I have a Survivor knife I bought at a sporting goods store near my home, and I went to home Depot and an associate helped me find create a auxiliary cap for the knife. I carried the compass on the knife when I went camping and removed the compass and switched it out a kept it in my pocket because I didn't want my compass to fail me. The survivor knife compass worked to navigate in the woods. I guess it helped to be a veteran and knowing how to survive in the woods, the US Army taught vets land navigation both day & night, using the stars to find the magnetic North, moss on trees, flow of rivers, etc. survivor knives should be made of great quality, a small hollow handle helps to store small things, matches, hook, fish line, small ziplock bag. The Rambo knife is 18" to 22" long. The saw can be used to cut small pieces of wood. Thank you for posting your videos.
00:00 Topic- Survival Knives. Definition- A knife with a robust blade, saw back, large guard, and hollow handle for storage of survival gear (compass, matches, needle and thread, fish hook and line, etc) 00:30 Main Features, History, & Construction methods 06:00 Review and testing Compasses inside the handle of the different models - Gordon (Harbor Freight) survival knife, Whetstone “Anchored Eagle” survival knife, Survivor 9.5” survival knife. Liquid filled vs Air filled compass. Button compass vs jeweled bearing compass (such as Suunto M-9 Wrist Compass) 11:03 Disadvantages of the handle compass 11:35 Review & testing the survival kit. Gordon (Harbor Freight) survival knife. 17:14 Possible modifications or alternatives for increased survivability. 19:25 Increased wear and safety issues from a loose blade (play between blade and handle) 20:42 Testing the saw on the Gordon knife 22:19 Waterproof test- hollow handle storage of Gordon knife 24:12 Throwing test. Gordon knife. 25:36 Chopping test. Gordon knife. 27:30 Baton test. Gordon knife. Safety concerns. 29:23 Alternatives to the classic survival knife (defined as a knife with hollow handle storage.) Other knives considered- Ontario Pilot's knife, Glock field knife (bayonet), Ozark Trail (Walmart) 10" Machete (Model 5031) 33:41 Cutting test. Ozark Trail machete 34:13 Chopping test. Ozark Trail machete 35:07 Sawing test. Ozark Trail machete 36:54 Alternatives to the Gordon survival knife. Knives considered- Dexter Russell “Green River” hunting knife (model 4215), Old Hickory Fish & Small Game knife (Kephart), Mora 511 38:06 Cutting test / comparison. Gordon survival knife vs Dexter Russell / Old Hickory / Mora Safety concerns when cutting wood with the Gordon or similar survival knives 39:33 Alternative saws. For example- Fiskars 7” folding saw 40:27 Final analysis. Why I wouldn't want a classic “survival knife” (hollow handled storage knife) 40:54 If you liked the video, please give me the thumbs up! Please let me know what you liked about the video, if you did. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Or if you disagree with something I said, let me know. Also, I welcome requests for future video topics. Let me know what you'd like to see. If you haven't subscribed yet, please do that. It doesn't cost anything, and it will make me happy. I'm working hard for you guys, so if you could do that for me, I'd appreciate it. 41:30 2 Thes 3.16 NLT
Just a suggestion for those not in the know. You chop live wood and saw dead wood. Live wood is softer, flexes, and will gum up a saw. You saw dead wood because it's consistent pressure so hitting knots won't roll the edge of the blade going against the grain and dead wood powders vs gums. This is also why you split wood with going with the grain to take advantage of it's structure against itself. The degree of build and quality of these survival knives should indicate what limit it has vs just the hype of owning it. If it's a budget survival knife then quality in most cases is overlooked to reach the target price point and profit margin, this applies to all products. The saw back on these knives aren't really to saw through the entire plant it's mainly so you can grid notches to lash things but also on dead wood powder dust for easy kindling. You "beaver chew" carve and bend/break larger wood and don't hack with such a hollow handle blade as it's using it within it's design. As we all know all knives are used within it's design parameters unless you're under major duress but then most of are to a certain degree preppers too. I only chop with a knife if my axe or machete isn't available, I try never to chop dead wood unless my saw is too inconvenient to get too, and I'd rather split wood with my hatchet over my knife. I know when I camp I take a machete, hatchet, saw, big knife, tactical folder, multi-tool, small fixed blade, and scatter some of them around camp once I pick a site. I'll admit my preferred carry is the machete, big knife, multi-tool, and tactical folder when wandering around but when having to do a task I try to use the best tool each time. Hollow handled knives to me is part of growing up with "Rambo" fantasies, I have and do carry it, but to be honest I hope it's not the only knife I have to rely on and wouldn't be my first choice (my small fixed blade mora) or only choice (machete) though if I was put into a position to only carry two it would be one of them as it pairs with any other knife (it and the Mora would be the basic two if I was forced to drop down to two blades).
