Another Knife Recommendation Ask

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MississipVol

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Jul 5, 2015
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I know there are a lot of threads like this but I need your help.

I want a fixed blade survival style knife to keep in the trunk with my car kit. For this reason it needs to be rust resilient so I am thinking a 1095 blade might be out. (I live in a very humid area.) Since I have several shorter blades such as a couple Moras and a Becker BK16, I really want something a little beefier - not as hefty as a BK2 but around 5 inches of blade.

I am considering an Ontario Blackbird SK5 but have seen several reviewers mentioning how difficult it is to sharpen. Since I literally suck as sharpening the 1095 blades I already own that worries me, but it seems almost perfect otherwise.

Do you think the SK5 would be a good choice or is there something else I really should be looking at? I really don't want to spend much more than the cost of the SK5.

Thanks for any advice or steering in the right direction!
 
Learning to sharpen is not difficult, it takes 3 things.
1. The correct kind of stones or media for what you are sharpening. Not all steel is the same hardness and some have large carbides others small, some have many, some have very little if any.
2. Patience. You cannot spend 2 minutes on a knife and expect to go fron a dull chippy edge to a mirror polished slicing machine. Just doesn't happen that way.
3. Practice. Start by practicing on your collection of kitchen knives. Everyone has at least 2 crap steel kitchen knives. Chances are they are dull enough to smash rather than cut your food.

A carbon blade is just fine for your use, as is something made of INFI or even M390. It all depends on how competent you are with basic maintenance. When I say basic, I mean very basic. You don't need 15 kinds of clothes and solvents to keep your knife free from rust, even for prolonged periods. It takes a little oil and a little cleaning after use. Nothing more, nothing less. I know people that live in Southern Florida where it is routinely 8-% humidity or more and 90 degrees every day and no rust on their carbon steel knives.

Look at Becker knives, good steel, good warranty, good value. If you want something a little more ESEE is your ticket. If you want something different, then Scrap Yard Knives or Swamp Rat will do just fine. If you feel like money is no object, then there is Busse. Otherwise you can go with stuff from Grayman or Survive. I'd first practice sharpening until you develop some proficiency and competence in procedures. The Ontario SK-5 might be a good choice though, something about it drew your interest. I'd say go where that road takes you.
 
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So is the SK5 not the best choice then?

If I am going carbon blades as well then I would probably have an ESEE Laser Strike or a Ontario Rat 5 high on the list.

Is there a clear stand-out among that short list or another one I should take a serious look at?
 
There are so many great choices out there, Rev gave you some great advice. I know from personal experience that the RAT 5 is a great knife. I beat on one for several years and it just laughed and kept going. I eventually gave it away with lots of life left simply becasue I wanted something different. Terrific knife overall!
 
Sk5 isnt a stainless steel, it's just an alloyed carbon tool/spring steel that will still rust rather easily.
(There's a European steel called sk5 also, high tungsten blend, but not for Knives).



Boker plus manaro or Boker plus Hunter killer both in 440c

It's a good all around stainless, good rust resistance, decent edge holding, and not ridiculously tough to sharpen...
 
If not the BK2 then its slimmer, lighter, nimbler sibling, the BK10.

The coatings on the BKs are pretty rust resistence. All you're likely to get is surface rust on the screw threads and the exposed edge. Nothing you couldn't knock off with a scotchbrite pad or sharpening stone/rod.

But why so concerned about rust? It would take years (if not decades) of negect before rust could actually 'hurt' such thick steel. Wipe it down with a little mineral oil once or twice a year and fuggettaboutit.
 
If not the BK2 then its slimmer, lighter, nimbler sibling, the 5.5" BK10.

ka-bar-bk10-becker-crewman-thumb.jpg



The coatings on the BKs are pretty rust resistent. All you're likely to get is surface rust on the screw threads and the exposed edge. Nothing you couldn't knock off with a scotchbrite pad or sharpening stone/rod.

But why so concerned about rust? It would take years (if not decades) of negect before rust could actually 'hurt' such thick steel. Wipe it down with a little mineral oil once or twice a year and fuggettaboutit.
 
I keep a Boker Apparo in my truck for emergencies, 440c and a very well made tough knife. Really any of the ones mentioned will work as long as you wipe them down occasionally.
 
