3/10/17 UPDATE: And the winnder is... Starter Fixed Blade?? Buck/Gerber/Mora/Other?

BOSS1 said:
....Truth be told, there's a Puma that's caught my attention, just because its a brand I've never owned but have always kind of followed at a distance. There German steel should be decent. Well see. Other wise I may just throw in the towel, get a couple BG Pros and call it a day.

Update: just checked the listing for the Puma and it just about doubled in price :grumpy:may have to reconsider on that one a bit.
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I bought a SGB Puma Elk Hunter fixed blade at a store. I am not so sure the steel justifies the SGB line price. BUT, in my case I kind of like the feel of the knife. I was handling it in the store and not paying attention... fumbled and dropped. My response was to try and catch the knife so it wouldn't hit the floor. In the process, cut the living crap out of a finger. It was VERY sharp from the factory. I believe it's 440A steel which is not that great. Bought it because it drew blood, my blood. Haven't used it since and have no idea about edge hold capability. I suspect it holds an edge poorly. But that is only a suspicion. I like the Buck (Cabelas wildlife series) 192 a lot more and it ran about $100.
 
For 100 bucks, this one is a beast of a knife. They say it's a fighter, but I'd prefer it as a hunter. I've got one and it's a real little beauty... you can get one now in the States for $107.


Boker Plus Ginger Fighter

We needed no convincing after we handled this Todd Begg design - it is the ultimate fighter. The hefty 6mm thick, stonewashed 440C stainless steel bowie style blade will provide results in all conditions, be it a field or fighting knife. The milled G-10 scales offer superior grip, while the pronounced finger guard and thumb ramps ensure grip and safety. Includes a Kydex sheath and Tek-Lok.



Specifications:
Overall Length: 11 1/8"
Blade Length: 6 1/4"
Weight: 12.5 oz.
Blade Material: 440C Stainless
Handle Material: G-10
Item Number: 02BO600


[video=youtube;Xmqd590BLhY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmqd590BLhY[/video]
 
Greetings all,

UPDATE: There's been some movement towards finishing this little project...I still have one more set of purchases to make in a few days, and then I think I'll be able to summarize what I've come up with.

In the mean time, I did look at a couple other possibilities...the Schrade SCHF1SM and SCHF2SM (smaller CRK one-piece styled hollow handle models), which I think are a good alternative, but I think the knurling would have been a bit rough on the intended users as well as being either very hot or very cold, depending on the environment. Pure round/cylindrical handles probably aren't optimal compared to more normal oval-type grips. I also looked at the Puma XP Forever Knife set, which comes with a fire steel and functional nylon sheath at nice price, but it sounded like the grip would have been too large, especially combined with the finger grooves. And then there was the disappearo-in-the-brusho color pattern...less than ideal.

So in any event, about halfway there...shall keep you posted. I will share this...while I actually think the BG Pro would have fulfilled the role I have in mind very well, probably better straight out of the box, it came in a very, very close second to the path I'm taking. That being said, I'll be keeping an eye out...if I come across a really good sale, I'll probably still pick up a couple of them.

More to follow.

BOSS
 
The Mora Lite My Fire pretty much covers all your bases. the only thing it is lacking is the whistle, which you could easily add for a dollar or two per knife.
 
Update:

Well, I had ordered three knives a month ago, and they're still on back order with no ETA in sight. I may be cancelling that order shortly.

On the plus side, I may have found a blade that better fits the bill at half the price: The Browning Ignite. Under $25, and is actually more to what I had in mind. Full tang, fire steel, Blaze Orange coloring...pretty much everything but the whistle and sharpener. Whistle is a cheap fix, sharpener pretty low priority. Think of it as BG Pro 'lite.'

Time will tell, we shall see!

BOSS
 
Buck is a good brand to go with. I will add I recently bought a larger Schrade 1095 steel fixed blade and was very surprised with the heat treat, well, very surprised with what I got for under $30. Great for the money. It is a great backup blade. Bucks 420HC steel is great for an all around knife, I would start with one of those.
 
I would advise against a hollow handle. Especially since you wanted full tang and are now ditching that idea all together. I know that Schrade is good, but for a young knife user probably not a great plan.
 
a Trexler Ranger said:
I would advise against a hollow handle. Especially since you wanted full tang and are now ditching that idea all together. I know that Schrade is good, but for a young knife user probably not a great plan.
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^^Does not compute. I've focused on full tang blades... With a passing glance at the Schrade one-piece hollow handle offerings. The Browning is full tang.

