[mike6161]

I have been looking for a good fixed blade knife and do not knw what one to get can you guys help. I'm looking for a knife that will hold an edge or is easy to sharpen has, a blade that is 4 to 6 inchs long that will hold up to long use.
I will be useing it for makeing camp and maybe light choping for fire stuff like that. I have $60 to spend but I could spend a little more.
Thank you for the help

[JeepGeek]

I personally am a big fan of a M9 bayonet for such an application.

Knives, like firearms, are almost a holy issue though. I'm sure there will be lots of conflict on my suggestion. :)

[Browning]

Try a Rat-5 or a Tak-1 from Ontario.

http://outdoors-magazine.com/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH375/TAK1a-d61db.jpg

[Kingcreek]

for 60 bucks I would buy a swedish Mora (Eriksson or Frost) and a hardware store hatchet.
and I would have money left over for beer.
happy camping.

[cleardiddion]

Can't really go wrong with a Ka-Bar

[33-805]

I have had a lot of good luck with Cold Steel knives for my knockaround, hard use blades. They often are available for excellent prices online with a little looking. They put out a Special Projects flyer once in a while and I just got two good knives from them for about $50 due to closeouts in this flyer. They also sell "seconds" but I have never purchased one so I cannot give any info on that count. These Cold Steel knives are not Randalls, but they are solid and if I screw one up I don't feel so bad....

[hso]

https://www.kabar.com/images/1461_large.jpg

KaBar D2 Impact fixed blade. Ethan Becker and I tried to break the thing at Christmas and short of involving the vise in his shop we couldn't do it.

[highorder]

I recommend the Cold Steel SRK and the SOG Northwest Ranger for your exact purposes from personal experience.

I even have a used SRK I would part with... I have moved the SOG to the front row.

PM me for more details if you like.

[rswartsell]

As far as I am concerned you won't beat this. I agree with adding a hardware store hatchet though, knives usually not heavy enough for chopping unless you want a HUGE bowie.

http://www.tylertool.com/buck119special.html

Buck is unsurpassed for durability. Check out their lifetime warranty. The 420HC steel of this knife will hold a very sharp edge, maybe not as long as some more expensive steels, but Buck heat treating makes this steel hold edges longer than you would think. Good price on this too. This will last a lifetime with reasonable care.

More info here;

http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=about.feature

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31821

[mike6161]

thank you for all the help. i have a SRK and a buck that I used to carry with me on hikes and they have held up nicely but I ‘m looking for some thing else. i like the ka bar d2 and the SOG NW Ranger and seal pup they look like what i need.

[RX-178]

I'd probably pick the Cold Steel GI Tanto in that situation. Primarily because... I don't have one yet. Also very reasonably priced.


Seriously, all these knives are good tools. I have a $60 Buck Nighthawk and I don't think it's any less useful or of less practical quality than a $300+ Dark Ops E&E Interceptor that I bought (and before anyone comments on that, I'm a collector. I've spent more than that on other knives too! :D).

Just pick whichever you want more than the others.

[22-rimfire]

I'd look at the Buck 119. They aren't easy to sharpen however.

The RAT blades are nice, but are more than you budget. If you like them, the RC-5 should be about right. I believe the cost is about $100.

Consider an 12" Ontario machete ($20) and carry a Vic Swiss Army knife like the adventurer model ($26) for other chores.

The SOG Seal Pup Elite is a good all around knife but exceeds you budget by about $20. It is my camp knife, but not a chopper.

[The Tourist]

I'd look at at the Buck 119. They aren't easy to sharpen however.

That's what they have me for here. (Yikes, I would have been banned months ago unless I swept up and helped with the dishes.)

Personally, I find the 119 more like a bowie knife.

Obviously, knives like the Impact are the best choices. But I like the Buck 102 for very simple reasons.

Yes, you could probably break it. However, it is about the size and shape of what a good campfire knife should actually be, sorry Rambo.

It will take an edge and hold it for the entire deer-hunt/camping vacation. It will, in fact, easily field dress several deer. It could serve you even on a wilderness camping trip. You can wash it in snow. It doesn't rust easily. Buck is very good on warranties for broken tips. They even sharpen.

I'll put my money where my mouth is. I don't carry fixed blades that often--except for Grahams which are carried more like folders. But if I was going to tent camp at some places like Buffalo Chip, the fixed blade I would carry would be the Buck 110. And I wouldn't be checking it all of the time out of worry.

