Hello everyone , before i got into prepping i had a hobby. Knives....
It ate away at a good portion of my time , money , and energy. I now have a pretty decent collection , and its always growing alas.
So normally , when people ask me what knife they should buy , i always ask them what they want , something for bushcraft , self defence , something low profile , easily concealed , something for throwing. I pretty much always reccomend a product by Cold Steel. I feel that they offer the most bang for your buck.
They have everything from 2$-800$ Knives , and everything from 350-3000$ swords. Tomahawks , Canes , Cane Swords , pepper spray , blow guns and more.
Here is some of my collection..
Showing off the edge of the trail boss after abusing it all day and then chopping a zipper up to get into a first aide kit. (zipper bound up)
Here are my 3 babys , 
Natchez Bowie (San Mai 3)
Trailmaster (San Mai 3)
Laredo Bowie , (San Mai 3)
I love these knives so much i got Bruce and Gina Good at redhillsheaths to make me Kydex for all three , along with 3 mounting options.
Look no further than the trailmaster for an outdoor knife.
Heres a couple of my Tomohawks that i modded.
Frontier Hawk
Norse Hawk
How much do i trust cold steel knives?
This much...
looks like you have some good quality hunting knifes there man, it's a very nice collection and should do you well.
Never underestimate the power of free! If someone has deemed something valueless, yet U see value in it; Then you've already made a profit and savings!
Like the Tomahawk, but I never understood the bowie. The bowie seems like a showpiece rather than a practical blade. Perhaps you could enlighten me as to why a bowie would be better than a kukri blade?
Gravlore,
The one point of difference between a bowie and a Khukri is the weight of the blade and where that weight is located. The Khukri is blade heavy forward, it was designed for chopping jungle. It will, in trained hands, relieve a sentry of his head. However, in a knife fight if you miss, that extra weight delays recovery time as the momentum carries the blade. That vital characteristic works against you in a straight up knife fight. The bowie has a more balanced blade, and although not as effecient at chopping as a Khukri, it is better in a face-to-face knife fight. Because you can quickly recover from errors.
If, on the other hand you have surprise on your side, the opponent will not know the difference.
Best to choose the one that feels better in your hand, than the opinions of others when selecting a knife.
Mountainman.
Good Explanation MountainMan , The kukri really is a solid chopper , pretty well unbeatable at that really , i have 2 or 3...
The bowie , is a do-it-all , it chops , slashes , and stabs (and shaves :))
It wont chop as good as a kukri for sure , but mountainman really hit the nail on the head in his explanation.
Yes but I can do all those things with my hockey stick...well maybe not shave. I would like an LMF II, but I dont need the serrations on it. Is there a knife that is the same minus the serrations?
NICE.like the tom best
All in the pics. looks amazingly great. 🙂
_________________
"Trouble can appear anytime that is why I went to brass knuckles shop. Because I need something to protect myself."
Now that is trusting your blade (and skill) 🙂 lol
Those rainy days you were saving for...may not be quelled by cash.
Yes but I can do all those things with my hockey stick...well maybe not shave. I would like an LMF II, but I dont need the serrations on it. Is there a knife that is the same minus the serrations?
Gravlore,
One option is the Gerber Prodigy http://www.gerbergear.com/Tactical/Knives/Prodigy-Knife_22-41121
If you truly do not like the serrations, with a flat bastard or flat mill file you could remove the serrations in short order. If you chose to use a grinder, please try to use a wet wheel type of grinder so you can remove the serrations without altering the temper of the blade. I suggest the Prodigy because it is from the LMF II lineage but at about half the price according to the Gerber Gear website.
Hope that helps.
Mountainman.
Gravlore... you may find something to your liking here.
http://www.kabar.com/knives/us-made
Gravlore,
If you liked the old LMF/BMF family of knives you can appreciate the Steadfast, the last of that lineage.
I have found this site, never ordered from them but their prices are very good. http://www.knifecenter.com/item/GB1120/Gerber-Steadfast-59-inch-Stainless-Steel-Fixed-Blade-Plain-Edge-w-Sheath
Cold Steel also makes good blades. As JustABear, pointed out the Kabar family is an option. I had a nice Kabar when I was overseas, but I gave it to a friend who was a big fan, they really like it.
There was a Gerber in the bear gyllis series that has a fine, non-serrated blade, but the orange hi-lights might be a turn off.
At Lee Valley they currently have a Mora Fire Knife, non-serrated blade and a fire striker that fits in the end of the handle. It has possibilities. Only $30. Have a Lee Valley near you?? It is a bit lighter than the LMF II family.
Good luck,
Mountainman.
Thanks for the recommendations.
I hear that Gerber is hit and miss as far as quality nowadays. Any info on that? I like the orange hi-lights since if I drop it in the dark it is easily found. We have 2 Mora's with the fire starter. Just looking for something a little more beefy but not a massive bowie knife. We have 2 Gerber Parang knives and I am on the fence about them.
That Becker Trailing point looks pretty nice JAB, do you have any of these?
Gravlore... I have the Becker Combat Utility as well as the Remora. They came together and fit into one sheath. I don't think they offer that deal any longer though. It is strong, simple, durable and does whatever I ask of it.
Try knifezone.ca out of Regina. I'm not an affiliate or anything...just a shopper of knives. The owner will not charge you PST. If you don't see it, give them a call and it will be put on the list. Yes the Prodigy will hold its own as I have field tested it in the Rockies and BCs finest corridors and still no problems. May I suggest though getting rid of the scabbard and making your own survival sheath with para chord, firestarter and sharpner, etc...