Best 4" to 6" fixed-blade hiking/camping knife for under $100?

D

diletante

Joined
Mar 20, 2002
Messages
389
Here is what I am looking for--a reasonably sturdy (not too thick or thin) fixed-blade knife with a 4" to 6" flat or convex ground drop point or short clip point blade in a good quality carbon or stainless steel. A shortened Becker BK-7 or full flat ground BK-2 would be right up my alley, as would a Fallkniven F1 if the blade was a little longer or a Busse Basic #5 if I could find one under $100. Right now I'm leaning toward one of these if the $93 and change price quote is correct:

mr517500l.jpg


The 5/32 Spyderco Perrin and Temperance also interest me, as would the Cold Steel Master Hunter if I know for sure what Carbon V is.

You get the idea. Any other suggestions. Remember--$100 or less, 6" or less. The best "survival knife" is the one you have with you and I'm not a big knife kind of guy. My Vic Outrider usually suffices and I just got a Benchmade 806D2.

I posted a similar question in the main forum and I think one of the best suggestions I got was the Moras--I could abuse them or even lose them with no regrets.
 
I was just asking myself this same question. I got a Busse NO - and it is TOO massive.

I am presently waiting to receive a flat-ground Grohmann Survival knife (5.5 inches). With micarta or buffalo horn handle, they are $95 shipped from Tom Marshman. I considered the Grohmann 4 inch blade #1 model and the Camper Model, but since I usually carry a Spyderco Military when I am camping, the 4 inch blade seemed somewhat redundant.

I am a Spyderco fan, and the Perrin comes with a versatile sheath, but the FRN/Kraton handle combo puts me off of that knife.
 
Originally posted by Architect
I am a Spyderco fan, and the Perrin comes with a versatile sheath, but the FRN/Kraton handle combo puts me off of that knife.
Click to expand...

One of the things I do like about both the Perrin and Grohman designs is the guard/handle will not get in the way during food prep. The lack of a separat guard is also one of the things I like about the Special Hunter II compared to most other Marbles offerings.
 
The CS SRK is a pretty decent and inexpensive survival/backpacking type knife. Again..you have to satisfy yourself on what exactly Carbon V is but its sturdy and not too bulky.
 
Joe--Yes. Thanks. I've come to value your advice. The knife pictured above is a Marbles Special Hunter II. Depending on the responses to this thread, I will probably buy it because it is unusual--a discontinued full exposed tang 52100 Marbles :cool:

Sis String--Personally, I'd sacrifice some of the sturdiness of a knife like the SRK or Fallkniven S1 for the full-grind on the Master Hunter or F1. I probably won't chop with it much and I'll only pry with it in a real emergency. I don't know about the Master Hunter, but based on what I have read the F1 is definitely strong enough for my purposes.
 
I have both the SRK and Master Hunter, they are both excellent for what they are designed for. They both have somewhat thick grinds, and if you are not looking for a chopper, then you would want to thin the edge out a little on either one, although the same could be said for most production knives.

By the way, the Master Hunter is thicker than the SRK.
 
I went with this one: http://members.tripod.com/knifeworks/page46.html

Made by Robert Dockrell, mine has no top swedge (to keep a little more meat at the tip) and has a blade of V4. I'm not really sure what V4 is, but Robert and I talked about it some, and it seems to work well for my uses, holding a very sharp, though some what "toothy" edge for quite some time. Debating between a large fixed blade (9 is inches) or a small axe to act as a companion piece to this one. Oh, and he does decent leather work as well. $130 CAN makes it a darn fine price.
 
Thanks Swede. I guess I've fallen into the bad habit of lumping the Master Hunter and F1 and the SRK and S1 together. The S1 has a shorter grind and is thicker than the F1. I just assumed the SRK was also thicker than the Master Hunter. I might have to take another look at the SRK. I did a quick search and found them online for less than $50 :cool: I wish the blade wasn't coated though :barf:
 
If you decide to go with the CS SRK, be sure to contact the company and see if they have any of their factory seconds available. Price is typically under $30. They are also available through the CS Special Projects catalog. This makes them quite strong in the "bang for the buck" category.

These seconds have cosmetic issues that kept them from being firsts. These issues don't affect the functionality of the knives. However, most folks who have posted here have said that the cosmetic flaws either couldn't be found or were extremely minor & negligible.

While the grind on my SRK is thick, the knife came NIB very sharp, seems to hold an edge quite well, and I find it to be a decent cutter. While the CS Carbon V steel may vary a bit, depending on who CS is buying it from today ;), I've gotten a fair number of Carbon V blades and have no complaint on the steel in any of them. This is especially the case given their very reasonable prices. Hey, it's just another hi-carbon steel, right? Now if they would just quit making boxy stick kraton handles with such aggressive checkering on them ...

Don't take these comments as an indictment of the SRK. I think it is a very good knife in its price window, especially the value offered by the factory seconds. You can search the Reviews forum for some quite favorable comments I made about the SRK in testing I did a few months ago.