I bought a hollow handled knife in the '80s and it fell apart the first time I used it. What a waste of money. Give me a full tang every time! Or a Mora. Thanks for the comparisons. Always enjoy your videos!
Don't blame the knife, blame the skill or lack of knowledge of the user. Anyone of these knives would be treasured by those in the ancient past as they wouldn't be abused and wasted. I've used survival knives for the last four decades among other knives, people push these things like they're full tang or solid metal handles not the hollow handled blades they are. The metal quality along would beat the crap out of many of the bones, wood, stone, and bronze tools that people survived and used in the past.
Great review Doug. Very informative. Waiting on a custom knife myself but not totally custom as the maker has made this particular knife before. The only things that will make my knife unique is the fact that it's hand crafted so it will still be slightly different to the last one he made, unlike mass produced knives. Also, it will have my logo laser etched on the blade. Full tang, 90 deg spine, and a scandi grind. I'll do a video on it at some point. On another note, the last camping trip I did (that we spoke about) ended up a bit of a flop. A fire on the property we were going to camp on ruined our plans. It ended up a solo camp out in a field behind a pub down near the QLD./NSW Border, then the weather turned sour. As it just has again. We are getting very sick of rain and flooding here. Anyway, thanks for another great video Doug. Take care. 😀
Agreed use the item within it's design parameter or mod it so it can survive what your intentions are. It always irritates me when I see people who know these are hollow handles whaling on them abusively wanting to show "it'll break if I do this abusively and repetitively..." well duh yeah it should but in a survival situation you are going to evaluate your tools and work within it's parameters if you know what you're doing. You can give the best knives, tools, etc but if the person can't use it or simply abuse it the results will be similar.
@@MrWirelesscalleryou cold definitely do those mods as a bandaid but this knife isn’t really built properly. The guard should be pressed on, blade should be threaded to the handle and blind pinned with a steel pin, then the entire assembly sealed with epoxy on the inside of the handle.
Yeah hollow handle Survival knives are a joke,...however the harbor freight knife,..... you can dig like chickory and Jerusalem artichokes with it,... for $10.00 I also use it metal detecting. In my back pack I carry 2 rose trimmers,....several lighters,... ferro rods, premade tinder,....just big pieces of plastic,... no tarps yet, several full tang knives, a couple canteens,...fishing string, hooks, sinkers. rope, 550 and some bank line. I have more stuff, but its practically the same in all 3 bag's. I use common man stuff not comercial$$$$. I'm only going to the woods for a little bit,... but I always plan on coming back unharmed. I love your honesty and concern about going out with the saturday night specials of knives. It's funny to me, if they were lousy gun's they would get banned? As always great video,... and worried about offending people with the truth. In the 70's I bought a bowie made in Japan for $1.00 I had it till I gave it to my uncle in 1992. It out lasted the survivor,... like a rambo knife. See as a kid I ran up and down a creek fishing every day,... and I used the Bowie to cut a stick as a pole. So the rambo knife was ineffective because I already had a knife lighter plastic and a rug in my bag and fishing stuff with me.
I had a black one. Gigantic 14" overall. 😂😂😂 I put thread locker mod on it, mini bic in the handle. Realized compass didn't work. So, my compass with a backup blade never went camping. No idea where it even went. Oh, yeah. The sheath was some Gawwd awful shiny black (vinyl?) Material, made me think of black tar roofing every time I looked at it . I think there was a stone, in a pocket on the sheath looked and worked like a school eraser. I think First Blood (And maybe bud ice) inspired that purchase. I don't drink anymore, (7/4/13 quit) So, I even realized That sheriff was a good man, who sensed a destructive element, tried getting him to just leave. I don't know if they make sherriffs like that in real life. But they damn well ought to. I could give you at least two reasons to call that movie Ideological Subversion, but, I just hope I made ya think a little. I was an 80s kid too. Red Dawn made us look at the sky for paratroopers, but, we should have watched Congress. I really did watch and like your video. Makes ya wonder if I could get a bigger piece of pipe, to make bigger handle, with a better compass, maybe a better kit in general, cause I really want $10 knife to be useful. I think I could wield a Pepsi can sized handle, put a throwing knife on the pipe, maybe size of red bull can, but , it would still hold more than this. Idk.
