Best All Around Fixed blade , budget $150

[hoopster]

If you can't find a Scrap yard Scrapper5, get in on the Ratmandu preorder. Same steel and both worth every penny.

 

[KLJTech]

If you don't go custom, I highly recommend any one of these:
Swamp Rat Ratmandu -- Swamp Rat Howling Rat -- Bark River Bravo-1 -- Bark River STS3

Great recommendations. +1
The new RAT/ESEE are very nice knives as well.

 

[soapboxpreacher]

Ka-Bar Becker BK-2 would be an economical alternative to the above suggestions. A great knife for an all-arounder. And you'd have some $ left over for other goodies.

Rain please take no offense to this...just my opinion but let me explain why below.

I have 3 hang ups on the BK2. 1) they are heavy for a 5"...16 oz (vs 6.7 oz of the S1) it is a pry bar...which I like, thick blade, but makes it harder to carry when you are tight on weight and pack space!! 2) Blade height is tall...limited me to doing finer work, whittling and carving are harder...more blade to maneuver around...so on. I run into this with My RC5, very similar design but with a micarta handle already, same thickness and profile. And since I mentioned the Handle this brings me to the 3) point on the BK2...it is way to slick...with hands wet...oh boy, doesnt absorb shock well at all...micarta makes it way way better...but that adds cost...upwards of 30-40 bucks bringing the BK2 near or over $100!!! Dont get me wrong but he is looking for an all-around fixed and IMHO the S1 is better because it isnt as heavy, yet still thick enough to make it nearly as strong, lower profile for less limiting capabilities, and it is stainless (wet, dry, cold, hot, humidy...low maintenance)...once again "best all-around blade for less than $150"

I use my RC5 as a chopper and baton blade (I dont have the S1, I opted for an RC5 instead which is extremely similar to the BK2 but I do have an A1, which I use far more than the RC5 because of weight, size, and other abilities I cant do nearly as well with the RC5) the S1 will baton as good. Chopping...no, but then there is weight and portability...remember "best all around fixed under 150" Just my opinion...no offense to anyone who loves the BK2...I like it especially the cost but I dont think it is an all-around...no blade really is but there are certainly onces that can achieve alot and the S1 is certainly in that category of requirements. Just my $0.02

 

[Socom Elite]

What about this little brute. Awesome setup this comes with.

 

[bcornelis]

The Ratmandu would be a good pick for an overall knife. Also keep an eye on the custom fixed blade knives on the Makers forum.