Any good 4" to 6" carbon steel fixed blades under $100?

D

diletante

Joined
Mar 20, 2002
Messages
389
I know I can get a Marbles in 52100 while they last, or a Swamp Rat or a Blackjack if I can find one. I'm particularly interested in 5160. 52100, M2 and D2 interest me, too. You get the picture. I'm not looking for a military knife or anything over 6"--just a good tough basic fixed blade carbon steel camp/utility knife with a full flat or convex grind that will hold an edge like crazy. Think Cold Steel Master Hunter, Marbles Plainsman, Marbles Sport with a longer blade or a carbon steel Fallkniven F1 (If I go stainless, I'll get the F1). Oh yea--no coated blades :barf:
 
For 100$ you could get a custom made fixed blade in carbon steel.
Here in Sweden you have pretty plenty to chose from in the 100-120$ range if you go with custom made carbon steel.
Check also out Roselli carbon steel hand made blades.
They are extremely sharp and holds the edge great.
www.roselli.fi/1/index-eng.html


"Following years of research and experiments, H.Roselli developed his own way of processing ultra high carbon containing bladesteel (1,5 - 2,0 %). The outstanding edge holding properties of UHC-steel results from the high amount of hard carbides produced in the forging process. Whatever the job, -carving, cutting or skinning-, UHC-steel holds its edge longer. In fact the edge retains its sharpness twice as long as conventional carbon steel. The handles of UHC-knives are made of birch, kiln dried and stained, to ensure a good grip. A strongly constructed leather stealth is a feature of each Roselli knife. "
 
If you are really into 5160, you could contact "Uncle" Bill Martino (unclebill@himalayan-imports.com) at Himalayan Imports and ask what they can make for you. They do make knives that size but you might want the grind and handle a bit different.
 
Greco makes great carbon steel knives...dirt cheap. Do a search, he gets talked about pretty often. Sorry, I don't have any links to him.
 
Here is a link to a great sale on Greco knives:

www.cqcknives.com

I was going to post this earlier except diletante specified he did not want 'coated blades :barf: '. As far as I know all of John Greco's standard models are coated. If you contacted him you may be able to get one that is non-coated though. Also John Greco is currently using 8670 steel which is a tool steel just not that well known at this time.

Several of his designs would actually fit the bill as requested, except for the coating issue.
 
diletante,

You shouldn't have any trouble tracking down a Swamp Rat since you are able to order them directly through www.swampratknives.com:cool:
Right now only the larger models appear to be available, but they are going to be releasing a couple models very soon that should fit your needs!
This SR-101 stuff sounds like an awesome performer! I can't wait to get one of the 5" models when they become available:D:D:D
 
Grab a Marble's in 52100 while you can. Great knives and a true calssic. The Mammoth's also look good but can't comment on their performance.

BTW, camp knives are just meant to have carbon steel blades and natural handle material ;)
 
Look at a Puukko = fun little knife if it's made well. Easy to find under $100. Excellent wood carver/hunter.
 
Buzz--thanks for the link to Mammoth Custom Knives. I imagine they'll be getting some business from me, since Marbles is going the way they're going.
 
Cumberland Knives still has some Marbles in 52100. And I've got a link somewhere to a place that still has a few Blackjacks (although the Blackjacks are more than $100).

I also checked out the Grecos from a link in another thread--NICE--particularly the Companion, Baby Whisper and Danglers. They look a lot like kitchen knives, so they wouldn't freak out my fellow campers. Are the Companion and Baby Whisper coated? They don't look like it on the website. I don't know much about the maker, don't know anything about 8670 and there's no RC hardness information on the website.

I might just have to spend another $125 and get a Rinaldi TTKK in D2. I really like that design.

P.S. I'm checking out the puukkos. They remind me of a scandinavian laminated knife I got out of a woodworking catalog in high school. It was cheap as dirt, but had a laminated blade of ductile iron around a carbon steel core that took and held a pretty mean edge.
 
All of the models you mentioned would make fine 'camp-knives' imho. Fox fighter would also, I think.