Nice review, but different knives have different puposes. HF survivor knife is similar in dimension to m9 bayonet and may be more useful for self defense against animals or possibly mounting on tip of rifle/shotgun to use as bayonet. About loose blade, just use JB weld epoxy glue to hold the blade in the socket. Holds up great even after lot of abuse. HF knife with aluminum handle is 99% better than most cheap knives with stub tang and weak plastic handle
Yes, you are right. Thank you so much. In a later video I put J B Weld on the HF knife blade and it's been fine since. IMHO the factory should epoxy in the blades. It becomes a different knife.
I have an old one, like the black, but mine have a bolt and a pin. And is not made in China. It has the sling shot and wire cut. Is from whitby UK fron the 90s, sailor in CR gifted to me. Compáss work well until today. So, if you can buy for the Real one.
@@DougShoeBushcraft well I dont know it was made in UK or Taiwán. But I have saw and feel the chinase ones, no Brand, the Rothco and te BUDK. And this old one is superior construction. Now for real survival I have a Mora companion and a the custom made Bayonet for my bolt acción carabine, but the time I use the withby, no problem, only the sawback was garbage, and needed a lot of work. He, he.
Yes, but I have to explain myself. I have never seen a large ape in the woods here (on the East Coast). I'm not talking about an ape, but a spirit. In my view, there are many things that Americans have put under the heading of "bigfoot." The reason definitive physical evidence hasn't been found could be because it's not an ordinary, physical animal. There are many things said and believed in the Tribes. Les Stroud mentions one (Bakwas) in Survivorman Bigfoot, Episode 3, Klemtu BC. I believe he's put those up on TH-cam for free if you want to look it up and watch it. I'm a Christian with a mixture of European and Native heritage. So my view of things like Bakwas is from another angle. But I don't want to get into it here and now. God bless.
With survival kits like that who needs enemies? That's some of the crumbiest survival gear I've ever heard about. Not to be uncharitable with the praise...
A cheap knife is better than no knife. But for survival, stick with made in USA full tang quality steel. You don't have to spend $100, but get the best you can. Carry a survival kit in your pocket. Go with God.
Doing a good job Doug. By the way, I found 3 old hickory butcher knives at a garage sale, $5 well spent. Thanks for taking time to teach . Go with God.
@@outdoorsaddiction1085 but since you asked,,,, check out your YT stats and you will see how much of your video is watched. I'm older so can hang in longer but I find these millennials want it now and quick,
I have a Survivor knife I bought at a sporting goods store near my home, and I went to home Depot and an associate helped me find create a auxiliary cap for the knife. I carried the compass on the knife when I went camping and removed the compass and switched it out a kept it in my pocket because I didn't want my compass to fail me. The survivor knife compass worked to navigate in the woods. I guess it helped to be a veteran and knowing how to survive in the woods, the US Army taught vets land navigation both day & night, using the stars to find the magnetic North, moss on trees, flow of rivers, etc. survivor knives should be made of great quality, a small hollow handle helps to store small things, matches, hook, fish line, small ziplock bag. The Rambo knife is 18" to 22" long. The saw can be used to cut small pieces of wood. Thank you for posting your videos.
00:00 Topic- Survival Knives. Definition- A knife with a robust blade, saw back, large guard, and hollow handle for storage of survival gear (compass, matches, needle and thread, fish hook and line, etc)
00:30 Main Features, History, & Construction methods
06:00 Review and testing Compasses inside the handle of the different models -
Gordon (Harbor Freight) survival knife, Whetstone “Anchored Eagle” survival knife, Survivor 9.5” survival knife.
Liquid filled vs Air filled compass. Button compass vs jeweled bearing compass (such as Suunto M-9 Wrist Compass)
11:03 Disadvantages of the handle compass
11:35 Review & testing the survival kit. Gordon (Harbor Freight) survival knife.
