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

If you didn't include this in your preferences, I would suggest.. I'd rather have a knife forged from aluminum cans by a drunk, comatose, and possibly dead sherpa out of the fire of their own gastric products than anything by Cold Steel. That's just me though. YMMV.
 
You can get a lot of nice deals here on the exchange especially some that come up as slightly used or sometimes sold because they are not used and the owners want to pass them along to those who will. Austin Goldman makes a nice knife and are affordable without breaking the bank, I have a small hunter in AEBL that I got specifically to try that steel, still to get some dirt time.

One last thought, has the Bradford Guardian 3 or 3 been mentioned? Price may be higher than want but I have heard they have quite a following for good reason.
 
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Don't mistakenly think you have to spend a lot of money.

Condor Kephart. You can find them for $35 or less.
Condor%2520Kephart.JPG


Grohmann #3. You can find those for about $60.
Grohmann%2520%25233%2520CAF%2520%283%29.JPG


Both are proven designs.
 
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grogimus said:
If you didn't include this in your preferences, I would suggest.. I'd rather have a knife forged from aluminum cans by a drunk, comatose, and possibly dead sherpa out of the fire of their own gastric products than anything by Cold Steel. That's just me though. YMMV.
Click to expand...


Don't play coy. Why done you tell us how you really feel? Lol.
 
grogimus said:
If you didn't include this in your preferences, I would suggest.. I'd rather have a knife forged from aluminum cans by a drunk, comatose, and possibly dead sherpa out of the fire of their own gastric products than anything by Cold Steel. That's just me though. YMMV.
Click to expand...

Let's try this from a different angle.

52100 steel ["Alloy 52100 grade is primarily used for the manufacture of aircraft bearings and other highly stressed parts.http://www.steelforge.com/alloy-steel-52100/"]

+ Kydex, the best synthetic sheath material so far.

= one particularly 'good on paper' freakin knife., especially if they are going to RC it at <56 and especially in the light of it's low street price right now.

Eric Clapton was / is a fine guitar player, but in life he is a total sleazebag, so according to your logic I should turn off the radio when any of his songs are on. But first of all Lynn Thompson isn't a sleazebag, say what you will but I am not in debate mode just now.
 
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56rc is low for 52100, and it would be stable up to around 60-61rc for a woods knife for most knife uses, barring abuse.


I don't want to derail this thread, so if you would like to speak of Lynn Thompson at length, start a thread in Feedback or W&C.
That being said, As far as Lynn Thompson and his regard for other knife makers and the knife community goes, take a look here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1390292-san-mai-copyright
 
Yes, even for someone using the "industry standard" bearing HT as opposed to the low temp autenizing that many custom and specialty makers use now. Of course, the same could be said about 1095 at that hardnesss level.;)
NJBillK said:
56rc is low for 52100, and it would be stable up to around 60-61rc for a woods knife for most knife uses, barring abuse.


I don't want to derail this thread, so if you would like to speak of Lynn Thompson at length, start a thread in Feedback or W&C.
That being said, As far as Lynn Thompson and his regard for other knife makers and the knife community goes, take a look here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1390292-san-mai-copyright
Click to expand...
 
ESEE-3 OR JG3 Also check out Red Feather Gear for Kydex sheath & Tec-Lok hardwear. These two knives will do everything you ask them too do, with a big grin!
 
Of the ones you listed, I would go with an ESEE 3HM. I had one for several years it is a beast of a little knife. I got rid of it because it had thin scales, but you're looking for it.

I have some Hickory knives that qualify for Medicare, they got such a good patina, I haven't oiled them in months even though I use them every day. But yes, new 1095 does require a bit of maintenance at the beginning, which is why most companies coat them now. I would remove the coating get a patina on it and will become a lot less maintenance.
 
You can find a Fallkniven F1 on the exchange for a hundred or less. Also would say check out DPX gear Hest fixed blade. Great knife, niolox is some good stuff too. Good luck with the search.
 
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