Dogfather LE.

First thing I'd do in an urban situation is chop my way into a store that had other knives I needed.

I have a feeling my best survival knife is yet to come: Scrapper 7" !!!!

SAR5 anyone?

I haven't gotten a good enough feel for the SAR5 to pick that one myself. This week I'd have to say I'm going back and forth between my all time DFLE favorite and the Chopweiler which I really like for it's versatility and feel. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Survival knives can be just about any knife, depending upon the terrain, circumstances, and user. My SERE is supposed to be a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape knife. While it will cut and slice like any good hunting knife, the swedge makes it poor for baton work. The profile is more for combat than hard field use. In a wilderness survival situation, I'd much rather be carrying the Ratmandu or DMLE. But since the "wilderness" here is swamp and thick undergrowth, a light machete, bowie, or kukri makes more sense. The SERE would be fine for self-defense if I were an expert knife fighter, which I am not. I have modified the sheath so it carries close to the body and discreetly and it makes a fine companion knife for my little hikes. In the public parks and hiking trails, machetes and knives are not permitted, so discreet carry becomes important. For the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area, which is pretty wild and hard to access, the DFLE is my blade of choice.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />




I assume you are talking about the SERE 2000 with the 3.625" liner-lock blade that I have seen you post.

For the record, there are quite a few variations within the Al Mar SERE "Line" of knives including many fixed variations and multiple folders. Most of the older folders were lockbacks in a few different sizes. There were also a few button release autos. The old "Large" SERE Attack lockback folder had a 4.25" blade and was 5.875" closed - larger than the RUKUS.

"The S.E.R.E. knives were originally a collaboration between the late Al Mar and the late Colonel Nick Rowe. Colonel Rowe, founder of the S.E.R.E. school, was the longest held POW of the Vietnam conflict to escape captivity. The objective of Al Mar and Col. Rowe was to develop knives that could be used in real-world situations should the need for survival, evasion, resistance and escape become a reality."

All of the SERE line of knives had a "Swedge". And Al Mar knives tend to have a history of making more "combat" styled knives with MUCH less focus on Bushcraft styled survival.

I used to be pretty big into collecting Al Mar knives. But, since I found Swamp Rat and Busse Kin, I have had to sell off most of my Al Mar collection. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />




<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />






WHAT!!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" />


.

that's bull. there is only one survival knife, terrain, circumstance, and user. those are united cutlery, wild, on the run from trained soldiers, and rambo respectively.

Actually, I was referring to the 5" fixed blade model. There are signs posted at the regional and State Parks forbidding "knives, axes, machetes....etc". It came with the tec-lok which I hate. I removed the junk and rigged up a close to the body high-ride that is hidden by my fat belly and vest while I hike.




That is why I have rainwalker make high ride or horizontal carry sheaths for my Scrappers and others.

The SERE "Operator" is a great knife IMO. I don't remember seeing you post a pic of your SERE Operator before. You just keep coming up with new additions or digging up more and more from your collection. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

One issue I have with the SERE Operator is the same issue I have with the SERE 2000 - I don't like the thumb ramp. It is just in a bad place for me. I have often considered grinding it down on the Operator as well. (* I know you said the ramp doesn't bother you on your SERE 2000.) But, I don't think the knife will stay in the factory sheath if I grind it off and I am concerned about the scales. They feel hollow. It would only take me a couple of minutes to remove the scales to confirm, but after having this knife for 4-5 years, I still haven't. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

The scales are so light and if you tap them, the sound hollow, so I assume they are hollow. (????)
I usually like light-weight handles, but the SERE Operator might be extreme. It might feel too light in the handle. However, sometimes that is still nice - especially for lots of hiking and carry.

I actually like the factory kydex sheath. Great fit without rattle and not too tight. The retention is just right. Not too loose and not too tight.

I like the "concept" of the Tek-Lok's, but it sounds like we might agree with some of their short-comings: they are a little bulkier than I prefer and don't ride in tight and close enough for my preferences. I have a Spyderco Fred Perrin with a "mini" Tek-Lok, but it still doesn't ride in as close as I would like. - Otherwise another very nice knife. (* I also think pretty highly of my Spyderco Temperance and Spyderco Day Hiker <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> - I don't like thumb-holes in my folders, but I like a lot of other things about Spyderco. )

Short of those little issues, I think the SERE Operator is a great knife. But, for me to fix those "little" issues, after grinding off the ramp, I would probaby have to make custom scales and have a custom sheath made (????). So, it has been a drawer knife with "almost" potential for me.

If the thumb ramp doesn't bother you, it is a great knife as is. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Another good knife in similar size is the Fallkniven S1. I have a custom micarta handled one with a well made and "pretty" well fitted (slightly tight) custom kydex sheath. The S1 is a little larger than the F1.

*** Oddly, the S1 - even though referred to as the "Forest Knife" - also has a swedge... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />


The SERE Operator is similar in size to the RMD, but the SERE Operator much lighter.

But, if "light-weight" EDC type knife with a functional blade and similar in size to the SERE Operator and RMD, you MUST find a Bog Dog!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

The Temperance and Perrin are also lightweight and I like them both, but I would rank Bog Dog first followed by Temperance and Perrin for good lightweight carry fixed blades. If not for the thumb ramp, the SERE Operator would probably rank close to the Temperance. I like the handle more on the Temperance, but probably lean towards the blade on the SERE Operator (???).





Top to bottom:

RMD, Bog Dog; Al Mar SERE Operator; Fallkniven S1 with custom micarta; Spyderco: Perrin, Day Hiker, Temperance


Some other good 4.5" - 5.25" blades:



Top to bottom:

Bog Dog; Al Mar SERE Operator; Gerber Yari (older model); Bark River - 2007 Club Knife and River's Edge.

More:



Top to bottom:

Bog Dog; Al Mar SERE Operator; Sog Field Knife; Byron Knives - Elishewitz design; Greco MST


I would think the SOG Team Leader would be a good choice as well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> (???).

.

I would love a SY version of the Bog Dog. BTW, today for my walk I carried the DMDC in kydex. That's a brute of a knife in a nice small package.

+1

But, a 0.28" thick version of what was a 0.14" thick might change the dynamics a little. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



.... seriously though, I would love to see it if kept to about 0.175" - 0.1875" or so AND SATIN!!!


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I would also love to see a Bog Dog II Concept as well:


Under HRLM and above old Bog Dog and Ratmandu:




Concept Rats!!! - Rat Jack & Bog Dog II



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and the SS3.5 Concept (*** But, in SATIN!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> ):



<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />


...... while I am dreaming, could I have a Billion dollars, good health, life-long happiness, and a few other things..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

.

Here is some backyard 5" survival knife porn. I noticed your SERE is 154CM. Mine is S30V.




Look how close the SERE and the Team Leader are.



I see the fog is forming in the marsh out back.