i got a gordon 8-inch hunting/survival knife from harbor freight for under 10 bucks and it came with a small survival kit i was

[darkcodiak]

i got a gordon 8-inch hunting/survival knife from harbor freight for under 10 bucks and it came with a small survival kit i was wondering if it was any good and if not what could i do to make it better?

[pineywoods]

I'm not familiar with that knife or kit, but you probably got just what you paid for. I've gotten some surprisingly good quality stuff from Harbor Freight, but I've also seen some shoddy stuff, especially in the lower price stuff. I'd be suspicious of the quality of steel in an eight dollar knife. ---Then again, my Cold Steel Light Hunter didn't cost too much more than that.

[Bo]

I generally don't hold much regard for "Survival Knives" that come with survival kits in the handle. I have seen several and none of them had anything that was really applicable to the needs that I would be most likely to have in a true survival situation.
That is why I carry my own kit, it is tailored to the needs that I will be most likely will have in a crisis.
I carry a 3-4 mil tarp usually 8x8', 50 feet of paracord, some plastic clips for the tarp. None of those things will fit in the handle of the knife. I don't need the fishhooks that come with those kits.
As I said, each kit needs to be tailored for the needs of the individual. The kit that I carry when hunting in Oklahoma would be different than if I were in. say Canada or Alabama. It would change with the time of year also. I would not need cold weather gear in Oklahoma in July when I might be squirrel hunting.

[Taylor Pommier]

i once was given a "survival knife" for a present one time it didnt have much that would be applicable for survival a few fishing hook and some line and maybe a little cable saw. this helps a bit but can not be called a survival kit, also the steel in mine was awful was to soft to hold an edge for anything let alone a survival situation.

[fatindian60]

When it comes to good knives or good hunting optics, you get what you pay for. Always pay as much as you can actually afford. I would be very leery of such a cheap knife, re: blade material, workmanship, durability, etc.........

[30-CAL]

I think you get what you pay for. Try to buy the best you can afford. its hard to put a price tag on your survival if it is needed.

[Pathfinder1]

I concur with Bo, albiet for different reasons.

A knife with a hollow handle typically CANNOT be used for heavy duty (hitting the blade with a chunk of wood to sever larger branches, etc), since the blade has no full tang. This generally means that the blade could come apart from the handle rather easily during a period of "heavy useage".

Carrying emergency gear is an excellent idea. The handle of a knife just isn't the best place for it.

Bob Hansen/Pathfinder1