Best all around fixed blade around $300

L

Lewis

Joined
Oct 9, 1998
Messages
368
After I pay for the knives I already have ordered, I plan to look into a fixed blade in the 5" to 7" category. It will be for mostly carrying on my parents farm and going four wheeling, but being a tactical knife nut, I would have to include the defensive side as well. I've seen several that look good in the $300 range so that is probably what I'm looking to spend. So far I'm considering the Quickening from RJ Martin, and several knives from Black Cloud Knives, Chris Reeves (sorry Les,) and Greg Lightfoot. Anybody's input and advice would be appreciatted.
Thanks,
Lewis
 
hello lewis - what about maddog knives? are you considering them at all? i have never owned one, but have handled a few, and they feel great to me.

marco
 
Marco,
I actually had a Mad Dog DSU2. I never used it so I can't say how it would perform, but it just didn't give that warm fuzzy feeling that some other makers knives do. I traded it for a Sebenza.
 
Best all around knife, in the $300 range.

Martin Double Ground Quickening $300

Kit Carson LDC F3 $300

Peter Bauchop Utility Cat $250

Peter Bauchop Recce Fighter $250

Greg Lightfoot Hammer $300

Greg Lightfoot Mini-Hammer $275

Randall Gilbreath Fighter $250


Nam Viet, the problem with your suggestion is that it defeats the purpose of "all around knife". As we all know that Mad Dog 0-1 does not like water, especially salt water. So Nam you are 100% correct in not recommending that for a "liquid" environment. I know they are "Hard Chromed". Unfortunatley, when you sharpen the knife you expose the O-1. Eventually it will start to rust underneath the chrome. Anyone old enough to remember chrome bumpers that were rusty! The other problem with the Mad Dog configuration on Atak (Ive only owned one and looked at it). Im not a big fan of putting the tang in the handle and using glue or some other bonding material as the only way to hold on the handle. Ive had two different knives like that and both of them the handles came off in less than a year. Now I may have been looking at a old ATAK. Does Kevin now use pins on the handles. I did have another model that had a rubber handle, smaller knife. That is another material that does not do well in Jungle environment. When I was in Panama I saw a couple of Gerber BMF handles start to dry rot in only a couple of weeks.

Any other suggestions, how about some work from some lesser known makers.




------------------
Les Robertson
Robertson's Custom Cutlery
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
It is easier to get things done with a kind word and a knife, than with a kind word alone!

 
Les,

When I was at 3M research lab in Mandota Height, MN, in 1992-93 I have unlimited access to any glue that 3M made. I have worked with glue use for metal matrix fabrication that is stronger than any composite polymer known to man at that time. I have seen stuffs that make super-glue looks like hand lotion. I don't know what glue Kevin use for the ATAK grip but I do know that since 1993 my ATAK handle has not failed me. I have subjected my DSU2 to an unofficial Mil-Std 810 thermal environmental stress screening and it pass with flying color. I have carried and used my ATAK in 125 degrees Arizona heat to -40 degrees Minnesota cold with no problem.

Corrosion on the cutting edge is the only disadvantage that I can think of on the ATAK. With any piece of equipment I expect the user to apply some type of maintenance. A knife does not loose it effectiveness in a week (or a month) due to corrosion unless you live in salt water. A weekly maintenance of edge touch up and corrosion removal by a sharpening stone will have you cutting for a long time (assuming one does not have any corrosion inhibitor on hand). I pick the MPK for wet environment because I do not want to do daily maintenance.
 
There are hundreds of great all around blades in that price range, but if you are of a tactical bent, two of the best have to be the Mad Dog Lab Rat and the soon to be available on a very limited basis Mad Dog 3/16 Arizona Hunter. I am not a diver, so "all around" doesn't instantly mean stainless steel to me. The Mad Dog handle has survived bullet impacts, being soaked in solvents, and being set on fire, so when a Mad Dog handle falls off, then I will start worrying about the lack of pins.

For the less "tactically" inclined, my favorite working knife is a David Boye drop point hunter of BDS (cast dendritic 440C). It has an ideal blade shape for almost everthing from paring to quartering game, and out cuts any other knife I have ever owned due to excellent edge geometry, and possibly some dendritic carbide effect. I would stack this knife up against anything in a whittling or rope cutting contest.

The Quickening is a super design, but the edge shape is too unconventional to allow it to be the best all around in my opinion. The steep angle of the secondary edge makes zipper cuts a little tricky and reduces the tips precision as an awl.

