I would recommend the Mora Robust over the Bushcraft, it survived the full Joe X battery of tests, it's insane that a knife that isn't full tang could do that. And for that price!
The Finnish Terävä knives, like the various Jääkkäripuukkos or the Skrama have made a huge impression in the European knife community recently. All well below 100$/€. I had a Jääkkäripuukko 140 with me on an 8 day hike through the Scottish Highlands this summer. It's awesome. Absolutely indestructible.
DCA, you're a Godsend. Just days ago a freind asked me about knives that qualify as a medium survival knife. Had no Clue that the Esee 6 with the new sculpted handles would be so expensive by the time they hit my country. As the "Knife guy" in my circle, I can just hand him this video. Already own #4 on this list. Thanks for talking about carbon vs. stainless, steel types and why you want a protected choil or how hands can slip onto the blade under the extremes . Cheers brother, you saved me hours of chats and reco's.
I was a crew chief on Huey and first generation Black Hawks. We were issued what they called "aircraft crewman survival knives". They were mounted on our survival vests. Kind of like the little brother of the Marine K-BAR. You could also wear it on your belt. They had teeth on the spine of the knife, which you might think was for sawing wood in a survival situation. Actually the teeth, which faced toward the handle was there for punching through the skin of a helicopter, which was easy enough to do, and pulling back with pressure, cut an escape hole to squeeze out of. Seems kind of far fetched and thank God I never had to use it for that. Sawing wood with it is an exercise in futility.? But I got so attached to this knife with its stacked leather handle, flat pommel to use for banging on things and sharpening stone in the sheath, that I carried it into civilian life as a pipeline maintenance worker and EDC. Rarely did a day go by and I didn't use it for something. It was an excellent camp knife and I always had one to use in the woods. Camillus made the blades, but if you carry one of these every day, as I did, make sure your sheath has the metal end on it or the point will eventually work its way through the leather and could pose a problem. I still have my original issue for sentimental value, as well as a newer one. With a six inch long, thick blade, it has about one inch of flat untoothed spine that can be used to spark a fire starting rod. I'm surprised I have not seen one of these affordable, durable knives reviewed.
Teeth or a scalloped edge are also helpful for cutting rope, webbing, twine, cord, etc. Particularly those newer tough but slippery Polypropylene ones. Ever tried to cut braided fishing line with a blunt pair of scissors.
Why no mention of the Becker BK7? I own the 7 and 9 and love them. The 9 is over $100 now, so I can understand it not making the list, but the 7 can still be had for under $100. Also, I would highly recommend the full tang Mora Garberg over the Bushcraft black for the under $100 list.
I picked up a Compadre based on the many positive reviews I've seen. Looking forward to using it and picking up more of these knives. Great video as always, thank you!
If I was to ever become stranded on a deserted island, or something similar, I sure hope David C. Is with me. I believe I would feel some assurance for survival. Besides that, I think he and I would get along very well. Two thumbs up bro!
It's not all about the knife. It's also about how well the knife company treats you. I left my Busse Combat Knife on top of my car. It fell off on the highway and got run over by a big truck. Cut up the sheath and slightly damaged the blade. Busse paid for delivery back and forth through the mail, no charge to me, fixed it all, and coated the Infi steel, all no charge. Now that is customer service! I'm a customer for life. They are made in Ohio.
If I make a stupid mistake, the maker owes me nothing. The burden of responsibility, when it comes to making sure the knife is in a reasonably safe location, is with you.
Busse knives are not made in Ohio, they are magically formed in Ohio, by one of the greatest steel wizards to have ever existed. Jerry Busse is nothing short of an absolute genius/madman when it comes to creating blades worthy of history's greatest warriors to have ever lived. Let's Drink!
My take on it, I don't care for hollow grinds much any more as a whole. It's like a way to make a less than good blade profile and making it a good slicer but that is about it. Unless it's a shallow hollow grind, user functionality and performance is affected because there just isn't as much control. My preferred are flat grinds. I feel they offer better control and a more robust build.
David another outstanding job! You made me want to get one of each. What about a segment on ultimate large and small survival knives from 100 to say 500? Would really like to see that segment.
