Harbor Freight Survival Knife- Easy Mod for Survival Bushcraft or Utility 

The knife rambo grabbed was his own. The sheriff took it off of him when he arrested him. He asked him "what he needed a knife like that for?" And rambo told him it was for hunting. The sheriff asked "what do you hunt with a knife." Rambo said "name it".

The batoning was what I was waiting for, that’s hard on a knife and again, for $6.99 plus the job weld is a game changer

I bought two. I heavily modded them. One mod besides a ton load of jb weld is to get a longer grub screw, drill into the other side a bit so the grub screw goes into the opposite side for a bit of extra holding power. Install the jb weld and then screw in the grub screw. Later I filled in the lower part inside until the bottom is flat. I tested my knives for being leak proof. After what I did they were water proof. I can tell you, unless you get stupid, that knife will serve you well.

Applying the JB Weld was a good idea !!! It waterproofed the handle very well.

Thanks for the great demo! Plenty of budget survival knives with plastic handles would not have passed even 1/4 of the tests you dished out without breaking. HF knife with aluminum handle is the one to beat for budget knifes.

LOVED the knife throwing exhibition!! You just cant lose

Good video brother, I really enjoyed your joy being out there and doing your own testing and fun

A friend just gave me one of these . I've always been a bit of a knife snob lol and I didn't have the heart to laugh... but watching this video I'm gonna do your mod ... I've always seen these knives as a novelty. But maybe I'm wrong. I have to say ot has a pretty good fishing kit too

I have the same knife from HF and love your Mod you did, I am wrapping My handle for better grip thanks I was afraid to throw it but see it holds up!

Hi Doug ☺ looks like you fixed the problem, time wil tell, it's easy to do and turns a some what suspect knife into one that's actually usable . As you say cheap enough to leave in the truck ,and your enthusiasm for beating the snot out of it gave me a chuckle,lol. Thanks for the video! Doug, stay safe my friend, best wishe's, and may your God go whith you, Stuart UK.

This is the best 'road test' I have seen. Great video ! Thank you.

Doug, I love your solution.

Your knife throwing skills are good, I really enjoyed this video. Thanks

I’ve passed this knife in HF many times through the years. It looks cheap and gimmicky but for less than 10 bucks, I kinda regret not picking it up for the hell of it. I have some very expensive knives I’m afraid to use or lose, but this one costs less than the gas it takes me to get to the woods. I like the JB weld mod for the tang. Seems like about as good a fix as you can do with it. After that, the whole handle would have to break off and I don’t see that happening. Especially after you beat the snot out of it. I’m definitely picking one up now. Great video. Thanks!

For that price use it. I hate banging on an expensive knife. Goot video.

Great mod and great video

Good video Doug , thanks for sharing , God bless !

You really did give that knife a hard time, id consider buying one as a utility knife. God bless Doug

Two things🤔🤔 First: I separate the blade tang from alum handle. Super cheap “knife blank” to make smaller “full tang” custom knife. Second: If manufacturer put $0.50 ‘epoxy kit’ with purchase, they wound add cost to knife. KISS BUT not least, thoroughly enjoyable, laid back playful video, well done, Good and Faithful servant

You convinced me! Next time I am in HF I am gonna buy one and do your mod! Thanks! Then I am going to sharpen it. Some other reviewers also complained it was not really sharp out of the packaging. I got an expensive Buck full tang, but if I can save it from some of the hard Knocks of slitting wood etc, this thing will be worth it! Perhaps get some golf club grip wrapped wrap that metal handle to get a better grip surface?

I used to have this knife in 🇲🇽 when I lost all my survival kit in the handle I put some concrete in the handle by the way excellent review

Thanks for your video. That jump looked risky. Stay safe.

They make some aluminum or titanium bike frames with epoxy tubing joints, so it is just a matter of a good fit and a clean glue job. I would clean everything with 90% isopropyl alcohol and maybe acetone. Then lightly sand anything shiny with #600 sandpaper. Then glue it with a little extra glue and try to avoid any air voids. I'd go with the slow epoxy because I've seen how it makes a better bond and has better strength. I once glued oily balsawood to oily balsawood with Armstrong A12 and flew that plane a bunch of times. It never broke at the glue joint. JB weld is okay, but if you know anyone in aerospace that occasionally throws out an expired tube of GA-47, grab it. That stuff is magic. But without special access, just use the slow JB weld or some other good metal epoxy with about a one hour set time. Some epoxies will bond better if you run them warm at the oven's lowest temperature, like 140F or so. You let it set a little and then put it in the warm oven. At that point, the aluminum is the weak point, so the only way to make it stronger would be to externally re-inforce the aluminum tube and socket.

