This fixed blade bonds a textured Kraton grip to the knife's wide tang of 3/16-inch thick high carbon AUS8 stainless steel. A drop-point blade six inches long gives the 10-3/4-inch knife plenty of plain cutting edge. The dark Teflon coating eliminates shine and decreases cutting resistance, adding to the knife's penetrating power. Drive it repeatedly through a car door, if you like, and you won't wreck this blade. The cutting edge will require some touching up after rough use.

Blade style fits hunting and camping needs very well, capable of butchering and skinning game or shaving down wooden parts for primitive construction. If you need to split some kindling or drive the edge through a tough carcass joint, select a hefty tree branch and hammer away. The Cold Steel SRK was built to take severe abuse, including hammering and prying. For a grip that stays secure even while doing the heaviest work, Cold Steel combined Kraton with a strong single-quillion forged bolster. The dropped bolster prevents fingers from slipping onto the blade even when stabbing the knife full-force into sheet metal or solid wood.

The 8.2-ounce SRK rides in a Concealex belt sheath with options for strapping the knife to any convenient harness or gear. A safety strap snaps around the grip and makes certain the knife stays in place.

Cold Steel also makes an excellent folding hunting knife, the Cold Steel Ultimate 61LPS by Lynn Thompson.

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Cold Steel New SRK Survival Knife Black W Sheath 38CK US $71.99   Auction Ends: 21d 3h 20m

Cold Steel SRK Survival Rescue Knife w Sheath 38CK US $72.59   Auction Ends: 22d 6h 19m

Developed for Boker USA and Wilson Tactical by 20-year veteran police officer Roy Huntington, the 4.2-ounce knife offers prybar strength and many application options in a simple 6-inch-long belt knife style. The Boker Plus Cop Tool comes with a leather belt sheath, which attaches easily to other gear or stores in the car for emergencies. The serrated cutting edge quickly saws through seat belts and shoulder harnesses, and handles ordinary cutting chores. The squared chisel point of the high carbon stainless blade slips into crevices for levering apart jammed doors and wreckage or stubbornly chips away at obstacles. For quick cord cutting, use the notch in the spine of the blade.

G-10 handle scales give the knife a non-slip textured grip that holds up against chemical solvents and stays tactile when wet. A finger choil gives extra purchase when slicing, and a hollow in the base of the blade fits the thumb when using the flat edge of the knife's point. A notch in the handle fits the valve of an oxygen tank. Exposed metal surfaces are bead-blasted to reduce shine. Thick high carbon stainless steel and one-piece full tang construction make this a versatile no-fail tool for any urban traveler.

For a larger knife with similar features, see the Ka-Bar Tac Tool.

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Boker Plus Cop Tool Multi Function Knife 02BO300 NEW US $41.95   Auction Ends: 18d 2h 36m

BOKER PLUS Serrated COP TOOL Knife Sheath 02BO300 New US $42.95   Auction Ends: 28d 2h 41m

Benchmade recommends the Barrage for boaters, rescue workers, and anyone else who needs a dependable multi-purpose blade which opens one-handed in difficult conditions. The 4-3/4-inch handle deploys a 3.6-inch drop point blade with nearly automatic speed and convenience. Dual thumb studs allow easy operation with either hand -- unlock the Axis slide lock, push the blade partly open, and the strong spring-assist swings the blade to the open and locked position. Once open, it stays there unless the Axis lock is intentionally released.

Benchmade uses 154CM high carbon stainless steel for the Barrage's blade, an alloy originally designed for industrial tools. The alloy's strong points include high corrosion resistance, shock resistance, and superior edge retention. Barrage knives are available in three edge styles -- plain, serrated, or combo. The 4.2-ounce Barrage includes a reversible stainless steel pocket clip for customized carrying options.

The Barrage's Valox grip depends more on shape than texture to provide a firm hold. The flared bolster prevents slipping forward, and the elongated oval handle includes indentations for your fingers. Ribbing on the grip is minimal, but the Valox resin has great mechanical strength and remains stable and chemical-resistant from 284 degrees F. to -40 degrees F. Anywhere between, you can count on it.

Try the Benchmade Griptilian if you prefer a heavy-duty, one-handed opening knife with a textured Zytel handle.

