The MOD Survival knife, old school bushcraft

Here i use the Mod knife for firelighting tasks.

[@bushcraft_in_the_north]

It is of coarse left handed because it is a millitary knife, you have the pistol on your right hip. Or a rifle over your right shoulder and clank clank all day,not very stealthy. That is also why i like to have a knife on the left to. It is finally spring here in Norway to, and so looking forward to the outdoors life and lots of knife.

[@robthompson1399]

Lefty suits me ! 😂

[@howardvarley8795]

It looks like a hell of an effective knife to start with but I think, for what its worth, that your idea of changing it to sabre grind and fitting micarta handles would make it even better - I'd love to see that!

[@jurgenkrebbekx4329]

Cool vid about a cool old scool knife Rob,I suppose they know what they’re doing there in Sheffield 😃 some mods to make them even better is always a benefit, looking forward to the next vid

[@Maryland_Kulak]

I’m in the USA so I had a hard time finding one of those knives but I finally got one!

[@stuartmartin6045]

Probably the MOST Welsh accent I’ve ever heard!! 😅

[@insanogeddon]

Left hand sheath as gun goes on right balances things out some and each hand has access to something that can poke holes.

[@BlackthornBushcraft]

I've always regretted selling mine on but can't justify buying another when my kukri does all the big jobs.

[@oliverhughes7474]

Great unbiased review for a practical workhorse I'm fond of (solid advice about the match use and agree with your opinion of the GSI kettle)! In addition to your mention, I notice a few people have also commented on the left-handed sheath. I haven't looked through all the comments, but as it appears no-one else has stated, I'll say it as it was explained to me when I was serving, the British military issued these (in addition to other tools) with sheaths to be worn on the left because a good rifleman would always be carrying their SA80 in their right hand... (The SA80 is only operable left-handed by people who don't favour their existing facial configuration :)

[@outdoorsluke]

im not military myself not even left handed but my knife is always on my left hip, prefer the access it provides, getting it from the same side as the hand you use is awkward for me

[@centurycity]

Excellent a very interesting and informative video on this knife. Many thanks.

[@168Diplomat]

I have been using one of those for 30+ years. I had to take the coating off of mine for a couple of inches to get it to spark but it will spark.

[@richardskinner4198]

Blimey ! I thought I was the only one who has actually used one of these for so long ,nice to meet you and you are of course perfectly correct .😀

[@168Diplomat]

@@richardskinner4198 thank you sir. Glad to know that I am not the only one who has chosen this tool. Have a good one and enjoy

[@BWORKZ_SouthWales]

I was told on a survival course while serving, that the reason they're left handed was our individual weapon had to fired from the right shoulder.... I have never believed it for a moment but hopefully someone has the real reason? I think it's likely that for some reason it's cheaper for them to make 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Some bell-end 50 years ago probably cocked up and no one thought to change it!

[@BWORKZ_SouthWales]

@@RobEvansWoodsman sounds more likely 😂 lol

[@gerardvanengelen9001]

I have one too for a long time. Great knife. Go to knife for splitting wood at home.

[@daemonharper3928]

Aww the MOD monster! - glad you made this vid, great stuff as usual. I think with some minor work it'd be a quite usable camp knife / survival knife. I wonder what steel it is? 1070 or similar at a guess. Just goes to show - a prybar with an edge still has a place and damn, if you were stranded and had one you'd make the most of it and be grateful it was there. The sheath reminds me of my first flimsy, ill fitting efforts 🤣😂 Love the sulphur smell of those old matches.....

[@zulvalor7266]

Check the ones on etsy already modified they're awesome

[@CandidZulu]

I bet the left handed sheath makes sense when it's carried on a combat rig. There's no where else to put it.

[@anthonyadams2891]

Cracking video Rob really enjoyed thanks buddy

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Cheers mate

[@James-ke5sx]

I keep this knife in my emergency kit especially for winter. I don't know if I'm right or wrong but it seems like this is a scandi grind.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

It is a scandi grind, why I don't know.