I've passed on this knife for 2 years, but I happen to have some of that high strength JB Weld in my garage, so I think i am gonna pick this up and do your mod. I will probably put some power pro braided fish line and matches in the storage pocket. I subscribed so i don't lose you, thanks !

Seeing this knife on RU-vid l went out & got one. I’m going to put JB weld on it like you did. Saw other ideas but your mod looks so simple & works. Bless you.

Thanks for the info. Definitely going to do the JB Weld on mine. And also I love the spear idea. You were talking about the smooth roundness of the handle and how slippery it was while chopping. I was going to post a picture of mine but RU-vid won’t let me. What I did was wrapped several feet of Paracord around the handle. In my mind that’s a nice way to carry extra para cord and also helps the grip.

Good work bro. It would be interesting to see how it holds up long term.

I have 2 of them and really enjoyed this video! I will be modded mine as well!! To include forming a large bushcraft sheath out of pvc for one of them! I have a "Rambo" copy with the hollow handle that I will now go back and reinforce with JB WELD as well! Thanks for this video! New fan here!

FUN!!! Great idea - Thanks! 😎👍

Dude I jst love ur channel keep em coming

I bought one of these just yesterday. Definitely going to JB weld it and use red loctite on the set screw. Mine came fairly sharp, I could shave hair off my arm right out of the package!

I bought one just for looks. Had one when I was a kid. They look cool hanging on the wall.

More than an excellent knife for the money

I bought one too. Couldn't pass it up. I will mod mine with JB weld also. Great test. Thanks Doug!

It is definitely worth more than it cost😊

I have one of these knifes, I put it in a dry box in my boat with other tools and emergency supplies. I could get stranded and need a knife like this at some point. The mod is coming for sure. I would get a syringe and use that to put the mixture into the area needed. Great mod for sure, once it fails if it does, then go buy another one and repeat.

Good insightful information and demonstration of the multiple wide uses of this outstanding base of an inexpensive durable ,practical, useful Surrival knife. You took the right action by reinforcing the blade to the handle with JB Weld epoxy. Gordon seems to be a Harbor Freight house brand of knifes. This Harbor Freight Surrival knife makes for an excellent Emergency situation Spear to deal with situations with dangerous wildlife. Just use a Harbor Freight telescopic handle with a paint roller handle threaded end cut out and reversed fitted into the hollow of the handle to secure screw connect the knife handle to the telescopic handle.

Sorry I missed the premier - full tang is the way to go - if that spine (tang) was longer you could have put it into a antler shed or bone for the handle , but you wouldn't have that little storage handle - cool vid 👍 -

I think the mod is a good one. Enjoyed watching.

What a fun video

It’s definitely sharp! I bought 3 haven’t used it yet for 8.00

Good job; but, I'd use some GLOVES when pulling/replacing that blade. You might be surprised at how fast and easy it is to get CUT by a "cheap" knife! [I've found it out the HARD way] 😉

I love what you have done, Doug. I have watched so many videos where people buy this inexpensive gear, and just poo poo it. It's totally negative. They also use the gear beyond its capabilities to the point of failure. Welll no kidding. What I want to see is how can we use this inexpensive gear. What it can do. Not what it can not do. Let's make constructive videos. Making a video that simply destroys an economical piece of gear is not helpful. Thanks, Doug.

Really enjoyed the video. Looks like with the JB Weld, it can be a great secondary knife or special use knife. It has the length for a bushcraft knife but bigger than i like for an EDC. I suggest checking out HF Icon folding knife. I've been pleasantly surprised by it and it's become one of my daily carry knives.

Doug, I think you’ve already gotten more than $6.99 worth of fun, Lol. Any time it survives past this video is icing on the cake, lol. Great idea to make it more durable.

Simple modification that works. I'm sure there are some other simple modifications you could make to this knife and make it even more reliable.

