What is an ultimate survival knife? The best way to answer this question is by explaining why a person would need a survival knife in the first place. There are plenty of people who spend their time out doors performing activities such as hunting, camping, fishing and/or hiking. Many people who engage in these activities do them in the wild where emergency assistance and local rangers might not be readily available. Also, a person can become lost or injured while they are out in the woods or some other type of harsh environment. They will need a survival knife in order to increase their chances of survival until help arrives.
Keep in mind that some people might be thrust into a survival scenario if they are unfortunate enough to be stranded in a plane crash or a shipwreck. This type of circumstance could also happen to people when their vehicle breaks down while traveling through a remote area.
What Purpose does a Survival Knife Serve?
A survival knife is used to perform a variety of functions. The primary function that this type of knife would serve is to provide heat, shelter and food to a stranded individual. A survival knife should be strong enough to cut small or medium sized branches for firewood. The knife should also be made out of an alloy that allows a person to easily start a fire.
Having a heat source is important to survival and so is shelter. A survival knife will also help a person to create shelter from the available resources within an environment. Food is the next important factor for staying alive in an emergency situation. If a person has to be in an environment for more than a few days they will need a good survival knife for hunting and/or fishing. A survival knife could also protect people from wild predators if they happen to encounter them during their time out in nature.
What Style of Knife Makes a Good Survival Knife?
A good survival knife will have a few important qualities. First, a survival knife will have a good solid tang. A tang is the blade of a knife and the metal end that is covered by a handle. Many knives are designed with half sized or narrow slit tangs. These knives are not as durable as a full tang model which has a thick metal end. A good survival knife will have a full tang which allows it stand up under heavy use and wear. Fixed blades are important for survival knives. A fixed blade is the type of blade that will not fold or bend. Fixed blades with full tangs are extremely durable and dependable.
Steel or Carbon Steel Blades
Blades for the ultimate survival knives can be made out of steel or carbon steel. Steel blades are harder than carbon steel, have a greater resistance to rust and can be used more effectively in saltwater environments. Carbon steel blades are sharper, stay sharp for a long period of time and could be used to start a fire in a relatively short amount of time. Carbon blades are more prone to rust.
The Best Sizes for Survival Knives
As a rule of thumb a larger sized knife will always be a more practical tool that a smaller sized knife when it comes to survival. A larger knife is able to do most jobs that a smaller knife is able to perform. A smaller knife is not able to perform the same tasks as a larger blade. A knife that is at least 8 to 11 inches long are the perfect sizes for eliminating brush, cutting twigs and removing small sized trees.
Blade Edges
The edge of a blade for a survival knife should be a saber or double bevel. These two types of blade edges look like the tips of swords. They are easier to sharpen and more durable than the other kinds.
Survival Knife Handle
The handle of a survival knife should be made out of a durable rubber or leather covered wood. These materials allow users to grip the tool in wet conditions. They can also be used to make hammering motions when this type of activity is needed. Materials such as plastic or bone should be avoided since they are not as reliable.
Most people might not have to use a survival knife for the purpose of surviving in an emergency situation or for venturing off into an unknown environment. Individuals who have to experience these types of situations will be better prepared to manage their time out in unfamiliar territory when they have the right type of ultimate survival knife at their side.
