Best FIXED knife??

M

MarineMustang

Joined
Jan 29, 2005
Messages
73
Hey Fellas!
I've always been a "folder" guy, but recently am thinking about purchasing a nice fixed blade. :jerkit: I currently own MT, MOD, BM, Spyd, SOG and am looking for the same quailty and dependability. This knife would be used for various tasks...anything from slicing an apple to camping to rescue. What are your opinions? Any takers out there? ;)
 
No such thing as the BEST fixed blade. It depends on use, skill, size, strength, price range, and many other variables. I will list a few of my favorites though. All of these being under $100.00 and widely available.

small fixed blade: cold steel pendleton hunter, Ontario RAT-3, and fallkniven F1

medium fixed blade: Becker BK2 companion, cold steel master hunter, benchmade Rant Drop point, spyderco temperance, and spyderco Perrin fixed blade.

Large fixed blade: Kershaw outcast, Ka Bar heavy bowie, Becker BK1 brute

These are in no particular order. I own and have used the hell out of all of these, and they have never let me down. I am sure there are probably better, prettier, heavier, and more expensive blades out there, but these are my favorite fixed blade "users" under $100.00 (most of them are waaaay under)
 
Like that dude said "no such think as best knife" but here are some that I threw everything I had at it and they held up fine:
Himalayan Imports 18" Ang Khola $150
Ranger knives RDS( ready detachment series) 15" about $120 i think
and I have a custom bowie camp knife from Chaxknives.com $160
I also like these 3 because they have LIFETIME WARRANTY but if you want something cheaper look at the Becker line.
 
Ok, don't look at me such; as I attempt to answer this one in the way I know BEST.
"Best FIXED knife?", you say?
Well. that's has to be the BEST question anyone has posted in a long time.
And so to the BEST of my knowledge..
The BEST fixed knife would have to be made by the BEST Knife Maker, using only the BEST quality materials, sold at the BEST affordable price - at only the BEST establishments.
OK? Sorry 'bout that MarineMustang, but I hope do hope you get the message that such a question is BEST left to YOU the knife buyer who should know better to decide what is BEST for his pocket and intended usage. Perhaps it would be better if you listed down a couple of fixed knives that you take fancy to. That way, we could give our take on the models you have short listed. Wouldn't that be in keeping with your own preferred knife design preferences?
With that out of the way, I suppose its BEST I leave this question to folks who know better which really is the BEST out there.
 
i think probably a ranger rd series or swamp rat and if you got the money try busse. actually just try to get one from all three!
 
My personal opinion so take it for what it's worth.

Busse
Swamp Rat
Fehrman
Ranger

the first three require exceptionally long wait times (unless bought on the secondary market) whereas the Ranger is usually available quickly and Justin will customize your knife for a reasonable price.
 
MarineMustang said:
Hey Fellas!
I've always been a "folder" guy, but recently am thinking about purchasing a nice fixed blade. :jerkit: I currently own MT, MOD, BM, Spyd, SOG and am looking for the same quailty and dependability. This knife would be used for various tasks...anything from slicing an apple to camping to rescue. What are your opinions? Any takers out there? ;)
Click to expand...

Actually, SOG is an excellent place to look for a well-made fixed blade. I have a lot of practical experience with AUS 8. No, it won't hold an edge as long as ATS-34 or the more "exotic" steels. But it WILL hold an edge for a good, long while. You can re-sharpen it quickly, and without the help of a diamond hone. It's also more rust-resistant than ATS-34. (Once again, speaking from personal experience here). From what I've seen AUS 8 is a good compromise between edge-holding and rust-resistance.

Let me put it this way, from a practical point of view; AUS 8 and 440B are like identical twins. When you buy a stainless steel Randall knife, you're getting 440B. Now if it's good enough to be used in a Randall-Made knife......
 
I had an old CS Voyager folder (tanto) I pretty much abused for years - it was AUS8 & I had no complaints...

With that in mind, why not look at the Blackjack Grunt? You really have to handle one - not putting SOG down, they make a 'sexy' knife but the Blackjack would be my preference, big time :thumbup:
 
What about Bark River Knife and Tool? I've used their knives for camping, hunting, hiking and long SAR missions. They are very well made, you get lots of handle choices and one of the best customer services in the knife industry. They are my favourite production fixed blades.

Both Ontario TAK and Becker K&T are good hard use fixed blades for a reasonable price. A good friend of mine, and fellow SAR worker, who likes big blades uses knives from both of them with great success. I've ordered a RAT-3 to see how it fares (it's a small Ontario). The only thing that turns me off from both manufacturers are the black blades. I like shiny knives...

Spyderco has some great fixed blades. Their Moran designed knives rock.
 
JGD is right. Black jack's knives are probably the best fixed blade knives your gonna get for the price. That and a good ka-bar. I have fairly limited experience with SOG, but so far it has been nothing but a good experience.
 
The very best fixed blade is the one I have for sale. Now I wouldn't sell it if my second uncle on my ex-wife's side didn't have dermititus and needed a skin transplant, so it's a real good deal and you'd be helping someone who can't stop scratching his butt. Anyway, go check out my knife on the exchange Forum and I'm sure you'll love it. ;)

Dude, you live in the golden age of knive making, both production and custom. There are so many great knives out there you practically can't go wrong if you do a little research and decide what you need a fixed blade for. Price is definitely a factor though, so the most important thing is value. For the money you can't beat Falkniven, SRKW (when they decide to sell knives again), Blackjack (especially the old ones in A2 which you can still find on Ebay), Becker, and, well the list could go on and on.

Personally, I like customs these days. Nothing like owning a knife no one else owns. You can find some great ones on the exchange here, on line at various sites, and you can get some good deals off Ebay if you know what you are looking for. I would give you some hints but then you'd be bidding against me and driving up the price. Hope this helps.
 
For hard use, Busse, Ferhman, Ranger and Swamp Rat, for more delicate work I'd just get a custum from Justin.

TBG
 
Many knives would meet your criteria, but what blade length are you aiming to get? What kind of chores would you do that couldn't be done by a good folder? The Navy, including the Marines, use a lot of Ka-Bars (I still have both of my father's Ka-Bars today and they're sharp, a bit worn and zero rust.)

A knife I just "like" with nothing else going for it is the Cold Steel Recon.

rekon.jpg
 
I'm sitting here with an SOG Gov-Tac hanging on my belt..
I like it allot.
It's not too heavy, the handle is grippy and it isn't going to fall out of the sheath.
Under $100...
 
As for the original question, probably the best knife I own personally is the Swamp Rat Camp Tramp.

However, I don't consider it really a "better" knife than the ~$40 Kabar Short Heavy Bowie for the type of light brush work I tend to use a knife that size for most. Sure, the SR has a much nicer handle (especially after I 'bubba'ed' the handle of my Kabar), I love the choil and I'm sure it is a far stronger blade - but its also heavier, ground a bit thick for light vegetation and its a bit more blade heavy than is my preference for a blade that size.

I'd love to get my hands on a Ranger knife eventually. The fact that the maker will customize the blade grind for a nominal fee really apeals to me & from everything I hear about him, I'd like to give him my business next time I've got the urge to splurge on another knife :thumbup:
 
For me is the best fixed blade the Busse SFNO

It's the one at the top

efb6df15.jpg
 
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