I am by no means an expert on knives. But I do love knives. Tactical knives, combat knives, survival knives. Pocket knives, tactical folding knives, fixed-blade knives. Knives are fun to collect and can be very handy in many situations. The survival minded person should invest in an assortment of knives to better prepare for unforeseen challenges.

Pocket knives are very handy. Swiss army knives can be customized with a variety of tools, such as:

• blade
• saw
• scissor
• can opener
• screwdrivers
• file
• magnifying glass
• pen
• tweezers
• pliers
• toothpick
• light

Multitools are usually based around a set of pliers, with different tools that can be deployed from within the handle. The options are similar to swiss army style pocket knives, but tend to be larger and more sturdy. My choice of multitool is the Leatherman Juice S2. It is compact and light-weight enough for me to include it in my everyday carry.

Combat tactical knives come in many shapes and sizes, folders or fixed-blades. Large combat knives can have a a double edge or single edge, clip, tanto, or spear points, and can measure up to 10 inch blades. These knives are designed for fighting, and are very strong and durable. Because of these properties, large fixed-blade tactical knives make great survival knives. Tactical folding knives are usually smaller, with 4-6 inch blades. This variety usually employs a thumb stud or ring for easy deployment of the blade. Many are automatic in nature, and flip open with the touch of a switch.

For a bug out bag, a combat tactical knife is a must. I love Cold Steel and Ka-Bar fighting knives for this purpose. They are thick and durable for use as an emergency hatchet, yet easily carryable. I carry a Benchmade folder every day, and I always surprise myself on how often I use it.

Very few items can be more useful in an emergency situation than a good knife. If I were to be stranded in Alaska and could only take one item, it would be my Cold Steel Scout Recon. Do some research and find a custom tactical knife you would stake your life to.