The ZS collaborative Fixed Blade Recommendation Thread

[AgentBlack]

My blanket recommendation for such threads is Condor Tool and Knife. The camp knife series are good to go. My favorite being the nessmuk followed by the bushcraft basic. I have the bushlore but it is a bit thick and heavy for my taste. I'll be getting the sapien soon. Another member has the rodan and likes it.
http://www.condortk.com/products.php?type=1
These knives are for the "I need a knife but I'm broke" crowd. Price is around $18-30 depending on where you order from. I've had good luck with knifecenter.com. http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?ttl=Condor%20Wood%20Handles&srch=eqCATEGORYdatarq%3Dcondor%26eqWWWCAT_3datarq%3Dwood

Features include: 1075 carbon steel (some models are powder coated black) it holds an edge and is easy to sharpen. The ones I have recieved are already functionally sharp. They do need to be oiled regularly to prevent rust. The new brown sheaths are nice and sturdy. Handle material is wood and has poor fit and finish but is easy to work to your taste. Some models have optional mycarta scales for higher prices. Also other models have polypro handles. Balance is very nice, and all mine are roughly 4" blades (other sizes available).
These knives are like your favorite old pickup truck; they ain't pretty but they get the job done everytime!
If your the shiny new truck kind of person, then buy a ESEE. But price is just like a 2011 Power Wagon vs a 89' W250.

And now for the porn...






And for the compact GHB crowd, I an very impressed with the Becker/ESEE combo. It's affordable, good quaility, and decent size.

[ITGuy]

+1 on the Bark River Bravo 1. It's a bit more than $100 though. I have several Bark River knives and love them all. Can't say enough about Bark River.

You can find a Bravo 1 for about $160 or so. There are a few places that carry them. Knives Ship Free, Grand Prairie Knives, and several others. Sometimes you can pick up a used one in like new condition for about $125.

Here is my Bravo 1

[Kulprit]

I hate this thread. I was "allowing" myself to buy a nice little Mora knife to compliment by Gerber LMF to give me some variety and redundancy.

Now I've found this thread and am already considering a few more purchases! Love the RAT knives, only reason I probably haven't broken out the plastic is trying to decide what length is best ... 4 ... or 3.

Thanks for the info/work guys, it's appreciated by newbies like me!

[tarzan]

I have a stainless SRK and I have not found it lacking yet. I have to confess that I haven't used it to skin a buffalo or chop down a redwood yet, but the light bushcrafting stuff I have used it for have hardly even marred the black finish on the blade. Holds an edge just fine and I love the grip. I have read folks having problems with the grips but I can remedy that with Micarta when the time should come and I already have a leather sheath for it when the craplastic sheath does fail.

[Braxton]

I have had this since October.



Scrap Yard Dumpster Mutt. I have used it every day at my job cutting radiator hoses and car wiring.

So far I have no complaints.

[ArmchairWarrior]

Has anybody ever handled/owned this knife? I'm looking to get a big, old fashioned-ish bowie.



http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... owie+Knife

[rmherbert]

i like this one (scroll down to post #4) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showt ... p?t=238568
but i don't see it for sale anymore. i wish i could figure out how to post a pic!

[CipherNameRaVeN]

Can someone recommend a place where one can buy a ESEE-4 at the best price possible?

I am sorry to hijack this thread with selfish questions, but since I see so many people looking to buy one, the answer may benefit others also.

[Joezilla]

hey look at that, some of my old reviews, and even a knife i designed, are in this post and I didn't know it!

[Muppet Master]

I am in need of a good knife/knives.... Heading to Afghanistan soon and this time I want to be a little better armed. What I have: Kabar (Semper Fi guys) and Leatherman Multitool. So here is what I want. I want something that will fit on my belt sideways on my back, without wrapping the sheath with 550 cord. Something like this http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/pr ... 10233.html but better of course. It can not be serrated at all, and of course needs to be durable enough so it wont break if I fall on it. Preferably single edge and 3-4 inch blade, but I am open to suggestions. Price range is under 100 USD. Thanks in advance.

