Best 4-5.5" utility fixed blade.

A

arduous1

Joined
Oct 14, 1998
Messages
22
hi all,
i'm looking for suggestions on a fixed blade that is good for general all around utility. the blade should be light, have a good handle, and be fairly tough. (i don't plan on any major prying, but don't want it to snap in half either.) It does not need to be corrosion proof. (in other words, i'm not looking for a dive knife) i'm looking for good ergonomics with excellent balance and feel. the only knife that comes to mind is something like the nimravus, however the handle isn't the best. price is no object. lets keep it under $400, and lets keep it in the non-custom area. i want to be able to get the thing in a reasonable time. semi-production/customs are acceptable. kydex sheathing options are a plus.
thx in advance for your input,
ard
 
Contact Allen Blade and get a MEUK. Although a custom maker, he does have a few dealers so you may be able to get one in quickly. Micarta handle and guard with carbon steel blade which has been differentiallly heat treated!! Comes with a nice kydex sheath too. Under $100 last I heard.

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"Come What May..."
 
Allen Blade is good.

Grohmann/DH Russell are interesting.

Bob Dozier offers a mess of options.

Crawford does his Drop Point neck knife.

Bill Siegle has a short wait, there is a link in my sig to his site.

Darrell Ralph offer the ArcLite.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

>>--->Bill Siegle Custom Knives<---<<
-http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives-

Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!

Fire Page, metal match sources and index of information.

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
I don't own one but how about a Mad Dog?
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"Good tools to sustain life, or at least make life more convenient"
-James Mattis
 
I talked to Linda Dozier yesterday and they still have some leftovers from the NY show. Bob makes some damn fine blades...check them out. You might find just what you're looking for and have it all ready for immediate delivery.
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I love immediate delivery.
 
Give Larry at Bladeart.com a call. Ask him about the John Greco Companion MkII 5"! $95, A2 tool steel, crib safe coating[non-toxic, food prep approved], differentially heat treated for edge holding and flexibility/strength, black or honey micarta handles. I own two. A great piece. Will out cut the Nimravus any day of the year. The blade is 1/4" thick, but hollow ground to get an incredibly sharp edge. I've cut walking sticks for people out of 1.5" to 2" thick branches[chopped thru it like an axe], stripped the bark off them, and the edge is just as sharp as when I got the knife.
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This knife loves abuse and comes back for more. It almost DARES you to try to dull it. You can't go wrong with a Greco.

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Brigadier
Beretta 92 FS nut and Wave-aholic
"And for this cause God shall send them stong delusion,that they should believe a lie;" 2 Thessalonians 2:11
 
Ard--

Check out RJ Martin's models in Les Robertson's Vanguard line--several blade lengths available. I have a TREK model, and couldn't be happier. I'm sure you'll find one that fits all of your criteria in spades. One thing--Les's site indicates the steel is CPM 440V, but on the TREK it's actually CPM 420V at about 59 RC--a plus both for edge holding and aggressive slicing. The knife is very corrosion resistant, which is another plus in my book. Weighs only about 5 oz. It has a convex edge for superior strength. The kydex that comes with it is extra trim and light, and has multi-carry options. The handle is sculpted to ergonomic perfection. All with an RJ Martin edge, in your price range--just can't beat it IMO. I think Les also has a Martin Quickening model in stock:

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com

--Will



[This message has been edited by WILL YORK (edited 11-15-2000).]
 
I second the Companion by Greco. I own two of John's knives, and they are both heavy duty workers.

I also have a few of Livesay's knives, and although they are not as refined as Greco's and in some cases a little more expensive, they are also very good working pieces. I can rek'mnd either the I.C.U., the Marshal, or the Uji Fighter. These knives are tough, grips are first rate, and they come with great kydex rigs. The Uji is more of a backup style fighter, BUT...it has proven itself worthy of various utility capabilities due to its light weight, thin profile, and excellent carry options. Not to mention...IT IS ONLY $50.00 !!!

Steve in NYC



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What we do today in life...echoes in eternity...
Every man dies...not every man lives...
 
hi guys,
my thought so far. the allen blade meuk is an interesting proposition, how much for a 4.5-5" version? i like the greco companion mark 2, however, i'm looking for something with a thinner than 1/4" profile. (what a great price though!) 3/16 or 1/8" is probably more what i'm looking for. the mad dog's i've looked at include the lab rat and pack rat. the darrel ralph neck knife is something i'm probably gonna get too, but i'm looking for something a little larger for hard utility use. i like the rjmartin trek, but the blade is smaller than i'm looking for and the recurve i'm not really keen on. the bob dozier's i'm taking a hard look at. i've also considered the busse basic 5, and i've looked at some of the offerings from newt livesay (air assault, u.s. marshall, haven't seen the icu)

any thoughts on the above knives, or something else you have in mind would be appreciated.

ard

[This message has been edited by arduous1 (edited 11-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by arduous1 (edited 11-15-2000).]
 
try www.anzaknives.com they are made from files and are sharp and tough.ijust bought one and i really like it. great value for the price!ask them for a sheath without neatsfoot compound because it stinks. goodluck. seventrees
 
Best medium fixed utility I have ever handled:

View


Boye Dendritic Steel (cast 440C) offers stain resistant tool steel edge holding. This knife possesses the best blade and edge geometry I've found, cuts twice as aggressively as anything else I have experienced. Great ergonomics. The best cutting tool I have experienced by far.

Should be able to order for immediate delivery from the Boye Knives Gallery (800-557-1525), or from David Boye direct. You should be able to get David's number from his ad in any Knives Illustrated.
 
Without question I would seriously look at Chris Reeve's various fixed blade knives. Tough as nails, top quality and good looking.
 
Sorry, double-tapped this one.

Often my hands are quicker than my brain(but then so is my mouth sometimes
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[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 11-15-2000).]
 
Originally posted by jayharley:
Without question I would seriously look at Chris Reeve's various fixed blade knives. Tough as nails, top quality and good looking.
Click to expand...

I have to second this recommendation very much. I also think you can't go wrong with Greco, Blade, or Dozier. I can't speak for the others as I have no experience with any of them but I have held, used and own(ed) a variety from all three of these makers and I would swear by them.
Please let us know which way you go.

Roy
 
Wow! Are all Grecos differentially heat treated? I've come close to buying one but didn't because I didn't know this. Dealers take note, you really ought to advertise that if you carry Greco.
I've got a couple livesays; that's one of the reasons I like them so well. I can personally vouch for the livesays and also like my 4" Boye Basic.
 
Many good suggestions here, but once again, I have an opportunity to extol the virtures of Chris Reeve's One Piece Range knives. Depending on your intended uses, you could hardly do wrong with any one, or, if you get one new and used, a pair of them for different uses. They are, as previously said, tough as nails, good looking and far more ergonomis than they appear.

BTW, Customer Service and Customer Care is about as good as it gets, if not better!
 
Give Steve Rollert a try. Do a search for Doveknives you should get him, or try this e-mail

Doveknives@aol.com

He is a master in Damascus steel, but I think he can work in anything.

Failing that, consider a Bob Dozier pro camp guide knife in D2 or a Benchmade Nimravious in M2 and save about $250 towards some nice folders.

W.A.

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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tenneson
Ranger motto
 
Livesay's ICU is a great knife, especially for the money, it's just about indestructable. I have big hands but the handle fits me very well.it comes in a good quality kydex sheath as well.

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Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
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