The ZS collaborative Fixed Blade Recommendation Thread

[mclary2220]

i have a few idea's based on my collection.....

1. buck knives- can't go wrong with a buck, they don't have the reputation of all those other knives, but they are very hardy and come with a forever warrenty. to me, a warrenty like that is incredible. nothing worse than spending top dollar on a knife and it rusts out or chips or bends.

2. cold steel- cold steel makes some of the most dangerous/toughest knives around. they come wicked sharp and you can pretty much torture them and they still function. i own a number of cold steel knives and they are incredible. in fact, the folders are so tough you may not even need a fixed blade. check out their website or better yet, watch some of their dvd's.

3. sog seal pup- this was already mentioned, and i agree. it's a great knife that will last forever.

4. becker knives- this company was bought by kabar, but the becker knives are still true to the origionals. really tough! won't fail you! a lot of survival guys prefer the becker

just my 2 cents

[Tennessee Rebel]

For the money you cant beat a TOPS or an ESEE I like the ESEE 3 4 and 5.
TOPS has too many great models to list here. I own a FireStrike 45 and its a beast!
Kabar... The new ones with the kraton handle and kydex sheaths are great knives for survival.
I learned to knife fight with a kabar in the Marine Corps and it brings back memories.
Same as Becker. Its a Kabar.

Buck? I dont really like buck. My sons an 11 Bravo SAW GUNNER in the Army and he destroyed a buck vanguard I bought him when he graduated from infantry school at FT Benning. Im not impressed with buck. If it wont hold up to infantry use in the field it wont hold up for survival.

In my opinion what to look for in a good survival knife is a carbon steel blade of the 1095 variety.

I would get a nice 1/4" thick 7" blade for batoning wood and heavy use and a 3-4" thinner 3/16" blade for skinning and food prep. I dont believe that their is 1 knife blade that does it all.

[cauldron]

I have a lot of knives, and there are a few that keep getting used more than the others.

My Scott Gossman Kephart gets used for almost everything while I'm camping. The blade is a little over four inches, and it has a convex edge. Scott uses 01 steel, and it is holding up well. The blade profile ia a spear point. The point is about as pointed as a boy scout folding pocket knife, or not very pointy at all... It batons well, slices food great, and looks nice. It looks as tactical as a butter knife.

It has a wood handle, and a full tang. The wood is osage orange. The leather scabard covers some of the handle.
I like it so much, I acquired a back-up. It has black micarta scales, but is otherwise identical.

I also love my Kukuris. LOVE them.

I also have a 1953 model of a boyscout knife. I never get odd looks when I use it. My other pocket holds a REKAT Pocket Hobbit. That knife gets looks.

[azrael99]

i have multiple pocket knife, and many fixed knife. but i lack a good field knife, most fixed blade i own are hunting knife. and because i love cold Steel i would look a their first. i have a eye on the trail master and the leatherneck

[Turtlewolf]

i have multiple pocket knife, and many fixed knife. but i lack a good field knife, most fixed blade i own are hunting knife. and because i love cold Steel i would look a their first. i have a eye on the trail master and the leatherneck

For less money (and same or better steel) get a Kabar Big Heavy Bowie and a Kabar USMC or the OKC USMC knife, they are proven and often cost loads less and the Bowie is also made in Taiwan like the over priced Cold Steel blade.
Cheers

[azrael99]

well, CS made the leatherneck which look like the Ka-Bar. and i looked at that big brother and love it. but can we get it without the sawback ?

[Mister Dark]

For the $100 range, I cant say enough good things about the Fallkniven F1. It is a fantastic bushcraft knife, basic, easy to sharpen, and long enough to handle most any task you ask of it.

(Sorry, no current pics. I'll edit with one this weekend)


For a few dollars more, I'd recommend anything Scrapyard. I have an Urban Mutt that is simply bombproof, under any and every condition.



(it looks nowhere near this nice nowadays, but is still razor sharp, and ready for anything I can come up with)

[Turtlewolf]

well, CS made the leatherneck which look like the Ka-Bar. and i looked at that big brother and love it. but can we get it without the sawback ?

Not the Big Brother man, that is a series of oops and WTF I literaly ment the Big Heavy Bowie instead of the CS Trailmaster. Oh and I do like CS, I own and love the Trailhawk (modified) and an original Carbon V (same steel as Kabar 1095 CV, not regular 1095 which is also good) Recon Tanto with original leather scabbard. I just find them over hyped and over priced when I can find almost identical pieces from other makers that are some times half the price.
cheers

[smokinbunta]

I've been juggling between if i want the Rat-3, 5, or bigger for like 6 months now... i keep thinking i want something bigger, but when buying i new knife i wanna make sure i use it right? and with my current situation, i know i won't make it out to the woods for any outdoors work with a big knife.. so im pretty sure the Rat- 3 is gonna be it...... do any kinda year end sales ever happen for knifes?

[Turtlewolf]

I've been juggling between if i want the Rat-3, 5, or bigger for like 6 months now... i keep thinking i want something bigger, but when buying i new knife i wanna make sure i use it right? and with my current situation, i know i won't make it out to the woods for any outdoors work with a big knife.. so im pretty sure the Rat- 3 is gonna be it...... do any kinda year end sales ever happen for knifes?

