BIG KNIFE OPTIONS under 100

knifenut848 said:
In my mind to get a large high quality fixed blade knife you're going to have to spend a lot more money. If I were you, I would wait until I had enough money for a high quality fixed blade. Not something that break by chopping wood. I have had cold steel knives before and I'll never own another one again. Get a Busse, Strider, Mercworx or something with a damn good warranty. At least if it breaks they will fix it.
My advice save your money and wait a little while.
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How much doe are you talking? I am the kind of person who would consider this if it really makes the difference in performance and customer service.

I was thinking that the difference is hype, and that a lot of cheap blades are just as good -but I have never spent over 120 on a blade so I really dont know. Does performance really improve that much, or even materials/ manufacturing? What have you found to be the differences?
 
Ka-Bar....just that...get it...love it.

I'm a huge Coldsteel fan too, but when you're talking big and don't want the Coldsteel kukri or similar, then a Ka-Bar is the knife for you.

You won't regret it...plus be sure that where ever you get it from that you ask about the particular sheeth you need.

Whether it be kydex, leather, or nylon, I believe Ka-Bar offers all three, the kydex is a real nice tacticle sheath.
 
Just one more thing, don't put too much emphasis on a much more expensive steel.
If it busts the bank then you stall on getting one at all because it's too expensive ...step back and think about it.

Real high dollar steels are good for holding an edge but the steels with a little less carbon also hold a good edge but and are easier to sharpen. And most of the time they cost about a 3rd less or up to.

Or, just be like me, buy 3 or 4 of your favorites, piss off your wife, but enjoy those knives! haha
 
I never knew that they had different sheath options for the Kabar large heavy bowie. What online dealers do you know of that offer this? I usualy go to yourcornerstore.
 
I just got a BK9 a little while ago, and based on the research I've done, my own subjective tastes, and my experience with it so far, it seems like the best big knife under $100. I can't knock the Outcast though, I had my eye on that guy for a long time too, and still might get one down the line. I don't have experience with it though, so can't comment on it.

If you want to learn more about the BK9, check out the Becker Sub-forum here on BF :thumbup:
 
blackfeetmageet said:
whats up guys -Im looking fore a large survival Knife and would like your input. I just want to know what models you all like in the "big knife" category (over 7 inches of blade). I would like it to be a good wood splitter and Not a machete or a kukri.

My price range is under $100. The cheaper the blade, the more I will like it. (if you want to mention something just over 100 that is fine too)

My options so far:

Kabar large heavy bowie (This is what I am really thinking about buying, any experience with it?)
Ontario sp-5
Ontario RTAK 2
Becker options? (I have never owned a becker, any suggestions) Ment kabar becker, not boker
RC-10 :rolleyes:(I wish)

Thanks you guys
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Every KA-BAR or KA-BAR Becker I have came with some sort of blemish and since a few reported BK9 failures I don't trust it. I sent two back to KA-BAR and they sent replacements with a different blemished areas : ( That's the facts.

The Cheaper Than Dirt Rough Use Knife or Night Defender by another name is tough and reliable for $10. They come in Spear Point, Bowie and Kukri styles. I own them use them and they work plain and simple end of story. I like the Bowie style the most.

The Cold Steel knives are tough and reliable also. The Boar Hunter and OSI will be my next knives. The small 12 inch Bowie, SAX, Barong and Kukri machetes are great and more knife like than machete. The Bowie, Barong and Sax may be discontiuned soon as the factory closed so act fast if you want one.
 
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I did this with my Becker BK9 the other day...

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As you can see this was a pretty thick log...

P1070400.jpg
 
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Thanks for the pics rmc85.

to Syltetoy: I already have a CS 12" Bowie Machete and I really like it. But Im looking for something a lot thicker
 
I have both the BK9 and the Outcast. They are both great choppers (once you do a little work on the Outcast edge), but I think the BK9 is a more well-rounded knife, capable of more than the Outcast.

Regarding the BK9 failure: I have seen other posts showing batonning failures of Cold Steel knives, and an Ontario RTAK. When you make mass production knives, sometimes a bad one gets through, or maybe the logs just had really crazy grain.

I have been longing for an RD-9...they are only about $120 - not too far out of your price range.

The large Spyderco fixed blades have come way down on Knifecenter, and are close to your price range.
 
Yep, I think I made a mistake. I looked into it, and I thought for sure that I had that option to order different sheaths for most of their knives but for the large bowie it looks like it's leather only....sorry 'bout that.
 
Knivesandgear.com said:
Yep, I think I made a mistake. I looked into it, and I thought for sure that I had that option to order different sheaths for most of their knives but for the large bowie it looks like it's leather only....sorry 'bout that.
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no problem, I like the sheath it comes with anyway. I think it is the same style as my Kabar khukri sheath
 
I pretty much have all of the most discussed knives. I'd like to take the Beckers grip and put it on The Ranger RD9's tougher 5160 blade, getting away from the RD9's less comfortable one. The outcast needs convexing. The crowell Barker is probably my favorite, but wouldn't pick it for a long days work. It's more about balance and speed, being durable enough for competitions, not chopping trees all day like an axe ( which is what I'd likely really be using Doesn't everybody at least carry pioneer tools in their vehicle?). I'd skip the trailmaster for this work. I don't trust it. I've had both the Carbon V and SK5 versions, and it's the grip area that worries me, not any difference in steels
 
Blackfeet,

Maybe you could share with everyone what landed you on the Trail Master. One of the many reasons I chose mine was for the thinner point since chopping is only one of the tasks I put it through. CS makes some tough fixed blades.
 
For a long time, you could find Bear MGC Bowies in Damascus for $100 at one (or more) common mail order sites. The KaBar is widely available, too. The Buck 120 'General', 7.5" blade and black phenolic handle/aluminum guard/pommel, is only available from Cabela's in their 'Pro Line' series ($65).

IMG_3421.jpg


The Buck 120 Pro Line 'General' is a larger version of the common 6" 119 'Special', which is available via WallyWorld ~$34. Mine was used last year at Thanksgiving for slicing the 'bird'.

Stainz
 
Maybe post in the wanted to buy section for a well used scrap yard sod. Might get one for a few bucks more but that will last a lifetime and if not, still has an ironclad warranty!

Used Ranger 7 or 9...or new..
 
GrinderMcgee said:
Blackfeet,

Maybe you could share with everyone what landed you on the Trail Master. One of the many reasons I chose mine was for the thinner point since chopping is only one of the tasks I put it through. CS makes some tough fixed blades.
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It is heavy, it is thick, I like the grip, it is the size I was aiming for, and I like the sheath (leather is what mine comes with and I can try out their new nylon sheaths too).

I am getting it brand new and cold steel stands behind their knives 100% (at least that is what they claim, I have never personaly delt with them). I have seen them go through some heavy testing on utube and on the cold steel catalog video.

It may not be 100% utilitarian, I just think it is cool looking and that it will fit my purposes backpacking should I ever think I want to carry the extra weight. Plus I have heard that the older models are better and since they are discontinued it has collectable apeal as well. I paid 130$ for it including shipping on ebay.

I am just impressed with this blade and have been wanting one for a while. I thought, you know what I am already willing to spend 100 bucks on a knife, and I will probably use it for years to come, so I might as well spend the extra 30 bucks. It was hard to pick it over the kabar large heavy bowie -since I would have saved about 70$, but I think that I will enjoy the CS Trail Master more.

It is in the mail.
 
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