Survival Knife

[Irving]

That Bear Grylls knife looks really awesome with that stuff that he has in there.
I have a question about the sharpened back edge of the knife. I have a knife with a sharpened back edge, and I thought it was very cool. However, upon actually using the knife, it seems like it makes it a little more difficult to handle safely. In addition to that, I can still baton wood with it just fine, but my wooden "hammer" has a lot shorter life because of that sharpened rear edge. What is the specific purpose of that? Is it a combat thing?

EDIT: I also wonder about half serrated blades. The serrated section is so short, that it seems like it'd only be useful for cutting ropes and things of similar size.

[BigBear]

I have a question about the sharpened back edge of the knife. What is the specific purpose of that? Is it a combat thing?

Don't know a specific answer but here are my thoughts:

A back blade that is sharpened creates a cleaner "stabbing" point along with more "styles" (cuts/slashes/etc) to use if you are familiar with knife fighting techniques. However, the sharpened back blade is useless (in my opinion) without the blood lets in the body of the knife.

[StagLefty]

Sharpened back edges are more for a fighting/combat knife. In my uses such as batonning they can be unsafe. Also local knife laws may make them illegal according to the knife forum I frequent. The short section of serrations take away from the usefulness of a full usable knife edge JMHO. This is my latest all around camp knife set up

[hurley842002]

I know of many folks that have zero use for a partial serated blade, and I see where most of them are coming from. Myself however, I really like having the partial seration. There have been times when cutting rope, that I have attempted to cut the rope with the non serated edge, and it literally took a sawing motion several times (probably 5 or more), whereas the same rope with the serated blade, l was able to make one good cut, and was half way through the rope, and another cut and I was all the way through. If there is a possibilty you will be using heavy rope (rock climbing, rappelling etc.), I highly encourage a serated edge.

[Irving]

Bear, that is exactly what I was thinking about. Stag, I love that knife set up of yours. I need to copy it. Can you get all the components at the same place? What is in that pouch next to the fire stick? Compass?

[StagLefty]

Bear, that is exactly what I was thinking about. Stag, I love that knife set up of yours. I need to copy it. Can you get all the components at the same place? What is in that pouch next to the fire stick? Compass?

ESEE Junglas knife (outstanding sheath system)-ESEE firekit(button compass inside cap & cb/jelly packed inside with going gear striker attached)-pouch has altoid tin with fishing gear, band aids,and a few meds-Gerber camp saw ranger banded on sheath. I loved buying my gear before job loss !!

[Irving]

As soon as I get the green light, I'll post an awesome video my friend made for the ESEE competition.

[StagLefty]

I know of many folks that have zero use for a partial serated blade, and I see where most of them are coming from. Myself however, I really like having the partial seration. There have been times when cutting rope, that I have attempted to cut the rope with the non serated edge, and it literally took a sawing motion several times (probably 5 or more), whereas the same rope with the serated blade, l was able to make one good cut, and was half way through the rope, and another cut and I was all the way through. If there is a possibilty you will be using heavy rope (rock climbing, rappelling etc.), I highly encourage a serated edge.

Here's my answer to that-a Spyderco Dyad:

[Irving]

That big hole in combination with those serrations makes it look like a Cayman.

[hurley842002]

Here's my answer to that-a Spyderco Dyad:

That's a pretty good answer. My "survival" knife is a Sog Seal pup elite, and although not a very large blade, it has plenty of straight edge for my needs. I haven't owned too many knives that don't have some seration to them. Guess it's just a personal preference thing for most of us.