If you were in Alberta and local to Edmonton I'ld say go to West Edmonton Mall right now, there's a small store called Supply Sergeant that sells blades, military surplus and new military style gear and although usualy a bit high priced right now have some good deals on a few nice larger (7" blade) knives such as the Kabar Potbelly for $94. I grabbed one just because but almost instantly realized it was full of faults by design, still a good knife and certainly a good deal.
cheers

[CipherNameRaVeN]

I've been juggling between if i want the Rat-3, 5, or bigger for like 6 months now... i keep thinking i want something bigger, but when buying i new knife i wanna make sure i use it right? and with my current situation, i know i won't make it out to the woods for any outdoors work with a big knife.. so im pretty sure the Rat- 3 is gonna be it...... do any kinda year end sales ever happen for knifes?

I picked up Esee-4 (Rat-4) for $94
Sale will be available for another couple of days.
http://www.the-knife-connection.com/rat ... eries.html

The one you want is also on sale:
http://www.the-knife-connection.com/ese ... eries.html

The one with the red bow in the photo qualifies for another 5%.

[smokinbunta]

I've been juggling between if i want the Rat-3, 5, or bigger for like 6 months now... i keep thinking i want something bigger, but when buying i new knife i wanna make sure i use it right? and with my current situation, i know i won't make it out to the woods for any outdoors work with a big knife.. so im pretty sure the Rat- 3 is gonna be it...... do any kinda year end sales ever happen for knifes?

I picked up Esee-4 (Rat-4) for $94
Sale will be available for another couple of days.
http://www.the-knife-connection.com/rat ... eries.html

The one you want is also on sale:
http://www.the-knife-connection.com/ese ... eries.html

The one with the red bow in the photo qualifies for another 5%.

SHWEET! thanks man. u showed me the ESEE knives which are the same as Ontario(i believe Ontario used to be their manufacturer before ESEE had their own set up) and ESEE is usually about 15-20% higher in price.. BUT the site also has Ontario, so i Thank you.

[JC8]

I have to agree with those that mentioned the Fallkniven, even though I generally prefer carbon to stainless. In the $100 price range it would be hard to beat. Becker makes a few sturdy and reasonably priced blades, and Condor makes some inexpensive products worth looking at. Also, I'd avoid anything approaching 1/4" (0.25) inch in a knife unless it's a chopper. More weight and doesn't handle as well. 3/16" (0.187) is plenty beefy, but I actually prefer 5/32" (0.156) for a "heavy duty" knife.

Because porn is sexy, here are a few knives that I took on my last camping trip...mostly custom. The little Vic OHT on the bottom is my EDC.

[smokinbunta]

I have to agree with those that mentioned the Fallkniven, even though I generally prefer carbon to stainless. In the $100 price range it would be hard to beat. Becker makes a few sturdy and reasonably priced blades, and Condor makes some inexpensive products worth looking at. Also, I'd avoid anything approaching 1/4" (0.25) inch in a knife unless it's a chopper. More weight and doesn't handle as well. 3/16" (0.187) is plenty beefy, but I actually prefer 5/32" (0.156) for a "heavy duty" knife.

Because porn is sexy, here are a few knives that I took on my last camping trip...mostly custom. The little Vic OHT on the bottom is my EDC.

thats a serious set of camping gear! but the i dont think i see the 1 thats in ur avatar... whats that 1... me likey...

[Hanzo]

I have to agree with those that mentioned the Fallkniven, even though I generally prefer carbon to stainless. In the $100 price range it would be hard to beat. Becker makes a few sturdy and reasonably priced blades, and Condor makes some inexpensive products worth looking at. Also, I'd avoid anything approaching 1/4" (0.25) inch in a knife unless it's a chopper. More weight and doesn't handle as well. 3/16" (0.187) is plenty beefy, but I actually prefer 5/32" (0.156) for a "heavy duty" knife.

Because porn is sexy, here are a few knives that I took on my last camping trip...mostly custom. The little Vic OHT on the bottom is my EDC.

Who made the hawk?

[JC8]

The one shown as my AV is a roach belly from Bruce Culberson, a custom knife maker in Canada. Starting at the top with the machete (it isn't a machete actually) and reading left to right (excluding the Hawk):
1. Bark River - Golok
2. Brian Andrews - Captain Jack
3. Bruce Culberson - neck knife
4. Brian Andrews - big version of Captain Jack
5. Bruce Culberson - bushcarft/woods knife
6. Victorinox - One-Handed Trekker non-serrated with custom belt sheath

The Hawk is a Vec Hawk. This link will take you to contact info: http://hawks.equinoxcoronado.com/. He also has a sub-forum on http://dirttimeforum.com. It's a Cold Steel head that he re-handles. I haven't used it much so can't speak for it's durability, but it's light weight and looks real cool.

Be careful of knives, particularly custom knives...they're more addicting than crack.

[pirro]

http://www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/product.php?id=3935f1676

From khukuri house, they are the ones that supply to the Gurkhas. It cost only $42,99 and its the best tool out there.