[@Del350K4]

What an interesting video!

[@GreySquirrelly1016]

So what size of inner tube did you use for this? I’ve ended up buying a wood handle one from JAdams Ltd, marked on the handle. I have not altered the handle, the first bit of tube I bought was WAY too small lol

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I'm really sorry but I don't know for sure, it was probably from a mountain bike so up to 2.1" but it was a bit loose on the handle.

[@bernhard7658]

👍👍👍 I bought an MOD recently and I put it in a British Army bayonet frog. Fits fine, not perfect, but a lot better than that flimsy thing. Beside that, the bayonet frog is a perfect sheath for the Skrama. Both sizes.

[@soggz4246]

Hi. Great vid,great bit of kit. Don’t Kombat UK make a copy of this knife? Have you ever seen it and is it any/as good as this one? All the best.👍🏾🇬🇧

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I know the knife but I've never used one, I haven't heard that they are bad.

[@stevenhall3456]

Rob love your videos, well done keep up the good work. Just a thought, why don't you rig up a batton holder/sheath to side of chopping block? Saves dropping it on the floor and having to bend to pick it up again 😶. Again thanks and well done 👏

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Good idea, I am getting on a bit and all that bending over can't be good 😜

[@dennisleighton2812]

Love seeing the use of the chain to suspend the kettle. At Scouts we'd use some old mattress chain - always some lying around in those days. I've used it a lot over the years. [By prying open the last link and reversing it, you get a nice hook that you can hook into any other links.] Those feathersticks are amazing! Seems to depend more on the skill than the quality of the knife (provided it has some sort of reasonable edge. Would this be accurate? ) That MOD is very enticing! Now off to watch the Queen's funeral with the Missus!

[@tennesseesmoky9012]

Thank you for the demonstration of this knife. - Tennessee Smoky

[@martinoutdoors6941]

I thought for a moment you were hoping to hate the mod knife, glad you liked it in the end, I’ve sharpened mine scandi style and it’s split wood dug holes and I’ve got good sparks from a ferro rod. Other then cutting down the finger guard I’ve left as is. It’s a great tool well worth the money. Great video Rob let’s we see the old mod knife out more often especially in the new sheath. 👍👍👍

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I knew it would be ok but didn't realize that It would perform that well.

[@HARMARSCH2]

I had this knife till someone stole it when they broke into my house, it was a birthday present from my friends. I found the handle slippery and used black Hockey StIck tape on it, I had my Dad put the tape on because he could tape the handle smooth even overlapping the tape.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Sorry that some piece of shit broke into your house and stole your knife.

[@grahamwinter5536]

@@RobEvansWoodsman Had that experience as well, lost my entire knife collection 2 years ago 😡😭

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

that's awful mate, where do you live?

[@grahamwinter5536]

@@RobEvansWoodsman South Africa mate.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Of course you do, you mentioned it before. Sorry I forgot.

[@DWMurry]

Awesome video! Never had or used the MOD. But from the look of it, i think it would be a good camp knife if a guy put a good even convex edge on it. Appears to be very solid built... What was the vibration like when you were doing the chopping?

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Minimal but it has been rehandled and has rubber over it, I wouldn't chop much anyway, waste of calories and kills an edge.

[@bigsi661]

Nice oneRob, I enjoyed the video as always. Regret selling my MOD knife so I think I'll be looking for another. Cheap workhorse. You're right about the sheath. I still also have my match safe, made by Marbles in America, filled with Swan Vestas.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Bloody EU bollocks taking our matches!

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

Decent lookin knife to, keep it simple, don’t fix what’s not broke kinda thing.

[@boola69]

So nice to watch a video that is fluent, without ums,arrs ,errs and big pauses. So easy to watch and a great video that has convinced me I need one of these pigs for my collection. And you’ve got yourself a new subscriber to boot. Well done Rob. 👍

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I really try my best not to mumble and speak clearly although there are people that grumble that they don't understand me.

