A little help with a fixed blade decision

[SharpBits]

 

[Tritium]

I think most knives would rust on you. Box cutter blades will probably rust very fast.

This would work well and never rust. Under $200 too. Serrations should last a good while.

 

[Ozmose]

I think something like S90V would be perfect for what you need. I'm not sure what size you're looking for though. Most S90V fixed blades are on the smaller side. I know Jack Wolf and Cerberus Knives make some in the $200 range. Some of the other guys here might be able to think of more.

 

[Jim B]

That Demko looks ideal but unfortunately appears to be sold out everywhere. I think I’ll just get the Strongarm and hopefully be happy with it.

A big thanks to everyone who took the time to help. I read all the suggestions and genuinely appreciate it.

 

[Ebbtide]

View attachment 3174373

THIS!
Get two.
And while you are at it, get two of the non-serrated version as well.
You won’t regret it.

 

[Drop bear]

Milwaukee duct knife?

 

[luethge]

David Mary

 

[abcdef]

The Mora in #21 looks like the answer. If you are afraid of the elements, put it in a sandwich baggie under the seat. Or have one of the talented makers on BF make a really cool digger.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Another steel choice would be D2.
It's an old steel. Not trendy or fancy. It was popular in the previous century.

Now it can be found on lower cost knives. Or makers who like it. I do.
It's not stainless, but Almost...... It will be WAY better than 1095 in that way.
If it is in ingot form, it has large toothy chrome carbide that cut almost like serrations

Perfect for twine, or hide.

One of my personal edc knives is D2 steel.
You should be able to find some good mass produced blades in this steel.
I don't think you Need to chase fancier steels, it's not necessary for You.


......but I don't make $200 knives.

 

[ferider]

I think most knives would rust on you. Box cutter blades will probably rust very fast.

This would work well and never rust. Under $200 too. Serrations should last a good while.

View attachment 3174375

Best suggestion in this thread. Blade shape is perfect, too.

 

[ChrisStockman]

If it's repeated use and going to be shoved up under a seat, i'd save $170 and buy a box cutter with several hundred serrated or carpet blades. Or even spend the cash and get you a fancy folding one and keep it on you. Stick a magnet or a blade bin to the side of your steed and cash 'em as you go.

 

[eveled]

Don’t you carry a knife everywhere anyway?

 

[norcalAF]

Honestly, if your primary role for this knife is cutting bailing twine then something stainless and serrated might be your best bet for continuous, long term effectiveness.

A serrated Spyderco Temperance in CruWear might fit your needs. It is still available at some dealers online for less than $200.00.

Methinks this fella would benefit from a conversation with our buddy David Mary

 

[jfk1110]

Methinks this fella would benefit from a conversation with our buddy David Mary

YUP......

 

[DMG]

I have experience with a tractor knife. It is going to live a rough, short life and will be lost when someone sets it down on a rear tire and forgets. I vote a stainless Mora. Even better, the serrated mora.

 

[Horsewright]

As a knife maker I probably shouldn't relay this story but....

We were visiting my son who works as a cowboy on a large ranch in south east Oregon. He'd been riding a colt for us and we were up there to pick up the horse. At that particular time they were feeding a lot of calves ensuring that they make weight. They'd already been sold and the trucks were coming in a few days. Even though we were there on a weekend their three man crew were still feeding first thing then pretty much had the rest of the day off. We started at 5:45 am and were finished by 8 to 8:30 am. We fed 30 large, 1200 lb bales each morning that's 36,000 lbs of feed! Even though I'd ranched (retired now), for many years this was a scale I was not use too. The feeder, driven by the cowboss, spread the chopped up hay and mixed in supplements in long lines across large pastures. The calves would get in lines eating the feed. We fed in six different pastures. Heavy steers, medium steers and light steers and the same for heifers.

Big pastures, some are actual hay pivot grounds as is this one. The white dot is the feeder and we're in the same pasture checking to see that all are healthy and none need doctoring.

Point is I was curious to see what kind of knife they were using to cut all the bales open. Both the cowboss and the other cowboy are noted hunters as well, so I was expecting something pretty darn nice. Yeah, no. You know what they used? An old hatchet. It worked and worked at cutting string from bales and they never worried about it. What did they do on this outfit? Each guy did have his own personal knife either a folder or a small belt knife but for cutting bales, lots of bales, they used an old hatchet. Just a thought.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Methinks this fella would benefit from a conversation with our buddy David Mary

I thought about that, but I've seen too many tools get lost after riding on a tractor and didn't want to suggest something that would be tough to lose. Hence my second recommendation.

 

[Kiteman72]

I searched for years for the perfect baling twine knife and settled on the Byrd Hawkbill serrated blade. Pretty cheap, stainless and really grabs that twine.

I like the Mora SharpBits suggested too, since you asked for a fixed blade and not a folder.

 

[dfarm]

View attachment 3174373

This or a regular stainless mora would be my suggestion for a knife to leave on a tractor to cut bales open with.

 

[Steven65]

Buy a Mora. Or better yet buy three of them and leave one in the cab of the tractor, one in your pickup and a spare one at home. They are inexpensive, indestructible and perfect for this kind of thing. If you do loose it it's just no big deal.

This one was gifted to me some years ago and I am amazed just how much use it has had.