Help me pick a fixed blade

[bteague2]

I'm looking for a good fixed blade to put on my plate carrier. It'll be used for everything from eating to hopefully cutting det cord.

I really like this XM-7 EOD Knife

And this EESE-5

And this Son of Dogfather

Anyone have any experiences with any of these knives or suggestions on any similar to them?

[kb4ns]

I know this is of no help at all, but the middle picture is the purdiest one, IMO.

[Mike]

Check out Built for Bad Times . Jeremy makes some seriously heavy duty blades.

Mike

Edited October 18, 2010 by Mike

[Major Kong]

I've got the ESEE and a Scrapyard (The Regulator, not the SOD). They are both ridiculously sturdy knives but the ESEE just feels better to me. I would trust either one with any task I can think of.

[jtluttrell]

I would get the ESEE. I have really been wanting one.

[Will Carry]

If it is any help. The Tanto style blade has become my favorite. I use one at work and play. The tanto has two edges that are flat. It makes it very easy to sharpen and hone. It has two points. The sharp point at the end and a wide angled point between the two edges. For me, it's the most versatile blade. I do not like serrated edges unless it's a steak knife.

[whiskey]

ESEE

I have a RAT-3 and a custom leather sheath that goes with me on all appropriate adventures. I would like to pick up an ESEE-5 for larger jobs. They are great designs.

Edited October 20, 2010 by whiskey

[MacGyver]

EESE-5. One of the best blades on the market in my opinion. I have no doubt that I can trust it to perform however I need it, whenever I need it.

The linen micarta scales are great, too.

[Guest mosinon]

If it is any help. The Tanto style blade has become my favorite. I use one at work and play. The tanto has two edges that are flat. It makes it very easy to sharpen and hone. It has two points. The sharp point at the end and a wide angled point between the two edges. For me, it's the most versatile blade. I do not like serrated edges unless it's a steak knife.

I think you need to buy better steaks....

I agree, I don't like serrations at all. There are a lot of knives I'd be all over if they weren't serrated.

[Ropin4gold]

I would go with the ESEE 5. It is on my list to buy. I have a SOG seal pup and Cold steel SRK, both are excellent knives.

[Guest tenman]

When it comes to sturdy I'm partial to any of the Scrapyard/Swamp Rat knives, they're as close to indestructible as it gets in a knife. Have never held the ESEE but it looks to be a nice choice.

[Guest mosinon]

Today I saw for the first time a Tops knife. It was very well made. Check them out:

Tops Knives

[rivrz]

ESEE, Tops, also check out anything from Entrek

[Guest RiseMechanical]

You might also check out Busse knives too. They make some beastly gear and its guaranteed for life. I believe the Steel Heart is still one of the best knives you can get.

Edited October 28, 2010 by RiseMechanical

[Guest 10mm4me]

Check out the Bark River Gunny, Bravo, Sandstorm, or Smokejumper

www.knivesshipfree.com

[1gewehr]

Hmm, no mention of your price point. For me, the standard of comparison is the military-spec Marine Corps Combat knife (Kabar). If it's not any better than a Kabar, why bother? Add in the price point. If you shop around, you can find a brand-new Kabar (Camillus and Ontario Knife are also milspec) for about $50.

The only reason I would pass on the Kabar is the grip. The stacked leather washers were the best thing available forty years ago. Now, I'd go with pressed Micarta. But that raises your price point significantly. You can buy several Kabars for the price of one custom knife.

If you decide to go custom, Walter Brend is the guru. The Brend Rescue 2 is probably the best bargain around today. A totally hand-made custom knife by a world-renowned master for $800.

Walter Brend Handmade Knives » Blog Archive » BRENDMADE New Survival Knives Project: January 2009 The Rescue 1 and Rescue 2

If you want to save a few bucks, Walters protege is Bobby Branton. Last I heard Bobby will make a licensed Brend #2 knife for $550. Walter grinds the blade, and Bobby does the rest. I have knives from both Walter and Bobby, and they are the best I have ever found. I bought my first Brend #2 in 1985, and after many adventures it's still the best knife I have ever seen. The #2 Brend I recently got from Bobby is just as nice.

Branton Knives and Custom Knives

[Oh Shoot]

... the standard of comparison is the military-spec Marine Corps Combat knife (Kabar)....

The only reason I would pass on the Kabar is the grip. The stacked leather washers were the best thing available forty years ago....

Note that they make the same mil spec fighting/utility knife with Kraton G grip too, in black and green, which really beats the leather hands down,probably last as long as the steel does.

- OS

[hso]

I just got a Rescue 2 and it is an impressive piece of cutlery. It is a simplified #2 without the steel guard on Mr. Brend's standard #2. It's quite amazing.

[robin48]

Amazon.com: Gerber 22-01400 LMF II Survival Knife - Coyote Brown: Home Improvement I have one of these and it has answered the call for me.

[East_TN_Patriot]

Amazon.com: Gerber 22-01400 LMF II Survival Knife - Coyote Brown: Home Improvement I have one of these and it has answered the call for me.

I have one of these as well and got it after quite a bit of research looking for a good all-around survival knife. It's a very good jack-of-all-trades kind of knife, which is what it was intended for. The fellow on www.knifetests.com Home does destruction tests on various knives and found that the Gerber held up well. It also has a nice sheath that has a set of ceramic sharpening rods incorporated into it. I would prefer if it didn't have the serrations on the blade, but the purpose of them is to cut through the aluminum skin on aircraft so aircrews can escape.

The top ratings on the knifetests.com site generally go to the Busse knives and Fallkniven knives. It's a great site to see what these blades can hold up to. He starts with some basic tests of the cutting edge, chopping ability, and durability under what you would expect to see in a real survival situation. Then he goes over the top to see how much these things can handle before total failure (including busting concrete and chopping through steel).

Edited November 8, 2010 by East_TN_Patriot

[hso]

I have used Entrek, ESEE, and Tops in ways that would be considered abuse and can endorse any of them. While the Brend Rescue 2 I just received is very impressive I think you'll find the 5 inch knives to be handier tools.

[Guest Eachofya]

Jon Graham makes some fantastic fixed blades for EDC. I've been carrying a Razel for a year or so now, and there are no complaints.

Welcome to Graham Knives

[bteague2]

I have used Entrek, ESEE, and Tops in ways that would be considered abuse and can endorse any of them. While the Brend Rescue 2 I just received is very impressive I think you'll find the 5 inch knives to be handier tools.

I was driving back to SC from Knoxville this weekend and stopped in Smokey Mountain Knife Works, after handling the ESEE-4 I asked to see the 5 out of curiosity. I left ten minutes later with the ESEE-5. I've been pretty happy with it so far but I haven't had any chances to abuse it yet. We've got Mojave Viper in late January so we'll see how it handles it's first big test. I'll try to get some pictures soon.

[MacGyver]

You made a great choice. Have fun with it.

[Guest claysaw17]

aside from those, i'd say a USMC style Ka-Bar. i know that sounds generic, but it's honestly probably the best knife you can get for $50-$60 (if you're buying online that is). 7" 1095 carbon steel blade, 5" stacked leather handle with a steel butt cap. used by modern military, very durable.