As far as rust goes, I was just thinking it COULD be a problem in that I want a knife to keep in car kind of put it in there and forget about it. I thought rust could become a problem with this kind of use but you experienced guys may have found differently. I am still pretty close to a newb.

I have a Becker BK16 that I LOVE. It is my "go to" knife pretty much every time I backpack. But with this next knife, I was really wanting something with micarta scales out of the box. That's why I picked those choices I mentioned above.
 
strategy9 said:
Sk5 isnt a stainless steel, it's just an alloyed carbon tool/spring steel that will still rust rather easily.
(There's a European steel called sk5 also, high tungsten blend, but not for Knives).



Boker plus manaro or Boker plus Hunter killer both in 440c

It's a good all around stainless, good rust resistance, decent edge holding, and not ridiculously tough to sharpen...
Click to expand...

I think he's referencing the Ontario SK5 Blackbird in 154CM.

Personally, I think the SK5 is a really nice knife, but it's not particularly beefy. Thinner stock than your BK16. I don't find 154CM terribly hard to sharpen, but I've been at it for a while as well. It won't take an edge as quickly as a simple carbon steel like 1095 will (unless you're pretty skilled), but it's not wildly more difficult to sharpen if you're using the right equipment.
 
If you have a couple of Moras and a BK16 I'd say you are more than covered. Especially for something to just toss in a pack a a backup.
 
OK, I didn't look up the knife he was referring to.
Had just recently had a similar issue with mentioning a cold steel laredo sk5 Bowie in o1, and the op asked if it was made of sk5 or o1.... Should put 2 and 2 together.
 
collim1 said:
If you have a couple of Moras and a BK16 I'd say you are more than covered. Especially for something to just toss in a pack a a backup.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I hardly ever feel a need for anything bigger than my BK16 and occasionally throw in one of the Moras if I plan to do more detailed work.

But I have been wanting something a little beefier for a while to play around with from time to time to see what I may be missing and also to keep in the car as a do-everything blade.

I have been leaning toward either the ESEE LS or Rat 5 but thought the SK5 might be better since it will be in the car a lot. But I thought I might get a little feedback here to help my thought processes a bit.
 
I am not sure how big of a knife that you want, but Esee makes the 4P in stainless and these knives have a "if you break it we will replace it" warrantee. Spyderco makes the awesome Bradley Bowie (4mm thick!).
 
MississipVol said:
So is the SK5 not the best choice then?

If I am going carbon blades as well then I would probably have an ESEE Laser Strike or a Ontario Rat 5 high on the list.

Is there a clear stand-out among that short list or another one I should take a serious look at?
Click to expand...

Best choice is a very ambiguous term, it means something different to everyone you ask. Maintaining carbon steel is really quite simple. Dry the knife when and if it gets wet, apply a coat of oil to the cutting edge when you finish using it and that is all there is to it. I've recently held a Laser Strike and it's one heft and solid knife.
If you don't plan on using the knife for much, but need something reliable then Becker or ESEE is your best choice. They are both very easy to sharpen, have a coating to help prevent rust, and the ESEE come in various colors and has one of the best warranties in the business. Don't be scared or unsure of trying a big piece of 1095, if it sucked as bad as some people make it out to be, no one would continue using it on any knives.
 
DocT said:
I am not sure how big of a knife that you want, but Esee makes the 4P in stainless and these knives have a "if you break it we will replace it" warrantee. Spyderco makes the awesome Bradley Bowie (4mm thick!).
Click to expand...

Yeah I really like the ESEE 4 but feel like I would be duplicating my BK16 with that purchase. I know the ESEE LS is not much bigger and the SK5 is actually a thinner blade but thought they may add a little more size that would be worthwhile and would add micarta scales. Of course, the Rat 5 would be the biggest I have mentioned.

I want to add micarta to my BK16 eventually but don't want to keep it in my car so I am not always pulling from the car kit every time I go backpacking.
 
154CM is really pretty easy to sharpen, and my favorite stainless steel so far. While Ontarios fit and finish used to be a bit hit and miss their customer service is great and quality is good. Grab the SK5 and enjoy, if its not right go to the sub forum here and Tooj will make it right.
Oh, and get a lansky turnbox with the diamond rods, they are only about $25 or so. Foolproof sharpening for the most part, just ease up on the pressure when you are close to done.
 
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