Alternative to Izula

bradpierson26 said:
i will stand by my comments.
dogfish has a handy bottle opener if i recall but uses typical crkt steel
necker has a fugly handle IMHO
to each his own
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CRKT Dogfish uses 3Cr13 steel. That's similar to 420J2. :barf:

Ka-Bar Becker uses 1095 Cro Van :thumbup::thumbup:

you would choose crappy steel and a bottle opener over a top of the line blade alloy???:confused:

Mercy! YMDV (Your Mileage Definitely Varies).
 
My logic is, you're getting a knife with the properties of American 420J2, only the chinese/taiwanese version........ :eek:
 
Ranger little bird is pretty cool, but short. Like 1.75 inch blade. I'm might get one soon, probably a good EDC fixed. Small, micarta, USA made, 1095, kydex sheath.
 
I think that Boker Edit's a nice knife for its size & 440C's a decent SS. The Ranger Little Bird is a stout, short FB, but it's small. Mine's 4" OAL with about a 1.75" blade & it's thick, but the handle's pretty short.

I can't comment on the Izula as I don't have one yet, but I've had a few BK11s & they aren't bad. I really like the blade shape & size, but the handle shape could be better. I have large hands & can't get my hand "comfortable" on the handle because of the "wire" breaker. If my hands were smaller, it'd be a great knife. Based soley on observation, the Izula looks like it'd be more comfortable in the hand.

Another great small knife, but more expensive, I believe, are Newt Livesay's little knives. I've had a couple of them (I think one in A2), plus an Executive Woo & those aren't bad knives, either.

But I'd have to say, for the most "bang for the buck", it's hard to beat those 2 Bokers, especially the Edit.
 
Honestly, the IZULA is only ~$50.

Made in USA
100% warranty
awesome design and execution
and great guys :)
 
Gotta say that there is no alternative to the Izula. That being said, I think the izula is the alternative to the SR Swamp Warden and Busse version. The swamp warden is one of my all time favorites. I was very excited when I saw that RAT was building the izula because it seems I will get the same blade profile in an easier to acquire package. It definitely is not a copy of the Becker Necker.
 
Reeek said:
I think the Buck Mayo Kaala is a hell of a bargain at well under $80 with S30V. Some places have it for under $60 ;)

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+1 on the Kaala. Have been carrying one for months. Great knife for the price and workmanship.
 
Save up for the Izula. The performance to price ratio is incredible.

I've been buying a lot of neck knives and small fixed blades recently and there's really nothing that compares. The Izula is a solid little thing, feels bomb-proof. As others have said, the Becker Necker is the closest competitor for cheaper price. Personally, I'll pay more to get the RC warranty any day.

The Blind Horse Knives Tiger Knapp doesn't normally comes with a sheath, so it's $45 when u include a kydex or leather sheath. Not a good value compared to Izula, IMO.

One knife I recently got and can also recommend is the CKC Hiker. Not as tough as the Izula(thinner blade), but scary sharp with a full convex edge. It's $35-40(shipping included) depending on handle scale options, but Kyley(the maker) recently got injured so it will probably another few weeks before he can make them again.

And I suppose you should consider the cheaper Mora knives as well. A Clipper probably costs around $15(at least when I got it about 2 years ago) and it takes a good beating as well as taking a nice sharp edge. Bigger in size, but also more comfortable.

Finally, don't worry about whether it's carbon or stainless steel. I've never had a carbon steel knife rust on me, I've seen plenty of people with rusted stainless knives. The difference is the 10 seconds extra I spend wiping down/oiling the knife after use.
 
Becker Necker, no brainer. I have both the Becker and Rat. I can see almost no difference in performance, Both are the same steel 1095. Both companies heat treat well.
 
You won't get better for the price in my opinion, than the Izula.

but if price were...Chris Reeves "Professional Soldier"
 
For the money I think the best small skeletonized bushcraft knife out there (other than the aformentioned Izula) is the Becker Necker. Street price it is cheaper by about 13 dollars, made by a very reputable company and designed by a renowned survival knife designer. It has a very solid, full grip, is made from a quality steel, and costs 30 dollars. That is to answer the question as to a cheaper alternative. Here's what I'll tack on-Rowen's finish and edge are of higher quality than what you will receive from Kabar, and the no BS send it in we replace it no questions asked RAT Cutlery guarantee makes it worth the extra 13 dollars.
 
PayetteRucker said:
440C performance in a survival knife is laughable compared to both Kabar's and Rowen's 1095. Not to mention that knife costs more than twice what an Izula does...
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By way of comparison the MSRP for the Izula = $81 and the MSRP for the Benchmade = $85 which is about equal. With the kit, the Izula MSRP is $104.

Toughness goes to 1095, but what about edge retention and maintenance?

I don’t really know much about steels, but if 440C has better edge retention I think it might have its place in this small survival knife role –also consider rust, if that is an issue for the user, they might not mind having the less tough steel. 1095 can really rust up on you especially if you don’t have supplies to maintain it.

The OP said he would prefer stainless and he is planning on carrying an axe. I figure the axe will handle the jobs where toughness is an issue. Just trying to show all the available options.
 
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The Government said:
By way of comparison the MSRP for the Izula = $81 and the MSRP for the Benchmade = $85 which is about equal. With the kit, the Izula MSRP is $104.

Toughness goes to 1095, but what about edge retention and maintenance?

I don’t really know much about steels, but if 440C has better edge retention I think it might have its place in this small survival knife role –also consider rust, if that is an issue for the user, they might not mind having the less tough steel. 1095 can really rust up on you especially if you don’t have supplies to maintain it.

The OP said he would prefer stainless and he is planning on carrying an axe. I figure the axe will handle the jobs where toughness is an issue. Just trying to show all the available options.
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THE STREET PRICE of the Izula is 43 dollars. I chopped down 10 cottonwood trees last week with an RC5 and shaved my face with it somewhere in western Idaho. How's that for edge retention. There's a video of an izula chopping through a 3x4 block and still retaining a shaving sharp edge. you use a 440c blade to do that and it will look like a chipped up mess. I consider rust, long enough to whipe my blade down for 2 seconds with a silicone rag. Never had an issue with all the 1095 blades i own when it comes to rust, even when using it as a dive knife in florida. and yes, the gulf is SALTWATER. I'd pay 43 dollars for an izula way before I'd pay 43 dollars for any benchmade I've ever seen. The cheapest I see the tether is for 72 dollars and it bears a Harley Davidson logo....
And of the 440C knives I own, even of higher Rockwell rating, the Beckers and RATs I own all beat it out. As soon as you use it for something other than slicing it chips.
 
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good question. I am looking for an alternative to Izula too. Becker necker would be the most sounding anser i think, but i think Izula is better. The only reason for me to not pick the Izula is that i want an scandi edge, not a full flat grind. It will be my EDC/survival utility. I will definitely trash it, so i need to be easy to re-sharpen.I will kep paying atention here for alternatives to Izula.
 
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