[Rourke: The post below was sent to me way back in 2012. I noticed it was no longer published on the internet so I decided to republish it here. Definitely food for thought.] What is a survival blade and how does it relate to everyday carry. I had a guy in a kung fu/FMA class ask me what was the best knife to use in a fight. I responded the one you have in your hand when it starts. There is no definitive answer to this dilemma. It all depends.
It depends on the day and what your level of EDC is. I had a knife sparring match with a man several years ago. He was a highly skilled martial artist, former green beret. I was trying to illustrate the point about knife-stopping power. We then knife sparred. I turned his arms and wrists red for several minutes. He then saw what I had done and found I did not have any marks on me. He realized I had some experience with knives. He then stated that he liked dagger-type blades for their versatility. I stated I agreed but to a point. I stated they were only good for concealed carry and not for battlefield use. He argued. I walked out to my truck and got out a dagger and my bowie knife. I asked him to cut the 1x 6 board I brought in, standing up on its end. He just nicked it with the dagger. I split it to the floor with the bowie. I demonstrated knife-stopping power. Knives are like guns in that they possess different levels of stopping power.
Go to the cold steel website and watch the cold steel kukri, one of my favorite knives, cut 11 one-inch thick manila ropes in a bundle with one cut. Watch the cold steel owner cut the head off of a pig carcass with one flick of the wrist. People, this is serious stopping power. Do I like this blade, oh yeah. But it is only applicable to certain carry options. I go to a much smaller bowie blade in a shoulder holster for other carry situations or to a dagger on the belt for concealed carry for every day.
But the point is I carry something every day. Be aware of what you want out of your knife.
Brett
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