Mora: Yo.....you even LIFT Bro ????.....my knives can do everything yours can and more......and all this for somerhing thats 12 times CHEAPER than yours...😅
@@yankee23a So is everything you own the cheapest possible item that does the job? Cheapest car, cheapest clothes, cheapest kitchen cabinets, cheapest carpets......there’s a word for you.
@@yankee23a No I didn’t miss the point. I’m just a little tired of people who extoll mora above all else. Don’t get me wrong, i have several and think they’re about the best bang for the buck out there. The thing is that we (knife nuts) are not always out for the best bang for the buck, and you did emphasize how Mora was 12 times CHEAPER. The knife community would be pretty boring if we only had moras.
One thing to remember "you can use a big knife to do most things a small knife can do, but you can't use a small knife to do what a big knife will do". Food for thought
So you could clean a fish or squirrel with a big knife? I've been collecting knives since the 80's, I'm 59, and I'd rather have a small/medium sized knife. Mostly because I do not chop or batton with a knife. I use a tomahawk. Plus in a survival situation, do as little work as possible, so you are not burning carbs you cannot replace.
Not a big fan of huge knives but the BK2 I feel is one I might just have to add to my collection. Love the spear point shape and looks very utilitarian.
Really enjoy your content and style. I've got a few of those, and I would say the best overall large budget survival knife has to be that Schrade Frontier. I have the one with the TPE handle scales. I have beaten on mine and it just keeps working. Holds an edge well too.
*Old discontinued SRK in Carbon V with flat grind is much better if you can procure one.* The Hollow grinds on these new sk5 (and other versions) makes the tip weak and sk5 has shown to be brittle in cold weather. I found a nearly new carbon V on ebay for $70 recently(sweet score). The discontinued AUS-8 version with flat grind is also stronger and more dependable. And the newest super steel CPM3V version seems like (have yet to use one)the best version yet though it's a little harder to sharpen in the Field. For a "survival" blade you can heavily abuse and trust to get you home SRK is a good option. It's Not a great woodworking "bushcrafting" knife compared to others, but if you have the skill set it will work just fine. I like the carbon V SRK as a duty/"tactical"/SHTF blade. Though in reality most of y'all will likely never actually need to use one of these to the ends of it's strength. So the sk5 price point will work for most lol. If I'm going to be in the woods a long time I'd rather have an ESEE to count on. Never see the *Ka-Bar USN Mark 1* on these lists, it's one of the best all-around blades I've ever owned, strong enough for me to deem it "survival" worthy, and a much better design/ergo for actual use than most of these. High quality 1095CroVan steel and inexpensive at around $60-70. Deserves to be here. I use knives more than the vast majority, have through many extended deep wilderness/combat scenarios.*
My favorite survival knife is the ka-bar large heavy bowie. Heat treat is a beast on that 1075, it just wont dull on me and it is amazingly strong too. The grip is amazing too, you can go berserk with the knife and it wont go flying. Dont know why it has not been a bigger success for ka-bar.
Wow, this was like a master class on survival knives. I have a Schrade something that I like a lot, and fits my hand well. Sadly, where I live now, none of these knives are legal to carry, 4 inches is the max.
@@jonlouis2582 Unbelievable. Once a state of grate patriotism and freedom. It appears as though when tested we have failed our ancestors. Look at what a disgrace our union has turned into when we were put to the test. In about 5 years the cultural Marxist left has ruined it.
Before this video, like a week, I bought the QSP Bison on my own accord. I love it. It’s a beast. And wicked wicked sharp blade out of the box. I’m so glad you reviewed this !
I'm shocked that you guys don't have the Gerber Survival Knife in this group at about 80 bucks I would probably take that over anything you're showing and I've been carrying knives since I was 9 years old 51 years all are good ones of those knives you are showing and American knife makers make a lot of good knives I would say some of the best in the world
If you need to need to cot yourself free from a mass of material, dig a hole, punch through some metal, and on and on, the first thing to go will be the edge, so an easily dressed blade material and profile s essential.The next thing to go will be the knife itself so a bright color will put the knife back in your hand a little quicker. A lanyard long enough to cut free with the knife itself is a good Idea. Also you can get a knife too long, leverage-wise, to use with a single hand, so there’s that. I fell overboard off my boat in Maine one April and was briefly hung up. Consequently, I’ve come to look at knives with a critical eye.