[@Rupertblade]

Very well done. I have only one small advice: you didn't get sparks with the flint because you simply hit the corner of the spine of the knife. Instead you should have done a rather "shaving" movement of the flint against the spine to get a kind of white hot chips of metals we commonly call sparks. They'll ignite the wooden chips. It's the same rationale behind flint lock mechanisms of old muzzle loading rifles. Try and see!

[@marcink5907]

What is the difference between this knife and those currently made with a black handle? Is the same steel used? Is the quality the same?

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I haven't got a clue if there's a difference in quality.

[@marcink5907]

@@RobEvansWoodsman yesterday I bought a new one with a black handle for a 28f.

[@gareththompson5653]

Brilliant mate. Just goes to show sometimes money isn't all that.

[@misolgit69]

AH strike anywhere matches 😫 they've been more or less banned World Wide not because of what they are but because of what they're made from the chemicals involved in their production are on a long list of stuff that is no longer allowed to be transported anywhere now it has to be admitted I've got à terrible memory and may have paraphrased a little but it's true as a concept they're as dead as the Dodo

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Such a shame. I'd give a testicle for a box of 2" long strike anywhere matches 😜

[@shogun666able]

I acquired my Wilky from an Army land rover kit as a sort of a loan some 35 plus years ago, and is still going extremely strong, in fact apart from the mirror edge shaving sharpe easy to sharpen in the field single bevel it looks very much the same as when I loaned it, give or take. Put a lanyard on it and it makes a better axe that most with your fore finger on the back of the handle so the lanyard does the work. Looked after and out in the woods you would have a job to beat it doing anything, even digging brick out of walls.

[@tinderboxsurvival6170]

The old MOD knife always the one for doing big stuff, I've got a Mach safe got it about 10 yes ago, definitely old school.

[@firehanshg]

Rob, with the skills you have gained nowadays, maybe you could addressed all thre niggling s and put your twist on this MOD knife and turn it into Zero scandi grind, knife /mini parang, machette, and bring it back to life, then whe you dont wat to take your axe, you could take your Neck MK2, Saw,and the light machette. or if you bored with it , you could always send it to me, i ma quite proficient with a machette. keep up the good work, cheers Hans.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I have another mod knife that I fully intend to modify heavily when I have time.

[@slick_slicers]

I’ve always fancied one of these. No reason, it just looked chunky and cool!

[@harwoodblades3633]

Good video that pal 😉 just goes to show what a good lump of steel can do 😁 can't wait to see it in a good bit of leather instead of that rubbish🙄 Sheffield steel yes, Sheffield sheaths no 🤭all the best Lincoln 👍🤙

[@1stinlastout165]

You could wrap the leather fastening clasp in paracord cobra stitch I also added a lanyard to my knife so when it's fastened in I place behind the handle then close it,it keeps it from moving quite well!

[@neilcastell6951]

£70 from the factory ... least it was whenever it was that you refused to trade me one of yours, 3, 4, 5 months ago (i forget) ... the sheaths are shit but not as shit as they used to be,

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

l'm glad l did now, this knife worked really well.

[@neilcastell6951]

@@RobEvansWoodsman I’m glad too, lol, ... cause I looked up the price of the ruck I was hoping to trade with you and their £160, and the second pack I was going to offer I traded on Facebook for 3 polish Lavvu’s (including a size3)

[@neilcastell6951]

@@RobEvansWoodsman ... my knife has the same mods ... guard removed, sanded the handle, ... will sort the sheath out in the near future once I complete a project or two,

[@GreySquirrelly1016]

So I found a few of these on a surplus site, 1992 to 84. Is it better to buy one of them or one from J Adams factory. Are the older ones of better quality or at they all the same?

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Personally I'd buy the old ones, I don't know if they are any better but I just prefer the older ones.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

If you could share the site with me [e-mail] I could take a look and have a better idea.

[@schonbeardwildmark]

Great interesting video Rob! Cool comparison of knives in the price range 100-450 £

[@Kit-Katts]

A lbs of steel, an edge and a handle, ye can't really go wrong. Good vid bubby.