[jjohnson]

Oh, you're getting enough on good knives - like "can't go wrong with a K-bar."

Yep, just remember, knives were made for cutting (okay, rarely even stabbing) but with the exception of a Kukri or machete, they're not really all that good at chopping. Sort of like using a screwdriver as a crowbar.... if you want take care of your blade, do try to use the right tool for the right job. You can get a Boy Scout hatchet or something for the price of a sharpening stone.

[JeepGeek]

glad someone brought it up-

what is a good, decently-priced kuhkri? I'd prefer one to a hatchet, personally.

[Rugerlvr]

Can't really go wrong with a Ka-Bar

+1

But please, buy a hatchet, or a Woodsman's Pal for chopping.

[The Tourist]

But please, buy a hatchet

The only caution I might add here is to point out a weight factor for back-packers.

Some folks like to wilderness camp, and carry everything in on foot. Heck, even I pack lighter if I take my motorcycle. (Even for a heavy cruiser bike, something to sleep on, a change of clothes, some tools, my wife and her "necessities" and a tarp can be a load.)

If you're just driving to the campsite, and all of your tools and supplies stay at camp while you hunt or hike, an axe makes sense.

[hso]

If you're not shelter building for a week of wilderness camping a big chopper isn't usually needed (heck, a swede camp saw is a lot lighter than most big choppers and takes far less energy to use if you have to build a shelter).

[mike6161]

will it was a little more then I wonted to pay (65 shipped) but I think I got a great deal. I got a SOG Gov-tac w/black TiNi finish the blade is a little londer then I wonted but I can live with it. do any of you know about this knife from what I hear its a great work knife.
I will post pics when it gets to me.

Thanks for all the help

[The Tourist]

SOG Gov-tac w/black TiNi finish

AG Russell has a pic of this knife 2/3's of the way down their SOG page. Found it on ask.com on the first sorting.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I'm sorry, but in my humble but strong opinion, Buck knives anymore are borderline junk - far far cry from what they *used* to be. I highly recommend avoiding *new* Buck knives. I like the other recommendations though. :)

[22-rimfire]

It is a question as to which Buck knives you are talking about. Many are still manufactured in the USA.

[Valkman]

Buck knives made in Idaho are heat treated by the best, Paul Bos. Nothing wrong with those.

[The Tourist]

Mr. Valkman, doesn't Paul Bos actually have an office on site at Buck?

As to qaulity, well, I sharpen them. My clients report that the Coca Bola handled 277 (also HT by Bos) is one of the finest folders they have used.

And when it comes to beer, cheese and hunting deer, you have to listen to a guy from Wisconsin.

[Brass Rain]

I love my Glock 81 Field Knife, but the serrations on the back don't do much so I recommend the Glock 78 knife that's the same but with no serrations. They are balanced for throwing, come with excellent sheaths, and have hard plastic polymer grips with a nice shape. The grip and sheath can be had in Sand, Black, or OD green. Keeps an edge, strong, light. An excellent knife and only $40 or so. Mine is OD green but I plan to get a Black 78 in the future and eventually a sand-colored one as well.

http://www.helstongunsmiths.com/shop/images/glock-field-knife.jpg

Pictured - OD Green 78 - Sand 78 - Black 81.

[sm]

KaBar D2 Impact fixed blade is a great knife, and yes I have used one.

[Thud! , will someone help hso back up off the floor again?]

Being honest, I do not like a blade longer than 3.5 inches - the greatest percentage of the time.
Just me, still with all the outdoor activities I have done, including some search and rescue, a blade longer than 3.5 inches is hindrance to me personally.

Then again I was mentored as I was, and weight, size and being "mobile" was stressed.

For instance I can find wood without having to chop down a tree, and a small saw works, even a hack-saw blade in the small, light hack-saw blade holder, for making shelter if need be.

A.G. Russel WoodsWalker for $20 for instance in the leather back pocket sheath, is a great user, couple it with a small folding saw, and one can be under the $60 price tag easy.
Add a Case Blackhorn Lockback for $14, or SAK Pocket Pal for $10 and one has 3 cutting tools, light weight, easy to maintain and will handle tasks.

