try spiderco knives. store.tackletogo.com/spprogriists.html

OH and welcome to tribe!

Hello Rebekah, quite new myself to this tribe in particular and also new to the whole tribe-thingy as such. Interesting but still trying to find some people who are likeminded. Your question is a very interesting one and as i have been going on extended survivalhikes for the last 10 years or so i felt i write you a note with some of the things i found out over the years.
. you need to do several different chores/tasks in survival situation so you actually need 3 different kinds of blades.
. but definitely not in one knifepackage!!!!
. most of the tasks/chores consist of carving, cutting or others for which a medium seized blade is quite suitable.
. a sturdy non-folding blade of about 15 centimeters should do well. It should made out of one piece with a full tang and be kept absolutely razor sharp!!
. remember that chopping wood (larger than small branches) with a knife is very tiresome and can be dangerous. An small axe is much better suited for that.
. the materiel of which the handle is made must be comfortable to hold (even after a while); be non-slip materiel; not of a plastic-like stuff.
. do not buy a knife that is sold as a survivalknife with a build-in compass, 15 blades, a gps and the Lord knows what (excuse my language).
. think KISS (keep it simple stupid!)
. preferably buy a knife with a coating (to prevent easy rusting 'cause ALL metal will rust) but also one that you can use to start a fire (and when you have a fire, a shelter, water and food life becomes more enjoyable).
. and survival is not about starting that fire (although when it is wet 'n cold IT IS crucial that you do! Survival is about staring the fire within.
. being in the outdoors during a survivalhike is being close to nature and trying to find a way to be part of it and life with it. There's no other outdoor pursuit that gives you that reward.

Enjoy while you are outthere and never takes a change you don't have to (always have a back-up plan).

It's getting rather late here and tomorrow is another early rise but when i feel i left out something i will be back. For you, if you have any questions feel free to get in touch.

Take care, stay well.

Eric.

Dear Rebekah
I've had good luck using my Tracker Knife made by Topps. It is by no means cheap, usually costing over 300 dollars, but it is well made and VERY versatile. It now comes in two sizes. My wife and I have used it to create shelters, trim limbs, and she used it to make a bow. Worked darn well too. Another good knife, though perhaps not as versatile is the USMC KaBar.
I have small hands for a man, and will probably purchase the smaller Tracker Knife, and let my wife keep the larger version. If you saw the movie The Hunted, with Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro, that was the knife which was highlighted in the film. Though it was shown as fighting weapon, Tom Brown (whom I have the honor of knowing) designed it primarily as a tool making knife. It works.
You can usually find one or two being sold on eBay. Warning...they are devilishly hard to sharpen, but keep an edge for a long time once you do. I have mine professional sharpened when needed.
Good luck.

Rebekah;
The knife you will survive with is the one you have on you.
Often big fixed blades of any type get left in the car or at home.
45 years running around in Oregon and 11 years in the military, much of it in the field as an Infantry NCO, and I have always carried my Leatherman, always.
I just upgraded from the Super Leatherman to the new Leatherman Surge and am very pleased with it and am aware that other companies make a multitool, like SOG and Gerber.
Next I like to keep my Swiss Army knife close by for the tweezers, toothpick and keep its blades fresh for minor surgery and such.
Lastly a large fixed blade, I carry a Ruana baby bowie and I always carry a hawk(tomahawk) when spending a night out.
I see by the post dates that you have probably already purchased what you need but I would still consider a good multitool.
try www.Leatherman.com
They are an Oregon company but sadly do not do all of their production here anymore.
Bliss
Jason

Is a Current Issue Swedish Army Knife ok for a knife of that size?
It's 4'' Carbon Steel blade and olive green plastic handle and sheath.
The plastic doesn't look like it's the shattering type.

Thanks.

It's hard to find a better deal than a Frost Mora blade - 4" blade of carbon steel, long tang that's almost impossible to separate, all for only $15 or so. They do also make stainless blades, harder to sharpen but less susceptible to oxidation.

If you want to go high end, indeed if you want the finest sharpest most reliable blade you can find, check out the Basic 3 from Boye. Dendritic cobalt steel, so it will never rust, even in salt water. Easy to sharpen, but holds an edge for hundreds of cuts. And it will never develop a magnetic charge, so it won't screw up your compass! Downside? It costs $360.

I carry one of each (the Frost is a loner; the Boye tethered to me with a lanyard).

The original poster is long gone, but here are my recommendations anyway...

There's a bunch of perfectly good camp/outdoor knives out there. All of the major manufacturers - Spyderco, Boker, Cold Steel, Gerber, Benchmade, CRKT, Kershaw, A. G. Russell, Buck and so on have them.

My good friends and unindicted co-conspirators Chuck and Mushtaq make some excellent custom blades for very very little money. at Tribal Edge Knives - tribaledgeknives.com or tracelesswarrior.blogspot.com .

If you want to go up a couple notches there's Puma from Germany. For more money you can get into the expensive custom knives.

The gold standard for outdoor knives is and remains Randall. Often imitated, never quite equaled, hand forged in America. There's dozens of models. My favorites for serious outdoors work are the Trout and Bird, the #5 and the Pathfinder. Request a catalog and go to town. The waiting list is several years, but the deposit is only $20. You can find them at gun and knife shows and on eBay. Horrify the collectors by putting them in sheaths and using then :-)

The best all around knife design is the Canadian Pattern knife. The Canadian military has issued it since 1964. The elliptical blade and the unique grip look a little odd, but once you pick one up you'll never go back.

If I only had one and didn't want to spend a lot it would be the Cold Steel Bushman, Can't be beat for the price and will outperform many of the custom knives, made in one piece carbon steel handle has a socket so can be attached to make a spear easily, can also store other gear in the handle, cost about $30 and can be purchased directly from Cold Steel and from many other places, Google it.