My daughter wants a survival knife

[Katmandu]

I was piddling around today and my daughter comes up to me and says, "Dad, when is the next time we are going to go to a gun show?"

I said, "Well, we can go soon, what is it that you liked about the gun shows?"

She said, "The knives".

So I said, "You mean like my Ka-bar?"

And she said, "No probably something smaller than that, with a sheath that I can wear on my hip".

So as a proud dad I said "I think we can make that happen".

So the only thing I need to figure out is what is a high-quality, smaller, fixed blade survival knife with sheath that would be good for a small stature young lady (something that she could carry many many years into the future)? Any suggestions?

[midnight rambler]

Cold Steel is a good value imo. That's one option.

[k-os]

You must be so proud, Katmandu. Very cool.

[Glass]

a buck knife like Daniel Boone? A switz(sic) army knife?

[Katmandu]

You must be so proud, Katmandu. Very cool.

Very much so, k-os. And it turns out this is gonna be a "like father, like daughter" occasion. After I said yes, she went and spent a couple hours searching on the internet and decided on a shorter Kabar, the 9.25" with leather sheath. These are on the pricy side, but really good quality. If she takes reasonable care of it, she will have it into her 20s, 30s, 40s, ....

[Hillbilly]

A Mora Scout would make a great survival knife for your Daughter.

[big country]

Mora's are CHEAP (money wise $10-30 depending on model) but are very good knives. Easy to sharpen, comfortable to use and hold, and razor sharp out of the box.

I REALLY like ESEE knives (http://www.eseeknives.com/index2.htm) though. They have a lifetime warranty for ANY damage, even abuse. Using the knife as a screwdriver and break the tip? No problem, they'll replace it. Need to pry open that ammo can? No problem, damage the knife and they will replace it.
If you're looking for small check out the esee 3 (http://www.eseeknives.com/rc-3.htm) or even smaller the Izula (http://www.eseeknives.com/neck_knife.htm) or candiru (http://www.eseeknives.com/candiru.htm). These are world class "production" knives though and they carry that price. $80-180 depending on model


EDIT: Wanted to add, unless there are real knife dealers at your gunshows please, please, PLEASE, do not buy her a "gunshow knife". Nearly every knife I've seen at gunshows are junk - especially the hollow handled "survival" knifes. If you're going to buy a knife at a gunshow stick to the brand names.

[Katmandu]

Mora's are CHEAP (money wise $10-30 depending on model) but are very good knives. Easy to sharpen, comfortable to use and hold, and razor sharp out of the box.

I REALLY like ESEE knives (http://www.eseeknives.com/index2.htm) though. They have a lifetime warranty for ANY damage, even abuse. Using the knife as a screwdriver and break the tip? No problem, they'll replace it. Need to pry open that ammo can? No problem, damage the knife and they will replace it.
If you're looking for small check out the esee 3 (http://www.eseeknives.com/rc-3.htm) or even smaller the Izula (http://www.eseeknives.com/neck_knife.htm) or candiru (http://www.eseeknives.com/candiru.htm). These are world class "production" knives though and they carry that price. $80-180 depending on model

EDIT: Wanted to add, unless there are real knife dealers at your gunshows please, please, PLEASE, do not buy her a "gunshow knife". Nearly every knife I've seen at gunshows are junk - especially the hollow handled "survival" knifes. If you're going to buy a knife at a gunshow stick to the brand names.

Thanks for the recommendation on ESEE Big Country. I agree with you about gun show knives, unless like you said, you know you are buying a genuine high quality brand. I purchased my 12" Kabar at a gun show, excellent knife, but I also see lots of crap knives there too.

[Hillbilly]

You know a good survival knife does not have to be a fixed blade either. I good sturdy lockback knife can do tones of work and is more easily carried on a belt or in a pocket.

[Katmandu]

You know a good survival knife does not have to be a fixed blade either. I good sturdy lockback knife can do tones of work and is more easily carried on a belt or in a pocket.

Great point. I like having both; and likewise my daughter!:)

[freespirit]

this blade has either been on my hip or within arms reach ever since i bought it...
for $65cad i have been quite pleased with its performance. the only thing i would change would be the molded rubber grip on the handle. Although it provides excellent grip wet or dry, and is showing no signs of wear yet, i think i will re-wrap it with rawhide when the time comes...

3454

[willie pete]

Ontario Knife Co. should be looked at, I have a couple of their Rangers Series, they're heavy with nice thick (0.25") blades...

http://www.ontarioknife.com/catalog/lock/Fixed