| One essential aspect that we might not take into | | | | overkill, and it just adds to bulk and weight of the |
| great consideration, is the outlet and retailers that | | | | things you need to carry while out in the |
| people buy their survival gear from. Granted, a lot | | | | outdoors. |
| of the equipment offered by surplus stores are | | | | If a larger blade is absolutely needed, it is best to |
| at bargain prices and usually has years of testing | | | | bring along a machete, axe, or a tomahawk. |
| advocating its craftsmanship, it may not always | | | | When choosing an emergency blade, choose a |
| be a good deal. | | | | knife that is constructed with one piece of metal, |
| In the long run, some of the equipment will show | | | | with material attached to it to form a handle. |
| their true age and it may not end up to being | | | | These type of knives are called full tang knives. In |
| made from quality materials. It is best to buy | | | | a full tang knive, a blade merges into a handle. |
| your essential items, like survival knives, at | | | | This creates a handle that is comfortable and |
| commercial retailers that specialize in the item. | | | | easy to wield. |
| For the steadfast people who will still buy from | | | | Many times, the metal part is bare to economize |
| military surplus establishments, the four most | | | | between weight and bulk. A type of blade that |
| known knives are the Hollow Handle Specialized | | | | one needs to concern themselves with, is a |
| Best Survival Knife, United States Air Crew | | | | smooth or serrated blade. Serrated blades are |
| Survival Knife, the United States Marine Corps | | | | more efficient for cutting up synthetic materials, |
| K-bar Knife, and the good old quality sheath knife. | | | | flesh, and self defense. A smooth blade is the |
| The best knives need to be efficient and versatile | | | | most versatile and is the recommended choice |
| in an array of ways. Subsequently, the weight and | | | | for survival situations. This type of blade is |
| bulk also needs to be taken into consideration. | | | | efficient at cutting, chopping, and carving. Though |
| The best survival knives are somewhere | | | | it may not cut through synthetic fibers like a |
| between four and six inches. A knife of this size | | | | serrated knife, the smooth blade can still be |
| offers a good compromise of size and control. | | | | efficient. Some noted knives that are highly |
| Any blade larger than six inches tend to be an | | | | recommended is the Becker Knives and Fallkniven. |