4-5" Fixed blade all purpose knife??

I was looking for about the same thing for a month or so ... finally decided on a swamp rat howling rat LM. The bark river gunny also made it to the final round for me. In the end, I decied to go with the swamp rat, which was a little more towards a survival than hunting, whereas the gunny seemed to be a little more hunting than survival. I didn't really consider the Bravo 1 since I wanted to use the knife for hunting and the blade dimensions of the Brafo 1 looked a little too beefy for that purpose.

There is also the fehrman peacemaker, but my research leaned me towards the swamp rat SR-101 steel over the peacemaker's 3V.

All of these knives are over your price cap. If I had the same price cap as you, I think I probably would have gone with an ESEE RC-4. I'm not too sure about the TAK1, but I think I would go with ESEE's rowen 1095 steel for survival do-it-all purposes over the TAK1's D-2. It seems to me that a lot of knifemakers are hopping on the D2 bandwagon, but from what I have read, D2 in and of itself is nothing special--it depends more on how it is handled (e.g. Dozier's excellent heat treat). It seems that the ESEE guys definitely know how to handle their 1095.
 
Pretty sure they have a 1095 Tak as well.

At this point sticking to the price range, its looking like Tak-1, Shiv, Rat-5, Ranger Afghan Bush series, RC-4 just barely makes it on cost, most the others can be had for $60-80 shipped.
 
RangerR47 said:
Pretty sure they have a 1095 Tak as well.

At this point sticking to the price range, its looking like Tak-1, Shiv, Rat-5, Ranger Afghan Bush series, RC-4 just barely makes it on cost, most the others can be had for $60-80 shipped.
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Yeah my sons TAK is 1095 !:thumbup:
 
Since your selections seem to be very similar in design and most or all are 1095, I would do some research regarding the heat treat and such that each manufacturer gives its knives and decide what you want to pay for--not all 1095 blades are created equal. All I know for sure is that ESEE does a great job with their 1095. But I'm sure that there is no shortage of info on the other blades.
 
RangerR47 said:
You guys got my head spinning now, too many to choose from....

Does anyone have both the Shiv and Tak1 by chance? Id like to see these 2 side by side, I know the shiv is smaller, but has same length blade, but it seems tiny in most pictures I see, hard to tell without actually holding it.

I can see how you can get into trouble real quick with the temptation to get ALL these beauties.
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I don't think you're making a wise choice on ANY knife unless you hold it in your hands before buying it.
 
But how can you hold pretty much any of these? I mean I guess you could buy each from a place you can return it, but I have never seen any of these at a store around town.

I think most here buy them in hopes it is what it seems and sometime it is, sometimes not. Thats the thing about buying online, you have an endless choice, but your going by specs and a picture for the most part.
 
Here's another vote for the Ontario Tak-1 and its large handle :thumbup:. Its my favorite outdoors blade. As a second choice ill vote for the F1.

Heres a comparison pic, top to bottom, Becker BK2, Ontario TAK, Fallkniven F1, Chris Reeve Shadow III single guard.

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RangerR47 said:
But how can you hold pretty much any of these? I mean I guess you could buy each from a place you can return it, but I have never seen any of these at a store around town.

I think most here buy them in hopes it is what it seems and sometime it is, sometimes not. Thats the thing about buying online, you have an endless choice, but your going by specs and a picture for the most part.
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You could make a pilgrimage to Smokey Mountain Knifeworks in Sevierville, TN. They have many of these (Becker, ESEE for sure but call first for the others).
 
Infi-del said:
Take a look at the Bark River Knife and Tool Full Tang Kephart and the Aurora. Both are solid knives. I've got the Kephart and it's maybe the best wilderness specific knife I own. Good steel too, A2 tool steel is really durable stuff. Here it is with my Busse Boss Street. The Kephart is my WSK and the Busse is my USK.
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I would be interested to hear your thoughts comparing your two knives. What is the Busse lacking?
 
cut down an Old Hickory butcher knife to your tastes. Work from there.
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I used an Old Hickory paring knife for almost ten years for 90% of my camping and woodcraft use until a USAF pilot's survival knife took over. Between the two of them I never knew I needed a "better" knife.

Today my full tang BRK&T Kephart is my main go to woods knife but I can't say it does so much a better job than my first knives that the price difference is justified. I just like a nicer knife these days and can afford one.
 
Just an update on this

I was talking to my brother about knives and my nephew overheard us. He tells me he got a knife a while back and never even opened the box as hes young (20) and thinks he needs a 7" at all times...

Turns out he had a brand new Benchmade Rant he decided was too short so never even took it out of the box and went with a BK7 instead.

He tried to give it to me but being his uncle I gave him $40 for it so all were happy in the deal.

I really like it and its pretty much exactly what I was looking to get, saved some cash and didnt even have to wait for it to be shipped. Now I just need to get out and beat it up some.
 
My friend has a Rant and it has worked out really nice for him. I think its a great deal. Is yours 440C or D2. My friends is 440C.
 
You can't go wrong with the Fallkniven F1.

I had every single knife from the Ontario Rat line but gave them all up except the Rat-3 D2 and the RTAK II. I think the TAK was a bit beefy for carrying. But great to have around, same goes for RAT-5 and 7.

RC-4 or ESEE 4 is much better for me personally handle- and sheath-wise. I don't have the one in the picture now, but I do have the serrated version that I kept because out of all these makers only ESEE makes the combo egde and they have proven to me that the serrates work extremely well.

Also missing from is pics is my Mora Clippers. I have had dozens and they are all being used.

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Edit: sorry for posting after you already got a knife. Did not read thread through. Apologies.
 
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[QUOTE

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Edit: sorry for posting after you already got a knife. Did not read thread through. Apologies.[/QUOTE]

Why in the world would you apologize for replying with a pic included of so many nice knives, that sort of thing is always welcome in my book.
 
RangerR47 said:
[QUOTE

Why in the world would you apologize for replying with a pic included of so many nice knives, that sort of thing is always welcome in my book.
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Well, yeah. I didn't want to appear like....anyway. Congrats on the Rant. I'm getting one too. :thumbup:
 
I have been spending more time now, even after getting a knife already looking up some of these suggestions from this thread and others. I can see how you can end up getting in some trouble with the old lady for sure...

I now think Im really liking the Bark River Aurora...alot

Id also like to get a scandi grind as well, been checking out the enzo blades. Why is it if you find a scandi blade and it even closely resembles the Ray Mears knife, they automatically cost more?

I figure I got a good deal on the last one, that it almost doesnt count and can get just 1 more knife.....right? heh
 
Get in touch with David Farmer, he made a really nice EDC for me for under a hunsky. 1095 and cocobolo, with a leather sheath.
 
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