My thoughts on the tv-show 'Alone' 'survival knives'...
There are [luckily!] no such a thing as the perfect 'survival knife', every choice is a compromise......
Knives are specialized tools and are divided roughly into three different categories;
Each knife type has its own purpose and right to exist-
A] Big bladed impact knives-heavy bladed choppers, smashers, [Panga, Parang, Kukri, swords etc.]
B] Contact knives- smaller, thinner, sharper blades for skinning, cutting, carving [Bush crafting or camp belt knives] -there are lots of specialized blade shapes and grinds available.
Most popular seems to be +_4-6 inch blades with a spear point or drop point.
[Good pocket knives and Multi-tools fall in this category-B as well]
C] Piercing/stabbing knives -also tactical- or fighting knives/daggers with the emphases mainly on a sharp stabbing point [bayonets', swords, combat knives, bear claw knives, slim stiletto knives etc.] -can be a fixed blade or pocket knife.
Not many that owned these type of knives are trained experts to use it as intended...
Then there are the legio hybrids in-between knives that try to combine 2 or even all 3 of these categories.....
For most of us hunters and campers, [ALONE watchers?] a category B-knife, maybe paired with a small ax or folding saw will serve in all our needs.
It will also for sure all depends where you are going AND your skill level with your chosen knife....
[Bigger is NOT always better...!]
In a real crises or survival situation, the pocket knife with you are of more value than the nice custom knife in your safe at home, and even a simple kitchen knife will then do...
Interesting to observe that from Season 1 on ALONE to now, the last +_ 3-4 seasons, it seems the preferred knife of choice of the majority of ALONE Survival participants has changed to a smaller [category B ] Multitool blade....!
[Even some previous winners of Alone used a Multi-tool smaller category -B knife]
Your thoughts on this topic....?
[photo for illustration purposes only]
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