17:14 Possible modifications or alternatives for increased survivability.
19:25 Increased wear and safety issues from a loose blade (play between blade and handle)
20:42 Testing the saw on the Gordon knife
22:19 Waterproof test- hollow handle storage of Gordon knife
24:12 Throwing test. Gordon knife.
25:36 Chopping test. Gordon knife.
27:30 Baton test. Gordon knife. Safety concerns.
29:23 Alternatives to the classic survival knife (defined as a knife with hollow handle storage.)
Other knives considered- Ontario Pilot's knife, Glock field knife (bayonet), Ozark Trail (Walmart) 10" Machete (Model 5031)
33:41 Cutting test. Ozark Trail machete
34:13 Chopping test. Ozark Trail machete
35:07 Sawing test. Ozark Trail machete
36:54 Alternatives to the Gordon survival knife.
Knives considered- Dexter Russell “Green River” hunting knife (model 4215), Old Hickory Fish & Small Game knife (Kephart), Mora 511
38:06 Cutting test / comparison. Gordon survival knife vs Dexter Russell / Old Hickory / Mora
Safety concerns when cutting wood with the Gordon or similar survival knives
39:33 Alternative saws. For example- Fiskars 7” folding saw
40:27 Final analysis. Why I wouldn't want a classic “survival knife” (hollow handled storage knife)
40:54 If you liked the video, please give me the thumbs up!
Please let me know what you liked about the video, if you did. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Or if you disagree with something I said, let me know. Also, I welcome requests for future video topics. Let me know what you'd like to see.
If you haven't subscribed yet, please do that. It doesn't cost anything, and it will make me happy. I'm working hard for you guys, so if you could do that for me, I'd appreciate it.
41:30 2 Thes 3.16 NLT
Just a suggestion for those not in the know. You chop live wood and saw dead wood. Live wood is softer, flexes, and will gum up a saw. You saw dead wood because it's consistent pressure so hitting knots won't roll the edge of the blade going against the grain and dead wood powders vs gums. This is also why you split wood with going with the grain to take advantage of it's structure against itself.
The degree of build and quality of these survival knives should indicate what limit it has vs just the hype of owning it. If it's a budget survival knife then quality in most cases is overlooked to reach the target price point and profit margin, this applies to all products.
The saw back on these knives aren't really to saw through the entire plant it's mainly so you can grid notches to lash things but also on dead wood powder dust for easy kindling. You "beaver chew" carve and bend/break larger wood and don't hack with such a hollow handle blade as it's using it within it's design.
As we all know all knives are used within it's design parameters unless you're under major duress but then most of are to a certain degree preppers too. I only chop with a knife if my axe or machete isn't available, I try never to chop dead wood unless my saw is too inconvenient to get too, and I'd rather split wood with my hatchet over my knife. I know when I camp I take a machete, hatchet, saw, big knife, tactical folder, multi-tool, small fixed blade, and scatter some of them around camp once I pick a site. I'll admit my preferred carry is the machete, big knife, multi-tool, and tactical folder when wandering around but when having to do a task I try to use the best tool each time. Hollow handled knives to me is part of growing up with "Rambo" fantasies, I have and do carry it, but to be honest I hope it's not the only knife I have to rely on and wouldn't be my first choice (my small fixed blade mora) or only choice (machete) though if I was put into a position to only carry two it would be one of them as it pairs with any other knife (it and the Mora would be the basic two if I was forced to drop down to two blades).
I bought a hollow handled knife in the '80s and it fell apart the first time I used it. What a waste of money. Give me a full tang every time! Or a Mora. Thanks for the comparisons. Always enjoy your videos!
Same here
Thank you. That's nice to hear.
Don't blame the knife, blame the skill or lack of knowledge of the user. Anyone of these knives would be treasured by those in the ancient past as they wouldn't be abused and wasted. I've used survival knives for the last four decades among other knives, people push these things like they're full tang or solid metal handles not the hollow handled blades they are. The metal quality along would beat the crap out of many of the bones, wood, stone, and bronze tools that people survived and used in the past.
