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

Originally posted by Samuel
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+).
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Now, that's one I haven't thought about, but I recently received an Al Mar SERE 2000 in a trade, and if the quality of the "Operator" is anything like that of my SERE 2000, by all means, that IS the one to get!
 
I have two knives by Grohomann cutlery, the boat knife which is the Canadian army issue knife and the skinner. Niether of them can hold an edge so I gave up on trying to keep them sharp.

They're in my kitchen and spread butter real nice!

When I was in the candian army one of the first things our CO recommended was to get a decent fixed blade because the issue knife was crap. His recommendation was a Kabar so that's what most of us did. That same kabar has been with me for a long time and it's stilll one of my favorite fixed blade knives.

Collecter
 
i disagree with collecter, i have a grohman right here and it shaves.... maybe your skills arent up to par for sharpening the knife
 
You're correct simkovich, it will shave when it's sharp. Try cutting something othe than the hair on your arm!

The only way a stainless steel Grohmann knife will stay sharp is if you don't use it!

If you are disagreeing with that, you would be disagreeing with every guy I've ever discussed these kives with in the canadian army including my former CO. Try doing a search on this forum and you'l hear similar complaints.

My skinner is about 4 years newer than my issue knife and it's just a bad.

There are lots of better knives out there.

Collecter
 
The Camillus/Becker handle material doesn't have that plastic look or feel. It's more like G-10 than anything else. You might have a look at the Campanion. I posted a review a while back; you can find it with a search....
 
(edited to delete recommendation for BM Outbounder models, which at 3-3/4" blades are too short, even though they meet the rest of the specifications)

At the $150 mark you should be able to readily find a knifemaker (perhaps even local to your area) to make the knife you describe. You might want to post a request to the Shop Talk forum here on BFC to see if one of the many makers who frequent that forum would be willing to make the knife you want at the price you're willing to pay. That's the great thing about working with a custom maker -- you get the knife you want made to your specs & needs.
Shop Talk forum: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=741
 
How about a Gerber Yari? IIRC, it has a 154CM coated blade and canvas micarta handles. I know they are discontinued, but you should be able to scrounge one up on some dealer's shelf.

- Mark
 
Originally posted by collecter
You're correct simkovich, it will shave when it's sharp. Try cutting something othe than the hair on your arm!

The only way a stainless steel Grohmann knife will stay sharp is if you don't use it!

If you are disagreeing with that, you would be disagreeing with every guy I've ever discussed these kives with in the canadian army including my former CO. Try doing a search on this forum and you'l hear similar complaints.

My skinner is about 4 years newer than my issue knife and it's just a bad.

There are lots of better knives out there.

Collecter
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i dont need to search posts dude, its sharp, and its used...
learn to sharpen
 
John Greco makes one hell of a knife. period. Even if he scowled at me, I'd still my Greco Companion simply because it's a great knife. Maybe you should have asked him a few questions to give him a chance to warm up to you a little? You have to understand that some of those knife and/or gun shows aren't very fun to be at... maybe he was just having an off day or something - who knows? I don't know him personally, have never seen him, nor do I give a flying crap what his attitude is like. He still makes GREAT knives that are definitely worth a look. My companion is A2 steel with a micarta handle. It holds an insanely freaking SHARP edge for a LOOOONG time. I have used the hell out of it for a couple of years now and only given it a full sharpening twice! What made you think they were low quality? Micarta handle scales, A2 tool steel, good, clean grinds, and a nice cutom leather sheath... what more could you ask for? (Especially for the price!)

Here are a few more links that might interest you:

Bark River GamesKeeper
http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?0=868&1=869&3=4141

Marbles Plainsman
http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?0=387&1=393&3=2500

Blackjack knives - lots of options here! I especially like the Trailguide II with the ivory micarta handle...
http://www.newgraham.com/warner.htm

There are also LOTS of custom options too. Let us know what you decide on. Happy huntin'!
 
simkovich, I believe you that your knife is sharp and that it's used.

I agree with you that Grohmann knives are great for learning the art of sharpening. I know they provide lots of practice!

I can tell that you like your grohmann very much and that it must have served you well.

Mine and my friends experience with their products has not been as positive as yours.

The great thing about this forum is that we get to hear all kinds of advice and some we might not like nor agree with...it's not a bad thing. It's a good thing!

Cheers,
Collecter
 
Collecter, all im going to say is that your right, your experiences are not good with them, mine are.........



im am the new light of sharpening, surrender your knives to me :D
 
Originally posted by AntDog
John Greco makes one hell of a knife. period. Even if he scowled at me, I'd still my Greco Companion simply because it's a great knife. Maybe you should have asked him a few questions to give him a chance to warm up to you a little? You have to understand that some of those knife and/or gun shows aren't very fun to be at... maybe he was just having an off day or something - who knows? I don't know him personally, have never seen him, nor do I give a flying crap what his attitude is like. He still makes GREAT knives that are definitely worth a look. My companion is A2 steel with a micarta handle. It holds an insanely freaking SHARP edge for a LOOOONG time. I have used the hell out of it for a couple of years now and only given it a full sharpening twice! What made you think they were low quality? Micarta handle scales, A2 tool steel, good, clean grinds, and a nice cutom leather sheath... what more could you ask for? (Especially for the price!)
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Yep. Greco's are certainly one of the best deals in the industry.

You get a product that can rival or exceed the functional aspects of knives which cost several times more. Even if they were priced the same I would take my Greco over any of the big dollar fixed blades that I have encountered.

As far as scowling at you, I wouldn't really care if he eats babies and breathes fire as long as he were producing the superior products which have been my experience. FWIW I traded emails with him a bit a few months ago and he seemed helpful and informative.

Perhaps the "low quality" thing came about because of the rather rough finish on the knives. They are certainly workmanlike and lack the polish and perfection found on production pieces. Does that matter on a working knife?
 
I have two Greco knives - a Whisper and a Recon. The Recon is much better fitted and finished. The Whisper has poorly matched scales and some sharp edges. However, since the Whisper is a self-defense knife, these things don't matter so much as they would on a utility knife, where comfort is more of a concern.
 
Since you said you might like horn handles, you might want to check out the Himalayan Imports Kumar Karda. I'm currently waiting on a 'blem' that I only paid $30 for. Others have spoken very highly of this model, and I can tell you from my experience with their khukuris that their heat treat is outstanding. It's far from tactical though, but from the sounds of it that's exactly what you're looking for.
 
Originally posted by hardheart
Aaron must be a sharpening prodigy, 16 years old and telling it like it is.:rolleyes:
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hardheart, at 12 I was sharpening knives for my friends, family, even for friends of friends. Age isn't an automatic qualification for skill.
 
I met Greco at a show & he was very personable, I spent 10 min fondling his knives & chatting away. And no, I'm not a hot chick. Some of his knives are full-custom A2, and some are "mid-techs" of I-dunno-what steel, with a rougher finish, but sharp and stout. He makes these to make a good knife for people who can't pay much and would otherwise buy a Grohman :D or some other lesser knife.
 
The other steel he uses is 8670. I have several in this and one in A2. Can't really see a performance difference between them. All are very good.
 
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