Advice on 1st good fixed-blade?

M

MGF

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Jul 13, 2005
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Hi, I'm thinking about getting my first decent fixed-blade knife and would like some opinions.

Use would probably be hiking, small-game hunting, camping ... survival use if it came to it (but let's hope not).

I've been eyeballing the Bark River Forager and the Benchmade Outbounder. Both seem to have reasonably stout blades and a touch of traditional "warmth" if you will.

Any thoughts?
 
The two you mentioned are around 4" blades, so here's another in that size range to consider: the Russell #1, made by Grohmann. A very tough, quality Canadian piece that's proven its worth for years; used by woodsmen and the military here in the great white north. You can get different sheath variations, if you want one to hold a steel, or a full flap, or just plain. The handle shape may look weird, but it has to be held to be appreciated....very secure grip. Excellent blade size and shape, too, for many different cutting jobs.
Check it out, and other models, here:
http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/outdoor.html
 
A.G Russel carries both knives and both are excellent. You may want to check out his web site.

Be careful with the Bark Rivers. You can't buy just one.
 
If you want something with a traditional look check out Northwoods smaller knives. I have two Willow Leafs and a Wind River on the way, and I expect I will buy at least a few more of their knives. Dave Shirley (Northwoods) makes a very good knife at a very reasonable price.
 
Bark River would be an excellent choice. My favorites are the Montana Guide and the Mountaineer.

The Grohmann knives are very traditional, yet unique. They sometimes get jabbed around here for using an 'ordinary' steel. And it seems people either love or hate the ergonomics (I love them). You might want to handle one of these in person before buying.

Have you heard of Anza knives? Way cool, handmade, and very inexpensive. They'll sell you any of their standard line very inexpensively, customize it for a little more, or build you a completely custom knife for a bit more.

How about Buck? I like the 119 Special, the Woodsman, and the Pathfinder. The black plastic handles leave some to be desired in the warmth department though.

Tons of knives to choose from, literally.

Best Luck,
Bob

edited to add: Last year I bought one of the Northwoods Drop Point Hunters with wood handles on special for $45. It's a very nice knife.

edited again to add: if you like Scandanavian-style knives, you should look at Helle, Marttini, and Mora. Traditional materials and designs, well made, and affordable.
 
i prefer a full exposed tang myself....the gameskeeper is the full tang version of the forager

interestingly, it seems that all bark river knives in the current lineup are all exposed tang.

i own a fox river and mini canadian....i think they are superb knives

this is the dealer i buy from:

http://www.marblesknives.com/prodlist.asp?Manufacturer=Bark+River+Knife+&+Tool

always seems to have plenty of stock on hand....order 2 in different stocks to see which you like and then return the one you dont want. the reason i say this is that the picture you see on their site is a representative of the knife.....not the actual knife.....a buckeye burl handle can be quite different from the picture
 
Thanks for the sites.

I may be simple guy, but I really like the black micarta stocks on the Bark Rivers. There's something very clean about that look. And, yes, that Gamekeeper is something. Will have to get over to Russell's site and check out the Montanna Guide.

Re the Grohmann's, I intended to get one, but after I get hold of something a little more traditional. The Grohmann's might be nice for me ... I've got wide palms but not terribly long fingers. Looks like that handle would be a nice fit. The original or #1 in a flat grind with a sheath & steel seems like it would be pretty awesome rig.

This is not going to be an easy decision, is it?
 
"The Grohmann's might be nice for me ... I've got wide palms but not terribly long fingers. Looks like that handle would be a nice fit. The original or #1 in a flat grind with a sheath & steel seems like it would be pretty awesome rig."


That's the EXACT configuration I'll be buying for my daughter's next birthday! But I can't decide on the traditional rosewood handle, or the sleek-looking buffalo horn handle! Hmmm, maybe I'll just get both, and let her choose which she wants, and I keep the other.....a father & daughter set! What an excuse to buy another blade, eh? He he!