I removed a thin fero rod / fire steel .. from one of those magnesium block fire starters. Put send piece of duct tape around the end for a grip... Then I drilled hole into the bottom grip of my Mora companion fero rod fits in the grip of companion with about a quarter inch protruding out the back
i snagged a QSP *Bison*, same model as what you showed... agree that the fit/finish on it betrays it's price tag. Amazed at how great it looks & feels in the hand! Everything is flush, chamfered and both it and the sheath are a great combo for the cost
I live in a hot, tropical climate on the Big Island of Hawaii. I would just like to say that I use all the Becker knives including the Bk 2 with the stock Zytel handles. I would like to state that I have not found them to be slick, slippery, hard to hold on to at all. I use the Bk9 I have the BK 2, BK 7, and Bk 21. I have used the BK 9 for hours at a time chopping down brush, small trees etc. and the handles are extremely comfortable in my opinion. I am not saying anyone who prefers to replace them is wrong. Everyone has there own experiences and knows what they prefer. Thanks for your excellent reviews. I highly value your opinions they are very objective. I use my BK 2 as well though not often. It's the handle material I wanted to share my opinion on. Thanks again and I definitely love the SRK Knives.
@@smilemore1997 There are a total of eight Islands but I don't think I could name them all without searching on the internet. The Big Island is actually bigger than all the rest of the islands put together. I can see the Island of Maui on a clear day on the Kona side of the Island.
Although I tend to think of it more as a tactical knife, we did feature it in our broader "Best Survival Knives" video right here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-x3BF0N92h4Y.html I wanted to show some different things in this video, and only duplicated the SRK-C on this list, because it is hands down my favorite carbon steel recommendation for a survival knife on a tight budget. -DCA
Putting a scandivex grind on the moras helps the edge retention a ton, especially if you're using it to do things like open cans, cut wires, pry nails, or other not so bushcrafty things.
I have the RAT7, the schrade schf52m, and the bk2. I am gonna return my schrade just because I prefer USA made if and when possible. I really liked the look of the becker IFB but the materials and made in china is gonna stop me from purchasing. That bk16 looks sweet and I definitely want the harpoon
Two is one, one is none and three is for me! And on the Bushcraft blades you were right. The Mora Bushcraft black is a far better knife than the Garberg.
Old hickory cutlery are damn good too. price wise, better than most of the knives on this list. wouldnt use them for heavier jobs though, due to thin blade.nice review, agree with it. absolutely agree with "sharpened prybar" in case of bk2. own one for few years now, i can guarantee you that it'll survive apocalypse even if you dont :P . its quite heavy too. love it despite its flaws. would add bk7 or 9 on list (not under 100 though) .
In survival 2 is 1 and 1 is none this is why I go camping with more then one knife and both the knives I take are on this list the mora bushcraft black and bk2
Although I tend to think of it more as a tactical knife, we did feature it in our broader "Best Survival Knives" video right here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-x3BF0N92h4Y.html I wanted to show some different things in this video, and only duplicated the SRK-C on this list, because it is hands down my favorite carbon steel recommendation for a survival knife on a tight budget. -DCA
Hultafors GK is also great really budget knife for this line up. One on your belt plus one in the backpack for spare and you still didn't spent 30 bucks.
My Schrade F37 7" blade knife is a bit thick and somewhat heavy. I want to get the Morakniv Bushcraft Pathfinder 7" blade knife, but it's too expensive for me to get it. If the price went down a good amount, I'd get it. It's lighter, less thickness, but still 7" blade. And I was happy with the Companion by Morakniv.
I wish Ontario would do a version of the RAT 5 on which they omit the finger choil and bring the edge pretty much all the way back for a true five inch edge but with the blade stock that is thinner than an Essee 5 and with the RAT 5's lower price point. Finger choils can be nice on longer blades but I don't think they are needed on 5 inch and under blades - especially if the edge comes all the way back and, to me, that extra bit of cutting edge would be more useful.
