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Cutting tools

This is probably the most asked question of all, and I'd reply "what do you intend doing with it?"

So many people turn up on survival courses with very innapropriate knives that I thought it would be helpful to offer my advice if you're thinking of buying one.

The best knife is, of course, the one you actually have with you! If you live in Alaska you can walk around with a 6" hunting knife dangling from your belt, but for most of us something a little more discreet is best. The knife I was rarely without was a Kershaw Baby Boa, which is a folding lock knife with 'only' a 1.75" blade! Thing is it can cut most things, it's convenient, well made and useful - with the change in the law prohibiting lock knives I have substituted a Case medium stockman, this is a traditional slip-joint folder.

Working outdoors, camping, fishing (or on a course) you have a good reason to carry a knife and in my opinion about 2.5" - 4" blades are probably best for most things and will still drop comfortably into a pocket. My personal work knife is a hand made semi-hunter (it has a decent straight as well as belly) knife by Bob Dozier, Arkansas, but there are plenty of good knives available at more affordable prices - the classic French 'Opinel' is basic but works, with a carbon steel blade for about £8!

The picture shows just a small selection to get you thinking about what knfe might suit you best for outdoor use: we have a 3.25" Dozier (fixed blade, D2 tool steel and hollow grind), a 3.25" Kershaw folder (very solid stainless, straight or 'v' grind folder), a Leatherman Supertool and my 1943 Cattaraugus GS bowie (5.75" carbon steel, fullers and 'v' grind). So what are they good for? The 1st 2 for game and light cutting - the Cattaraugus for cutting, chopping and camp chores is superb - the Leatherman does many things OK but did once repair a broken canoe paddle which can't be done with a normal knife!

I'm going to put more about this on the NorthRidge blog in the future, so visit there and if you think you might come on one of our survival courses and would like some detailed advice please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'll be happy to try and point you in the right direction.

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