hmmmm.... the budget guidelines shot down the reply i was contemplating based on the title. which would've been my ESEE 5. it's always with me as is a compass, lighter, and flashlight. between those four, i should be aight

 

gerber lmf II

 

Think the $100.00 is a reasonable budget!

 

Ka-bar.

And I do keep a fire starter block on my sheath. A compass might be nice, but I live in the N.W. so finding direction isn't too hard based on local plants.

 

A large fixed blade would be useful alright.
I think a larger Victorinox Swiss Army Knife would be better.

Screwdrivers, saws, sewing awl, and a magnifying glass would be hugely important.

 

Think the $100.00 is a reasonable budget!

oh, i'm not saying it's not reasonable. i'm just saying it shot down the suggestion i had in mind, when i read the title. it's also the very knfie i DO carry just in case i find myself in the predicament you described in the title

i guess for under a hunj, i'd look at the Ontario Ranger RD series.

 

A large fixed blade knife, such as the USAF survival knife and a Swiss Army knife.

 

I'd say Gerber LMF II.

Well designed, reasonably priced (in your budget), and TOUGH. I have put mine through hell and it functions well as the day I bought it.

 

Cold Steel SRK, fabulous all around knife.

 

Cold Steel SRK, fabulous all around knife.

Amen.

 

Bear Grylls Gerber:

It has:

• Molded rubber grip and knurled striking surface butt cap
• Saw ground back blade
• Integrated fire starter with integrated diamond sharpener
• Key ground-air communication patch
• Emergency micro lanyard whistle

and a little survival guide built into the sheath as well.

You could almost buy 2 for your budget. They run around $60.

 

100 bucks? THREE Glock Knives! http://www.glockworld.com/item/3761_Glock_Knives_GLOCK_KB17281_FIELD_KNF_S.aspx

 

Bear Grylls Gerber:

It has:

• Molded rubber grip and knurled striking surface butt cap
• Saw ground back blade
• Integrated fire starter with integrated diamond sharpener
• Key ground-air communication patch
• Emergency micro lanyard whistle

and a little survival guide built into the sheath as well.

You could almost buy 2 for your budget. They run around $60.

That too looks like it would work.

 

Bear Grylls Gerber:

It has:

• Molded rubber grip and knurled striking surface butt cap
• Saw ground back blade
• Integrated fire starter with integrated diamond sharpener
• Key ground-air communication patch
• Emergency micro lanyard whistle

and a little survival guide built into the sheath as well.

You could almost buy 2 for your budget. They run around $60.

This looks great... I'd pay $10 more for it if it wasn't associated with Grylls!


I'd second the Pilot's Knife and a swiss army knife.

 

Spend 1/2 on a knife and 1/2 on a multi-tool.

 

i would go with a becker companion

 

i keep a SRK in my bag for being stranded in the woods kind of scenarios. as far as daily, i use my swiss army knife multiple times daily.

 

Bear Grylls Gerber:

It has:

• Molded rubber grip and knurled striking surface butt cap
• Saw ground back blade
• Integrated fire starter with integrated diamond sharpener
• Key ground-air communication patch
• Emergency micro lanyard whistle

and a little survival guide built into the sheath as well.

You could almost buy 2 for your budget. They run around $60.

The Bear Grylls knife seems to be a gimmick. It has not been well received over at Bladeforums.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=790424

My first choice would be something from Esee, but since they are over the $100 price point I'd look probably look at something from Kabar. I might even go for the Kabar Kukri and sacrifice smaller detailed cutting in order to gain stronger chopping power.

 

I am under the $100 limit, but have more than one blade.
Gerber Multi-Plier 600 Fisherman + socket bit set
Gerber 22-49470 Gator Combo Axe

I have taken the above to the BWCA. The only additional item I added was a large swiss army knife. I did this so I would have the ability to use one tool for turning screws and one for holding the nut. And I wanted a magnifying glass and tweezers. I have considered trading off the Swiss army knife, but would not trade the Gerber tool or hatchet with knife.
I have considered

 

For one knife, I don't have an answer. Scrapper6 was $100, but not any more. My Spydeco CTR-XPS is more than $100.

Kershaw Outcast Bush Knife in D2?

 

The idea of a multi-tool is a good idea.
I would not however pic a Gerber tool.

My new Gerber 600 that I bought to replace my old one, can't even touch the old worn 600 in quality. Having said that I would always pick a Leatherman over a Gerber.
Damn his politics, his tools are superior.

 

I honestly think there are many nice knives to do the job under the 100 Buck Budget.

 

I'll take my RC-3 anywhere, anytime.

 

A good machete and a leatherman.

 

The idea of a multi-tool is a good idea.
I would not however pic a Gerber tool.

My new Gerber 600 that I bought to replace my old one, can't even touch the old worn 600 in quality. Having said that I would always pick a Leatherman over a Gerber.
Damn his politics, his tools are superior.

Funny how things change.

I had an older Leatherman. I killed it.
I have bought several Gerbers and like them. (But not recently.)


As far as his politics, if you really feel his tool are greatly superior, I don't blame you. But most of the reviews I have seen are not based on overall quality. They are based on feel and one reviewer thought that the knife deployment was too slow. None of which I consider important.


Now if leather man was making his tool out of D2 or Carpenter steel..... and Gerber was continuing to use their ok unknown steel, then I would go with leatherman.