Advice on fixed blade

M

meliaant

Joined
Sep 10, 2008
Messages
112
Hey folks...new to forum, and love it...as you might see from my profile, I carry a BM 551S and a Kershaw Leek 1660ST...am in the market for a solid fixed blade, and don't know whether to stick with BM as my knife of choice, or to grab a Gerber LMF II...any advice on an awesome fixed blade, similar in size to the LMF, would be greatly appreciated...thanks!
 
See if you can find a Rat Cutlery RC4, its about the same size as the Gerber LMF and its an awesome knife. The Gerber LMF isn't bad either but I generally don't go for serrations.
 
That is really easy....

Fallkniven F1 or S1
Bark River Aurora, Woodland Special or Bravo 1
RAT Cutlery RC3 or RC4

..and stay off the LMF II, it is not up to it compared to the above suggestions. By the way, serrations are overrated.

Good luck
 
Bark River Canadian Camp or Rogue A-2 Tool steel,solid construction...approx. $150(no frills)-$180 & up.Great CS.Huge Selection!

You can't go wrong with any Barkie;)
 
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budget is anything $100 & less...not looking for an EDC, just a great, all-around fixed blade, with a 4"-5" blade
 
I always look at Bark River, if for nothing else but a point of comparison. With your budget in mind, Blind Horse Knives might have something to fit. You might check for Arno Bernard's knives on eBay, as well. I also agree you will want to look at RAT, Ka-Bar, Cold Steel and a few other production knives.

Greg
 
I am in your same position, looking for a fixed-blade of about 4-5". So far, RAT Cutlery interests me most. Another maker, which I almost never hear about, is Entrek. Their designs look good. Cheaper than that, the Ranger RD4 might suit you.

The other suggestions of Fallkniven and Bark River are great, IMO. However, in my search, I am looking for a knife that can be abuse without making me cringe. The Fallkniven knives have blades that are narrower than I want (from edge to spine) and I want Micarta in the handle, and the BRKTs are just TOO NICE to beat up :)

Are you from Worcester, MA? I used to live there, for a very short time.
 
I have heard/read nothing but great things for RAT Cutlery. I myself have two Ka-bars (full size and short w/ kraton grips). Good bang for buck imo and I've beat the hell outta both of em.
 
ShooterMcgavin said:
I am looking for a knife that can be abuse without making me cringe. The Fallkniven knives have blades that are narrower than I want (from edge to spine) and I want Micarta in the handle, and the BRKTs are just TOO NICE to beat up :)
Are you from Worcester, MA? I used to live there, for a very short time.
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Point taken:thumbup:Probably better off with RAT,Ranger,KBAR....etc


....although I have no problem beating on my Barkies;)
 
In a heartbeet, Id go with the new gerber Mark 2, they just started making them again in July, and they have improved alot about the knife (different serrations that are easier to sharpen, slightly better temper, and hold an edge very well, slightly stronger blade) but the blade size might be an issue-7''
 
RC-4 - I have one and it is everything people claim it is. Tough enough to do the heavy work, yet small and thin enough to keep the 'sharpened crowbar' effect minimized.

DSC_0008-2.jpg


Shocking enough, you may also consider one of the semi-custom makers on this forum. You might be surprised how many makers offer a hand-made blade for the range of $100-130 and you can specify everything from handle material, blade length, thickness etc.

Here is a set of Breeden knives (goes by the name of Sicily on these forums) I had made. All in O1 steel and cost around $100 per blade. The top one is his pathfinder model with G10 scales (5" blade), the middle one in osage orange is his peacemaker model (6" blade) and the bottom one is his kat model - in this case in a 3.5" blade. He will tweak the blade size on most of his models to fit your needs. Bryan also does nice work with green, natural and brown mircata. I've posted this picture since Bryan doesn't have his website up running yet.

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This one was purchased from Jeff Diotte - 1/4" chunk of man-steel (4" blade and 440C - it was a tad over $100; scales are bocote)

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A few other makers to check out that specialize in bushcraft style fixed blades:

Stomper
Koyote knives http://koyotemakesstuff.com/
Landi knives: http://garagegrafix.com/Landiknives/
David Farmer
Muskrat Man

Entrek makes good, solid knives for a production company. Also consider TOPs knives for a great fixed blade selection with mircata handles.
Edit - Barkes are a bit more expensive - but their value is evident the second you see and handle one.
Fallknivens are awesome knives for the budget conscious if you don't mind the rubber handles.
 
FlashOfLightning said:
In a heartbeet, Id go with the new gerber Mark 2, they just started making them again in July, and they have improved alot about the knife (different serrations that are easier to sharpen, slightly better temper, and hold an edge very well, slightly stronger blade) but the blade size might be an issue-7''
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Not as a general purpose blade though. Good for killing, not much else. I can recommend alot, from the Benchmade CSKII, RC4-6, Ontario AFSK. Lots of low cost to high cost options. Benchmade has a bunch of fixed blades that have varying utility, but generally good ergos.
 
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