[Muppet Master]

Nevermind. Found one.

[D-Train]

Post it up!

[Mr. Bob]

I have a Kershaw skinning knife that's ok and a Buck Paklite Caper (EDIT- skinner) that I really like, but they're not quite what I want.

I'm looking for a small fixed blade knife that-
-has a 3" blade tops
-is stainless; very strongly preferred, this knife will not get used a lot
-has a straight line from handle to tip
-has a nice, lean belt sheath
-and is 50 bucks tops; if I find one I like I plan on getting 2 or 3.

Besides the stainless part, the Izula 1 and 2 and the Eskabar look interesting -except- I really want one with a straight line. I feel a straight knife is a much more natural fit for me. I'm open for some of the more "gentlemenly" looking knives I've seen here and there on the internet (sorry, can't remember any names!) but it still has to be sturdy and closer rather than further to a 3" blade. Basically this will be an EDC/utility/small knife that will probably get carried mostly when in uniform (Army, non combat MOS), in the field (work, occasional Army stuff, infrequent camping), and when opening and chopping many, many boxes at work. I only like folding knives in small form, this would be something that might be equivalent to a larger folding knife for someone else.

Thoughts?

[Molon Labe]

Your specs? Mora TopQ

[Mr. Bob]

Thanks! I do want a straighter spine and I pretty much have to keep it below 3".

[Champagne-Campaign]

http://www.Blindhorseknives.com has some pretty good stuff. I picked this one up at a show a few years ago and could not be happier with it. It came with a kydex hard sheath that can be worn vertical or horizontal and also a nice leather sheath. I like the horizontal carry and made the sheath in the picture.

[ForgeCorvus]

Smaller Mora


Or is this more the shape you want

[shrapnel]

Merged with the Fixed Blade Recommendation thread.

[Arch]

I know there are a couple of ZS members that own Scrap Yard "Mil Regulators" so I thought I'd post a couple of pics and comments about mine...

7.5" x .333" thick SR-101 (modified 52100 ball bearing steel)

I bought my Mil Reg during the original release and have beat the crap out of it since....

Brand New - Single Light Swing At Seasoned Wood


New - Some Chopping of SEASONED Oak


Single Swing at 1" Diameter Limb


Batoned Fire Wood


After Two Straight Days of Batoning I Touched It Up For 20 Seconds - Paper Curling Sharp


Its been used and abused A LOT since these pics were taken.

Finish Is Wearing Thin (Pic from Oct 2010)



The SR101 steel is amazing stuff. It sharpens easily, and stays sharp for a very very long time. The Res-C handle is super comfortable. I do not like "bowie" or "clip point" blade profiles, but at .333" thick this knife is never going to fail.

[Molon Labe]

Hey Arch, how does that coating effect batoning and shaving? I heard that some "rough/textured" coatings can sometimes hinder such uses compared to say a satin finish. (the smooth finish of a satin blade supposedly aids in batoning and splitting)

[NYKh]

Can someone recommend a place where one can buy a ESEE-4 at the best price possible?

I am sorry to hijack this thread with selfish questions, but since I see so many people looking to buy one, the answer may benefit others also.

I just picked up a ESEE from this place:
http://the-knife-connection.com/

Good quick service, no tax, no shipping.

Best price deal I found for the Izula with the full kit.

[Arch]

Molon, the texture of the finish is very rough from the factory (not "rough" like a sandy grit, but more of a "crinkly texture"). However, the finish "smooths" very quickly with minimal use. I've not noticed any performance issues arising out of the textured finish on my Bussekin knives.

I do have one "satin" but its a LE model, and I've not used it for anything (safe queen).

All in all, the Busse family's knives outperform everything else I've used by such a wide margin - I have not actually even noticed finish being an issue. Wait, as I'm typing...I do remember feeling a little resistance to "resetting" during batoning (with the pictured knife) for the first 10 minutes.

[Gravelface]

Any Fixed blade from Busse would be MORE than enough or if you are into customs check out David Wesner!!!

[Murphnuge]

Tagged, cause I'm a knife nut.