No I am not talking about an actual multi tool, I am talking Knives. They are one of the most used tools in survival and vital to have. They can be used as self defense, they can strip bark, they can help you start a fire, they can widdle and create whatever other tool you are missing, fork, spoon, bowl, peg to secure your shelter, parts for a trap, the list is endless. But the key to picking a knife is based what else you have in your pack. If you have multiple knives that are specialty knifes like a machete, or a small pocket knife that can help select your “multi use” knife. Vs if you don’t have other specialty knives you need a more well rounded but less efficient in all categories knife.
It also depends what you are packing the knife for, is it for a camping trip, a hiking trip, or a ditch bag in your car or house that you have on standby if something goes wrong.
The knife I like to bring camping and hiking and ditch bag, is the StatGear Surviv-All Fixed-Blade Bowie Knife with Sheath https://amzn.to/4ueXqII . Reason being, it has a wide belt loop, I like this feature because I have different size belts, but also it can attach to my waste pack strap. The end of the knife has a stainless steel pommel, this can be used as a blunt tool to finish off a fish, crush nuts, you name it. Has paracord wrapped around it if you run short when building a shelter whether it be an emergency shelter or a planned shelter extra rope can always unexpectedly be needed, has both a fire starter rod (flint) and a striking section on the back of the blade, as well as a cord cutter, also seatbelt cutter, and of course for the knife itself, it is a decent blade can be sharpened easily, goo length, and has a solid comfortable rubber handle so you don’t loose your grip, for me with smaller hands I like the rubber grip.
I have made a standard set of criteria that all equipment has to pass before it gets on my recommended list, sometimes there might be one fail, but the passes on the other criteria overpower for the amount of uses or benefit.
Lets break it down- why I recommend this product, how does it shape up on my mandatory criteria for my seal of approval
| Mandatory Criteria | Pass or Fail |
| Can be used for multiple purposes | PASS |
| Is it small or compact (or use to store smaller items in your pack) | PASS *for the amount it does and thickness yes it is small compared to other knifes |
| Can it be attached to your pack or can things attach to it | PASS |
| can it be used on multiple different types of adventures | PASS |
| I have used it and it works, tried and true | PASS |
If you are going for a hike or just a day out in the woods a small knife, that is sharp, easy to fit in backpack, on your belt or pocket of your cargo pants is a Buck Knife, but I have also put in my product recommendations other knives that are great for this depending on your style. I have Buck Knife and I love it. Fun fact you can also get your Buck Knife personalized with an inscription, my husband did this for me. I think this adds an extra special touch and instills you to use and take care of your knife with pride and more care.
To sum it up a knife is so multi functional and diverse and essential to any adventure- meaning a knife should be your very first purchase.
ForestGirl003