Hi all.
I've been lurking BF for a little while, originally because I wanted opinions/ reviews to help me on deciding between Schrade F42 and Gerber Strongarm. After handling them both I got the Schrade as I hated the handle and blade on the Strongarm.... but returned the F42 a few days later to get a BK5 which I had seen and handled at the same time. I just loved the look of the BK5.
After lurking on BF I almost caught Beckerhead fever and was planning on getting a BK4 (Still have those in a local shop) BK10 and BK7...but then I realised that for my needs at this point I really couldn't justify buying them all, and then buying new sheathes etc. Unfortunately commonsense prevailed.
However I really liked the size of the Schrade at just over 5". I'm still looking for a mid sized blade around 5", preferably in a drop point design (clip points don't appeal to me at all).
I want a knife I can take tramping with me, that will be tough enough to split wood if I need to, however most of its tasks will be cutting/ slicing tasks and minor wood work.
I hate the big bulky nylon sheaths that a lot of knives come with, so any knife would have its sheath upgraded to kydex or leather.
My ideal knife would be GSO 5.1 in CPM 3V but I can't find any for sale and aren't patient enough to wait months for a preorder etc.
Other than for the GSO, I have a budget of around $200 USD max all up including any handle improvements or sheaths.
I'm in New Zealand and our knife shops don't carry most of these knives - the only blades below I've had in hand are the BK10 and the Schrade 42 - both of which felt very comfortable.
I have a shortlist below and would appreciate any input or comments on a blade choice. At this point finances only allow one knife!
Schrade SCHF42 (5.1" 1095)
I really liked this knife, but to upgrade the handles and sheath would bring it to $140-150, and that puts it into a whole other price range than just a $45 knife.
TOPS Knives Brakimo
(5.25" , 1095, 3/16 thick kydex sheath, micarta handles)
I have searched the forums for comments on this knife but there doesn't seem to be much info on it. On the surface this looks like a knife that will do everything I need for a reasonable price. The only thing is I've never handled a TOPS knife so am unsure of how their handles compare to the Becker or Schrade.
Esee Laserstrike
(5", 3/16 thick, 1095, kydex, micarta)
Similar price to the TOPs but has a coil which I'm not a fan on for this length of knife.
Also I have heard that the edge retention isn't the best on the Esee 1095.
Becker BK10
(5.25", 3/16 thick, 1095 Cro-van)
I love the looks of the BK2, but the BK2 is just to heavy for my needs. So this knife is a compromise...handle of the BK2, thinner blade, and I can modify the tip. But this is similar to the Schrade...once you upgrade the handles and sheath, the cost at least doubles the price of the knife...to make it the most expensive total package of the knives here.
Ontario Ranger TFI
(5.25", 0.26 thick FFG, 5160)
I haven't seen too much on this knife but I love using my RAT 1 folder, and the blade shape somewhat reminds me of this. My only concern is how the handle size would compare/ would it fit my hands comfortably.
tl:dr
Recommend me a full tang knife between 5"-5.75" long for hiking that's tough, and is under $200 including kydex and micarta scales.
Thanks
Matu
I've been lurking BF for a little while, originally because I wanted opinions/ reviews to help me on deciding between Schrade F42 and Gerber Strongarm. After handling them both I got the Schrade as I hated the handle and blade on the Strongarm.... but returned the F42 a few days later to get a BK5 which I had seen and handled at the same time. I just loved the look of the BK5.
After lurking on BF I almost caught Beckerhead fever and was planning on getting a BK4 (Still have those in a local shop) BK10 and BK7...but then I realised that for my needs at this point I really couldn't justify buying them all, and then buying new sheathes etc. Unfortunately commonsense prevailed.
However I really liked the size of the Schrade at just over 5". I'm still looking for a mid sized blade around 5", preferably in a drop point design (clip points don't appeal to me at all).
I want a knife I can take tramping with me, that will be tough enough to split wood if I need to, however most of its tasks will be cutting/ slicing tasks and minor wood work.
I hate the big bulky nylon sheaths that a lot of knives come with, so any knife would have its sheath upgraded to kydex or leather.
My ideal knife would be GSO 5.1 in CPM 3V but I can't find any for sale and aren't patient enough to wait months for a preorder etc.
Other than for the GSO, I have a budget of around $200 USD max all up including any handle improvements or sheaths.
I'm in New Zealand and our knife shops don't carry most of these knives - the only blades below I've had in hand are the BK10 and the Schrade 42 - both of which felt very comfortable.
I have a shortlist below and would appreciate any input or comments on a blade choice. At this point finances only allow one knife!
Schrade SCHF42 (5.1" 1095)
I really liked this knife, but to upgrade the handles and sheath would bring it to $140-150, and that puts it into a whole other price range than just a $45 knife.
TOPS Knives Brakimo
(5.25" , 1095, 3/16 thick kydex sheath, micarta handles)
I have searched the forums for comments on this knife but there doesn't seem to be much info on it. On the surface this looks like a knife that will do everything I need for a reasonable price. The only thing is I've never handled a TOPS knife so am unsure of how their handles compare to the Becker or Schrade.
Esee Laserstrike
(5", 3/16 thick, 1095, kydex, micarta)
Similar price to the TOPs but has a coil which I'm not a fan on for this length of knife.
Also I have heard that the edge retention isn't the best on the Esee 1095.
Becker BK10
(5.25", 3/16 thick, 1095 Cro-van)
I love the looks of the BK2, but the BK2 is just to heavy for my needs. So this knife is a compromise...handle of the BK2, thinner blade, and I can modify the tip. But this is similar to the Schrade...once you upgrade the handles and sheath, the cost at least doubles the price of the knife...to make it the most expensive total package of the knives here.
Ontario Ranger TFI
(5.25", 0.26 thick FFG, 5160)
I haven't seen too much on this knife but I love using my RAT 1 folder, and the blade shape somewhat reminds me of this. My only concern is how the handle size would compare/ would it fit my hands comfortably.
tl:dr
Recommend me a full tang knife between 5"-5.75" long for hiking that's tough, and is under $200 including kydex and micarta scales.
Thanks
Matu
