No matter if you’re an avid outdoorsman or an occasional weekend camper, one thing stands true; which is the need of a legitimate bushcraft survivalist blade. If you lean more toward the former, you likely already have a blade capable of getting you through tougher situations like becoming lost, or stranded in bad weather, or attacked by a wild animal, but if you don’t, I sincerely suggest finding a blade that fits your needs and desires, because you never know what can happen out in the wilds. For me, there’s no better place to find simplicity and peace than spending time in Nature, and although there’s always the possibility of something going wrong, you should never let that burden your ability to have an amazing, life changing trip. So, I make the best of it, which means I also come prepared.
A quality survival knife can save you from a myriad of complicated situations, and no matter how much you spend on a blade, even a simple, economical model can be the difference between life and death. A good blade can assist you in making a fire, even in the wettest conditions, or it can help you kill and prepare food, or fashion a shelter from whatever the natural world has provided around you. You will want to find what works best for you. Consider the blade strength and quality, of course, but also consider how ergonomically the handle fits in your grip, because precision can be made or broke with the shape and fit of the handle. Also, when choosing the perfect bushcraft blade, consider what need you have of it… Are you planning on hunting or skinning? What about chopping or clearing brush? Not all survivalist blades are created equal, which is why I thought it important to feature one of my favorite models by Smith & Sons Knife Company.
The perfect survivalist blade is subjective, but there are some aspects of a good blade that easily set it apart from most on the market. You want a thick, well-honed blade that holds its sharpness for a long time. Additionally, you want a strong handle, made of a quality material, that fits your grip, because there’s nothing worse than a handle that fails to become an extension of your hand. A comfortable, yet reliable sheath can be just as important as the handle, and yet they can also become a burden in the field.
I’ve featured a few different styles of survivalist blades on the blog before, and while I still recommend each style, there are a rare few that have stuck with me through my trips, and one of those is the Tataille blade by Smith & Sons. It’s a wicked cool blade with a high quality blade, a very nice and ergonomic handle, which comes outfitted with a high end leather sheath. For starters, the blade length runs 5 1/8” with an overall length measuring at 9 5/8”, so it’s not a massive bushwhacking knife, but it’s no slouch either. Personally, I think the Tataille is the perfect size, because it’s not too large to become overburdening, yet it’s not too small to be ineffective, even in the worst conditions and/or situations. The blade itself comes very sharp, and seems to hold its edge as well as any blade I’ve tested. Though it might be fair to suggest that you ask me again once I’ve tested it for a full year of expeditions.
The blade is sharpened smooth, with a flat grind and jimping on its spine, and the handle comes in three differing shades of Micarta. Although the finish of the metal is rugged and industrial looking, it is the sheath that is perhaps the most unique aspect of Smith & Sons work, because of its shape and high end craftsmanship. It’s strong, high quality, long lasting and beautiful, which seems to allude most survivalist and tactical blade makers these days. All in all, I found the Tataille by Smith & Sons to be a very solid blade, built to be multi-functional, yet provide the user with the utmost quality in material and craftsmanship. It’s a blade that will last, even through the thickest and most trying situations one might find themselves in when traveling abroad. I found it more than capable of slicing through thick brush, hunting and skinning, as well as whittling and chopping, among other essential and life-saving tasks.
If you would like to find out more about Smith & Sons Knife Company, click here.
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
The perfect survivalist blade is subjective, but there are some aspects of a good blade that easily set it apart from most on the market. You want a thick, well-honed blade that holds its sharpness for a long time. Additionally, you want a strong handle, made of a quality material, that fits your grip, because there’s nothing worse than a handle that fails to become an extension of your hand. A comfortable, yet reliable sheath can be just as important as the handle, and yet they can also become a burden in the field.
I’ve featured a few different styles of survivalist blades on the blog before, and while I still recommend each style, there are a rare few that have stuck with me through my trips, and one of those is the Tataille blade by Smith & Sons. It’s a wicked cool blade with a high quality blade, a very nice and ergonomic handle, which comes outfitted with a high end leather sheath. For starters, the blade length runs 5 1/8” with an overall length measuring at 9 5/8”, so it’s not a massive bushwhacking knife, but it’s no slouch either. Personally, I think the Tataille is the perfect size, because it’s not too large to become overburdening, yet it’s not too small to be ineffective, even in the worst conditions and/or situations. The blade itself comes very sharp, and seems to hold its edge as well as any blade I’ve tested. Though it might be fair to suggest that you ask me again once I’ve tested it for a full year of expeditions.
The blade is sharpened smooth, with a flat grind and jimping on its spine, and the handle comes in three differing shades of Micarta. Although the finish of the metal is rugged and industrial looking, it is the sheath that is perhaps the most unique aspect of Smith & Sons work, because of its shape and high end craftsmanship. It’s strong, high quality, long lasting and beautiful, which seems to allude most survivalist and tactical blade makers these days. All in all, I found the Tataille by Smith & Sons to be a very solid blade, built to be multi-functional, yet provide the user with the utmost quality in material and craftsmanship. It’s a blade that will last, even through the thickest and most trying situations one might find themselves in when traveling abroad. I found it more than capable of slicing through thick brush, hunting and skinning, as well as whittling and chopping, among other essential and life-saving tasks.
If you would like to find out more about Smith & Sons Knife Company, click here.
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
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