5 inch fixed blades under $60?

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Blah357

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Aug 21, 2015
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I've got $60 of Amazon credit to spare, and I've had my eye on a Gerber Strongarm for a while. Any other recommendations of similar/more favored fixed blade at the same price point (or lower) available on Amazon? Just want to know if there are better options before I pull the trigger on the Strongarm.
Blade: around 5 in
Plain edge
Drop/clip point
Thick enough for "survival tasks" (wood processing, chopping, etc) but thin enough to actually cut
Full tang
Steel: preferably a tougher stainless (like the 420HC in the Strongarm) or maybe a carbon steel, just too lazy to maintain; also needs to hold an edge decently enough
I know there are some decent Schrade fixed blades out there for little money, but I've heard their quality is iffy and I PREFER, but not require, blades not made in China, as I know some "higher end" stuff does come out of China (ex. Kizer).
 
Kabar USN Mk 1 off the top of my head.

Zieg
 
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Check out the Benchmade HK Dispatch.

D2 steel, Made in USA... a touch under your 5 inch mark, but I think you'd find the length useful.

Or get the Strongarm. I'm sure you'll be well served by either.
 
Becker BK5 is going for under 60 right now but that's a big blade.

Zieg
 
Blah357 said:
Strongarm.
Blade: around 5 in
Plain edge
Drop/clip point
Thick enough for "survival tasks" (wood processing, chopping, etc) but thin enough to actually cut
Full tang
Click to expand...

How much chopping do you really think you're going to do with a 5" blade?
In a blade of that size range, i've gotten better results cross-grain batonning. That said, if you can spend $20 on a Fiskars, or Bahco Laplander folding saw, you'll do yourself a great service and actually be able to get a practical cutting knife.

In 5" "survival" type knives, you're not really going to do better for the money than the Kabar MK1, or Ontario 499. In fact, being a 5" survival knife is exactly what the Ontario was designed for. It was designed to be a survival knife for Air Force pilots. It'll also come with some nice traditional looks, and $20 under budget.... oh wow. Just enough to add a folding saw to your order... pause to dramatically reflect on the serendipity!

Neither of these are stainless. You can still be lazy and maintain carbon steel. It really doesn't take a whole lot.
 
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Good suggestions here; unless you really need stainless - 1095 can be your friend in the field. Millions of truck leaf springs and lawn mower blades can't all be wrong ... and they have a tough life.
 
Gerber Strongarm is a good choice that meets your requirements and budget.

Though you're not going to be doing any effective "chopping" with a 7.2 oz 4.8" blade.

19-3Ben has a good recommendation - get the Ontario 499 and a saw or small hatchet.
 
Buck compadre maybe? I would remove the coating.
Several condor knives under your budget.
Otherwise something from ontario.

If it were me, $13 mora, $20 fiskars hatchet, $15 for either a SAK or an opinel and your good to go. With cash leftover for lunch.
 
I actually do have an HK Dispatch, but I'm looking for a drop point or clip point. All good suggestions, I'll look into it. And for "chopping," I mean that it's spine has to be robust enough. Not going to actually do much or any chopping, very light if at all. Also have looked into Ontario 499 and Kabar MK1 in the past, but I'm not sure how the rat tail tang will hold up. I might end up just getting the Strongarm, as I haven't heard many bad things about it during my research.
 
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I recently picked up a plain edge gerber prodigy and really like it. Bought it for the tackle bag. It's basically a strong arm with a different handle.
 
Svord farmers
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Partial tang, 1/2 width, 7/8 length
Length of Blade (inches) 5"
Over All Length (inches) 10 1/4"
Blade Shape Farmer
Handle Material Mahogony
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 2.2mm
Sheath 3mm triple layer PVC with brass rivets and sharpener holder
http://www.svord.com/index.php?id_product=22&controller=product
 
wilsonj1018 said:
I recently picked up a plain edge gerber prodigy and really like it. Bought it for the tackle bag. It's basically a strong arm with a different handle.
Click to expand...

When did they release a plain edge prodigy? I know it's cheaper, but not as well liked (and I didn't want it) because it only came in a combo edge.
 
As far as I know they didn't release it. I made a thread about it and have zilch for responses. I found it at a local store for 54$ and had the urge to buy it. I can't find it on gerbers site and the model number turns up the combo edge. It's coyote brown as well
 
I picked up a Buck Selkirk a couple weeks ago. It's a hair under 5", but at $45 it's a pretty decent deal.

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Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
Blah357 said:
I actually do have an HK Dispatch, but I'm looking for a drop point or clip point. All good suggestions, I'll look into it. And for "chopping," I mean that it's spine has to be robust enough. Not going to actually do much or any chopping, very light if at all. Also have looked into Ontario 499 and Kabar MK1 in the past, but I'm not sure how the rat tail tang will hold up. I might end up just getting the Strongarm, as I haven't heard many bad things about it during my research.
Click to expand...

Those knives have served our military in some of the harshest environments around the globe and for decades. Of the knives you're looking at, the Ontario and Kabar are the only ones that have that distinction. They truly are battle tested.

If you can break an Ontario 499, you are doing something very very wrong.
 
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