[@leemichel8199]

We knew them as Knife utility and most of the time were thrown in the back of the land rover not meant as a belt knife great bit of kit some people sell them mirror polished with ferro notch for about 90 quid on etsy. Quote from the great one ! " crowbar with an edge ". Great review . God bless

[@thankmelater1254]

It doesn't make much *sense* that the sheath is left-handed..but it definitely *is* sinister. :)

[@markmaloney5146]

Rob ok your in the wood, you can cut wood , you can start a fire and bake a brew , but what would you eat , it could be winter, no fruit or leaves about, so what would you eat, and where would you get food from

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I'd sit my fat arse by the fire and conserve as much calories as possible, not much to eat in British woodland in the winter, may be a few dozen snares up the trees incase a squirrel decides to stretch it's legs, after making sufficient gear out of natural resources gathered from the woods I'd head for the coast then I'd find a nice Caffe and buy some tea and cake! All jokes aside in the winter warmth and sleep are the most important things , my build I could probably last about 50 days with no food, I'd be very lathargic and not really capable of doing anything strenuous, different story in other parts of the world but fire is always at the top of the priority list and in a survival situation cordage is key , be it snare wire, paracord or fishing line , they all help put food in the tank. I hope that helped.

[@markmaloney5146]

So you probably couldn’t survive if you had to source your time we food then.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

@@markmaloney5146 not unless I kill sheep, I live in Wales, they are everywhere but the farmers wouldn't be happy, being in a Survival situation in the UK is usually because of a lack of adequate clothing and the weather closing in, the romantic "survival" scenario that people think about really won't happen if you know your stuff. I asked Mors Kochanski if he'd ever been in a survival situation, he said 'no because I know what I'm doing and I just wouldn't get into trouble' bears on the other hand.... In a real survival situation anything goes all laws are out the window, I'll leave you ponder on that one mate.

[@Ivarr.Bergmann.Alaska]

Greeting from Alaska, mate..

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I've always wanted to go to Alaska. Hi from Wales!

[@Ivarr.Bergmann.Alaska]

👍👍@@RobEvansWoodsman

[@Ivarr.Bergmann.Alaska]

Its a VERY hard place to be a Wilderness type person..

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

@@Ivarr.Bergmann.Alaska no playing in the wild in that country.

[@outsidertank]

Subbed from Merthyr Tydfil.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Top man👍👍

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I've seen you with Adam.

[@outsidertank]

@@RobEvansWoodsman AHH yes , we have had a camp or two together. He's a wild camper I'm more of a military style stealth camper. I recently received the M.O.D survival knife. I've began to modify it Rob.

[@GreySquirrelly1016]

You can buy the Falknevin CC4, (or maybe it’s called CC3, can’t remember which) pocket stone that is 4 inches long, and has two ceramic sides- a 14,000 grit ceramic side for touch ups, and a 150,000 grit pure white ceramic side for burr removal and edge polishing. It’s an awesome stone for maintenance. The Falkneiven DC4 pocket stone is awesome too, it’s got a diamond 800 grit side, and the same 14,000 grit side. Exellent feild stone too! I know you were keeping it old school , and after watching this video, I’m considering buying the king stone. I’m torn on either the 250grit/1000grit, or the 1000/6000. But the CC4 stone is nice if you don’t want to carry a strop; only drawback with both these falkniven stones is if dropped, they can crack. Had it happen, it sucks lol. Thanks for the video! Still waiting on my MOD from J Adams, the old models I found were all antiques, for 150 to 175£ and as much as I love the old ones it hurts to pay 300$ CAD when I can get the exact same knife, brand new for 160$ CAD (74£+ shipping) straight from factory in Sheffield. I’ve bought one there before years ago, and the new ones have the mark on the blade, despite the stock picture showing the mark on the handle, emailed J Adams, they said the wood handle versions are all marked on the handle, so, we’ll see lol. Either way, it’s fine.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I usually use DMT Diafolds for field sharpening, I have a DC4 and DC3 which Also get used, I hadn't heard of the cc4 I'll have to get one, if you look on my playlists there's a sharpening playlist. Thanks for watching and I hope you stick around 👍

[@TheDavewatts]

Glad to see you give it a run out Rob, sheath is absolute shite but it is a heavy lump of steel lives in my pack.