Real hollow handle knives cost anywhere from several hundred up. The cheap ones are not made correctly
Great review Doug. Very informative. Waiting on a custom knife myself but not totally custom as the maker has made this particular knife before. The only things that will make my knife unique is the fact that it's hand crafted so it will still be slightly different to the last one he made, unlike mass produced knives. Also, it will have my logo laser etched on the blade. Full tang, 90 deg spine, and a scandi grind. I'll do a video on it at some point. On another note, the last camping trip I did (that we spoke about) ended up a bit of a flop. A fire on the property we were going to camp on ruined our plans. It ended up a solo camp out in a field behind a pub down near the QLD./NSW Border, then the weather turned sour. As it just has again. We are getting very sick of rain and flooding here.
Anyway, thanks for another great video Doug. Take care. 😀
Thank you. I'm sorry to hear about the winter camping trip. That's too bad. Please keep me updated on the custom knife. God bless.
Apply JB weld to the tang and Red Loctite to the screw bolt.
It's same with gun.
I always apply blue loctite when I install a scope or a sight.
Agreed use the item within it's design parameter or mod it so it can survive what your intentions are. It always irritates me when I see people who know these are hollow handles whaling on them abusively wanting to show "it'll break if I do this abusively and repetitively..." well duh yeah it should but in a survival situation you are going to evaluate your tools and work within it's parameters if you know what you're doing. You can give the best knives, tools, etc but if the person can't use it or simply abuse it the results will be similar.
@@MrWirelesscalleryou cold definitely do those mods as a bandaid but this knife isn’t really built properly.
The guard should be pressed on, blade should be threaded to the handle and blind pinned with a steel pin, then the entire assembly sealed with epoxy on the inside of the handle.
Yeah hollow handle Survival knives are a joke,...however the harbor freight knife,..... you can dig like chickory and Jerusalem artichokes with it,... for $10.00 I also use it metal detecting.
In my back pack I carry 2 rose trimmers,....several lighters,... ferro rods, premade tinder,....just big pieces of plastic,... no tarps yet, several full tang knives, a couple canteens,...fishing string, hooks, sinkers. rope, 550 and some bank line.
I have more stuff, but its practically the same in all 3 bag's.
I use common man stuff not comercial$$$$.
I'm only going to the woods for a little bit,... but I always plan on coming back unharmed.
I love your honesty and concern about going out with the saturday night specials of knives.
It's funny to me, if they were lousy gun's they would get banned?
As always great video,... and worried about offending people with the truth.
In the 70's I bought a bowie made in Japan for $1.00 I had it till I gave it to my uncle in 1992.
It out lasted the survivor,... like a rambo knife.
See as a kid I ran up and down a creek fishing every day,... and I used the Bowie to cut a stick as a pole.
So the rambo knife was ineffective because I already had a knife lighter plastic and a rug in my bag and fishing stuff with me.
I had a black one. Gigantic 14" overall.
😂😂😂
I put thread locker mod on it, mini bic in the handle. Realized compass didn't work.
So, my compass with a backup blade never went camping. No idea where it even went.
Oh, yeah. The sheath was some Gawwd awful shiny black (vinyl?) Material, made me think of black tar roofing every time I looked at it .
I think there was a stone, in a pocket on the sheath looked and worked like a school eraser.
I think First Blood (And maybe bud ice) inspired that purchase.
I don't drink anymore, (7/4/13 quit)
So, I even realized That sheriff was a good man, who sensed a destructive element, tried getting him to just leave.
I don't know if they make sherriffs like that in real life.
But they damn well ought to.
I could give you at least two reasons to call that movie Ideological Subversion, but, I just hope I made ya think a little.
I was an 80s kid too.
Red Dawn made us look at the sky for paratroopers, but, we should have watched Congress.
I really did watch and like your video.
Makes ya wonder if I could get a bigger piece of pipe, to make bigger handle, with a better compass, maybe a better kit in general, cause I really want $10 knife to be useful.
I think I could wield a Pepsi can sized handle, put a throwing knife on the pipe, maybe size of red bull can, but , it would still hold more than this.
Idk.
Good video. God bless. From Glenn CATT. In Massachusetts.
Those knives with a Allen screw should get the Crazy Glue treatment ! ♈⚓⚓♈
Good video Doug , thanks for sharing , God bless !
Thank you, Michael. God bless.
Hey Mike God bless
Nice video
The best knife you can buy and get from Harbor Freight is the Buck 119 knockoff. I actually liked it a lot.
