BRKT, Custom, or Similar

[tas237]

I'm in the market for a high quality fixed blade. The BRKT knives: Bravo-1, Gunny, Gameskeeper, and Highland Special are appealing, so I'll use that as a baseline. Blade size preference is 3.5" to 4.5".

What I'm after is a general purpose knife. One that I can take camping, hunting, and use for utility. My preference is for tool steel but would consider a high end stainless like S30V or similar. I've thought about 3V but I want to be able to sharpen in the field if necessary & I've heard this is rather difficult with 3V. I do have 1095 knives already but would prefer something a bit harder for this blade. Further, I'd like a rather thick spine and a convex grind or double bevel. Lanyard hole is a must & micarta or G-10 handle preferred.

The last key... I want a knife that is of heirloom quality that is also usable and functional. It will not be gathering dust in a collection but rather, being put to daily use. I will be passing this down to my son one day.

Budget $200-300 give or take a bit.

I am considering a custom knife maker also so I'm certainly interested in hearing from makers on this site.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ridnovir]

I suggest go For BRKT dressed some fancy scales like Desert Ironwood Burl (both extremely tough and extremely beautiful)

 

[Ebbtide]

Dozier.
Take a look at the ProGuide


Although there are other choices


D2 steel from the Dean of D2.

 

[tas237]

Yeah. Dozier is on the list too. Seems like it's a long long lead time though.

 

[dalefuller]

Yeah. Dozier is on the list too. Seems like it's a long long lead time though.

Check A G Russell's site for Doziers. He stocks some Doziers and may have one that fits your needs.

Ebbtide... that's a nice Dozier collection. I've been scouting AG's site for a couple of years trying to score a Personal Utility like yours, but I'm always a day late an a dollar short when he's got 'em.

If you want to add a couple of other makers into the mix, I can recommend Blind Horse, or Keith Murr and Alan Davis for customs. Alan is on BF in the custom FB subforum. Tool steels are available from all of them.

 

[22-rimfire]

I like Dozier blades; have a few. But I don't know if they qualify for "heirloom" status. I'd like to pick up a ProGuide eventually. The Dozier K42 Personal (Wharncliffe) is my EDC fixed blade with G-10 handles.

I feel the same way about Bark River knives in terms of heirloom status. But, there is one I am eyeing up at the moment. I started my interest with Bark River with the Blackjack classics (A2). I like them. I don't believe they have a lanyard hole.

A really nice Fallkniven F1 (with the custom handles) might fit your qualifications. I believe Bark River does the handles.

 

[tas237]

Thanks for the replies & info everyone.

What I mean by heirloom isn't anything fancy. Just a really durable knife that looks nice & functions well. A blade my son will still have and use when I'm no longer here.

 

[22-rimfire]

Check out the Dozier website (often). They often have knives for sale. My guess they are orders that for whatever reason fell through. Make quick decisions on them as they sell fast.

 

[michaelm466]

I'd highly recommend going custom, then you can get exactly what you want. I've bought several fixed blades from several excellent companies including Bark River and liked them quite a bit, but with production knives even if you find a great one, theres usually still one or two things you'd change to make it the perfect knife for you.

 

[Raining]

Fiddleback Forge Bushfinger. 4" blade, O-1 steel. Andy Roy is the maker (check out his other knives in his subforum). :thumbup:

 

[tas237]

Thanks Raining. That's a nice blade.

I'll check him out. Any idea on lead times?

 

[22-rimfire]

My experience is that when you finally decide to buy your first custom or higher end production fixed blade and you use and fondle it for a while. All of a sudden they start multiplying and you have multiple knives to give to your kids eventually. In a way, the special-ness of the knives begin to be reduced because of the number you own.

I tend to attend Blade every other year, and I head straight to the Dozier booth when I get there and almost always buy one. He sells a lot of knives at the show. AG Russell is probably the largest Dozier dealer and Dozier customer. They seem to have a long working relationship and their booths at Blade have been positioned close to each other.

One possiblity for you is to save some money and plan to attend the Blade Show next June. You will be overwhelmed by the number of customs and knives in general. The money part is why I didn't attend this year.

 

[Raining]

Thanks Raining. That's a nice blade.

I'll check him out. Any idea on lead times?

He doesn't do orders, but he has knives for sale every Friday. Take a look at the older threads and you'll see how it works. It won't take long to find one you like, trust me - they are all beautiful!

 

[Sig_Op]

I've got a Brkt Canadian special in 3v and well in the field a strop is all you need and it isn't difficult

 

[Ebbtide]

Dozier availability... The wait from the shop is long, but I bet it goes fast... especially when the quality is there.
All of mine, except for the one gift, were bought at the local show.
The Dozier crew do many shows per year, get there or be square.
Having said that, there are a couple of purveyors (including AG) that sell them and the Dozier shop will send you an email when the new featured inventory goes public.

 

[JollyRoger3]

Do yourself a favor and get a custom. Dave Beck would be my first choice.

www.drbeckknives.com

Check out his bushcraft/survival models.

 

[PharaohX3]

I gotta +1 for Fiddleback. Fantastic knives. Plenty in your size range and very much worthy of passing on to loved ones, if you can ever part with it that is... Any of the BRKT's you are considering will serve you very well also.

OP, one more knife that I recommend to everyone, though it's just slightly larger than what you are looking for but under your budget: Swamp Rat RMD. The knife excels at everything except chopping, great ergos that make it a joy to use, tough is all get out, takes a great edge(and holds it very well) and is pretty easy to field sharpen. It's a knife you can count on every time you use it and will still be going strong if you decide to pass it on to your grandchildren. Not the prettiest knife in the world though.

 

[Ebbtide]

Check A G Russell's site for Doziers. He stocks some Doziers and may have one that fits your needs.

Ebbtide... that's a nice Dozier collection. I've been scouting AG's site for a couple of years trying to score a Personal Utility like yours, but I'm always a day late an a dollar short when he's got 'em.

If you want to add a couple of other makers into the mix, I can recommend Blind Horse, or Keith Murr and Alan Davis for customs. Alan is on BF in the custom FB subforum. Tool steels are available from all of them.

There was a Personal Utility up on the featured inventory page today.
They are out there

 

[hapasnyper]

Take a look at blind horse knives I have a large workhorse and it feels great in the hand razor sharp d2 tool steel.

 

[schmittie]

Another vote for Fiddleback Forge.

Bushfingers are quite a nice all around knife. I have taken mine camping, hunting etc. works well field dressing deer and camp chores.

As already stated earlier, there are many knives in Fiddleback's lineup. I'm sure something will catch your eye. And it's in your price range.