[The Tourist]

Being honest, I do not like a blade longer than 3.5 inches

That has become my habit, as well. In fact, the older I get the shorter my knives become.

I bought two knives today from my supplier. One is a knife for charity--a 3-inch plain blade Benchmade Griptillian (the one with the hole in the blade) with the pink handle. My wife is interested in this charity drive.

The other was a CRKT rendition of the Graham Ringed Razel. The CRKT company calls their model the 2012, but we know it as the Razel SS3. I'm interested to test their alloy 9Cr18MoV.

Knowing how the Graham Brothers are for quality, I'm certain they viewed and tested the CRKT product before the knives were shipped.

Now, if I didn't have to build a log cabin out of old telephone poles, I'm sure the SS3/2012 could serve any purpose, field dress any deer, fillet any fish, and do duty as a campfire knife. In fact, until I quit the practice of camping, I don't think I owned a fixed blade over 4-inches (?). One of the best ones I ever had, and foolishly sold, was the old Buck 403B.

True story, I refuse to camp. Nope, I spent too many nights in cold wet rain, snapping awake in a fit of panic to see if the beer can I placed under my Harley kick-stand had sunk into the soft, muddy ground. Heck, even a dull Ringed Razel will cut most room service food...

[sm]

I had some interesting mentors, and elders, that shared some interesting lessons.

One trip to Canada , out for 14 days, portaging and canoing , the only knife I had was a Case Peanut, with CV blades.

Other lessons were being dumped, and with minimal supplies, such as a Case Peanut, compass, box of raisins, one bar of Baker's chocolate [this is not sweet btw!] and some cord, index card / pencil, some electrical tape...

Find my way to where I was supposed to be.
Out for 3 days, 3 nights, and "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome" .


Another time, I was "issued" a knife , a SAK Classic , on a beaded neckchain.
That is all the knife, we had for 2 days, 2 nights, and again very little of anything during this survival bit.


So last summer, I "camped" with some folks I know down on the property.
Passing forward some of what I remembered.
SAK Classics, Case Peanuts, one Sodbuster Jr, One Slimline Trapper, and "having to improvise, adapt overcome".

One 10 year old "found" the hacksaw.
One would have thought she had walked found a gold mine.

Using the inexpensive ponchos we made "pup" tents.
Then we made a bigger tent.
That orange tarp down that way for crop dusters to see where start to dropping "dust".

"Well, if we really were hurting to survive, it is not stealing, we need that!" on kid said.

Rope b/t trees, tarp over rope, ponchos for a floor and dig a trench with sticks so water would drain away from the tent.

It was going to rain, and hard!
[we had a barn near, still this was lessons ]

I had shared how to catch fish including catfish, and one cat was big sucker as big as from my pocket to ground, with me standing up,and I am 6'.

We had a fire, and kept it going, and using those cheesy $1 ponchos kept the wood dry in a "pup' tent.

Using ponchos make a cover to keep hard rain from putting out the fire.

Funny.
Big Catfish, and the gal that "found" the hacksaw ( I had tossed this hacksaw in small ditch, near where a lot of small limbs and sticks were), wanted to cut off the catfish's head with the hacksaw.
About 5 min later, and starting to rain again - "Okay - this sucks, show me another way".

So I did, using a nail, and rock to hammer that fish head to a tree, and using a Peanut to cut around the top, and pliers to skin it.
A nail is neat tool to have, I like "cut" , or "masonary nails".


I used the Peanut to cut a "fillet" and then the Sodbuster Jr and Slimline Trapper were used to show how they can do this.

It rained hard, and I look great in a yellow and a pink $1 plastic ponchos getting fish and stuff cooked in foil ,out of coals and bringing it to the tent.

We had made "lap tables" by lashing sticks with cord.
Table in lap, fish on lap table and eat .


One of the younger girls just had a Edelweisses SAK Classic, and feeling sorta frumpy.
"My knife is too small to do anything!".

Well ,even the Edelweiss shoestring I put it on did not help - much.

So, I used her knife with a magnesium fire starter to make the fire.
She felt pretty good about that.

"But, It won't work for peanut butter very well...". she said, with peanut butter in hand and that pout lip.

"Oh yes it will! " - I replied.

So I showed her how to make a peanut butter spreader from a stick, whittling one with her knife.
Oh that did it, she was catching on and seeing her small knife was just as an important tool as other other knives.

