Best Large Outdoors Fixed Blade Under $150

Mitchell Knives

Mitchell Knives

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I'm kind of looking for a large fixed blade to carry with me when I go camping. I would prefer one with a flat grinds to facilitate easy slicing/cutting however, other high performance grind would be ok to. I want something that is a good chopper as well. High quality steel is a must too. No tantos please. Basically I want something that will do just about anything, but also looks nice and is under $100-$150. I was looking at the Cold Steel Bushranger but don't know if it might be too thin. Suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks.
 
Have you considered the BK&T line?

These are a really good line of knives at a good price point. I certainly like them, in general, better then the comparable Cold Steel offerings.
 
I have never handled a Bush Ranger, but if it's more than 5/32" thick, then it's not too thin. Most "camp" knives are WAY too thick at 1/4" or 5/16" to be good slicers. And for chopping? Well, how thick are most machetes? Don't get me wrong, I like big thick knives(as long as they are ground fully), but unless you need to do chin-ups on the handle when you're camping, thinner is often better, Better for food prep, lighter to carry, more useful on game, etc. Even when chopping, the thinner blades are fine. Yes, I know, they are not always as efficient, in the eyes of many, for "real" chopping(although I'd dispute it), but that is what axes are for.
If you are not bringing an axe, and find that you need to chop logs larger that four inches, then move up to something like a Recon Scout. Otherwise get a Dozier Pro Guide, a Fallkinven, or even the Bush Ranger. You'll find they perform extremely well.
BTW, I think edge geometry the important thing, not thickness of the spine.

Jet
 
My suggestions would be something in either the Becker or Fallkniven line up.
 
For very "heavy-duty: Cold Steel Recon Scout.
For "light-duty": Cold Steel SRK or Bush Ranger (thinner blade).
 
I've had excellent luck with the Recon Tanto, Recon Scout, and SRK from Cold Steel, as well as the Fallkniven F1, which is my favorite do-all knife.

For those on a tight budget don't overlook a Camillus Marine Utility Knife(MKII), or the Ontario Spec Plus line.

I prefer a relatively small fixed blade like the F1 or a Dozier Pro Guide, along with a Gerber camp saw when camping, etc.
 
Fällkniven's are hard to beat in this price range. A1 could be considered as one of the best large fixed blades for survival/outdoors use, but I like S1 Forest Knife better.
 
I had an A1 for awhile, but I couldn't get used to the small handle and all but non-existent guard. I much prefer the handle on the SRK/Recon Tanto. Not much bigger, but just right for me :) .

The aforementioned Fallkniven F1 along with a Concealex sheath from Eric Noeldechen aka Normark is a great setup, IMHO. I've used it all over the U.S. and Canada on extended camping and canoeing trips. Good to go.
 
In that range, I would suggest the becker line, the cold steel bush ranger or recon scout, or especially something from Newt Livesay.

I think Newt has 3 or 4 blades in that price range that would be great for what you are looking for. You can also find them for sale on the forums occasionally at great prices.

Happy hunting...
 
I had been thinking about the Fallkniven line as well. I was just looking at the F1. It's a little on the small side, and the sheath would defiently have to be replaced. Otherwise, it looks like a great knife. Someone said that they thought the Fallkniven handles were too small. What's everyone's opinions on this? How about the quality Fallkniven knives. What about the VG-10 steel? I've never owned one or even handled one before so I don't really know what to expect. Thanks all.
 
Another vote for Cold Steel here. I had a Bush Ranger that I traded away, and not because I didn't like the knife. it is a very good cam size knife and has a real nice curve to the whole edge. It will slice and slice and slice. How much chopping will you be doing? On what? It could easily chop thorugh smaller stuff and split small chunks of firewood. And the handle shape is comfortable.
 
Recon Scout is my favorite, I also like the Trailmaster although a little large for a basic camping knife. My R/S sharpens to a razors edge and is thick enough to splt firewood....great knife for under $150
 
The Fallkniven F1 is large enough and tough enough to do anything you need it to do.

I have cut down several 3" saplings with this knife.

You don't chop with it, you cut and use a stick to pound it through. Technique is the key :D .

I always thought I needed a big knife for "chopping wood" until I learned otherwise. I didn't know what I didn't know :) .
 
If you can't afford a Busse Steel Heart E (which I couldn't), then get the very next best thing: Fallkniven A1. I your typical average size guy (I think. Most of the rest of the guys in the office are around my size), and the A1 handle fits me great. The material is grippy enough that I don't worry about the smaller "guard", and there is plenty of guard there anyway. Or at least there has been so far, and I've used mine a bit in in the woods, during hunting and backpacking. I've chopped trees up to four inches in diameter with no problem. And the VG10 is great. It takes a great edge, and holds it well. And I mean a GREAT edge! I've dug in the dirt with my A1, which of course did take the shaving edge away. But it still had a VERY serviceable edge; so good in fact that I didn't even bother sharpening it for a while. Then I decided to just because I wanted to see how fast it would take the edge back. IIRC, it took about 7 swipes per side on the Spyderco sticks to get it back to push-shaving.

Can you tell I like my A1 a LOT?! :)
 
There are hundreds of knives in this category that are well made, but for cost-effectiveness, I like the knives from Newt Livesay, Fallkniven, and BK&T
 
Most of the above suggestions sound like good ideas, however I will also add the AG Russell 1965 Camp Knife to the list as it should meet all the requirements you listed, plus you also stated that the knife should look nice.

This one looks good, is large enough to serve as a chopper in a pinch, lite enough still to carry all day and the grind is thin enough to make a decent slicer.

fe5b99ec.jpg.orig.jpg
 
If you really want a chopper than get a khukuri. I have an Himalayan Imports khukuri that I think is the best all around camp/hiking knife. It can chop like a hatchet and slice like a razor :D HI products have a lifetime guarantee also, can't beat that!

Ryan
 
Email me if you are interested. I have some A2 that i will be making 3 large camp knives from next week. Price will be a little under your budget :)
 
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