Outdoor & Survivalists Spyders?? Your Choices and why?

[JD Spydo]

With all of this "Prepper & Survivalists" movement that's taking place along with the growing popularity of outdoor sports and activities you really need to ascertain what you yourself need or even prefer for outdoor cutlery. Spyderco doesn't even need to do a marketing blitz on outdoor or survivalists type blades because they have so many that can be and are used in those areas of need. Spyderco's H-1 Salt Series offers up blades for many outdoor cutting jobs but so do some of their upper tier blades as well.

Spyderco has so many fixed blades and folders that haven't really been marketed as outdoor, hunting, fishing or survival blades but on the other hand I've personally discovered a few models that make ideal outdoor blades that may not have been intended for such uses. For instance in the folder category I just love my C-60 Massad Ayoob and my C-36 Military model with XHP blade steel for outdoor and hunting/fishing uses and they are perfect for what I need. Those 2 designs cover a lot of needs for me but I also use Spyderedged models as well.

In the fixed blade arena I still use my two Temperance 1 models ( PE & SE) along with my Streetbeat which are not marketed as an outdoor blades at all.

What Spyderco folders and fixed blades do you all use mainly for outdoor activity and why? Also do you all use mainly plain edge blades or are many of you like myself and use Spyderedged blades as well? And tell us what you use them for mainly?

[Dodge]

Sadly, I use a Becker BK-16 for my fixed blade fix in my GHB. However I do carry my Tenacious when doing camp chores and eating. I carry that because its a cheaper Spyderco that can take moderate abuse (feather sticks and the like) and I won't cry if it falls in the river or if I tip it on a rock.

Now for actually prepping, my collection would make great trade fodder for things I need!

[josemfuente]

SE para-military si my first choice when going to the mountain. Prior to get that knife, I used to practice hiking and mountaineering with my DLC SE Native in combination with a Muela Kodiak Sandvick 14C28N fixed blade.

For survival raids I would use a combination of a fixed blade and a strong folder, but this is only my humble opinion.

[JD Spydo]

SE para-military si my first choice when going to the mountain. Prior to get that knife, I used to practice hiking and mountaineering with my DLC SE Native in combination with a Muela Kodiak Sandvick 14C28N fixed blade.

For survival raids I would use a combination of a fixed blade and a strong folder, but this is only my humble opinion.

Frankly I think you're game plan of a fixed blade and a strong folder like Spyderco's upper tier products is a very good one also in my humble opinion. I'm finding it sort of disappointing that the other Brother ( Dodge) is using a fixed blade that is not a Spyderco because I feel that the Great Spyder FActory has made huge strides in their fixed blade sector. I can't think right now at this time any better fixed blade on the commercial market than the SOUTHFORK at this present time. But heck if it works for him then I guess it does all right. I was a long time before I retired my Buck model 119 to my Spyderco fixed blades so I guess in a sense I know where he's coming from.

My picks of the Sprint G-10 Ayoob model and my XHP Military model I'll put up against anything else you want to throw at me. Spyderco's Temperance 1 FB05 fixed blade model will probably be a permanent fixture for me for some time to come>> because it's one of the few premium fixed blades out there that you can get a Spyderedged version of.

I'm sort of surprised that we haven't heard of anyone bragging about any of the H-1 Salt Series models yet. Because that sector is loaded with a lot of models that would be great for outdoor or survival type scenerios. Come on guys I want some serious responses!!!

[GoldenSpydie]

For backpacking to Gannett Peak (50 miles round trip in the Wyoming back country), I used this combo:

PM2 + Big Chris custom in M4

I couldn't find a Spyderco fixed blade that suited my needs for this trek. I got this custom from Big Chris with these three aspects in mind:

light--5 oz knife only, 6.5 oz with Kydex sheath
good steel--M4
5 inch blade
high, slicy grind but still good for bushcraft

I would love a Spyderco fixed blade in M4, but until then, this one is working pretty well. Of course, the PM2 is an awesome EDC folder for any task.






For other hikes/general outdoor use, I'm happy with just about any Spyderco folder. Here's a complimentary picture of the Manix 2 Cruwear in the wild:




For a hard use fixed blade for short hikes or just bushwacking around, I use the BK line as well as some Busse and kin. Here are a few pictures:

BK15
Battle Rat
BK17

[GoodEyeSniper]

My go to outdoor, camping, hiking knife was the cpm m4 military.

[JD Spydo]

My go to outdoor, camping, hiking knife was the cpm m4 military.

Can't argue with you there!! I do however wonder how that M-4 Mili would stack up against my CTS-XHP Military model?? Or is that a fair question to ask?
I"m sure they are both super. To me Spyderco's Military model is their answer to the Buck model 110. I can't think of any folder that would outperform the Military model.

But I'm here to tell you that the Ayoob C-60 Sprint model is a very agile, versatile folder. The G-10 grips makes it a completely different folder all together.

AGAIN!!! I'm finding it strange that no one has yet put up a Spyderco blade out of the H-1 Salt Series for outdoor or survivalists cutlery?? Yeah it's really strange when you think about it. I sure wish they would bring back the Temperance 1, FB05 model in H-1 steel in SE & PE like the original model was.