The Lightfoot Hammer looks like a winner though, and just about any knife like it would be great.

Harv
 
Harvey, I would not consider the Lab Rat to be a best all round fixed blade, tactical or not. The Lab Rat is not designed for chopping. The 1/4 inch Arizona Hunter can be consider as a best all around fixed blade but not the 3/16 inch due to its limited exposure to the real world. The 1/4 inch Arizona Hunter will loose out to the ATAK in the chopping department also. I own a Peter Bauchop Recce Fighter and I don't think it can be compare to the Arizona Hunter, much less an ATAK.

I believe Les recommendation makes more sense due to the availability of MadDog knives. If I need a fixed blade tomorrow I would pick one from Les list and give him a call.
 
Hello Les and all,

Just wondering about the price of Peter Beauchop you listed in this thread (more than $100.00 lower than shown in your site? or do they differ in length/steel?)

If one can have a Beauchop's for $250.00, I definitely vote for it. Peter's knives are for keep.

Cheers,
Dew.

P.S. What do you guys think about Trace Rinaldi's ? BG-42 blades can be had around $200.00. I like mine so much.
 
Hi Dew,

You are correct the Bauchops are $350.00. Its been a long year so far.



------------------
Les Robertson
Robertson's Custom Cutlery
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
It is easier to get things done with a kind word and a knife, than with a kind word alone!

 
Since Kevin is not here to defend himself, I'll post this from a 11-12-98 discussion on the "other forum"
"As far as bonding strength goes, we have tested the ATAK grips and blades by placing the knife tip down vertically in a vise on the back of a plumbing truck, with the grip and 2 inches of blade above the vise jaws.
Then, a piece of 5/16" cable was run through the thong hole of the knife grip, and secured to the front bumper of a 1979 Dodge full size van. We towed the van at 20 MPH with no damage to the grip or blade."

That's straight from Kevin "MAD DOG" McClung's muzzle.
 
Thanks for all the response. I'm leaning toward the quickening in D2. I've already bought 2 of RJ's knives and I'm waiting on another. I guess I've kind of found my favorite maker. It'll be the middle of the summer before I get it though.
Thanks all, Lewis
 
Greg,

Relax, you dont have to defend the Dog. I was just making a comment that in the past I didnt have good luck with glued handles. Obviously, there are some better glues now a days.

Your point is well taken.

Les
 
There will never be an agreement on best knives! But its fun to discuss... There seems to always be concern about MD's handle. How secure are they how far does the Tang go into the handle etc.
I X-rayed my MD Mirage X, EOD and the tang went to within 1/2 inch of the throng hole. And a full 1/4 inch thick. Very Strong.
 
Vo,

Good point about chopping. I don't do much chopping with a knife myself, so I didn't think of that. It is very important if you have only one cutting tool.

If you don't think if that scenario, as many sportsmen and martial artist don't, a knife makes that worst axe you ever used though.
 
The two comments about the MD's with rusting under the chrome and the handle coming off the tang are frequently mentioned. However I have only heard actual reports of this happening from one individual and he is not actually unbiased where MD's knives are concerned so that has to be taken into account.

They are understandable concerns though for example if the blade can rust out under the chrome then its a bit of a problem because you can't really judge the corrosion resistance of the blade. You best bet then to obviously overprotect it but this is not really an optimal solution.

As for the glue, has MD stated that it is as inert and as chemically resistant as the composite material he uses for a handle? I realize that the bond is strong but is there any possibility of the glue breaking down?

And as for knives making poor axes - that depends on exactly what kind of chopping you are doing and exactly what kind of axe you are talking about. A dedicated splitting axe (basically a sharpened maul) for example would not outchop an ATAK.

-Cliff
 
Les,

I like your list of candidate knives. Wish I could afford them. Maybe after the kids get through college.
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I see you taking it on the chin a little today, so thought I'd throw in a quick note of encouragement. I remember chrome bumpers and all that rust. Yuck. Since noone else admits they were around then, I thought I would.

Keep up the good work Mr. Moderator.
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Bob, come on, everyone knows Les has thick skin
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Anyways Lewis, have you considered anything by Bob Dozier? Unfortunately I have not had experience with his work but his grinding and steel (D2) are said to be quite well done.
Check out http://www.kmg.org/bobdozier/index.html
His KM1 Ranger looks awesome!
 
Dozier's knives in D2 are excellent working blades. Superior grinding and blade geometry. Very sharp blades that seem to stay scary sharp forever. And they're a bargain to boot!
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