Great video my friend God bless you too .iv used these hollow knives I like em the good ones lol
Thank you. What good ones do you like? God bless you.
Aitor jingle king .life knife .explorers Taylors parkers and Parker imais all are stable blades the aitor is Allen set and cast into the handle
You had black and white ? We had to draw the picture on the 13 inch oval screen
Good one Doug.
thank you
Nice review, but different knives have different puposes. HF survivor knife is similar in dimension to m9 bayonet and may be more useful for self defense against animals or possibly mounting on tip of rifle/shotgun to use as bayonet. About loose blade, just use JB weld epoxy glue to hold the blade in the socket. Holds up great even after lot of abuse. HF knife with aluminum handle is 99% better than most cheap knives with stub tang and weak plastic handle
Yes, you are right. Thank you so much. In a later video I put J B Weld on the HF knife blade and it's been fine since. IMHO the factory should epoxy in the blades. It becomes a different knife.
Yeah little sharp custom knives are great, But I think of big knives as a short sword for stabbing a grizzl;y or something like that.
I have an old one, like the black, but mine have a bolt and a pin. And is not made in China. It has the sling shot and wire cut. Is from whitby UK fron the 90s, sailor in CR gifted to me. Compáss work well until today.
So, if you can buy for the Real one.
Nice. Yes that sounds like a much better knife. Thanks for the info...
What is the CR? I'm guessing a military unit?
@@DougShoeBushcraft no CR = Costa Rica. The knife is from UKs Whitby co. , Explora-kit model.
@@miguelvalladares1986 Oh, I understand now! Thank you. Thank you for letting me know the model as well.
@@DougShoeBushcraft well I dont know it was made in UK or Taiwán. But I have saw and feel the chinase ones, no Brand, the Rothco and te BUDK. And this old one is superior construction. Now for real survival I have a Mora companion and a the custom made Bayonet for my bolt acción carabine, but the time I use the withby, no problem, only the sawback was garbage, and needed a lot of work. He, he.
thorough comparison to other super affordable gear
thank you
ESSE PR4. Made In USA. Works well.
nice
👍
thank you
Buy cheap, buy twice . 👍🏻👍🏻
Buy alot more often than that I think. Those knives are garbage imo. The first set, I mean.
They must all buy their compasses from the same place, lol
LOL! I find it hilarious but also scary. I'm wondering how many people trust them and get into trouble
Have you ever had an encounter with Bigfoot in the wild?
Yes, but I have to explain myself. I have never seen a large ape in the woods here (on the East Coast). I'm not talking about an ape, but a spirit. In my view, there are many things that Americans have put under the heading of "bigfoot." The reason definitive physical evidence hasn't been found could be because it's not an ordinary, physical animal. There are many things said and believed in the Tribes. Les Stroud mentions one (Bakwas) in Survivorman Bigfoot, Episode 3, Klemtu BC. I believe he's put those up on TH-cam for free if you want to look it up and watch it. I'm a Christian with a mixture of European and Native heritage. So my view of things like Bakwas is from another angle. But I don't want to get into it here and now. God bless.
With survival kits like that who needs enemies? That's some of the crumbiest survival gear I've ever heard about. Not to be uncharitable with the praise...
Would be nice if you tried knives made by Aitor, or the Buck 184 instead of the cheap Chinese garbage that cost ten bucks.
No.
Thank you. Right to the point!
A cheap knife is better than no knife. But for survival, stick with made in USA full tang quality steel. You don't have to spend $100, but get the best you can. Carry a survival kit in your pocket.
Go with God.
Doing a good job Doug.
By the way, I found 3 old hickory butcher knives at a garage sale, $5 well spent. Thanks for taking time to teach .
Go with God.
Thank you. Yes, I agree.
@@BJGlenn-cg3gs Nice score!
42 minute video?... Really?
Yes. I hope you like it. I split it up into chapters so you can find a particular topic, if you want.
@@DougShoeBushcraft thanks
What’s wrong with a 42 minute video?
@@outdoorsaddiction1085 Not a thing and it is all me with a short attention span.
@@outdoorsaddiction1085 but since you asked,,,, check out your YT stats and you will see how much of your video is watched. I'm older so can hang in longer but I find these millennials want it now and quick,
They looks poorly made, but for ten bucks?? Can't expect much.
Good point