Saludos

[Tennessee Rebel]

I am now quite fond of the KABAR D2 extremes.. I am wanting one.

[Psypher]

It's been my experience that the knife realm bigger truly is better...to a point.

I'd prefer something solid (not weak steel) with a wide spine and a lengthy blade so I can easily chop wood pieces down into appropriate small-camp-firewood. This requires a wide spine as you'd be hitting the spine with a large piece of wood and using the blade nearest the hilt. So obviously serrations near the hilt are out for me. I also want to be able to hack if needed, which will lend a bit to the length that I would like. It would still need the versatility of being a knife obviously.

I've been exploring the Ka-Bar Zombie Famine Tanto, but I just don't know if I like what's near the hilt. It's a bit off-putting for me.
http://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/138

Another was the CRKT Razel SS7, but CRKT makes stuff that rusts easily and the Razel has a massively serrated spine. Their FTWS has an edge on the spine, so it's out.

Cold Steel has the Recon Scout and the Trail Master that might fit the bill.

[Turtlewolf]

It's been my experience that the knife realm bigger truly is better...to a point.

I'd prefer something solid (not weak steel) with a wide spine and a lengthy blade so I can easily chop wood pieces down into appropriate small-camp-firewood. This requires a wide spine as you'd be hitting the spine with a large piece of wood and using the blade nearest the hilt. So obviously serrations near the hilt are out for me. I also want to be able to hack if needed, which will lend a bit to the length that I would like. It would still need the versatility of being a knife obviously.

I've been exploring the Ka-Bar Zombie Famine Tanto, but I just don't know if I like what's near the hilt. It's a bit off-putting for me.
http://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/138

Another was the CRKT Razel SS7, but CRKT makes stuff that rusts easily and the Razel has a massively serrated spine. Their FTWS has an edge on the spine, so it's out.

Cold Steel has the Recon Scout and the Trail Master that might fit the bill.

If you want a tanto look at the Ontario Knife Company RD Tanto, .25" thick, 7" blade and 5160 steel. Probably be a good blade for abuseing.
cheers

[Psypher]

It's been my experience that the knife realm bigger truly is better...to a point.

I'd prefer something solid (not weak steel) with a wide spine and a lengthy blade so I can easily chop wood pieces down into appropriate small-camp-firewood. This requires a wide spine as you'd be hitting the spine with a large piece of wood and using the blade nearest the hilt. So obviously serrations near the hilt are out for me. I also want to be able to hack if needed, which will lend a bit to the length that I would like. It would still need the versatility of being a knife obviously.

I've been exploring the Ka-Bar Zombie Famine Tanto, but I just don't know if I like what's near the hilt. It's a bit off-putting for me.
http://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/138

Another was the CRKT Razel SS7, but CRKT makes stuff that rusts easily and the Razel has a massively serrated spine. Their FTWS has an edge on the spine, so it's out.

Cold Steel has the Recon Scout and the Trail Master that might fit the bill.

If you want a tanto look at the Ontario Knife Company RD Tanto, .25" thick, 7" blade and 5160 steel. Probably be a good blade for abuseing.
cheers

Has their quality improved from the 1980's and 1990's? Had one of their blades back in the day, it was little more than imported crap from Taiwan.

[azrael99]

the toughest and most versatile tanto you can get in my eyes is the recon tanto from cold steel



i had it in my hand, and i loved it. if it wasn't because i didn't had the money at that time i would had buy it. it is clear that is one of their strongest knife and i will get one eventually.

[Turtlewolf]

the toughest and most versatile tanto you can get in my eyes is the recon tanto from cold steel



i had it in my hand, and i loved it. if it wasn't because i didn't had the money at that time i would had buy it. it is clear that is one of their strongest knife and i will get one eventually.

I have and love my original Cold Steel Recon Tanto in Carbon V but I wouldn't own that AUS 8 thing if it was gifted to me (okay then I would but wouldn't buy it), sorry Azrael99 but that particular tanto had its day and it passed.
As for the quality of Ontario Knives I have to admit that I've been using them since 1994 and haven't experienced any issues but others have, as for being made in Taiwan I haven't seen that either but I do like the Taiwanese Kabar knives in 1085 (SK5 is the same steel).
cheers
EDIT:I may have come off a bit harsh to my Eastern Nieghbor so let me add that I realy like tanto's but there are better choices than Cold Steel's current AUS 8 blade. I had high hopes for the Kabar Famine Tanto but they had to put those damn mall ninja serrations on it. The two best if you can get them right now would be the Kabar Tanto with leather handle (Tanto version of the USMC knife) or the Ontario RD Tanto. If you happen across an original Carbon V Recon Tanto and can afford it though, grab that sucker!

[azrael99]

that ok, not everyone like Cold Steel and\or their choice of steel. i would prefer that model in sk5 personally but we can't always have what we want. i have a AK47 made of AUS8 and for now i'm not disappointed at all. the knife is strong, the only thing is the AUS8 don't keep is edges razor sharp really long. it stay sharp long enough but will not stay arm shaving sharp as long as certain other steel. but the strength is more than enough.