Non-tactical 4" fixed blade

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I'm on the hunt for a fixed blade knife, ideally about 4", drop/spear point, wood or nice looking handle, no serrations, about $100 or less. Doesn't have to exactly fit all those criteria, just looking for something along those lines and with a little character. It will go hiking and camping, cutting rope, cooking duty, some woodscraft. I'm not chopping down any trees. All I seem to be able to find are black tactical zombie killers :). Basically I want something I can enjoy using AND looking at.

I'd appreciate your opinions, suggestions and expertise. Thanks
 
 
Light My Fire -Swedish Fireknife

http://www.lightmyfire.com/products/sparking-fire-collection/swedish-fireknife.aspx

This is what I would call a light duty, general purpose camp knife. I have a bunch now, as this knife has impressed me in its practicality. It has only 1 flaw, the cord lock on the end of the lanyard is crap. I replace all of mine with with a whistle lock. The blade looks a little thin, but it is sturdy. This thinness comes in handy as it makes it an excellent camp kitchen knife. Your first impression of the sheath may be that it looks like cheap plastic. Well, it may be cheap, and it definately is plastic, but it would very well, and it has become my favoritemknife sheath.
 
If you were willing to go a little bit higher, I HIGHLY recommend looking at Fiddleback Forge. Custom made woods knives that are worth 3x what Andy asks for them. Fantastic custom wood handles, great heat treat, and Andy Roy is a business man of impeccable ethics.
 
I'm on the hunt for a fixed blade knife, ideally about 4", drop/spear point, wood or nice looking handle, no serrations, about $100 or less. Doesn't have to exactly fit all those criteria, just looking for something along those lines and with a little character.
Click to expand...

If you can spend a few dollars more, I would recommend something from Blind Horse Knives, Fiddleback Forge, Bark River, or something similar.

If you are using the knife a lot, I'd recommend G10 or Micarta, both feel nice like wood but won't warp, chip, or wear like natural materials can.

My "do everything" fixed blade is a Bark River Bravo 1, definately full of "character". I liked the first one so much I got a couple of spares in case anything ever happens to my user:

023-2.gif
 
A little smaller than 4in but the Buck 113 is a beauty for the money and I am getting one soon. After handling one, I loved it. it is basically a fixed blade version of the 112 ranger.
 
Bark River is what Andy Roy mostly had before he got good enough to make anything he wanted himself. :) Both BR and Fiddleback offer great knives, if you can fit them in your budget.

John
 
Seconding dayhiker on the Fallkniven. Might have to push your budget up by $10-20 if there aren't any good sales. Still worth it for an extremely well built VG-10 blade.

And I know it's black, but for what you're looking to do, a Becker Bk2 would really fit the bill. You can find them for $55-60ish if you look around and if you don't like the polymer handle you can find micarta/wood aftermarket grips on various forums, knife stores, and ebay. I've seen good scales and stainless fittings for around $30-60 depending on the rarity of wood and the maker. The BK2 is a tank and is made for camping/survival. The ESEE 4 is also a good option though like the Fallkniven you're looking at closer to $125ish for the base model.

Here's a BK2 that had the black coating stripped, some kind of stonewashed finish/patina, and some custom handle scales. I think a BK2 and some customization would be your best option if you want something that looks cool and works really well.
6780698980_35949cc0e5_o.jpg
 
For the money and the quality, I'd look at the Buck Model 102.

For some more money, the Fallkniven F-1. You can get it with fancy handles and a standard guard for more money. Their Northern Lights line has leather handles, pretty like Randalls. www.fallkniven.com They have US dealers. Don't panic at the prices, which are in Swedish kroner.

If five inches is okay in a blade, the Buck Model 105 or the Fallkniven S-1.

If you are particularly fortunate, you may find a used Puma Hunter's Pal for about $100 at a gun show. But that's like relying on winning a lottery.

The five-inch Puma would be the Hunter's Friend (plain steel) or the Outdoor (stainless). Same basic model...

My opinion is that if you stray from Buck in a basic knife at a reasonable price, you should think very hard why. I mean their original basic line, still made here.
 
If you want character in a good knife, do a search on EBAY for anza knives.
These are nice and range from $55-$200.
Prices are lower on Ebay than directly from Anza.
 
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