One essential aspect that we might not take into great consideration, is the outlet and retailers that people buy their survival gear from. Granted, a lot of the equipment offered by surplus stores are at bargain prices and usually has years of testing advocating its craftsmanship, it may not always be a good deal.
In the long run, some of the equipment will show their true age and it may not end up to being made from quality materials. It is best to buy your essential items, like survival knives, at commercial retailers that specialize in the item.
For the steadfast people who will still buy from military surplus establishments, the four most known knives are the Hollow Handle Specialized Best Survival Knife, United States Air Crew Survival Knife, the United States Marine Corps K-bar Knife, and the good old quality sheath knife. The best knives need to be efficient and versatile in an array of ways. Subsequently, the weight and bulk also needs to be taken into consideration. The best survival knives are somewhere between four and six inches. A knife of this size offers a good compromise of size and control. Any blade larger than six inches tend to be an overkill, and it just adds to bulk and weight of the things you need to carry while out in the outdoors.
If a larger blade is absolutely needed, it is best to bring along a machete, axe, or a tomahawk. When choosing an emergency blade, choose a knife that is constructed with one piece of metal, with material attached to it to form a handle. These type of knives are called full tang knives. In a full tang knive, a blade merges into a handle. This creates a handle that is comfortable and easy to wield.
Many times, the metal part is bare to economize between weight and bulk. A type of blade that one needs to concern themselves with, is a smooth or serrated blade. Serrated blades are more efficient for cutting up synthetic materials, flesh, and self defense. A smooth blade is the most versatile and is the recommended choice for survival situations. This type of blade is efficient at cutting, chopping, and carving. Though it may not cut through synthetic fibers like a serrated knife, the smooth blade can still be efficient. Some noted knives that are highly recommended is the Becker Knives and Fallkniven.
