Best FIXED knife??

[digdeep]

As for the original question, probably the best knife I own personally is the Swamp Rat Camp Tramp...

...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:

The Camp Tramp is no longer being made and is becoming a collector's item bringing far more than its original purchase price. I do agree that Justin is the man when you want a superior quality Ranger knife, and as James said, he will do customizations for a very reasonable price.

 

[Cutshaw]

Best is subjective so I won't answer that one.

I've owned and like:

Busse:
Hell Razor, Bolo. Amazing fit and finish from a premier knifemaker. If you buy a Busse new you can always sell them within minutes after posting for what you paid. The performance of both INFI and SR101 is legendary.
Swamp Rat:
Howling Rat, Howling Fat, Bog Dog, Dog Skinner, Desert Jack, Ratweiler, Rat Mastiff, RIP. An appendent body of Busse. Great knives. The same incredible resale as the Busse.
Bark River:
The Northwind.. I know, I know. That's a bloody sword. But I like fixed blade designs, price, and viciously sharp convex edges too. Think the Northstar, Highland, Gameskeeper, Fox River. I badly want a Golok.
Ranger:
RD9. RD series is very similiar to the old Busse Straight Handle series. A very serious hunk of steel from an all-around stand up maker - Justin Gingrich.
Becker:
BK5, BK9, & BK11. Great bang for the buck. I keep the BK9 in the BOB in the car. It's replaceable if stolen. Make sure you like the grips; they worked fine for me but MANY people don't like them. Think: machete grips. The BK5 Campanion felt awkward as a knife design to me but I like the BK9 just fine. The BK10 feels much more balanced than the thicker Campanion.
I didn't honestly feel like the BK77 was worth even the discounted prices and S30V doesn't seem like the best choice for a big, chopper. The BK7 seems like a good camp worker.

In fact, let me say that in anything other than a small slicer, carbon is typically preferred over stainless. You will hear arguments about Fallkniven being an exception with their VG10 laminates... I have no experience with them and can't say.

 

[hara-kiri-yogi]

recently am thinking about purchasing a nice fixed blade. 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.

Ok if you want the same quality and dependability as those, i'd reccomend a BM Rant, for slicing the apple, a Becker CU7 or KaBar Heavy Bowie small for camping, and a Smith & Wesson Homeland Security cksur4 or cksurg (~6" & 8", respectively) for rescue. Knives like Swamp Rat, Busse, Dark Ops, Extrema Ratio, TOPS, Chris Reeve, etc, some of which have been recommended, are great knives, but represent a significant step up in quality and dependability.
Or you could just get a huge, fixed-blade-like folder... -Yogi

 

[Cobalt]

Right now is the time to pick up the Hell Razor. It is an awesome knife. I am into bigger knives, but I did get several Hell Razors and I am glad I did. I like it better than the new Satin Jack TAC. It's also slightly thinner but does not give up strength due to it's new design technology (corrugated finish). So for those that always wanted a Busse but thought they were to thick, this is the knife for you.

However, Swamp and Rat and Ranger are super tough at excellent prices.