The main idea was a relatively stout, high viz, inexpensive beginner knife.

Cheers,
Boss
 
This Gerber Prodigy is at Wal Mart right now. Plain edge, 420hc full tang 5" blade and U.S. made. It comes with an excellent sheath, has a glass breaker all for $49. I havnt tested it yet but have seen many reviews and it held up to some serious abuse.

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Also at Wally theres the buck Mesa. Also full tang, 420HC with Micarta handle scales and hard plastic sheath. I have beat on this one and it holds an excellent edge and excels at camp tasks.

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I'm pretty impressed with the Buck Mesa for the price. I bought one just to check it out.Made in USA,Bucks heat treat, good sheath,and it costs about $40. Imho you're going to get a better whistle and firesteel purchasing them seprately rather than those that come with many survival knives.
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For a fire starter may I suggest the Aurora Fire Starter?

Unlike many starters, you can work with this one even wearing gloves.

Personally, I feel that it is the best one out there.


Also, I have handled the Buck Mesa series. Was very impressed for the money.
 
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Thanks for the input all.

I cancelled my order for 3 Puma knives I originally chose. That would have been too easy for it to just work out. :rolleyes: Seriously, a multi-month delay??? Bummer...

I'll have to take a look at Walmart next time I'm there to see of they stock the Mesa. Apparently, the tang is drilled already, so all you have to do is drill through the micarta and you can have a lanyard, which is a bonus.

The buck 679 with blaze orange handle has also caught my eye. Sub $25, looks like a good all arounder, but lacking a bit in the sheath dept.

However, that Browning Ignite is currently at the top of the list. At least its in stock. :thumbup:

And I do have a trick up my sleeve too for this whole project;)

This is certainly more of an experience than expected (with the cancellation).

BOSS
 
Good thread, I'm in the market too.

I've settled on trying a Mora first, might pick up a Buck Mesa if one of the Wally Worlds in town has one in stock.
 
UPDATE: Decision Made!

Well, surfing around last night, I found Browning Ignites for $19.99. :thumbup: As I was buying more than one, I got free shipping. Just too good a deal to pass up for the intended purpose/usage. Quite honestly, considering what you're getting, it's pretty hard to fault at that price. Put another way, its a pretty solid value. And FWIW, local WalMart didn't stock the Buck Mesa.

Browning Ignite: http://www.browning.com/products/knives/survival-knives/ignite-black-and-orange.html

The Ignite will pretty much will fill all our needs. It's full tang, stainless, fairly durable looking, functional lanyard with limited striking capability, Blaze orange trim, and fire steel included. I picked up some whistles at local general store for about $1.25 each, and sharpening stone isn't really necessary in this particular instance (and lets be honest, except perhaps a big skinning job, 'field sharpening' usually isn't common-place. Most folks just wait until they get back home to sharpen so they don't screw up their bevels, particularly if they use a Wicked Edge, Edge Pro, etc).

So in any event, if you're in the market for an budget-friendly 'learner' knife for young campers, etc., might be worth a look.

I'll give a table top review after I get them in hand.

BOSS
 
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Phenomenal suggestions here. I didn't read through all the responses (but will). I was pondering the BG Pro so I Googled it and found this thread.

The BG Pro is one of the most comfortable knives in this category that I've ever held. I have multiple Moras and particularly love the Bushcraft Survival (Black and Orange; carbon and stainless) as well as the Companion HD. I definitely love the Garberg (new Kydex sheath from Armor Sheaths coming next week). I also have a Cold Steel SRK in 3V and a Gerber StrongArm. The StrongArm is a close second to the BG Pro in terms of ergos, and the steel is better in my opinion. Also, it's a few bucks cheaper if you buy it in black.

But, dollar for dollar you get a lot with the BG Pro. I don't mind the colors as much as the BG logo- but who gives a rat's derriere when you need a good, hard working knife? Legitimately, most of us do. That said, I'm considering another BG Pro just because I know I can beat on it and feel pretty good in the process. Until then, StrongArm fits that bill.

Also, if you buy a knife that doesn't have a spine capable of throwing sparks or shaving fine wood- never underestimate the power of a Dremel. I put a sharp unpolished spine on my Companion stainless and Companion HD carbon last week. Using a stone grind bit and diamond bit, both now have a 3/4" unpolished spine that throw sparks and shave wood.
 
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