Best 5-6" FB for under $100? I list specifics.

fulloflead

fulloflead

Joined
May 3, 2002
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I have several good little fixed-blade knives (3-4" blade) and I have several really cheap (Ka-bar, CRKT, etc.) bigger fixed-blade knives. I need a decent-to-good fixed-blade knife between 5 & 6.5".

I'm looking to spend $150 or less.

I don't care for polymer or rubber handles very much which, I think, significantly narrows the field. Actually, if I didn't mind those, there are plenty of options in this range.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a decent fixed-blade knife in this range (used or new) that doesn't have polymer or rubber handles?

I KNOW the BIG question here is what I'm going to use it for, so here's a good answer:

I plan on using it for general camp use; especially food-preparing/kitchen camp uses. I may use it a little hard like chopping smaller limbs off larger firewood pieces or moving things in the fire (which is a big reason why I don't like plastic or rubber). I plan on keeping it in the back my SUV to serve as a survival knife should I break down in a bad place in incliment weather. (In Colorado, this is an issue!) I'll also be keeping a hatchet back there so big-time chopping isn't a requirement. I have a tire-iron, so anything more than very minor prying is not neccessary either.

I prefer: flat-ground clip-point blades, coated blades, plain blades the best but I'd consider any good suggestions.
 
Although it is a little longer then you requested. The BK&T-BK7 is just the ticket. Rugged / lightweight and affordable. One Stop Knife Shop has them for under $50.00.
 
At the lower end of the price range you mentioned I would take a look at are the Ontario TAK-1 along with the Becker BK-10. At a slightly higher price I would check out the Fallkniven S-1, and the Swamp Rat Bandicoot and Howling Rat. Towards the upper end of the price range you gave the Lone Wolf Classic Utility and TOPS Shadow Hunter and Cochise might just fit the bill.
 
I would second the ontario TAK-1.

Also look at the medium size fixed blades by Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works.

I would also recommend Newt Livesay's offerings if his fufillment record and business acumen wasn't so troubling.
 
Right now Newt's got all kinds of problems. If you order a knife from him do it with the realization that it could be a long time before the knife arrives.
 
Originally posted by Keith Montgomery
At the lower end of the price range you mentioned I would take a look at are the Ontario TAK-1 along with the Becker BK-10. At a slightly higher price I would check out the Fallkniven S-1, and the Swamp Rat Bandicoot and Howling Rat. Towards the upper end of the price range you gave the Lone Wolf Classic Utility and TOPS Shadow Hunter and Cochise might just fit the bill.
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Dudes! Don't most of those have plastic or rubber handles? I really don't like rubber or plastic handles; as stated in my original post.

Are you all RETARDED?:eek:
(Just kidding. A little humor. Don't take seriously.)

You're messing with me right?:confused: :D

But, seriously, I'd really prefer G10 or wood or micarta or leather washers or bone or even metal or anything else other than plastic or rubber.
 
I'd look at the offerings of John Greco. Most retail slightly more than $100.00, but if you shop you won't pay that much.
 
While it's not really a "camp knife", it DOES have canvas micarta scales and ATS-34 steel, as well as a full-tang...The Camillus CUDA CQB-1.
 
Originally posted by glockman99
While it's not really a "camp knife", it DOES have canvas micarta scales and ATS-34 steel, as well as a full-tang...The Camillus CUDA CQB-1.
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Good one! I did a search and checked it out and I really like it. It'll definately be one I'll consider.

In response to t1mpani's reply, somehow I've gotten a bad impression of Grecos from these forums and shows. They seem kind of low-quality. I haven't heard a lot of good things about Greco and I don't care for the designs. (FYI, I stopped by his table during a custom knife show in Denver and picked up a couple of his knives and he just scowled at me. Everyone else at the show was very friendly and was happy for me to pick up and check out their knives.)

I really like the Camillus suggestion from glockman99, though.

I'd like to hear more suggestions though.

To add another preference...

