In this issue, we’re breaking a tradition. Typically, this column focuses on knives or pocket tools that are carried in the pocket and are photographed at a 1:1 ratio so they appear life-sized. While that’s great for most typical EDC gear, it shortchanges the reader on some knives or tools that are larger than the height of the magazine. So be forewarned, the knives seen here are larger in reality than they appear on this page.
While knife steels and knife designs have improved by leaps and bounds over the past 50 years, so much that a typical pocketknife can perform most daily tasks, there are times when you really need a bigger blade. These are the knives we want to reach for when we’re truly off the grid. Your typical EDC knife from CRKT, Spyderco, or WE Knife might be wonderful for cutting paracord, slicing open delivery boxes, or pinch-hitting for a steak knife. However, if you need to baton wood, make fire, butcher game, or perform real survival chores, you’ll most likely need a bigger blade.
True survival knives kind of caught
