Chapter 20 · Tools and knife
20.2 How to choose a survival knife
A good working knife is simple. You don't need a saw on the spine, a hollow handle, or a huge blade.
| Feature | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fixed blade | No mechanism that can close on your fingers or break. |
| Blade length | About 4–5 in (10–13 cm) | Enough for almost everything; longer is hard to control for fine work. |
| Tang | Full (the steel runs the length of the handle) | Stronger. Hollow handles break. |
| Spine | Flat, 90°, no teeth | Good for scraping a ferrocerium rod (chapter 4) and it doesn't snag. |
| Steel | Stainless: less care. Carbon: edge easier to restore, but it rusts | In a humid climate, stainless forgives more neglect. |
| Handle | Non-slip even when wet, with a guard or finger stop | Keeps the hand from sliding onto the edge. |
| Sheath | Rigid, one that holds the knife by itself | A loose sheath causes cuts when drawing or when the knife falls out. |
Laws: the rules on carrying knives vary by state, city, and place (schools, government buildings, airports). Check the current law before carrying a knife outside your home or in the car.