Since the Busse Basic 5 is a blade that you like, you might wait a bit until Swamp Rat Knife Works releases their smaller blades. One of them is very similar to a Basic 5 and IIRC will be priced under $100. Lots of bang for the buck there!

Other possiblities might be the Benchmade Outbounder, Spyderco Moran Featherweights (or the Perrin), or Gerber Yari (which is a somewhat more tactically oriented 154cm stainless knife somewhat like picture you posted).
 
RokJok is right on here. The factory seconds are incredible values and it's usually a minor cosmetic flaw, not the heat treat that is bad.

This cracks me up, I like the SRK because of the Kraton, it's very grippy when wet, but hey, to each their own. I also prefer the black coating for outdoor use - protection from the elements, not for any "tactical" reason.

If you don't care for the kraton, there was a thread in the Busse forum about soaking the knife overnight in some kind of thinner, and the coating is gone in the morning. The kraton probably will be gone also, but if you really like it....

Then again, it's a lot of work for a $50 knife.
 
That Marbles looks like a very sweet knife. I'd hop right on it!!! The only downside I see is that the Marbles sheath might not be all that great. Do you know what year it was made? The sheaths from the last two years have not been very good, but earlier ones were much better.

One other option might be a Dozier. My guess is that the Marbles blade is a bit stronger, but the Dozier handles are outstandingly comfortable.
 
The perfect choice is a 4.5 inch model that Swamp Rat Knives will be offering soon. It will be priced between 70-85 dollars, and it is made out of the second toughest steel in the world!
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It's the third one from the left.

Jeff
 
Buzzbait! I thought you might show up. Besides this joint, where can I learn more about Marbles knives in general and this one in particular? I did a search and sent an e-mail to the only forum member I could find who had one. I don't know what year it was made, but I'm pretty sure the Special Hunter II was discontinued well before the switch from 52100 to Alchemite. I really like it--it's a nice blend of traditional and contemporary styles.

If the factory sheath isn't up to par I'll have Normark make me one. I have one of his rigs for my Outrider and love it. I ordered the Marbles Special Hunter II from Discount Knives (scroll down) an hour or two ago. I'll let you all know if they don't really have it or if the price is not real (the same place lists the Busse Basic #5 for "approximately 25% off retail" and lists the retail price as $178. (Anyone else out there want a new Basic #5 for $133.50?) When I asked them about that knife they said it was not in stock, but that they could get it "in a few days." Hmm . . .

That didn't stop me from placing my order for the Special Hunter II. You gotta get what you really want, eh? :D If they don't have one I know a few other places that say they have them for under $120. If that doesn't work out it will be back to the drawing board (or bulletin board as the case may be ;) ).

Hey Jefroman! When will the 4.5" Swamp Rat be on the market and what's up with the :barf: coating? I assume that for a small fee Swamp Rat strip it off for customers who don't like it? Busse does.
 
How come nobody has backed up the origional sugestion of the offerings of ragweed forge? They are well in your price range and those sort of knives cut and carve wood better than any other mentioned. They come shaving sharp, and are very easy to maintain.

Will

Just to add, you could buy one of the moras to test, and if you like the results invest in a Helle, Brusletto etc.;)
 
Take a look at the KA-BAR Impact Series Knives. I had the same basic criterion as you do and picked the Spear Point version with a 3 7/8" blade. It also has a great sheath that makes it very easy to carry. I couldn't agree more with the need to have it with you.:D
 
I have the Marbles Special Hunter II and it has two things going against it. A) It's very thick and not a very good slicer at all and B) the deeply grooved horn handles are not comfortable to use. Fortunately, mine does not suffer that defect 'cause mine has smooth micarta scales. But I've handled one with horn handles and I'm really glad I didn't get it. This is a blade that would have benefited greatly from being made of 3/16 or smaller stock. But on the plus side, it's a convex edge that goes all the way out so that helps it bite into things. It will make a nice bite into wood but it will not peel off a large chip. It does not cut as well as a Woodcraft or a Sport 99 for that matter. My micarta model is very comfortable in the hand.

My choice hands down for the blade you are looking for is the Gerber Yari. :)
 
Given your critera, I would chose the CS Master Hunter in Carbon V. I've had one for years, and while I have quite a bit of cutlery from CAMILLUS, BK&T, etc to chose from, I use my Master Hunter quite a bit. Krayton is not my favorite handle material, but on a smaller knife that you aren't swinging and chopping with, it is not such a bad thing. Upon closer examination, my 5 year old MH has held up quite well. The Kydex sheaths that come with them are great. If I lost mine, I would probally pick up another one.....I guess that is an endorsment:cool:
 
It's a little smaller than your criteria, but, the Camillus Talon in 154CM is a great knife. It slices great. It is small enough to carry at all times and can do all the delicate chores. It's tip is stronger than the Master Hunter or the Dozier Knives ( I have two Doziers and love them for hunting purposes ) so it can pry well. It is trully a utility knife that can be used for skinning or cleaning fish. It also has a full tang with G10 scales, so, you can batten it though wood. I have failed to find another knife to replace it.

This is a great knife.
 
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