After removing Allen screw find drill size to go through handle make sure it's size for a sell pin, nail to be snug.. do the job weld and put snug pin through or nail and that's a double secure feature.. not my idea seen it on RU-vid don't know the man's name but thanks for sharing

Hey that was a good demonstration of a mod to a cheap knife and for your question hey man if it works for you that's all that counts it don't have to work for somebody else you make you happy that's all

Putting that JB weld on it helped want to do that to mine

Good job 👍

Good mod on that knife. Thanks for showing us. Take care.

Maybe add some Loctite to the screw. Great review. Thanks.

The epoxy made it a tuff tool, and your glance off the stump & into the knot hole was , super Rambo

3 simple mods for this knife 1. replace the blade with a full tang blade 2. replace the handle with a solid handle 3. replace the hilt with something that doesn't hold everything together with a set screw.

Gas lighter inside the handle is sweet spot, its very useful

I would buy this for the ability to have a robust spear and wild animal defense blade. The camp chores or digging is a bonus if you need a beater.

As a modern intellectual, I'm of the opinion that JB Weld and/or Gorilla Glue can and will fix just about anything. Also, I'd like to know what grade of stainless steel Gordon (the Harbor Freight knife brand) uses. I'm not sure if it's 440A or AUS6 or what but it seems to have a good balance between edge retention and fatigue resistance. You get a lemon more often than with name brands but, 9/10 of the time the heat treat is pretty good. A shame that handle's already so big around or you could lash some wood shims to the top and bottom to ovalize it. And, as an addendum, do NOT buy the Harbor Freight brand JB Weld. lol Don't trust it.

I have 2 of these and will definitely be doing the JB weld mod and adding tot he kit in the handle. Just might get another one too. Thanks much. Oh, forgot. When the handle is wet and hands wet it seems to be a little slippery. Any mods to make the handle more 'grippier'?

Thanks for the demo,gotta wonder if it can be sharpened if so will it hold an edge?

Put an inner tube over the handle for a better grip. New subscriber.

First thought seeing the partial rat tail detached from the hilt: a set screw? Secondly: if one made it a through bolt with nylock wingnut; the same hardware could be used to creat a formidable spear that enjoys more purchase via the hardware than the cordage bindings we typically see. Lastly there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. I have the same sickness. Between my wallet, pockets and “money belt” I carry more survival tools EDC than one can cram into a .75” by 3” hollow spun aluminum hilt. Nonetheless on long drives I daydream about the survival camps I could build with the perfectly ingenious selection of wire, a nail, some duct tape & matches in my $9 Harbor Freight knife (that was $5 until a few years ago)😉

GOOD TEST I didn't think it would hold up to what you done to this Knife...I have to say WOnow I still wouldn't trust this k ife but you made this 9$ Knife look like a 100$ knife..

Wrap some bank line around the handle, gives you some grip and cordage to boot.

rambo would be proud!

-pop the handle off your ferro -86 the candle. Impregnate your cotton w/ vaseline. Store in craft bag -86 the mini Bic. Replace with a spun aluminum peanut lighter (Amazon) UTILIZE THE NEW/ EXCESS ROOM WITH: -Whirl Pak H20 bag w/ 6 Aqua Tabs -2 needles -16P nail (sharpened) -fish hooks, swivels, split shot (in a craft bag) -Full roll of flavorless dental floss (minus the plastic case) -2 Lg safety pins -30 to 40 feet kevlar cordage 75lb test -22 gauge stainless craft wire (15-20feet) -O light mini (Amazon) Wrap the tools tightly in Reynolds barbecue pro heavy gauge foil like a chimichanga Equip the pommel with 275 cord. By wrapping it around a slender ferro rod core then overhand & wrap (like the stagehands stored sisal hanks back in the old days) it makes a 3.5 inch long bee that’s attractive and offers 15 feet of 275 cord. Now that knife offers a few doodads to play with while angsting about “why didn’t I tell my wife to call EMS at 7 instead of 8?!?!” 😉

I think you're on to something here. One thing I would have done is rough up the blade where the jb weld would be with a little sand paper to make it adhere better. But definitely, you are on to something. I have one of those knives. I'm going to do your mod and beat the snot out of it.