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Benchmade New Mini Osbourne Barrage Knife Combo 585SBK US $99.99   Auction Ends: 29d 22m

NIB Benchmade 581 Barrage Knife Assisted Folding Knife Plain Edge M390 US $191.25   Auction Ends: 19d 17h 27m

The Model A500 Offshore Knife has now become standard equipment for Coast Guardsmen, Merchant Marines, and anyone who works with heavy rigging. When you need the quickest answer, the Model A500 provides it. Only eight inches long and seven ounces in weight, the concave cutting edge is designed for cutting rope and harness fast. Machined and ground from a single bar of heavy 440C high carbon stainless steel, the A500 shows good corrosion resistance and holds a cutting edge well. Since users who spend long periods on the ocean can't get by with serrated blades that only get sharpened at the factory, Myerchin designed a serrated edge which can be resharpened by hand with a tapered round file. In the corrosive conditions of extended time at sea, some careful maintenance keeps the A500 in top shape.

The flat build of the Myerchin A500 -- combined with the versatile mounting options of its sheath -- allow sailors, fishermen, and climbers to lash the knife to gear or wear it on the belt. The low profile of the system reduces its chances of snagging on other equipment or catching on natural obstacles. The nylon fabric sheath includes a Velcro-closure flap that keeps the A500 in place in any position. String a wrist loop through the lanyard hole in the tang for extra security.

If you've been waiting for a serrated knife you can actually keep sharp, the wait's over.

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Myerchin Knife Offshore Safety Dive Knife and Marlinspike Spike with Sheath A508 US $79.95   Auction Ends: 24d 21h 45m

Myerchin Knife Offshore Safety Dive Knife with Sheath A500 US $54.95   Auction Ends: 24d 21h 21m

Possibly a company could build any decent knife around that selling point and find a market -- without the MAGIC system, this unusually styled knife might be more of a curiosity. But release the slide lock and push the knife blade forward with the thumb stud at the base of the blade, and the MAGIC spring-loaded opener swings the blade forward to lock securely in place. To close, release the knife's liner lock and press the blade back into the handle, locking the action with the slide. If it does that well, it doesn't need to be pretty.

With the rest of the knife, the company went a bit wild. The extremely sculpted blade features an upswept point, false upper edge, and a wicked combo-serrated cutting edge. The knife's handle still has the pistol grip look of its predecessor, but the machined aluminum frame with rubberized inserts shows fewer of the blocky edges that made the old model less than comfortable in use. Rounded contours in the handle of the SWMP5LS allow a solid grip and powerful control without all the unfriendly corners.

The 3-1/2-inch tactical black blade of 4034 high carbon stainless steel does have enough plain edge up front for normal uses and rips easily through cord or seat belt harnesses with the serrated portion. The folding clip M&P could be a good emergency knife for drivers -- a glass breaker hilt for pressure-smashing car windows is part of the deal.

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Smith Wesson Knives MP Lrg Asst Opening 5 SW knife Closed linerlock SWMP5LS US $45.59   Auction Ends: 1d 23h 27m

NEW SMITH WESSON SWMP5LS SPRING ASSISTED LOCK KNIFE NEW IN BOX SALE US $34.95   Auction Ends: 18d 27m

In style, the major difference is the finger guard, forged in the bolster of this full tang knife to fit American hands. This makes good practical sense if you plan to drive the angled point of this heavy knife through anything substantial, like steel drums or car doors.

The flattened oval handle also departs from the simplistic build of the traditional tanto, including a pommel appropriate for smashing car windows by pressure or by impact. That's a handy feature quickly becoming standard, as more people learn how to make quick exits from autos in a crisis situation. Alternatively, the knife is heavy enough to do real point-of-impact damage with the handle alone without fear of damaging the knife.

The Kraton grip has practical texture and a good look -- it's easy to get past the feeling that this is an artificial product because it works so well. The main point of argument about the Master Tanto from Cold Steel is the weight. This knife is 11-1/2 inches long and 9-1/2 ounces heavy. That's a little heavy for a modern hunter, and the blade style which works so well for piercing armor doesn't lend itself well to every type of ordinary work. It's more knife than most people will need, and it's a little too specialized for some, but there's no question it does what Cold Steel says it will do. Punch holes and smash things without worrying you'll snap this survival quality blade. It lasts.

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CONCEALEX SHEATH FOR COLD STEEL MASTER TANTO KNIFE SK13AN NEW US $32.95   Auction Ends: 22d 55m

COLD STEEL MASTER TANTO VG 1 SAN MAI III KNIFE 13BN NEW US $219.95   Auction Ends: 19d 1h 42m

Emergency situations often involve hazardous gas leaks. An axe striking a hard object could create a spark and set off a flash fire or worse. This professional quality fireman's axe isn't ordinary high carbon steel -- which makes one of the largest sparks possible and can be used as emergency fire starter, intentionally. The non-magnetic yet corrosion-resistant head of the Fireman's Axe won't spark. Both OSHA and NFPA approve it for use where flammable dusts, gases, and other explosive materials are a problem.

