Any PREPPERS here?

**Ry_Tower** · January 10th, 2014 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by safeorigin

If you're looking into getting a knife, here's a link for things to consider: 5 Essential Survival Knife Features

Ito nakita ko sa Tv na very good knife IMO. Multiple usage and very very durable.

Scorpion Knives Mel Parry BRUTE Survival Knife

**safeorigin** · January 10th, 2014 10:51 PM

I'm not sure that would be something I'd carry.

I'm good enough with this: Mora knife survival. Dirt cheap(compared to other survival knives and because I'm a cheapskate), light and practical.

Sure it's not full tang, nor does it have finger choils and jimping but it does the job and I won't cry over it if I do batoning and bushcrafting <.<

**Ry_Tower** · January 11th, 2014 09:51 AM

Ako naman i belive in the full tang think. All knives in our house are like that because of its reliability and durability. What I also like is the kind of metal used. It must be really tough. I may not have the budget for the mal-perry but something close to it would be my knife of choice. naghahahnap na ako eh.

BTW: my brother gave me a really nice flashlight. Super bright. hehehe

**safeorigin** · January 11th, 2014 11:11 AM

wala pa sa budget ko yung full tang survival knife. If I want one now I can go and upgrade quickly to Shrade or SOG for 50 bucks but I'll have to buy them in multiples para di sayang shipment :/

yung gusto ko talaga is yung fallkniven :D kaso 4-6x ang price

**frenchtower** · January 11th, 2014 11:19 AM

I have two Ka-bars (becker bk2 and bk3). Both full tangs. My budget for each of them stops there. Sure, I would love to have the more expensive ones but I really see no point in going upscale. I would even get SOG or Gerber or another Ka-bar if I felt like I need to add some more.

**Ry_Tower** · January 11th, 2014 11:38 AM

What kind of cords would also be ideal? Yung sa mga mountain climbing ba are tough?

**Ry_Tower** · January 11th, 2014 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by frenchtower

I have two Ka-bars (becker bk2 and bk3). Both full tangs. My budget for each of them stops there. Sure, I would love to have the more expensive ones but I really see no point in going upscale. I would even get SOG or Gerber or another Ka-bar if I felt like I need to add some more.

I'd probably go with bk9. But your combi of bk2/3 are really nice good. I don't see the need for another one really. hehe

**safeorigin** · January 11th, 2014 12:48 PM

550 Paracord is the prepper favorite for cordage. I just got mine from Spool Tool :D

As for me, I buy in multiples for myself, my dad and my gf's dad

**Ry_Tower** · January 11th, 2014 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by safeorigin

550 Paracord is the prepper favorite for cordage. I just got mine from Spool Tool :D

As for me, I buy in multiples for myself, my dad and my gf's dad

Seems hard to find here. Pabili na lang ulit. hehe

**safeorigin** · January 11th, 2014 05:31 PM

Yes, prepping tools are hard to come by here(no wonder people are vulnerable to calamities) because it's a miniscule niche market. I had to wait for three weeks for that to be shipped here.

Anyway, since you're in the market for a knife:

SO's layman guide for the newbie prepper on knife selection(being a newbie myself):

Blade shape - blade shape is one of the most important aspects of how a knife performs. Obviously, the thinner the blade is and narrower is its angle, the more precise its cut will be. Among the sharpest are scalpels and razors. The downside, however, is that they don't hold their edge long. On the other hand, a thicker blade will have more rigidity and its edge is less likely to fail. Sure it can't cut precisely as you would expect from a razor but it can sure as hell split wood with ease. Exotic and esoteric designs cost a pretty penny and are nice to look at on display cabinets... and that's where they belong - display cabinets!

figure 1: display cabinet knives.

We've all seen katanas and their smaller siblings, the tanto. They are beautiful blades and are designed for stabbing. While it is considered a fighting knife, would it be considered a survival tool? Maybe, or maybe not. Most would argue that a rounded belly is more optimal for survival situations and there are plenty of proven techniques to support it unlike that tanto which has a straight and angled profile. The minority will argue that it comes down to cutting technique and the tanto tip is useful for prying metal open. In fact, there's a trend of using tantos for search and rescue teams specifically for tearing down car doors and other obstacles.

figure 2: "Americanized" tanto

For the newbie survivalist, the familiar "Scandinavian" blade is a tried and tested design. Heck, the design was used by Vikings and is still in wide use today and that speaks volumes on how useful it is. The rounded belly makes it easier to cut things with natural arm movement.

figure 3: Plain Jane "Scandinavian" knife

Blade Material - blade material is just as important as blade shape, although most manufacturers will hype their blades because it is using material Y when material X does the job fine. The two most common blade materials are High Carbon steel and Stainless steel. The primary difference between the two is the amount of Chromium present; the higher its amount, the more resistant(resistant because stainless steel will still rust) it is from rusting. Stainless steel have at least 13% Chromium content although this is disputed among metallurgists.

So the question is, why would I go for High Carbon steel if Stainless steel is rust resistant? High Carbon steels are generally much tougher and they can take more abuse than stainless steels(unless you use the more expensive and exotic stainless steels!). High carbon steels also throw bigger sparks when used with a ferrocerium and aren't susceptible to chipping when you hit something hard like a rock, maybe just bend.

In my opinion, some people overplay high carbon steel's susceptibility to rust. Like any tool, knives(including stainless steel) need maintenance. A quick dab of oil, wax, animal fat or WD40 would do. Ancient people used to leave the animal fat on their knives. What most people don't realize is that by simple touching the blade's surface, the skin's oil coat it with protection which is why ancient people would simply rub their finger on their noses and spread the oil on the blade.

You will usually encounter knives made from high carbon steel that are numbered 1095, 1070, 1055, etc. The higher the number is, the harder is its blade and the longer it will retain its edge. But the caveat is it's more difficult to sharpen and being harder trades toughness, therefore it is brittle*. But don't worry, being brittle doesn't mean it will shatter like glass, it just means it is likelier to chip small bits if you hit its edge with a rock or something.

"Softer" steel, on the other hand, will take a beating like nobody's business because while it is "softer", they are tougher and can absorb much more stress. These are generally used in machetes and swords that allow them to flex whereas a harder blade would snap. Being soft, also means that it is much easier to sharpen.

So, in what cases would I consider using stainless steel? If: a. you live near the sea, b. you live in snowy environments, c. you live in a hot, humid jungle, d. you are lazy and don't give a rat's ass maintaining the knife.

In conclusion, choosing a knife boils down to user preferences, requirements and purpose. Buy whatever makes you happy :P