I want a new "Big" Knife

[Skofnung]

Hey folks.

I am in the market for a new "Big" knife.

I have tons of knives, and all of them work well, but I feel the need for something new. You know how it goes. I kinda want something to replace (or at least augment) my old Camillus Ka-Bar knife. I've had many adventures that included this blade, but there were times that a bigger, stouter blade would have been nice.

I like the look of the Becker line, they look hell-for-stout, and if the internet chatter is any indication, they are just that.

I am also curious about the HI kuks. I owned a Kukri years ago, and I could never get the sucker to stay sharp. Apparently, the HI versions don't have this problem. I know our own Mr. JShirley is fond of them, and again, if the internet chatter is an indication, they are top shelf.

The only problem I have with the Kukris is my strange occidental mindset. I like straight knives. Can someone talk me out of this?

Any other "Big" knives out there that are sub $200 that would fill this void?

Thanks

 

[Kingcreek]

The HI Kukris are good quality- much better steel than those cheapo fleamarket kuks. I have a BAS that I use like a machete to clear brush and shooting lanes and used it to quarter a whitetail 4 days ago.
A large Marble's Ideal makes a good camp knife.
I have no experience with the Becker hardware but the rep is good.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316528

 

[JShirley]

If he has any left, knives by John Greco are incredible pieces. He's had some medical problems, so he's just making pretty knives now...but check out the X-Plorer. On sale, if he has any left in stock. Incredible value.

http://www.grecoknives.com/GRECO275.htm

John

 

[Skofnung]

Dude, Mr. Tuttle.

The Seax on the far right in the link you posted is calling my name!

I just have one question for you HI owners...

I know the temper on those blades is a little on the strange side. By his I mean that the whole edge is not tempered. It has a "Sweet Spot" as it were. This makes me a little uneasy. Being a (very) small time knifemaker and a full time user of knives, I like to have an edge that is as hard as possible (ie sharp and useful) along it's full length and a spine that is fairly soft. I fear that in buying a Khukri (or that beautiful Seax) I will be shorted in terms of temper.

For instance, I have used the "tip" area of a knife (the first 2" measuring back from the tip) to de-hair a deer hide. Would a HI knife be able to do this?

Thanks again.

 

[JShirley]

The seax is a relatively new HI product, so I don't know as much about it. There
just happens to be a current thread on Blade Forums going on right now about the seax, if you wanted to post your question there. Thread is at
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316541

John

 

[Mac Attack]

I take it you are only looking for a fixed blade and not a folder?

I have a Strider MT fixed blade and have use the hell out of it. Strider makes a tough knife for serious use. I highly recommend the model MT for a general purpose fixed blade.

www.striderknives.com


Mac

 

[Joe Demko]

Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works makes big knives. I've had one of their khindjals for years and love it.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Bagwell Bowies are pretty cool... I wouldn't go over the plainsman in size for utility.

 

[rickster]

You can try the Becker 9 or if you want a REALLY big knife, try the Becker 6. Worst case scenerio, you may not like it but you are not out mega bucks.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

The Becker Combat/Utility 7 is a great knife, IMO, and very reasonably priced.

 

[Schuey2002]

In addition to what has already been mentioned..

Here are a few more excellent knives in your price range.

http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/
http://newtlivesay.com/index-1.htm
http://www.thrblades.com/gallery.htm
http://www.fallkniven.com/next-index.htm
http://www.simonichknives.com/home.htm
http://www.lightfootknives.com/knives.html

 

[bubbygator]

Besides being hefty, the Becker's have the best commercial edge on them of any that I've seen. They are flat-out sharp!! Got one for my car-knife.

 

[Didorian]

If you're looking for tough....

The Becker Combat Utility 7 is about the toughest that I've seen. It handles like a small machette and a hatchet combined. I'm here in Iraq right now, and used it in training up to come over here. It's a bit large for anything that I've done here, but it felled small trees with ease back in GA. it can chip large blocks of ice all day and still retain it's edge. Myself and two others set up a lean too and built a small camp site with just my Becker and my swiss army knife....
The thing is a wonder.

Didorian.

 

[Skofnung]

Well, I think I am going to go with the Becker... For now...

I am going to get a HI blade at some point. They sound like real workhorses.

Thanks

 

[hso]

Ethan Becker is a friend of mine, but I'll second the Greco. John won't be with us for too many more years and getting one of his big knives is a joy you should not miss out on. Ethan should be kicking around for much longer (and he doesn't build the knives himself like John does).

 

[Piney]

Bark River Rogue...hands down in that price range. Only thing I would do is maybe get a different sheath.