Sounds dumb, still I was raised like this, and still feel it is important to pass this on.
I want the kids, the moms, single gals to know, they can do with what they have in case a situation comes up.

[ArfinGreebly]

For the "please also buy a hatchet" crowd, there's a hatchet or two made by "Trail Blazer" (Canada) that's light but sharp and well-balanced.

Available in yellow, red, or black.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/campingsurvival_2143_35270377.png

It's a lot lighter than my Estwing.

[JShirley]

IF any of y'all have time to keep an eye out for them, and are willing to wait, Spyderco has a plan.

They are making a knife with a 3 5/16" fixed blade. This knife, the Mule (http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=283)will be offered in limited quantities, and made of various styles for knife nuts to experiment with. Since grinds and thicknesses will be identical, folks will be able to make an apples to apples type comparison, instead of comparing different offerings from various makers.

Spyderco will probably take a loss from these knives. They are essentially being sold at cost. For the tinkers, costs are further kept low by only the full-tang knife being made. Users can then wrap with cord or rawhide, or add nice scales, as they see fit. Sheaths are not supplied, further lowering the cost.

The first offering is in 52100 (http://www.sff.net/people/pff/steel.txt), a ball-bearing steel that high carbon folks like sm should love. Unfortunately, they sold out pretty quickly (I had been really busy, and missed it :( ), but the next offering should be along in another month or so. A good, strong, sharp, simple little knife like this, coupled with a hatchet, small ax, or large tough knife like a kukri, machete, or bowie, is a great combo.

The Glock knife makes a good thrower.

John

[sm]

Re: Mule.

Yes, this "Mule Team" was brought to my attention.
Spyderco has a super idea in doing this!
They are to be commended!

Joe Talmadge, and others have shared for years how important it is for one to consider so many aspects of a knife for tasks.
Not just the steel, as heat treat, for instance can make a lesser steel a better knife for a task, than a more involved steel with a poor heat treat.

The whole is equal to the sum of its parts - anon

John provided a link to 52100, here is another steel chart, one will have to scroll down a bit.

http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/steel_guide/index.html

Spyderco is doing a great job in educating folks, which I again commend them on.
No, I do not own a Spyderco product, I don't know why, still I have seen, used and recommended them to folks.

Just my take, I feel too many folks have been caught up in Marketing and Sensationalism therefore getting cases of "gotta haves" and "gotta be lastest and greatest".

Not an age thing, if anything a "maturity" thing.

Joe Talmadge, and others, have said the same thing Spyderco is sharing with regard to Saltwater for instance.
Spyderco makes a knife offering (forget the name) that is designed to resist the problems of saltwater and inform and educate the steel used is having to give up some properties (edge retention, ease of sharpening, etc) in order to focus on the negative effects of saltwater.

Short version - There is no one best, no holy grail, no ultimate, or magic talisman.


My contention is, a 1095 with a good heat treat is pretty darn hard to beat.
Yes, it will require some upkeep, just like blued firearms do.

Case Chrome Vanadium is a steel I really really like, I like vanadium in a steel.
The old Western knife line used this steel as well, as did some other companies.
I suspect this is a 1095 plus Vanadium "blend" , I forget maybe a 56100?
Dunno, I am no metallurgist.

01 is another steel I like as well as W2 .


Re: Mule.
Yes I would like to get my paws on one, and yes a non- stainless, or "tool steel" or "carbon steel" if you will.

Spyderco, by having the Mule Team, I hope educates more folks to investigate and verify what they need for them, for tasks.

If one is around saltwater, they need a different steel than someone that is not.
If one needs a steel to ear mark cattle, to stay sharp for a long time, while still being easy to sharpen up free hand while on the ranch, they need a different steel as well.

Spyderco, I know has their market share, and has to make money to stay in business, I understand and respect this.

I would like to see some other offerings by them, that do not lock, such as they do the UK Pen Knife.

Simply because we have folks restricted in what they can carry.
Not just in the UK, also in other countries, and even here in the USA.

Some workplaces, campuses and other settings restrict one to a knife less than 3" closed, no lock, no assisted opening.
Other restrictions apply as well, these are the basic ones I see and have been exposed and restricted to personally.

Spyderco can do a knife, that falls into these restrictions, and make of steels to fit tasks for folks, within price points.