[@gerardmartyn1738]

Had one years ago, sorry I let it go.

[@HARMARSCH2]

Mine was stolen when my house got broke into. 🤬

[@grahamwinter5536]

👍Now that one I like 😁

[@roguesheep1747]

UPS has had my Falkniven F1 Elmax since Wednesday night the shower of shits .I wanted to field test over the weekend . Great video as always 👍 👌 👏 🙌

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I'm looking at a F1X in elmax, I want one but I know I don't need it!!!

[@martindunwell6099]

Fabulous video rob never used a mod. Don't know why to be truthful probably because I have spent to much money on the exotic knives and 90% off them turned out to be shite that knife build a shelter butcher a deer 🦌 not worried about hitting bone yep a proper survival knife .don't bother getting your dbk elmax rob you will only get disappointed again

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Don't say that I'm really looking forward to beating the shit out of it.....

[@timbryan9701]

What's your opinion of the blade steel and heat treat? I've already seen where people hate the grips and the sheath, but what about the steel? I think the American equivalent might be the Becker BK7. As always a great video, thanks for taking me along. :)

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I have no issues with the steel or HT. These have been around for a long time and the grind is very steep so it can take a beating.

[@justicar5]

Great knife, did an 'inspired by' Wessex Blades regrind on mine, works much better with the higher convex grind imho

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I'm sure it dose mate.

[@mattyp80]

There were appalling knives! If you used them "as issued" you would get terrible blisters and the vibration through the handle when chopping was unbearable unless you put a wrist loop through the end of the handle!

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

The stock handles ain't very comfortable I agree.

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

Brilliant review. I have the Wilkinson Sword version that is a full convex. I would say that the handle is rosewood. Bought mine from a tiny army surplus shop, the owner used to buy items from service men who wanted to dispose of their kit. I was told the seller was a Marine who had returned from artic warfare training in Norway. He had used it for ice shelter building and gutting fish. I was also told that the Wilkinson Sword ones were reserved for our special forces as they were no longer made. I only paid £40 so I got an absolute bargain.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Is it the old type, two bolts in the handle not three rivets like the newer ones.

[@bobbieschke599]

I have a modified one, the British frog bayonet case works well as a sheath replacement. I'm left handed, and the leather sheath I have has the cross strap. 👍Wilkenson made one as well......

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I have the old Wilkinson Sword knife, worth good money now, a very good knife.

[@MattieBeekeeper]

Love the knife, love the video! Probably fair to say it's a knife that needs a bit of DIY when you buy it new but when you've got a lump of metal like that for less than a mora garberg (just), I can cope with that. I hear people moaning about them not being sharp etc- well sharpen it then lol. You'll have to do that eventually even if it was shaving-sharp out of the box!

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

You'd be surprised how many people who buy quality knives can't sharpen them

[@oldfart9287]

Thankyou as always , I am so glad you made this vid as i did not like the selvans ( I may have spelt it wrong ) at all . As soon as you showed that mod knife I liked it and you proved it worked fine, as for flint and char cloth they are not something I ever carried so not producing a spark there is no big deal to me. I made some biscuits with cotton make up pads and candle wax, interestingly I also made some with soft tallow I found in the workshop and they caught more easily than the candle ones, excellent video I really enjoyed it, always some little thing learned from you

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Cheers mate, always good to hear from you as I know you are still alive! 👍😜

[@VortymLichbane]

Is the sheath left handed because you'd have a sidearm or magazine pouch on your right?

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I couldn't tell you sorry but it's a sensible explain.

