Hey everyone, I've been looking for a new fixed blade knife for a while and want some reccomendations on which ones to look at. I've been looking at the Becker BK7 from Kabar. My budget would be around $100 or less. A little bit more won't hurt. I would like the blade to be made in The USA. I will be using it for everything from batoning, chopping, food prep, and other tasks. I am not sure how thick the blade should be, but I am kind of leaning towards the 1/4" range just so its tough and will last a while. The BK7 is only .188" thick, not a huge difference but do you think its tough enough to beat on and not bend or break. Also I would like the blade to be no longer than 8" and no shorter than 6". Another blade I was looking at is the Scrapyard 711, any input on that? I like tough steels like D2 and M4 but there's not many choices within those categories. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
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Best Fixed Blade For All Around Use
- Thread starter n8dkl93
- Start date
Best all around fixed blade is a BK9 with a BK13 in the side pocket. The Bk9 and Bk7 already come with a built in sheath for the 13.
I have carried a Johnson Adventure Piggyback in the side pocket of my 9's sheath for quite a while now. You can get that knife for around $10.
Other than the 9 the BK7 or the BK2 are good choices for an all around knife I guess. I much prefer the 9 though.
As far as being worried about breaking the blade. I have chopped, batoned, dug a hole and even did a little light prying with my 9. It never missed a beat.
Two of my sons have the BK2. It is a beast for sure. But I can do everything with my 9 and then some that they do with their 2. I do mainly use the Piggyback to field dress game though. I COULD field dress a deer with my 9 though if I had to.
I have carried a Johnson Adventure Piggyback in the side pocket of my 9's sheath for quite a while now. You can get that knife for around $10.
Other than the 9 the BK7 or the BK2 are good choices for an all around knife I guess. I much prefer the 9 though.
As far as being worried about breaking the blade. I have chopped, batoned, dug a hole and even did a little light prying with my 9. It never missed a beat.
Two of my sons have the BK2. It is a beast for sure. But I can do everything with my 9 and then some that they do with their 2. I do mainly use the Piggyback to field dress game though. I COULD field dress a deer with my 9 though if I had to.
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- Apr 15, 2008
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Kabar Mark 1. Really nice, comfortable knife that does everything from fine to large tasks well. Plus, the handle material rocks. I do wish I would have bought the leather handle version though. For your budget, you could get one and pick up a nice smaller blade like a Becker BK14 to pair it with.
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2006
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I've settled on 4-6 inch blades for me as the most useful. Some of my favorites are:
Koster Bushmaster 5" 3V V grind
Survive 4, 4.1 etc. in the steel you want. 3V, M390, and a run of S90V. These are convex ground
Blind Horse Knives Bushcrafter 4 inch O-1 V grind
Svord 370BB 4.7 inch L6 Convex ground ( least expensive) In this case I would be tempted to go up to the Von Tempsky Ranger at 6 7/8th inches.
All knives are tough as heck. Easy to sharpen, excellent build quality and very comfortable for my XXL/XXXL hands. Versatile too. M390 or the run of S90V in Survive if there are any left if you require stainless. I don't and get by fine with the above alloy steels
Last choice is the:
Spyderco Bushcrafter G10 4inch O-1 V grind extremely comfortable
There are others but if I was forced to only have one it would likely be from this list. I have all except the Stainless Survive. I have a 3V Survive.
Koster Bushmaster 5" 3V V grind
Survive 4, 4.1 etc. in the steel you want. 3V, M390, and a run of S90V. These are convex ground
Blind Horse Knives Bushcrafter 4 inch O-1 V grind
Svord 370BB 4.7 inch L6 Convex ground ( least expensive) In this case I would be tempted to go up to the Von Tempsky Ranger at 6 7/8th inches.
All knives are tough as heck. Easy to sharpen, excellent build quality and very comfortable for my XXL/XXXL hands. Versatile too. M390 or the run of S90V in Survive if there are any left if you require stainless. I don't and get by fine with the above alloy steels
Last choice is the:
Spyderco Bushcrafter G10 4inch O-1 V grind extremely comfortable
There are others but if I was forced to only have one it would likely be from this list. I have all except the Stainless Survive. I have a 3V Survive.
The BK7 is huge, way too big for 99.9% of knife tasks. It's what I would get if I needed a knife that could be an axe, but I'd much rather have a knife for knife jobs and an axe for axe jobs. I started with an ESEE-6, and learned at my first Primitive Skills workshop that a blade bigger than 4.5" or so really starts to get in the way of most knife chores. A good 4" fixed blade can do just about anything, so long as it's sharp enough (with a proper grind, convex or flat for me) and thick enough (3/16" is enough to baton without worry).
As for steals, D2 and M4 (and S30v and others) are chippy. They work great for folders and smaller fixed blades used for cutting only, but can damage easily in a fixed blade that will experience impacts. There's a reason that people like tool or spring or ball bearing steel for fixed blade knives. Some of the super steels, like s35vn, combine the toughness of tool steel with good corrosion resistance.
If you really need a 6" blade, the ESEE-6 would be my choice. It's perfectly balanced and has an unconditional warranty.
I'd go with the BK15/16/17 within your budget. A knife in that size range (BK17, Bravo 1, ESEE-4, etc.) can do everything you'll ever ask of it, without weighing you down, and you can cover it with an untucked shirt if it's legal where you are.
As for steals, D2 and M4 (and S30v and others) are chippy. They work great for folders and smaller fixed blades used for cutting only, but can damage easily in a fixed blade that will experience impacts. There's a reason that people like tool or spring or ball bearing steel for fixed blade knives. Some of the super steels, like s35vn, combine the toughness of tool steel with good corrosion resistance.
If you really need a 6" blade, the ESEE-6 would be my choice. It's perfectly balanced and has an unconditional warranty.
I'd go with the BK15/16/17 within your budget. A knife in that size range (BK17, Bravo 1, ESEE-4, etc.) can do everything you'll ever ask of it, without weighing you down, and you can cover it with an untucked shirt if it's legal where you are.
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I know it's the standard party line and you're gonna hear it a thousand times, but no knife you buy will do everything well. If you're lookong for pure, inexpensive utility I would get a Tramontina or Condor machete and pair that with a Mora. If you want to get a bit more spendy there are any number of big choppers, hatchets and tomahawks you can grab and pair them with a sturdy little fixed blade like one of the Becker Tweeners or a GSO 4.1.
If you're really set on just one knife I think the BK-7 is a solid choice. Personally, I find knives in this size range can do many things competently but do very few things really well. You'll have to decide which approach works best for you.
If you're really set on just one knife I think the BK-7 is a solid choice. Personally, I find knives in this size range can do many things competently but do very few things really well. You'll have to decide which approach works best for you.