It seems little strange to see you so violent Doug,, lol. The way you were swinging that knife at the tree. Though your throws were Right on. I could see that sticking in a Black Bears Head while charging you. Just like Daniel Boon Shoe craft. Then throwing the spear.. wow... Better be careful you don't call in some wild attacking woodpeckers, lol or Sasquatch. Have to admit, the thing held up to everything you through at it,, pretty Cool . God Bless my friend my Brother. Amen Big Jim New Hampshire USA aka Boston Strong

I know I’m late to this party but I enjoyed your video and idea to toughen the tool up for some serious use! I also don’t see many guys throw one that accurately with that amount of force! Do you have a video on throwing by any chance?

That rainbow movie knife was a very expensive buck master😊

I just purchased one of these knives and I removed the screw but the blade would not come out. I shined a light down inside the handle and it definitely looks like it’s glued in place, just on the stub tang. Maybe Gordon glues them in now? 🤷🏻‍♂️. I smacked it on a stump several times but the blade wouldn’t budge. I ultimately put some loctite on the screw and put it back in the handle. It seems very solid.

Just be sure TO CHECK THAT SET SCREW! Usually quite loose from factory!

Wow! That's what I call a torcher test. Nice mod to improve a cheap knife. Go with God.

Great hard test. I'd have no worries using the modded Rambo knife. Pretty damn tough. The attraction of that hollow handle is hard to resist. It's an odd thing, as it doesn't hold much, but it's great having a survival kit that's always with you when you have your knife. In a perfect World, it'd be a steel handle, as Aluminium is fairly brittle, but it would be a lot more difficult and expensive to make.

If you remember, Rambo had to pound one out him self after Johnny took it from him. Steel is steel.

Enjoyed that one. Should work until Harbor Freight starts selling Randall Made Knives, LOL.

That was his knife. But I like your video so I definitely subscribed.

I BOUGHT ONE. FOR THE PRICE, HOW CAN I GO WRONG?

Great video and mod, unfortunately the matches may not survive all the vibration from beating. I played with the original cheap Rambo knives as a kid.

Cool video 👍👍👍 I've been using the CS Bushman Bowie. This mod makes me want to try your knife! Go Team Rambo 🔪

So how has it held up.. any issues.. thanks i enjoyed the video

With JB Weld, duct tape and bailing wire you can fix just about anything!

i had one of those knives i too probably 10 years ago changed some things in the survival kit as well however i didnt use that knife for camping it stayed in my fishing bucket it wasnt really sharp enough from the factory to be useful so i sharpened it one day after fishing was getting ready to leave took the knife off my belt laid it on top of my car it hit the the asphalt from a car moving about 45 mph i stopped to retrieve the knife but the blade and handle had shattered i only found bits and pieces of both didnt find the sheath at all the knife is ok and will work with mods but it most certainly is not a quality unit i used my knife mostly for cutting fish heads off (bait) and never any serious hardcore survivalist stuff it just cant handle that the materials just arent suited for anything heavy

Subbed.

💯👍

That's a overnight camp knife, but I wouldn't count on it for long-term survival, but if you were fool enough to have counted on one, when SHTF, its better then nothing , personally I got a buck 119 in my bug out bag, others to, like a Mora and a Kershaw camp 10 , still need to upgrade my multi tool but I got a cheap Geber from Walmart

Its good for in a cash if you are on a budget as its still better than a bone or flint knife.

You need to try the Rothco ramster...its almost an exact replica of the buck.very heavy duty.

In a true survival situation you could substitute hoof glue and I'd bet it'd work just as well.

Hahahaha I took a cheap survival knife with me to Desert Storm and was laughed at until on morning they caught me shaving with it. lol

This one has the adjustment screws the newer ones had glue they were welded the newer ones are stainless steel not a bad knife for $8

What about the contents in handle.

You made it into a full tank when your jb welded it

I think it would serve you in a bad situation if you don't have a better full tang knife if you do the modification with the jb weld.

Put a roll pin in the hole. Then the knife can be taken apart if you need to by tapping it out.

I have a feeling this guy hunts humans for fun😲

you sure had alot of fun for $9

Rambo also used compass

Is this knife stainless steel ?

Would the government want to limit us to 10 knives or spears

Good job Doug A good “fix”,but just for fun.