Looking For a Few Things and Your Thoughts...

**JB in SC** · 01-01-2010, 08:15 PM

I'd suggest the Bark River Liten Bror, but it's CPM 3V (a non carbon hell for tough steel). Slightly above the upper edge of your price range, but I'd call it near custom in quality with a good sheath.

**Chef** · 01-18-2010, 10:22 AM

Chef, I know you know knives but why serrations?

They are hard to maintain and take up the sweet spot of the blade.

I can see it if you are looking to cut nylon but if you have a sharp edge, that will cut nylon just as easy.

I have a couple of knives with them, not my favorites by any means.

Can you enlighten me (or anyone else) on why you like serrations?

Functionality and diversity of what a small section of serrated can do is worth gold to me. I'm more comfortable with a knive in my hand than a fork as I've been handling knives for over 30 years. High carbon steel not like a Damascus which I use in the kitchen is what I'm looking for at a decent price. You'll be surprised how often you'll need a serrated edge - the length is of the serrated edge is key. I don't need it to be the distance of the blade but only a fraction placed on a small section either above or below. The serrated edge when used properly will also save the sharpness of your straight edge not to mention cut things that will need some teeth.

I guess it is also preference but I'm going for what I need to do in the wild and get the most functionality out of one blade.

Sharpening your blade is a whole other topic. I've seen so called experts ruin knives from not sharpening properly.

Man, I love blades!

**adam** · 01-18-2010, 02:54 PM

The survivalist types frown on serrated knives.

I've owned a few and found myself always wishing the blade was not teethed.

I guess it is a personal preference.

Thanks for answering.

**Chef** · 01-18-2010, 04:12 PM

The survivalist types frown on serrated knives.

simply not always true...especially if the serrated edge is 2 inches on the but top of a blade therefore your full under and over tang/blade is straight edged.

The frown is usually on the getting caught up in bones of an animal and for sharpening in the field. If you know how to sharpen a blade you'll know how to sharpen a serrated - maybe I assume too much here. Yes serrated can be sharpened.

Bear has used these in the past.
•Buck Iceman
•Titanium Pro Dive Knife
•Wenger Serrated Mountaineer Knife
•Gerber Gator Serrater with Clip Point
•Buck Iceman
•Titanium Pro Dive Knife

**terry** · 01-18-2010, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

The survivalist types frown on serrated knives.

simply not always true...especially if the serrated edge is 2 inches on the but top of a blade therefore your full under and over tang/blade is straight edged.

The frown is usually on the getting caught up in bones of an animal and for sharpening in the field. If you know how to sharpen a blade you'll know how to sharpen a serrated - maybe I assume too much here. Yes serrated can be sharpened.

Bear has used these in the past.
•Buck Iceman
•Titanium Pro Dive Knife
•Wenger Serrated Mountaineer Knife
•Gerber Gator Serrater with Clip Point
•Buck Iceman
•Titanium Pro Dive Knife

I am not an expert by any means, but being a guy who travels off the beaten path sometimes for several miles while hunting and fishing, I have spent a lot of time doing research and learning survival skills. The real survival "experts" frown on just about anything Bear does. You might want to consider that.

The frown on serrations comes from people who use their blades for bushcraft type survival chores. They get in the way while battoning, carving, and a lot of other small task where the user needs to choke up on the blade for maximum control.

That being said, being a chef I am sure you have more experience with a knife than most people ever thought of having. Go with what you feel you need. Serrations do come in handy for certain task.

**adam** · 01-18-2010, 04:59 PM

What do you mean "simply not always true"?

(chef, I'm just teasing you)

This is not a right or wrong, serrated vs. non-serrated deal.

It is the skills we have that are important to our choices.

I think we will agree that is what is much more important.

I'm looking for a good knife, I've researched many avenues of approach, forums etc. From what I have read, what I wrote is what I understand and matches my own experience in the jungle and in the field as a soldier and camper.

Actually, a machete (non serrated) is my preferance.

:D

You are a chef, I don't question if you understand knives, not about that.

This is not a case of right and wrong, it's about choices.