[MarcusH]

Mostly carrying outdoors a Bark River Gunny in CPM-3V, but if I like to take a Spydie with me, my top choices are the Bushcraft and the Chinook II.
Both have the perfect size for my needs and the Chinook is definitely sturdy enough for some heavy use.

[VashHash]

I'd probably go with the Forrester and the chinook 2. Chinook could do the finer things including shaving my face. The Forrester can be used for everything else. Even works as a hatchet with the thick convex edge. Great for defensive purpose as well.

[JD Spydo]

Mostly carrying outdoors a Bark River Gunny in CPM-3V, but if I like to take a Spydie with me, my top choices are the Bushcraft and the Chinook II.
Both have the perfect size for my needs and the Chinook is definitely sturdy

That Chinook II is definitely a tank of a knife. I really need to see mental health specialist for selling mine like I did. I had the Chinook II but the FFG Chinook III was the one I adored the most and I sold them both like a deranged idiot. I'm glad to see the Chinook model mentioned in the outdoor/survivalist category because it certainly deserves to be there. The Chinook III should have been a permanent, iconic model like the Military and Police models are because I don't know of a beefier folder. That would be a real dandy to run a Sprint in either S90V or D2 blade steel. I liked everything about that knife other than the fact that it was only available in S30V. But if they do put out a Sprint Run in a supersteel I'll even pawn my truck to get that one.

I also like the looks of that Bushcraft model>> it's one model that Spyderco has geared for outdoor/hunting/fishing and survival type use. I wish they would offer it up in something other than the O1 steel but I'm sure it's still a dandy blade. It will take a super fixed blade for me to put down my Temperance 1 model in PE & SE.

I would have loved to see what the Chinook III would have been like in Spyderedge. I think a lot of you guys are going to find out that a Spyderedged blade does have a place in the outdoor/survival sector.

[farnorthdan]

My favorite combo for back packing etc. is my ESEE 3 and manix 2 LW S110V, perfect combo, light and compact yet up to just about any task I run into while on the trail.

[Brock O Lee]

For really lightweight,
Tuff
Manix 2 LW
Victorinox Farmer




For camping etc, my normal EDC (Victorinox Pioneer and one of Military / Para 2 / Manix).

Then I usually add the following:
Koster MUCK in CPM-3V
Aqua Salt SE
Tuff
Victorinox Soldier
DMT diafolds and Spyderco Pro-files (not shown)




Depending on the situation I might add:
Gransfors Bruks small splitting axe
Silky Saw Pocketboy

[JD Spydo]

For really lightweight,
Tuff
Manix 2 LW
Victorinox Farmer
For camping etc, my normal EDC (Victorinox Pioneer and one of Military / Para 2 / Manix).

Then I usually add the following:
Koster MUCK in CPM-3V
Aqua Salt SE
Tuff
Victorinox Soldier
DMT diafolds and Spyderco Pro-files (not shown)

Very Impressive BROCK!! However I'm seeing a disturbing trend in this thread>> because it seems like virtually everyone one of you have Spyderco folders and good ones at that but you all seem to be using someone else's fixed blades.

The Granfor's Bruks axe is truly a great tool and I won't say anything negative about any of Victorinox's great tools. My Victorinox SWISS TOOL is a permanent fixture in all of my bug out and survival type kits and I doubt if I ever abandon anything of theirs that I use. They truly are great for no more money than you spend on them.

I've certainly got to take a second look at that Spyderco TUFF model>> I had sort of put that one on the back burner but I'm seeing it showing up more and more on these types of threads. Finally someone chimes in with one of the H-1 Salt Series>> I've yet to own one of those AQUA SALT models but I can see where it would be great to have along. You don't lack for much of anything BROCK and you even made provisions for good sharpening equipment as well.

[GoldenSpydie]

However I'm seeing a disturbing trend in this thread>> because it seems like virtually everyone one of you have Spyderco folders and good ones at that but you all seem to be using someone else's fixed blades.

Well, I don't have a sheath for the Mule, and thus I don't carry it, but here is a picture of my MT18 outside:

[Holland]

I'd probably go with the s110v manix2 and maybe a bushcraft

[elena86]

Always a Spyderco Pacific Salt serrated
Sometimes a Ghurka Kukri Jungle or a Condor Machete light
Always a Victorinox Camper

[GoodEyeSniper]

Can't argue with you there!! I do however wonder how that M-4 Mili would stack up against my CTS-XHP Military model?? Or is that a fair question to ask?
I"m sure they are both super. To me Spyderco's Military model is their answer to the Buck model 110. I can't think of any folder that would outperform the Military model.

But I'm here to tell you that the Ayoob C-60 Sprint model is a very agile, versatile folder. The G-10 grips makes it a completely different folder all together.

AGAIN!!! I'm finding it strange that no one has yet put up a Spyderco blade out of the H-1 Salt Series for outdoor or survivalists cutlery?? Yeah it's really strange when you think about it. I sure wish they would bring back the Temperance 1, FB05 model in H-1 steel in SE & PE like the original model was.

Probably near enough in blade performance as to be no large difference while outdoors. The two most notable things being stain resistance and the lock/ti slab on the m4 Millie.

Sure, theoretically cpm m4 is leaps and bounds ahead of xhp in pure abrasive wear resistance, but probably not as big of a deal in the real world while camping.

Both winners, IMO.