3" - 4" 'survival-style' fixed blade recommendations?

jaseman said:
Have to say, I'm really liking the custom route from one of the makers here, if the price is right. I like supporting local craftsmen, when I can, but non-local (to me) is good too. Plus, chances are, I won't run into someone else who has one.
Click to expand...

I've bought from some of the knifemakers here, but never commissioned a build. That would be really cool to get a build done.
 
spykez said:
I'm a cheapskate. I take a mora companion HD. Yes, the sheath limits the way you can carry it, but I like it. For a beater I have the bk9. Next step up for me for a small knife is a ka-bar 1211. Again, I don't beat on this knife. The bk9 beaten on, or whatever big bowie I've got at the time. I don't go very far or very long so if I break the big knife it's no biggie.
Click to expand...
HD user here too. I recently bought an Armory Plastics Kydex sheath for mine (less than 20 bucks), and I think I am going to sell all my other fixed blades because now I have absolutely no reason to use any of them. The Armory sheath is extremely better than I expected, and completely eliminates the Mora's weakest link.
 
What about the kabar jarosz globetrotter? It should be well under budget.

3.5in 1095cv blade, with a full size handle. It comes with scales, but I guess you could take those off.

Otherwise, I guess I'd do an esee 3hm.
 
The Stiff Kiss isn't my favorite knife, but I've had good service from mine for years. You can still find the one with sort of a modified clip point. That's the one I have. I dipped the handle in 8 coats of red Plasti-Dip and it totally changed the knife from junk to a little treasure! You still have the thinness, but you get a great grip. I wear it as a neck knife and sometimes horizontally. Of the knives you listed, I like the ESEE3.

Joe
 
ocnLogan said:
What about the kabar jarosz globetrotter? It should be well under budget.

3.5in 1095cv blade, with a full size handle. It comes with scales, but I guess you could take those off.

Otherwise, I guess I'd do an esee 3hm.
Click to expand...

Oh!!! Good point! As a guy who has a weakness for knives in the 3-4" range, the globetrotter has tempted me more than once. I have no personal experience but have bene reading up on it and it is a fantastic knife by all accounts.
 
White Crown said:
HD user here too. I recently bought an Armory Plastics Kydex sheath for mine (less than 20 bucks), and I think I am going to sell all my other fixed blades because now I have absolutely no reason to use any of them. The Armory sheath is extremely better than I expected, and completely eliminates the Mora's weakest link.
Click to expand...

I prefer the regular Companion and carry mine in a leather sheath rigged as a dangler. I feel the same way. It's a great woods knife.
 
To add to the list that I sent you via Visitors message, check out JK Knives (link in my sig).
 
Well with the price point many of these options fall into you get end up picking up a couple two or three of these and get a first hand experience with them and decide from there. What you might try to do depending on where you live is get to a cutlery/sporting goods dealer or a gun show and check them out personally. Only you know what's going to be the right knife once you get it into your hand and put some use on it. I like just about every knife mentioned here, personally I'd stick with a blade with a flat or sabre grind due to its suspected use as you mentioned, all knives require some basic maint and oiling from time to time (again my pref is mineral oil in the event you do some food prep work). I'd like to personally try the ESEE HM4 next due to the handle mod, I love my standard 4 model that was stripped years ago and formed a natural patina from a lot of use. It's been one of my primary carries for years now and the size is universal for most tasks in the outdoors.
 
Forgot to mention, someone earlier in your thread mentioned the Gerber Strongarm, I picked up one shortly after they released it. It is very robust and prob one of the best values, solid reviews and tests out there to view as well. I have not personally used it yet but hope to one day. I just wish they would design something very similar in a less tactical design, especially in the handle to accommodate the hunter, camper or those into more bushcraft style of use.
 
Don't know if these were mentioned, but I will add Condor and Hultafors for production knives.
With the funds saved, you can get a custom sheath made.
 
With the Condors, the Two Rivers Skinner makes a nice woods knife. Comes with a nice leather belt sheath too.
 
I just ordered a White River Backpacker.

Not a lot of reviews or info on it, but the overall design and s30v sold me on it for a lightweight fixed blade edc.

The only thing I think I won't like about it is it's oem sheath, but we'll see! If I like the knife enough, I may seek custom kydex or leather.
 
Dangerously said:
Fallkniven F1. Stainless. Proven. The right size. Grip is solid, but on the thin side, which you may prefer. Can find a left handed sheath version, too, I think.

It's a great knife.
Click to expand...
+1 on the F1, I would add with it's sharp spine it throws sparks like a flame flower.
 
Greetings,

Lots of good offers so far...

Take at look at Austin Goldman's offerings, he has multiple ads. #2017-41 here or similar might be to your liking, and these are customs, just a smidge over your $100 limit...heckava high value.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1472657-18-Knives-AEB-L-and-D-2


The other end of the spectrum: The Browning Ignite...I was going through a similar search as you, for a sturdy fixed blade, but with a desire to keep the cost down a good bit more. I looked at offerings from Buck, Mora, Gerber, and others. For $20 online, the Ignite seems like a heckava good deal/high value...for $100, you could get 4-5 of them to use/abuse without mercy:D

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

BOSS
 
BOSS1 said:
Greetings,

Lots of good offers so far...

Take at look at Austin Goldman's offerings, he has multiple ads. #2017-41 here or similar might be to your liking, and these are customs, just a smidge over your $100 limit...heckava high value.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1472657-18-Knives-AEB-L-and-D-2


BOSS
Click to expand...

That may be a winner right ther... if it's still available in a few weeks...

I'll most likely be contacting him, as well as one or two others, to see what's available when I'm ready, and possibly having it built to spec (scales, finish, etc... just enough to personalize it without changing the price too much)
 
Love my TM Hunt Magua. They are out of your price range new but used they are within. It's a great blade.

46717321-5E3C-4CDF-9C89-CD420E0AFCC9_zpsbczkgjdc.jpg
 
ESEE 3 or 4 HM would be my first bet for production knives. I prefer the 3HM but they're both good. Now, if you could get that Magua^, game over. Watching the Custom Knives(by Individual) for Sale section can net some amazing buys.
 
Cold Steel drop forged hunter fits All your criteria. 52100 steel, kydex, its on my to do list.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top