I don't care for serrated blades or sharpening them. Sharpening? I use a Tormek power water stone for my plane irons, I polish sharpen them, I do know how to sharpen a straight blade but all the knives with serrations, haven't felt the need to buy the ceramics to sharpen.

Originally Posted by terry

The frown on serrations comes from people who use their blades for bushcraft type survival chores. They get in the way while battoning, carving, and a lot of other small task where the user needs to choke up on the blade for maximum control.

I missed that, looks like you didn't.

I've spent days and nights and days and nights in a few jungles, longest was at least a week with a M-16 and a Gerber and a machete. The machete is by a far margin the edge of choice in the jungle.

Not many jungles in Arizona.

However I will be staying in the forest and that's what I am tilting at.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machete
http://japanwoodworker.com/product.asp? ... t_id=13269
http://www.ratcutlery.com/junglas_machete.htm
http://www.knifesupplycompany.com/machetes.html

http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/ ... -uses-285/

where's the teeth?

I love watching his shows.

This guy actually climbed Everest.

However, I would not squeeze a turd for the juice to survive.

Nope, not doing that.

Buy as you feel you need and I will enjoy reading your posts on the subject.

http://www.agrussell.com/article.asp?ai ... 1263850971

http://www.bladeforums.com/

There is a wealth of knowledge in addition to yours and mine on serrated and non-serrated blades for backpacking.

Grrrrr.

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

**Chef** · 01-18-2010, 08:31 PM

Agree on most of the comments. I'm no survivalist but have plenty time in country and most info that I have heard has been from special forces crazy car racers - :geek:

I'm not pro serrated just that is has its place if I had only one knife. Most carry a few for different tasks. Actually you're right the serrated isn't for bushwacking at all as it gets caught up too eaily that's why a machete gets the nod for that duty. It's for cutting mesh/cloth/skin/ and plenty of tasks besides that. In thruth, a few quality blades on hand should do the trick but if there was one to do it all is why I asked.

That Gerber is tactical with the teeth and is going to get my dough and I'll strap that lovely on my thigh like Sea Hunt and head in. :shh:

Hell, I'll never leave home without my Dexter cleaver too - good all around blade for chopping bones and keeping an edge - cook like.

I can skin any animal with the last 2 inches of the blade. It's sort of subjective relative to what "survival" means to the knife holder. I guess to stay alive so with that it's a loded question for sure.

Adam, Bear has used the serrated Gerber in country before he got paid for using a custom tang. It's all good. I just like to see what everyone is using and their thoughts.

All good

**adam** · 01-18-2010, 09:11 PM

Hell yeah all good.

Bear has been called by many. I've seen the vids that debunk his show.

You can't fake Everest, not even with a guide. One foot in front of the other...

Also, he got beeg balls brother, he does the cool stuff that I like.

You want good stuff, you gotta pay.

There are good knives for el cheapo: http://japanwoodworker.com/product.asp? ... t_id=13726

That one has teeth.

I'm still up for the RC-3. Not in a hurry.

I packed my ruck tonight. Very light, I've done a good job. Titainium pots and things, down bag, solo tent, backpack less than a pound, 3/4 Thermarest to boot. Looking good, now I'll spend my money wisely and when I have it saved...

**Chef** · 01-18-2010, 10:09 PM

How many pounds?

**adam** · 01-18-2010, 10:25 PM

I'm not sure exactly but it's as light as I want. My pack is like a regular daypack, small, frameless but spectra cloth and tough-as-shit. G~ddamn pirate colors to boot.

Let's see, here is a conservative estimation of my base weight.

3lbs for tent, poles, guy lines and pegs.

3lbs for sleeping bag and pad.

2lb for stove, utensils, pots, mug and bowl

1lb for pack
----------

9 lbs base load.

Add in food, water, toilet stuff...

I'm shooting for less than 18lbs with change of clothes and am on target. I saved and saved and bought super ultra light stuff.

I figure, I can splurge a little and go for a bomber knife. Then again, the calorie counter may force a light version of a blade. One of the cool things about waiting to buy stuff, research.