Do one with glow in the dark handles, a very useful safety tool.
Offer some handle options, even allowing one to change handles themselves, to personalize.

In a nice setting, and needing to cut a lime for ladies drink, or slice a chocolate for a lady as to not mess up lipstick, a "classy" handle, such as a "gentlemans" knife, fits the setting more appropriately.

The setting might also be one restricted.

I can see a Spyderco "Tuxedo" knife with a bone handle and even one with Mother of Pearl...ladies and gents both carry these handle materials.


It is not cool to whip out a large knife , fast, to cut a lime, chocolate, or cut a thread on a kids outfit at times.

It does not require the latest great steel either.

[JShirley]

Here is one of the most affordable of the Kopas (http://newgraham.com/store/product/4609/Kopa-Jigged-Bone-SC92JBP/), one of Spyderco's line of gentleman knives. Jordy bought a nice Santa Fe-customized Kiwi at the '07 Blade show- something like this (http://newgraham.com/store/product/3981/Kiwi-w-Gold-Lip-Pearl-Jet-Opal-SFSW-KIWI-GLP-JET-OPAL/) (I didn't try to influence her, either! :D ).

H-1 is rustproof, and is being used in an increasing number of Spyderco knives. I believe Benchmade had a couple out, as well, but they have now gone to X15 T.N. steel (probably a cost issue?).

J

[sm]

Re: Kiwi Gold Lip Mother of Pearl

I did not know that knife existed!
(granted I am as dumb as a brick).

That is neat!

Oh sure, John did not influence his wife...uh-huh, sure.
Not anymore than how Jordy suggests John fold clothes.

*grin*


Excuse me, I have a PM from a THR Admin with the initials JS.

Something about wanting me to run around downrange with a target and him wanting to practice shooting moving targets....

*incoming*

[Valkman]

Mr. Valkman, doesn't Paul Bos actually have an office on site at Buck?


Yes - Buck made a deal with Paul and built him a heat treating shop several years ago. He still takes all customs from makers plus does Buck's stuff - no wonder he's not on any forums!

[Browning]

ArfinGreebly : For the "please also buy a hatchet" crowd, there's a hatchet or two made by "Trail Blazer" (Canada) that's light but sharp and well-balanced.

Available in yellow, red, or black.

Is that the brand name of it (Trail Blazer)?

[rswartsell]

Tourist, not to nitpick but isn't the Buck 110 a folder?

[mike6161]

I just got the sog today its a great knife i will get pic up soon. on the site it says to put oil on the knife do you have to do this. if so what kind of oil should i use? i have norton sharpening stone oil, hoppes 9 and wd40 can i use this or do i have to get some thing eles?
thanks

[ArfinGreebly]

Is that the brand name of it (Trail Blazer)?
Yes.

You can find Trail Blazer's site here (http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/products/list/).

The small hatchets are here (http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/products/list/showcase/?id=29) . . .
http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/images/product_images/93425624TBH-8ALL.jpg
. . . and the large hatchets are here (http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/products/list/showcase/?id=28).
http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/images/product_images/6467770hatchet.jpg

[JeepGeek]

I use CLP wherever oil is called for on steel. Never had a problem.

[Browning]

Cool, thank you AG.

[Goblin]

Kabar Hunter $60.00

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q109/epstanton/1235_large1.jpg

[mike6161]

heres some pics of the sog. its a vary nice knife VARY sharp.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa205/mikem6161/100_0960.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa205/mikem6161/100_0957.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa205/mikem6161/100_0964.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa205/mikem6161/100_0963.jpg

[JeepGeek]

received my Kukri today- going to take some doing to sharpen it (they're sold unsharpened so that they can be sold as replicas, not weapons), but should be quite potent once it's done.

[Browning]

22-rimfire : The RAT blades are nice, but are more than you budget. If you like them, the RC-5 should be about right. I believe the cost is about $100.

More like $70 or $80 for the Ontario Tak-1 in 1095 steel.

http://www.bestknives.com/ontariotak1.html

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=ONTAK1

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=ontario+tak+1+knife&category0=

If you look around some gun shows I've seen then for as little as $60.

The Rat-5 in 1095 and D2 and the Tak-1 in D2 cost a little more ($100 to $110), but for a TAK-1 in 1095 it's really only a couple of bucks over the $60 budget.