[@johnturner6251]

Thankx Rob, I love mine

[@Zenmastersean]

Great video. Classic knife. I love the old military issue gear. That's a helluva tool... Like our Ka-Bar Marine knife from the 40s. Thanks for sharing. Odd seeing you play with matches brother. Stay healthy.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I really like lighting fires with matches but folks love the more "bushcrafty" methods. Personally , and I've mentioned this before the three things I prefer are jet lighter, ferrorod and matches, loads of people go for bic's, flint'n steel and the ferrorod with cotton balls soaked in vaseline but that just doesn't do it for me although I do love my Esee tool.

[@Zenmastersean]

@@RobEvansWoodsman wooden matches are my go to but I love all primitive fire skills. Thanks for sharing brother

[@airpaprika]

Well, that was an expected result. The moment I laid my eyes on MOD Survival knife, I knew it's a winner. Seems like a proper survival knife, instead of that Italian fancy money lure. Ease of sharpening is an underestimated virtue of any knife. I place it right next to the geometry of the blade. Everything else is not nearly as important as those two characteristics.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Agreed, that Italian knife isn't a patch on the MOD knife.

[@airpaprika]

@@RobEvansWoodsman Thank for the honest reviews, man.

[@figtreeprophecy]

I'm curious as to why you put an improvised convex field edge on it. I have no experience with them. What grind did it come with?

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

It basically came from my mate with the same cutting edge, it cuts, curls and lasts longer ,better than if I'd put a microbevel on the steep grind, that micro would be too steep for my taste, resilient yes performance no! Just my opinion.

[@figtreeprophecy]

@@RobEvansWoodsman TY Rob

[@jaja-nw2ft]

how much it weight?

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

550g

[@jaja-nw2ft]

@@RobEvansWoodsman thank you

[@colinbrown4008]

Excellent video mate

[@TheDavewatts]

If you go over to Mack tightwads channel, he gives the best description of the MOD knife, he served with the British army for about twenty. years

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I'm sure he's a friend of a friend.

[@TheDavewatts]

@@RobEvansWoodsman He's mate's with Des catty if that's who you mean.👍

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

that's it

[@GeorgeOrwell-yz6zx]

Thanks for the great video. What is your favorite tea? I don't recall you mentioning what you prefer

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Yorkshire tea , regular or biscuit blend, love it, none of that fancy shit that tastes like drain cleaner and posh people drink it because they think it's expected.

[@GeorgeOrwell-yz6zx]

@@RobEvansWoodsman I like several teas and Yorkshire is very good. I switch off and enjoy Irish breakfast tea also. At work we have free English breakfast tea.. Hard to argue with free. How much sugar if any do you add?

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

l've never taken sugar in tea, always been two sweeteners.

[@eugeniovaldez7205]

Another winner and super cool video!

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Thank you my friend.

[@asmrorigami1724]

You are an inspiration

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

thank you, thats quite a compliment.

[@daemonharper3928]

And now I'm thinking I should make a tribute version....

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

then send it to me to play with!

[@daemonharper3928]

@@RobEvansWoodsman Hold that thought. On another subject, we're getting towards or actually are too old to properly enjoy a boreal backpacking trip - but if you had to do it, what would you take, bearing in mind you'd have to carry it - I'm presuming a trio - saw, axe and knife? But which of your collection would you choose?

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

@@daemonharper3928 on a walking trip through the Boreal forest I would take the Agawa Boreal 21 saw, Hudson bay axe , RWL 34 bushtool and a leatherman charge. Probably the same on a canoe trip and in a 4x4 I'd take a splitting axe , silky katanaboy , pocketboy, small hatchet, bushtool and leatherman.

[@daemonharper3928]

@@RobEvansWoodsman I've done x2, a stainless and a tool steel. Working off pictures so they won't be exact copies......just tempering in the oven now.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I'd have sent you the dimensions mate.

[@tikkidaddy]

Hello mate! I was hoping to find your review of this old warhorse. If it were me and I found one in great shape and wanted a different handle material, I'd put some black linen micarta scales on that big boy😂Epoxy it with high grade epoxy and use copper rivets too. A decent sheath and you'd be good. Couldn't tear that up hunting alligators in south Louisiana😂