Another common dilemma -- the blocked exit -- is the reason the Pick Head Axe still is standard fire department equipment. Any home emergency plan has to include a way out, and this Fireman's Axe creates one. The heavy chopping blade quickly removes obstructions like blocked doors or walls, and the pick side of the head crumbles masonry and concrete block. The current AMPCO Fireman's Axe comes equipped with a non-conductive fiberglass handle ten times stronger than the wooden version. Many people who survived the hurricane flooding in New Orleans had a hatchet or chopping axe stashed in the attic, just in case. The AMPCO Fireman's Pick Head Axe is an even better idea.

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New Fire Axe Firemans Ax Firefighters Demolition 6 l US $19.95   Auction Ends: 15d 15h 36m

Firemans Fire Axe Head 13 long Marked HW underside of head Excellent condition US $42.14   15 Bids Auction Ends: 22m

The MAGIC acronym stands for Multi-purpose Assisted Generational Innovative Cutlery -- and that term does set a high standard for the Scooped Tanto. The 2.9-inch high carbon stainless steel blade has the dark non-reflective coating of a modern tactical knife as well as fast assisted opening triggered by a thumb stud. A side lock mechanism prevents accidental opening and allows quick release of the locked blade. The liner lock style prevents the blade from closing on the hand when the tanto point strikes a target. A concave "scooped" blade spine puts the point more in line with the thrust than in many tanto folders. The system should be dependable so long as the knife stays clean, but debris in the handle could prevent the lockback mechanism from working properly.

The coated T6061 aircraft aluminum handle provides a solid grip and protects the inner workings of the knife, unlike the open structure of skeletonized knives. The weight of 4.1 ounces is only slightly more than a more vulnerable openwork version. The combo blade's serrated section grips and severs seat belts and ropes, but the knife doesn't offer a safe harness cutter as most good rescue knives do. The butt of the handle houses a steel spike useful for shattering window glass -- aside from that, the MAGIC Tanto works better as a military knife than an emergency rescue tool.

The Smith & Wesson SWK M&P also comes in a variety of blade styles and colors such as plain edge w/ black blade, combo edge w/ bead blasted finish, and a serrated drop point blade.

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Smith Wesson New Military Police MA Black Scooped Back DPS Knife SWMP1BS US $31.19   Auction Ends: 5d 4h 14m

Smith Wesson Knife Military Police Scooped Back SWMP1 US $39.85   Auction Ends: 20h

The black oxide coated blade has the non-reflective finish that real tactical knives need and other types often copy. Military considerations also influenced the design of the sheath, which is built for silent work. A soft-grip coating on the textured handle and the sheath dampens noise as the Prodigy leaves the scabbard. Another feature of the ballistic nylon sheath is a friction release thumb catch, which locks the Prodigy in the scabbard until pressed. For anyone who crawls through heavy brush on occasion, that's a real plus. Adding a thigh strap to the sheath makes it even more secure.

Though it was designed with the military in mind, the Prodigy is a good knife for anyone needing a dependable but light survival knife or emergency blade. Seven ounces is a very reasonable weight for a good belt knife, so the Gerber Prodigy will be welcome on the trail as well as on the road. The butt of the handle is stout enough to be used as a window breaker, so the Prodigy can double as the emergency escape tool everyone should have in the car.

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Gerber Prodigy Tanto Serrated Knife Nylon Sheath US $39.95   Auction Ends: 28d 4h 59m

NEW Gerber Prodigy Tanto Military Hunting Knife with Camo Sheath 31 000558 US $51.00   Auction Ends: 1d 19h 54m

The 2.9-inch 4034 stainless steel blade of the Smith & Wesson knife has the black coating of a military folder and the armor-piercing tanto shape that today comes in handy when dealing with sheet metal and plastic. Emergency features beyond that include a window breaker stud in the butt of the knife and textured rubber grips for a solid hold in all types of conditions. A secure liner lock prevents the blade from accidentally folding on the owner, and the side lock allows easy closure. Basic handle parts are of machined aircraft quality aluminum, light and strong. The blade's thumb studs make one-handed opening smooth and simple with either hand. Smith and Wesson's M.A.G.I.C. system qualifies the knife as an assisted opening blade, not an automatic. Keeping it clean will be critical if you depend on fast deployment.

Handle design is angular but sensible, canted slightly towards the pistol grip shape that many builders imitate today. A stainless steel pocket clip makes the 4-1/4-inch tanto easy to carry and easy to find when you need it. It's a surprisingly good knife and an economical buy -- proof that, if you let them do their job, the craftsmen in Taiwan are as good as anybody.

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