P.S. Whatever you get, I second the choice of a full tang type.
 
if you want something 'traditional' for all-round use id second the buck 119 special, but for another reason entirely. its very affordable (you should be able to pick one up for <$40), and it will serve two purposes:

1. you will add another fine knife to your collection for a very small investment.

2. if this is your first fixed blade, or first decent one, it will serve as a launching point for deciding exactly what you like. its a good knife at a great price, and once youve carried it around for awhile and used it in many different applications it will give you a feel for whether you want a larger knife, smaller one, what type of grips, what type of blade would suit your needs, what grind, what balance, etc.

the main problem with asking for suggestions and shopping for knives online is that you really dont know what you are getting until youve already paid for it and it arrives at your door in a box. by then it is often too late, and you might realise the size isnt right, you dont like the feel of the knife, etc.

this way you can buy an excellent but affordable knife that has a pretty traditional shape/design, use it for awhile, and then come back and know exactly what you want.
ie: 'i like it, but i wish the blade were a couple inches longer and the knife was more weighted at the blade for chopping'.

dont make the mistake many of us have made and order something online without knowing exactly what it is you are getting - and knowing that those specifics are what you are looking for. many knives look great in a catalogue or on a web page but when you get them in your hands you realise that they are not for you - unfortunately often by the time this happens it is too late.
and getting a buck 119 for $40 isnt 'wasting money', at all. its still a fine knife for your collection.

cheers,
-gabriel


**edit**
heres one for $34
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/irawoodinc/buckspecial.html
 
i think its also safe to assume that the bulk of people in this forum either own one, owned one at one time, or have handled one.
so if you get one and come back after a camping trip and say 'i need a knife a bit heftier than a buck 119', or 'a handle a bit thicker than a 119', most people will know exactly what youre talking about :)

plus, for $34? im ordering one right now as a gift for my g/f's father. cant go wrong with that one.
 
You can't go wrong with a Bark River. They are awesome cutting machines, no-nonsense working blades that are also great looking, what else could you possibly want?

My favourite model so far is the Mountaineer. It rocks! I used to have a 4" minimum blade rule, but the functionality of the Mountaineer is just amazing. The small size is a great insurance: you'll have this knife on you when you need it.

The Fox River is another great knife.

I only have three Barkies, so I'm not one of the experts, but I think they are one of the best companies out there, specially if you like the traditional look.
 
The BUCK 119 is a fine knife . I had one for awhile and it was a pretty good all around field knife . After using it some I decided it was a little big for my needs and traded it for a BUCK woodsman . BUCK's black handled fixed blades are good using knives . My 2 cents .
 
The Bark river knives are very good. I find them a bit uncomfatable to hold in anything other than the standard grip but they slice really well.
The Frosts mora knife knife is a good cheap one that allows you to find out what you like/dislike. Not a good looker though
 
I think the Bark River would be a good choice. The one I have has really impressed me with the quality, especially for the price. And since Mike Stewart appears to be on an endless quest to make his knives in every possible handle material known to mankind, you can find some pretty unusual ones if you look.
 
I have several Outbounders. They are a nice, classy light duty knife, but for what you want, you probably be better served by a Fallkniven F1.
 
To heck with traditional...Get yourself a Benchmade Nimravus or Nimravus Cub.
 
Well, the K-mart is just down the street so ... went out and grabbed a Buck 119.

Appreciate the advice and am not complaining ... but I think I'll stow it behind the back seat in the truck with the other "just in case" gear. For me, the handle is at the same time a little on the thick and a little on short side (big palms, short fingers). Am also fairly sure I'd like a 4" blade more in the drop-point shape for carry.

Looks like I'm going to have to clear a Saturday and road trip it to a good outdoors sporting goods store or two and handle some knives. :)

Again, not whining ... I love havin' good gear in the truck. :thumbup:
 
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