I like knives where, if you're using it for kitchen work, the whole blade can touch the cutting surface without the handle getting in the way or touching down on the cutting surface before the back of the blade. Sort of like a Chef's knife. The Spyderco Perrin is a good example of what I like except it has plastic handles.
 
How about a Grohmann #4 Survival knife?


no4big.jpg




http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/r4s.html
 
Originally posted by frank k
How about a Grohmann #4 Survival knife?


no4big.jpg




http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/r4s.html
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I've SERIOULSY been considering a Grohmann! I'm concerned with the soft (it's assumed AUS-6) steel and I'm looking for a good price. I'm just worried that I'd be disappointed with one.

I'd probably get one in ADDITION to a more tactical knife of higher quality I'm looking for.

I'll probably get a Grohmann sometime soon, but I'm really asking for something a little more; a little more tactical and a little stronger in this thread.
 
How about an Al Mar SERE Operator? I've seen them for as low as ~ $100-$110. The new (2003) models, however, are S30V and are a little more ($130ish+).
 
Actually, four of the knives (Lone Wolf, Ontario, and both TOPS) have Micarta handles. Though the others do have types of polymer handles they are comfortable, grippy and tough. I don't normally care for plastic/rubbery/polymer handles myself, but I have never had a problem with the handles on the knives I recommended. If you have tried these knives and don't like the handles then fine, but if you are dismissing them because of preconceived biases, then I think you are doing yourself a disservice.
 
Originally posted by Keith Montgomery
Actually, four of the knives (Lone Wolf, Ontario, and both TOPS) have Micarta handles. Though the others do have types of polymer handles they are comfortable, grippy and tough. I don't normally care for plastic/rubbery/polymer handles myself, but I have never had a problem with the handles on the knives I recommended. If you have tried these knives and don't like the handles then fine, but if you are dismissing them because of preconceived biases, then I think you are doing yourself a disservice.
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I'll check out the knives you recommend. I'll look up reviews on them.

I have tried quite a few polymer and rubber-handled knives and even tested a few and I don't care for them that much. I really like G10 and Micarta and some natural bone, like buffalo horn.

I actually think I'd like checkered metal handles like Chris Reeve has, but I can't afford his and I admit I've never tried it.

In hot and cold and wet I tend to like materials like Micarta and leather and G10 best.
 
The trend seems to be rubber or plastic handles for that size knife.

Fallkniven's Northern Light Series perhaps? They have laminated VG-10 & 420 steels with leather washer handle. Their Frey model has 5 1/4" blade and sells for 169.99 from knifeoutlet.com. This is $20 more than your planned but it's the only knife I can think of that meets your other requirements.

I have a Fallkniven S1 that I've been using for bushcraft / camping / utility knife which is just about perfect for my needs but I'm not to crazy about the rubber handle.

I like the handle of my old USMC Kabar. It's leather handle seems to have a tacky gripping quality. It can be argued that leather will decay over time but I've used mine for approx. 15 years and it's still in great shape.

I like the blade of my S1 but whish it had the handle from my Kabar! The nearest knife to this configuration that I can think of is the Fallkniven Frey.

Fallkniven will be offering blade only versions of some of their popular knives. If your up to installing your own handle this may be an option to get a premium blade with your favourite handle material.

Good luch with your search.

Collecter
 
John Greco scowled?? :D

Anyway, how about a real off-the-wall cheapie? If nothing else, it is the ideal survival knife for the SUV. You could even dig with it. All one piece of metal with a tubular handle you can fit on a stick to make a spear, or just gain a bit of reach, or insulate yourself from the heat of the blade in a fire.

The Cold Steel Bushman. Ta-daaa !

(Whatever else you get, pick up one of these for backup!)
 
John makes very good knives. Design preference is obviously up to every individual. As far a scowling goes, I'll say that he may seem abrasive to some people, but it's not that he's not friendly, he just isn't really into facades and pretending to be your best friend when you've just met. It might have just been a bad day. People have certainly caught ME on a bad day before...

;)
 
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