Re: coatings-the Baby Whisper and the Companion are coated with John's trademark grey "crib-safe G-1 coating". It is some type of laquered finished sprayed over the bead-blasted finish blade. Very fine and durable, I might add. Doesn't detract from the overall aesthetics in my opinion either. The 'new' finish is a black UV polyester powder coat. I have both, the black finish is really nice looking, but more obvious (obviously!)than the grey.

Re: 8670-I still don't know much about this steel other than it is a tool steel from Germany used in the manufacturing\cutting of other tool steels. At one time John was using primarily A2 steel that he heat treated himself to an RC 57-59. I imagine he is steel heat treating himself, and would further guess that the 8670 is in this same range. Don't hold me to that as I am just guessing here. If I find out anymore I'll post it.

I happen to like John Greco's work-ALOT. It seems he is in touch with the 'working man' in both his style and his price range. Nothing fancy but when you get one in your hands it is very pleasing indeed. I like the fit, finish, and balance of his models, but knives are very subjective and opinions on them are well....we all know about opinions....

Heck for $50 what have you got to loose? Check out a Dangler or a Companion. If you don't like it-send it back.

One thing I will say, I have an MST II-5 that is the original A2 1/4" stock. To use a cliche' it is a very sharp pry-bar. This is not a cut on the knife design etc. Just an observation that this model is very heavy and very thick. It would be great if my plane ever crashed on a desert island-heheh. His new models, that is the ones now showing at CQC are of the newer thinner .210" stock. They feel much better in the hand balance wise, and would appear to be better general use knives. Personally I would take these slimmer models over the 1/4" stock models. I just don't have a need for that heavy of a blade in a short-bladed knife.

Mongrel
 
Many will sneer at this, but you could spend a mere 8 dollars and get a Mora #1, which has several advantages:

1 - you can spend the large amount of cash left over on something else.

2 - there's not a significantly better small fixed blade for pure cutting performance at any price.

3 - it's cheap enough that you won't have to worry about abusing it, and it's tough enough to take the abuse....

4 - The carbon steel used by eriksson is very good...

I keep buying knives, but the Mora still rules for basic practical use...
 
I don't know a lot about the options, but seeing what you want I would definitely go with Roselli puukkos. Of the puukkos I've seen they have been the best. I never owned one though. No opinions of that new steel of theirs - I have only seen older Rosellis - but the blade shape and handle shape are perfect for my middlish hand and tasks.
For camping utility I'd pick about 4" blade.

- Gon
 
Oh, Moras are pretty good too. Pick one if you know you'll really abuse the knife, or don't wish to spend enough for Roselli. In fact you should probably get one even if you get a nicer knife.

- Gon
 
I usually bring only a Victorinox Outrider backpacking and that, a kitchen knife or two and a saw when I go car camping. To be honest, I don't get out enough to spend much on a fixed blade camp/utility knife, so a Mora might be the perfect solution. It would prevent wear and tear on my folders and kitchen knives and could be replaced cheaply and easily if I lose or destroy it.

The Greco Companion and Baby Whisper are tempting, too, though. I could even tell my wife I bought a new paring knife and use one in the kitchen to get even more useage for my $50 ;) LOL

Thanks everyone :) This place is a great resource. I can't afford to spend any more money for a while, though, so I'm going to try to stay away from here for a while ;)
 
I asked about 8670 and the breadth of the Companion's blade. Here's what CQC said:

The 8670 steel is a chrome / nickel alloy carbon steel from Germany. The contents are .71 - 1& nickel, .3 - .5% chrome, and .75% carbon. The RC on the edge is 58, and the spine is almost dead soft to provide flexibility. I find the steel easier to sharpen, and it holds an edge longer. That is one of the reasons that John switched from 5160 and A2. Also because his supply of A2 ran out.

The Companion is 1 1/16" at the widest from edge to spine just in front of the guard. This may vary a tiny bit from knife to knife as they are all hand ground. The one that I measured was that size. I would have measured some others but this is the last one that I have until I get a resupply from John tomorrow or Saturday. If you have any more questions please feel free to contact us.

David Bata
CQC Tactical Knives

Great customer service by the way. The responded to my e-mail in a couple hours :cool:
 
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