To answer the above question, we have to have a definition of what is expected of a knife in order to satisfy this "survival" thing. I've already made that definition in previous blogs here, so I'm not going to repeat it since I've written extensively about it.
Provided one has the knowledge in order to facilitate theirs or others survival chances, which is ones "primary survival tool" ie a cool brain, then having dependable equipment with you: which maybe the right clothing; proper shelter/tent; medical equipment; drinking water and or food, maybe your best survival tools.
A knife may not be necessary but would not go astray under certain situations. For example: where any cutting of objects is required (food preparation-not totally necessary but things can go a lot smoother and be less stressful with one); cutting vines to extract water; gutting animals; signalling for help by using a reflective blade surface to attract the attention of those in the distance, too far to yell at or whistle; the list goes on. However, the impractical use of a "Survival knife" and often romanticised : such as strapping it to a stick in order to fend off a charging Grizzly bear or Lion; defending oneself against hostile humans; smashing through concrete walls to escape your captors; killing big poisonous snakes etc., are far less likely scenarios. Where did I get those scenarios from? YouTube of course, which is overflowing with experts on this subject, apparently. Sorry if I sound sarcastic, I meant to sound sarcastic! I want to market the "survival jacket": Radiation proof, waterproof (of course, it goes without saying); gas proof; bullet proof (small arms only-to keep it light enough) and folds up into my back pocket!
But seriously, where does one need a "survival knife"? Firstly, such a knife should be just as reliable as the tent you plan to shelter in; the clothing upon your back; your backpack and the boots and or shoes you are wearing. I came across trekking in the Himalayas once a guy (a foreigner/tourist) whose boot soles (one of them) had come unglued quite some days away in any direction from buying new boots. He had fashioned with climbing tapes and gaffer tape (where he obtained the gaffer tape I have no idea)- but that was resourceful; a makeshift binding which sort of held the sole to the boot just so he could walk over such rough terrain. Chances of picking up another pair of boots if they fail, not likely in such a situation. I never found out the reason for the failure but at least he was able to improvise and get mobile.
With clothing, you can usually do this (improvise), even fashion some "sunglasses" from a bit of plastic or cardboard with slits cut into them. (though better to carry 2 pairs at high altitude, I did this once and while I never needed my second pair, they did come in handy for someone who had their only pair broken (an experienced ice climber- yes it can happen to anyone and we must always check ourselves). When I was about twenty- boy that was along time ago LOL, I couldn't afford a Gortex jacket like some of my uni counterparts (they were older than me actually- and had good part time jobs); I walked with a metre and a half of waterproof canvas (synthetic) which came from a company my dad was hauling goods for at one point. A straight cut in the middle and yeah (I hadn't seen it at the time) a RAMBO poncho! It sort of worked but if that killer rainstorm we got caught in once, didn't happen in the Summer (it was warm rain) I may have become a liability for not going into the wilds with the proper gear.
Now a knife of some sort is a little different because it may be impossible to repair in the field and or be rendered unsafe to use or dangerous to use in the worst case scenario. Or if you lose one then it maybe impossible to get/make another.
However, something as simple as loosing a scabbard: it got accidentally dropped into a fast flowing river, GONE! If it is not possible to make a makeshift scabbard then carrying an open/unprotected blade might increase your chances of getting injured at some point. Of course this can be avoided by keeping your knife scabbard strapped to your belt ALL THE TIME and pocket knives with lanyard holes are better than ones that don't have them because you can secure that knife to yourself before dropping it into a bottomless pit! That also means a lanyard hole on the fixed blade knife of choice as well. No lanyard hole, no "survival knife" or no way to securely tie a cord to the knife, no "survival knife" even if it's a knife around your neck.
