival knife. In that scenario you have no ferro rod or anything so it's friction..I reckon your saw will see you ok ..but an axe? A knife.? Well you might be ok with a decent knife but then you might need those bigger logs.
Knifes are awesome, but I really like your folding saw concept. Thanks for the video post.
I have a several hunting knives and survival knives . The surgical steel knives like the swiss army knives don't rust but they will never hold a super sharp edge . Most of the high carbon german knives will hold a real sharp edge . My favourite is a french folding knife is made by Opinel and is easy to sharpen but I have to keep it oiled . It looks like a Hungarian hunting knife .
You always have such common sense videos! Thank you, Best wishes to your lovely wife, hope she meds well and soon., Oh - I see your jacket and wonder, what is the weather there at this time of year? Thanks for all you do!
Thank you :) The temp here is now in the 12C - 20C range during the day and from 15C - 0C at night.
You always have great insight into issues. One of the many reasons I love your channel! Actually, Lars, your channel is my favorite channel (that's for DANG sure! :-) ). Excellent video.
Most days up here on the mountain I just carry a 9cm locking folder as a fixed blade oftain gets in the way when scrambling on steep loose ground . Have a leatherman don't oftain carry it unless I have a specific job for it .most used blade on it is the saw . The the main problen I have re buying a knife is that most have dark coloured handles . This is fine for combat use but for a work or survival situation it Mackey them difficult to find if they get dropped which happens when you are tired hungry ect
That Case folding knife is a great skinning knife and is great for removing fur from an animal killed in the field. That French knife should be a good survival knife and can be used for skinning animals also.
I think the "Big Knife" guys are ones that get caught up in the "one tool" idea. Most cultures throughout time that I have looked into had a big tool, which was their primary. Depending on the climate, it would be a machete or axe type tool. They focused the most on this. The smaller knife wasn't thought of as much, because it's for more delicate tasks, and doesn't have to be super, just maneuverable, and able to be made and kept very sharp.
I have a Gerber Prodigy and Ontario Sk5 that's the perfect size knife in my book,... You are right that older SRK is to long the new ones in SK5 don't have that silly ricosso its a much better knife but now its a slight hollow grind so the tip is more fragile. I don't mind a big blade they do have their purpose but for survival that's mostly marketing brainwashing. BUT you can baton larger wood and depending on where you live like jungle or swamp land a larger knife is a must have .
Places like Florida and Louisiana have snakes and gators so big blades are a really awesome tool. We folks who live in green forest have a different bush to deal with then they do.😉
EDUCATIONAL AS ALWAYS.THNX BROTHER.
I have several case and Camillus trappers . Love them
Awesome 🇺🇸 chat about knives..
Survival Knife being big is usually somebody's idea of a one tool option. I don't follow that logic because if I'm carrying heavy tools, I want the tools for my environment. Usually a saw and knife blade. My psk has a backup knife (3cm folder). I carry the knife and saw as regular gear. A SAK, a leatherman or a saw and Mora together. Add an axe, machette or spade as needed. Don't expect one tool will do it all!
Great video🙂👍🏻 The more I am outside the smaller my knives get as well. They get thinner also. Right now the knife I use most is a regular mora companion. It’s funny because it’s the cheapest knife I own lol. I live in the south east US. I use knives for slicing, saws for felling and bucking, and axes for felling and splitting. I will always have all 3 on me
My EDC is a case Congress&the mora survival belt knife has the faro rod&diamond stone on the sheath
I don’t really Baton I can finde enuff smalls&maybe make some feature sticks if I’m going in the woods I switch my belt knife to a 5”or bigger full tang&a saw
I do use big knives and like them butttttt when I use them it is taking the place of a hatchet/small axe. Much like your viewer from Malaysia. It's never the only knife, a small trade knife (very similar to the classic Mora) or my Case trapper(which I EDC in a slip with a Swiss army Huntsman) is it's companion. Used with a saw of course. When carrying an axe the big knives stay home. I'm much the traditionalist and find myself doing things like the 18th century American Frontiersman. I've toyed with the idea of making a 10-12"+ blade with a socket grip so I can insert a longer handle when needed to be use much like a bill hook.
When will we see some survival Russia fishing? Great videos keep up the awesomeness! Thank you!
I think people demand larger knives to be survival-ready because of the whole batoning-meme. Because survival = you start batoning left and right. Saws are not en vogue probably because push saws do not perform that well in general when they are a size that is larger than the Victorinox saws, and not many people recognize the usefulness of the pull-saws.
True smaller blades can do it all in really enjoying my little guys done many camping trips with them many yrs ago I was Rambo !0 knife on me now it worthless I use what I have usually that trapper model . And that's why Finnish ppl and so on carry the ax and a small blade its more useful be good brother oh great job on the shelter
Good points Tom :)
Great video Lars! Good food for thought on knives. But I would offer that in MOST normal circumstances, I'm sure you are right, that as long as your knife is at least big enough and sharp enough to get the job done, then a 6" - 8" blade is more than big enough to survive. UNLESS, you're trying to survive from some sort of predator attack or something like that! If you don't happen to have a firearm, Then I want the biggest damned "survival knife" I can get my hands on!
I can use any one of my knives for survival,. I just like a bigger knife for chopping. I don't usually carry an axe unless I'll be at a camp for a few days.
Hi Lars, great video 👍
Your type and description of survival equipment might change and depend on if you are living with the wilderness or fighting against it.
If you are living with it you are comfortable, not stressed, confident within your environment and will have the time to pick and choose your methods to suit your equipment.
If you are fighting against it you are scared, cold, wet, Hungary and in fear of your wellbeing. You will be short of time and resources.
So when fighting for your survival you will want tools that will process your materials and do your work as fast and as easily as possible.
So some might think that a bigger knife might do the work rough but kick and easy because who needs finesse in that situation.
🤔
Great video as always Lars!
I'd think the best knife is the one you know how to use well and works for what you plan to accomplish.
Love these videos..will try out some of your winter technics
Every tool has its purpose, #1 would be a multi tool, small, light and many purpose.... #2 would be a folding saw, silky 180 as a minimum. #3 would be a larger knife, blade length about 150 mm.
#4 would be a small hatchet/ hammer, max blade width 100-125 mm. Anything else would be a bonus...
Big fan of your channel Lars but the best knives are the ones that have been gifted me from my father, I have several that were handed down from my grandfather and have never let me down, these new blades are not only expensive for what they are but cheaply made and prone to failure, your best bet is old school.
Good to see you Lars fit and well please pass on my good wishes to your wife on her recovery hope she's better soon for your sake as well lol ..
Thank you Steve. Will do :)