Fixed Blade recommendations

[Erik88]

I am wanting to buy a mid-size fixed blade that I can take hiking with me this summer.

I would like to keep it around $50 and it would be nice if it came with a sheath to hold it.

What do you guys think?

[jtluttrell]

If you have not already, see my thread on the Gerber Profile. I am in love with this knife. http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/knives-bladed-tools/39733-gerber-profile.html The only thing it lacks IMO is serrations. Also, it can be had for ~$20. Good luck.

[Erik88]

sorry I missed that one, thanks for the help. I'll look into it.

[Smith]

I really want a CRKT Ultima! Amazon.com: Columbia River Knife and Tool 2115 Ultima 5-Inch Razor-Edge Fixed Blade Knife, Black/Grey: Home Improvement

[bteague2]

I recently had the opportunity to use my Ka-Bar to cut out drywall and rip up plywood sub-flooring. It performed great and only added to my love of my hiking/camping knife.

[Ebow1]

Yeah, I'd say look into Ka-Bar. They make a lot of different stuff, including the knives for the Marine Corps. I figure if it's good enough for the Marines, it's good enough for, well, everybody else. I have their Kukri Machete that I'm going to get to test out soon on some fallen trees from the flooding.

[1gewehr]

The classic Marine Corps Kabar design is hard to beat. Don't forget that Camillus and Ontario Knife also make these. In fact, Ontario Knife had the last Marine Corp contract.

[willis68]

These are Great knives for the price

KA-Bar #1225

[Handsome Rob]

If you can still find one, the Boker Magnum Camp Bowie is one of the best knives under $300 I've ever bought......

Magnum Camp Bowie --- Heinnie Haynes - Knives, Pocket Tools and Accessories

I'm not sure they're still made, but a few months ago, they were all over EBay. Very, very sturdy blade, takes & holds a brilliant edge. I keep one in my truck all the time,

another on the boat, a third in the basement/storm shelter & one in my bug-out-bag.

Edited May 11, 2010 by robtattoo

[Kenstaroni]

I have a Ka Bar and it's awesome. I have handled the CRKT Ultima and it is a nice knife too. Go down to Smoky Mountain Knife Works and see what you like best. They have both and then some.

[Guest 10mm4me]

For the money and your price range, the Sog Seal Pup is a great value.

[jtluttrell]

I have wanted to get a Gerber LMF for a while now., but $70 isn't in your price range.

Actually, looking at it again, this one is really tempting me.

Edited May 12, 2010 by jtluttrell

[jtluttrell]

I just found this Gerber Prodigy. It can be had for $45 or so and looks BA.

GERBER Prodigy, Serrated Edge, Designed cues for the new Prodigy were inspired by the award-winning LMF II, another knife engineered by Gerber's Jeff Freeman. The Prodigy is much smaller (9.75" overall length), but it certainly packs as much punch as its predecessor. The full tang, high-carbon stainless steel blade is beefy, and coated with black oxide for improved corrosion resistance and reduced visual signature. The ergonomic over-molded rubber handles ensures a soft, comfortable, but secure grip in all conditions. It's also MIRS complaint. Much like the knife, the sheath is designed to live up to the task with a friction-release thumb lock for security and a list of non-detection features. Noise is dampened thanks to a molded softgrip coating which, like the ballistic nylon material, is MIRS compliant. It's also MOLLE compatible and comes with a leg strap and two additional attachment straps for added security. Features: - MOLLE compatible - Leg Strap Included - Secure Grip In All Conditions - Full Tang, High-Carbon Stainless Steel Blade Specifications: - Overall Length: 9.75" - Length of Blade: 4.75" - Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel - Sheath Material: Friction-release Thumb Lock - Blade Type: Fine Edge, Mfg No: 22-41121, Manufacturer: Gerber Blades

[DaveTN]

Go down to Smoky Mountain Knife Works and see what you like best. They have both and then some.

Thanks, their web site looks great. Might be time for a motorcycle trip.

[Guest Bowdenknxvll]

Hey Erik, There have already been some good suggestions made. It really depends on what you will be doing with the blade most. For a good all around knife check out Ontario's RD series of knives. They might be a little more than your budget, but they are worth it. The best production fixed blades I own are customs, Fallknivens, and Bark Rivers.

[DWARREN123]

Another vote for the SOG Field PUP!

[Guest Bowdenknxvll]

Erik, I just thought of another, Anza knives. They are made from Nicholson files so they are a high quality carbon blade. They will rust if not taken care of, but carbon steel are good cutters and they are affordable.

[Erik88]

Hey Erik, There have already been some good suggestions made. It really depends on what you will be doing with the blade most. For a good all around knife check out Ontario's RD series of knives. They might be a little more than your budget, but they are worth it. The best production fixed blades I own are customs, Fallknivens, and Bark Rivers.

Thanks man, I've been looking at all the suggestions and I'm gonna take me time and find the right one. I really like the Ontario rat but its a little small. Thanks again

[Guest Bowdenknxvll]

Erik,

The Ontario line is great. I have a RC3. They do make them in longer blade lengths I think up to 6 or 8 inches

[Oh Shoot]

These are Great knives for the price

KA-Bar #1225

Certainly a classic.

Achilles heel is the very narrow tang from beginning of grip onward.

Admittedly, you'd probably have to abuse it to break it, but many have.

I admit I haven't put it through it's paces yet (many others have, though), but Becker is again cranking

for some time under Ka-Bar, and I couldn't resist putting his BK7 in the ole knife arsenal.

$63.47 from Amazon with FREE SHIPPING, but it looks like it may not come with the companion BK13 small knife that some of them do, can't tell from description:

- OS

Edited May 16, 2010 by OhShoot

[JR2ATN]

Erik, What is mid-size? And how will you use the knife?

I have been backpacking pretty frequently for the last ~15 years and IMO a 3"-4" blade will accomplish 99% of the tasks you'll encounter. I have carried a larger blade (7") bushwacking through some pretty gnarly backcountry and I came to the conclusion that I just didn't need that much knife.

If you think you'll need to chop downed wood, I would recommend instead using a Sven folding saw. It's lighter and it'll get the job done more quickly and easily.

My current setup for backpacking is a small folding knife for food prep (Spyderco Delica) and my 4" fixed blade RC-4 for everything else: batoning wood, whittling skewers, prying, digging, etc., etc.

As with anything, you get what you pay for. Steer clear of knives that won't tell you what type of blade steel they use, or just use a generic term like 'Stainless'. Knifemakers, particularly in stainless blades, which are proud of their steels will stamp the type of steel on the blade. Some high end stainless steels are S90V, S30V, VG-10, 154 CM, etc. Of course, these will likely cost more than $50. Most generic "stainless" blades are probably using something like 420 stainless steel which won't hold an edge worth a . (Not to be confused with 440C which is a decent stainless).

KA-BARs are made out of 1095 (as are the RAT knives), a good tough carbon steel that's been around forever. The uncoated edge will rust if you don't keep it dry and wipe it down with oil on occasion. I'd opt for one of the short blade (5.25") models. Again, just more practical IMO.

FWIW, Ontario knives and the designers of the RAT line parted ways a few years ago. Although Ontario still produces the RAT knives, the designers started their own company Rat Cutlery, but just recently renamed themselves ESEE Knives to avoid confusion.

RAT Cutlery Co.

My RC-4

In the field , actually Mt. Leconte

Happy hiking!!

Edited May 16, 2010 by JMR1138