I would love too see KnifeCenter & DCA do a bunch of these presentations but do them brand specific. Everything from Spyderco to Buck to Shirogorov to Bark River... the first one they should do is LT Wright. LTWK- 1.) Genisis 2.) Gen 3 & Gen 5 3.) Cookcraft 4.) Gen 6 Larry Roberts 5.) Next Gen 6.) GNS 7.) Patriot 8.) Bushcrafter 9.) Large & Small Northern Hunter 10.) JX-2 Jessmuk 11.) Pronghorn 12.) Illuminous 5 13.) Sospes 14.) Stealth & Skeleton Key 15.) Gary Wines Bushcrafter 16.) Overland Machete
The knife I use is a Dewalt premium Dwht10313 pocket knife with a durable high carbon 8CR13MOV stainless steel blade. And I got the Dewalt premium Dwht10313 pocket knife at Tractor supply store in Pennsylvania where I live at. And the Dewalt premium Dwht10313 pocket knife has a G10 & aluminum handle. And the blade size is 3.25 inches long.
BK-16 absolutely the best all around knife hands down!! anyone saying any shrade idc which one is better than the becker is a tard cart! lmao Schrade is a company that sells knives exclusively for gas stations or something you'd buy when you plan on throwing it out immediately after first use haha
I've been looking at that for some time, I'm a Glock fan. . It just seems so thick and narrow. I know it's indestructible but the thickness seems like it is just a camp knife. What are the cons? What do you use it for.
@@1980Baldeagle that thing has been riding around in the center console of my Jeep for ten years. It has been used for harvesting wild mushrooms, whittling tent pegs, slicing cheese, spliting fire wood, you name it. I read some where the military spec Included opening tin ammo cans, and yes it will open a tuna fish can.
I have both the Glock 78 & the 81. Both are just excellent and especially for the price. I would put the durability up against all these knives. Plus it's light weight, you could get this thing in and out of something fast, or slice & stab quick. That's an important factor in a pinch. (Emergency situation)
Another great video, felt more informative than sales pitch. Surprised me but Fox fx133 is an excellent Jack of all trades knife. Chops extremely well for size and weight. Flexes under severe (knots) batoning but doesn't break.
unpopular opinion: the upgraded Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Pro knife actually is a decent knife. The sheath leaves a lot to be desired but it's utilitarian and does the job; comes with integrated fire steel, a knife sharpener, and even has a small "survival tip" paper sheet thingy. The hammerhead pommel is particularly useful I found, compared to a glass breaker pommel (e.g. as found on Gerber Strongarm).
Carried my older bear Grylls on a hunt last month, and a buddy left his gut knife in the truck. He used my Gerber to gut his buck, and was amazed how sharp it was.
Those Ka-bar type handles are made so much better by a good stippling job. I've done it to mine and also to my Mora knives. So much improvement in the traction.
Cold Steel really needs to bring back that thick tip that makes them nearly unbreakable and whoever thought giving it a hollow grind should be shot. Thicken it back up to the tip again and go back to the saber grind.
A lot of people spend a lot of time and money looking for that one perfect do all knife, guys it doesnt exist, carry 2 , l carry a garberg and a schrade sch52 for heavy duty chopping battoning, great combomfor me
I have the Ontario RTAK-II and I love it. It’s made of 5160 steel. I took the coating off and redid it in a pink pearl Cerakote. It cost me $89 delivered to my door. I saw Esee has the same knife basically called Junglas but it’s $189! $100 more for the same knife?
After a fixed blade camp knife that can do bit of everything, food prep, cutting all sorts of materials, strong and won’t rust easily, and some basic bushcraft works. What would you recommend?
Wow great overview of the knife world. All the info i need, thx :) now i know which 2 knives i need to complete my mini collection lol i d like to know which gloves to wear when using knives. I prob wear a female size Medium.
You keep saying that carbon steel doesn't hold an edge as well as stainless. It's actually the opposite. Carbon blades are harder so they hold and edge better but they're more brittle and corrode easier
I don’t really get why must survival knives are coated black. I want to be able to use my knife for signalling and coated knives are useless for that purpose. I believe is just a trend for the knives to look more tactical. Also, what is it that is so hard to slice that any sharp knife won’t do? I believe having a good wood carving knife is much more useful and hence a Scandinavian grind is probably the best option for most of the time. Unless you spend most of your time in desserts or on the ocean.
Thank you for the great video. I was really hoping to see the Kabar Becker Harpoon (bk18). You don't think it fits? If that thing had micarta, it'd be dreamy.