That brings me to the point of "neck knives". I own them and NEVER carry them around my neck. It's a great way to stab yourself and or become a liability. I think they can be a great and useful knife, however not around your neck. This trend and it is a trend, comes from all of these, yes you guessed it, YouTube videos showing people with neck knives defending themselves against would be attackers etc. Have I ever taken a "neck knife" into remote areas? No. Better to take a reliable folder and a medium to large fixed blade, or a reliable multitool and a medium to large (large I mean up to 7") fixed blade, or a multitool and a machete if in the tropics. Why a multitool? Well unless you are naked, then you will probably have stuff with you, on you that a multitool can be an invaluable piece of equipment to have in order to make repairs, service devices such as fishing gear/rifles etc.
Does a "survival knife" need a strong thick tip? No it doesn't. It can't hurt but it isn't totally necessary if one treats their gear with respect. The Giant Mamba has a tip which comes close to that of the Extrema Ratio ONTOS. So where would such a tip be useful? Well, I'd say on long remote coastal hikes where you might find yourself prying apart wild food stuffs (easy to find in Australia) or prying Abalone off the rocks. Busting or prying apart (I hate to say pallets washed up on beaches for fire wood-make sure it's untreated wood!). A thick tip usually means a thick spine and this could be good cracking open the shells of crabs and lobsters and coconuts.
Sure, rocks can also work. A thick tip can come in use when working with coconuts (if of course you aren't carrying a machete/parang or the like being more suited to the task at hand). Prying open bits of tree trunk looking for grubs to use as fish or bird bait. Using that thickened tip to twist a divot for a fire bow drill (last resort for light a fire in my book-just too much effort). Going through joints of meat, no chance the tip will break. What about skinning with such a knife? Well that depends upon what technique one is used to. For me, I like to start with several cuts but do the main job with my hands as there is zero chance of damaging the skin from an accidental nick, so from this perspective I'm not at a total loss if I don't use a dedicated hunting knife, although, of course a dedicated hunting knife will be more useful for such work and certain hunting knife designs make excellent "survival knives" and "camping knives" IMHO.
I probably wouldn't take this model on remote trips in montane regions but more likely tropical and or coastal areas and as I just said above, I'd prefer to take a hunting knife hunting. Been there done that with various non hunting knives (just to test this out) and it can be done but is/was a real pain. Talking of tropical, I like the idea of having a western styled or modified Tanto because one can usefully affix the knife to a pole of some sort in order to cut coconuts out of trees. Sure you can climb the tree but it could be risky if you're not used to it.
So yeah, depends upon your skill level with any particular blade but I wouldn't fret too much if this was the only blade I had with me on an uninhabited island!
What are the advantages Vs disadvantages of not having any guards?
| Advantages of no guard | Disadvantages of no guard/s |
| Given knife will be slightly lighter in construction. | Possible to bang up ones fingers during cutting or chopping against flat surfaces. |
| Easy to place index finger or thumb atop of spine for better blade control during fine tasks. | Can not wrap fingers around guard/s in order to obtain a more secure grip of the knife. |
| Usually but not always better comfort and can not chafe hands if not present, especially if hands are wet. | lack of Guard/s can't offer any light/slight protection against fish spines. |
| Less likely to get caught up on things- knife handle more finger friendly. | Guards can be used to help secure a blade for many purposes (one NOT being making a spear!) |
| I don't believe guards really stop ones hands from slipping accidentally onto the blade. I've never encountered this on any non guarded knife I own. | Converse argument, the guards can prevent ones fingers/hand slipping onto the blade. |
| You can't have a Modified Tanto with a guard, otherwise it wouldn't be a Tanto or Wakizashi (for design only) | Handle material could be damaged? |
| Doesn't look so "Military" | That's the disadvantage! |
BTW I measured with some accuracy the depth of the Fullers on this Giant Mamba blade and it is approximately 0.7mm on each side, not a huge removal of steel, maybe just a few grams in total.
Now remember, there is no such thing as a "universal knife" just like there is no such thing as a surfboard good for all conditions and this follows that there is no such thing as a universal survival knife. Like I said, take the appropriate tool for the trip/job.
Extrema Ratio Giant Mamba in the wilds!
