Introduction
A survival knife is not to be confused with a fighting knife. These are two unlike knives and should not be confused with one another. A fighting knife is much more analogous to a dagger. The fighting knife was designed to eliminate a deadly threat. A survival knife is a tool to enhance your ability or probability of survival in extreme conditions, most likely, outdoors.
The Bowie knife is one of the best known type of survival knives and could be the most famous knife on earth. It is definitely rooted in history with many legends and stories attached to it. The knife gets its name from Colonel James “Jim” Bowie the 19th century pioneer and soldier who was a prominent force in the Texas Revolution and was killed at the Battle of the Alamo. The knife became known as a Bowie knife because he always had his with him and there were many stories in which he used the knife to defend himself.
Let's talk about what you don't want in a survival knife. You will notice that many of these items are things people actually look for. Many folks follow Hollywood tips and ideas to do anything. It doesn't work like the movies. How many times have we heard that? And if so, why don't they make movies fit the way things really work? Maybe that would bore us entertainment addicts.
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Do not buy a double edged “survival knife”.
The double edge is a design that has been perfected for a fighting knife
such as a bayonet. The design allows for an easy thrust and an easy removal.
The drawback is that the tips on these knives are weak and tend to break.
Avoid Massive Knives
The bigger the knife, the better. Well, not for survival purposes. Knives that are too big are very unpractical and extremely difficult to handle. These large survival knives are for the movies, not reality. Can you see yourself constructing a shelter of limbs and such trying to make accurate cuts with a Crocodile Dundee knife? I don’t think so.
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Wilderness survival is tough. You know it and I know it. It takes drive, dedication and strength to master the art of surviving by yourself in a desolate environment.
This is exactly why you need an equally TOUGH survival knife.
Is It Going to Rust?
Well, it sure might and most likely will. The thing with survival is that you are in an extreme environment that isn’t friendly to the body or equipment.
There are some steels that are better than others. Although the topic would fit nicely here, I’m not going to go into it too much. There are so many opinions on this and a million tests reside on the Internet for your consumption.
The biggest point here is maintenance. Now, if you are surviving your tail off, you may not have a bottle of oil handy for lubricating your goods. And, even if you do, you will likely run out over time. What you must do is try to keep that blade dry as much as possible. The condensation and moisture will make your blade rust.
Now, your blade is not going to rust to pieces in a month or two. You may see rust, but don’t stress about it so much. That blade will still work.
To keep your blade dry, just simply wipe it down often. To clean it, stab it into the dirt a few times. (Note – This will dull the crap out of your blade though.) I know one of my jungle warfare instructor used to say that animal grease, you know, after cooking the little rascal, is a great lubricant. But, it also attracts the creepy crawlers when you sleep at night, or day if you are a vampire.
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Three ways to use your simple blade to stay alive in the wild.
1) Cut small trees: If you can double a sapling over using one hand (limber it up by bending it back and forth several times), you can slice the trunk in half using downward pressure with an angle cut. The sapling must be green and the pressure should be evenly maintained throughout the cut, although with larger trees it may be necessary to rock the blade. Support the sapling as the trunk weakens. It will be impossible to finish the cut if the wood splinters.
2) Create cord: Cord is a primary survival tool, essential for fashioning bowstrings, lashing gear, and strengthening braces for shelter. The hide of almost any animal can be rendered into strips using a circular cutting technique. Drive the knifepoint into a flat wood surface, then pull the hide into the blade in a circular pattern to make a long strip. A guide peg driven into the wood maintains an even cut.
3) Make a fire starter: If you can’t find dry kindling for building a fire, you can use your knife to make some in the form of a fuzz stick. Rest the end of a stout stick on the ground, then shave downward to lift curls of dry wood. At the end of each stroke, pry outward with the blade to spread the feathers. The end result will burn readily.