Budget Fixed Blade Recommendation

All of these LT Wright knives can be had for $100, give or take $10-$20, and all of them but one can be had in semi stainless or stainless.
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All of these Buck models get forgotten, but they are truly awesome budget knives that will fall between $15-45.
 
Putting aside the stainless criteria of the OP, there are many good suggestions here. No one knife can do everything well but many knives can do a lot OK.

I've been using knives in the outdoors for a long time - everything from fuzz stick, field dressing critters of various sizes (squirrels to moose) as well as food prep to firewood processing. Limiting yourself to one knife is challenging - and fun.

Random thoughts - that others may disagree with:

Carbon steel, such as 1095 and its cousins is a great, forgiving and reliable beater knife steel for tough jobs. I just happen to be a fan of Becker knives and the BK2/22 is a great tank of a knife that can split wood and skin a Buick. The BK16 is what Ethan Becker himself carries and has said, in my presence, "If there's dirt under my feet, I have a BK16 on me." Though both carbon steel and each $100 or slightly more, they would be quite a woodsman's combo.

I like Buck knives and really like the company. Some of their handles are small and potentially slippery; some of their knives are, for me, difficult to sharpen. Admittedly, I am spoiled with 1095 knives.

Mora can't be beat - for the price. They are my loaner knives in camp. They are light, handy and affordable. Good value.

Cold Steel makes some offerings that I am a fan of as well. The Drop Forged Survivalist and Drop Forged Hunter are two that I fancy - handles aside, they are tough knives made out of time honored and very good 52100 - again, a carbon steel. The SRK (not unlike the Becker BK7) is, IMO, a compromise knife that tries to do it all. I have a few and really like them, but they are neither great at foot prep or firewood yet OK at both and very handy for much in between those extremes of function. I am really a fan of 3V and a Cold Steel SRK or Master Hunter in 3V is with me on serious outings.

All of that being said, and even with me being an admitted Beckerhead, for $100 you would not be wrong to get a carbon steel SRK and a couple of stainless steel Moras. If your budget for this acquisition changed, a Becker BK2 (or 22) and a couple of Moras would do you well - very well.

Though you didn't mention folders, a really stout fixed blade (did I mention BK2?) and either a Buck 110 or a Cold Steel Large Voyager would do almost everything that need doing in the wild.
 
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SALTY said:
Putting aside the stainless criteria of the OP, there are many good suggestions here. No one knife can do everything well but many knives can do a lot OK.

I've been using knives in the outdoors for a long time - everything from fuzz stick, field dressing critters of various sizes (squirrels to moose) as well as food prep to firewood processing. Limiting yourself to one knife is challenging - and fun.

Random thoughts - that others may disagree with:

Carbon steel, such as 1095 and its cousins is a great, forgiving and reliable beater knife steel for tough jobs. I just happen to be a fan of Becker knives and the BK2/22 is a great tank of a knife that can split wood and skin a Buick. The BK16 is what Ethan Becker himself carries and has said, in my presence "If there's dirt under my feet, I have a BK16 on me." Though both carbon steel and each $100 or slightly more, they would be quite a woodsman's combo.

I like Buck knives and really like the company. Some of their handles are small and potentially slippery; some of their knives are, for me, difficult to sharpen. Admittedly, I am spoiled with 1095 knives.

Mora can't be beat - for the price. They are my loaner knives in camp. They are light, handy and affordable. Good value.

Cold Steel makes some offering that I am a fan of as well. The Drop Forged Survivalist and Hunter are two that I fancy - handles aside, they are tough knives made out of time honored and very good 52100 - again, a carbon steel. The SRK (not unlike the Becker BK7) is, IMO, a compromise knife that tries to do it all. I have a few and really like them, but they are neither great at foot prep or firewood yet OK at both and very handy for much in between those extremes of function. I am really a fan of 3V and a Cold Steel SRK or Master Hunter in 3V is with me on serious outings.

All of that being said, and even with me being an admitted Beckerhead, for $100 you would not be wring to get a carbon steel SRK and a couple of stainless steel Moras. If your budget for this acquisition changed, a Becker BK2 (or 22) and a couple of Moras would do you well - very well.

Though you didn't mention folders, a really stout fixed blade (did I mention BK2?) and either a Buck 110 or a Cold Steel Large Voyager would do almost everything that need doing in the wild.
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OP, listen to this guy. He knows what he is talking about.
 
SALTY said:
Putting aside the stainless criteria of the OP, there are many good suggestions here. No one knife can do everything well but many knives can do a lot OK.

I've been using knives in the outdoors for a long time - everything from fuzz stick, field dressing critters of various sizes (squirrels to moose) as well as food prep to firewood processing. Limiting yourself to one knife is challenging - and fun.

Random thoughts - that others may disagree with:

Carbon steel, such as 1095 and its cousins is a great, forgiving and reliable beater knife steel for tough jobs. I just happen to be a fan of Becker knives and the BK2/22 is a great tank of a knife that can split wood and skin a Buick. The BK16 is what Ethan Becker himself carries and has said, in my presence "If there's dirt under my feet, I have a BK16 on me." Though both carbon steel and each $100 or slightly more, they would be quite a woodsman's combo.

I like Buck knives and really like the company. Some of their handles are small and potentially slippery; some of their knives are, for me, difficult to sharpen. Admittedly, I am spoiled with 1095 knives.

Mora can't be beat - for the price. They are my loaner knives in camp. They are light, handy and affordable. Good value.

Cold Steel makes some offering that I am a fan of as well. The Drop Forged Survivalist and Hunter are two that I fancy - handles aside, they are tough knives made out of time honored and very good 52100 - again, a carbon steel. The SRK (not unlike the Becker BK7) is, IMO, a compromise knife that tries to do it all. I have a few and really like them, but they are neither great at foot prep or firewood yet OK at both and very handy for much in between those extremes of function. I am really a fan of 3V and a Cold Steel SRK or Master Hunter in 3V is with me on serious outings.

All of that being said, and even with me being an admitted Beckerhead, for $100 you would not be wring to get a carbon steel SRK and a couple of stainless steel Moras. If your budget for this acquisition changed, a Becker BK2 (or 22) and a couple of Moras would do you well - very well.

Though you didn't mention folders, a really stout fixed blade (did I mention BK2?) and either a Buck 110 or a Cold Steel Large Voyager would do almost everything that need doing in the wild.
Click to expand...
Excellent post. I appreciate you’re thoughts as you seem quite well-experienced. I’m very familiar with folders but not so much with fixed blades. So I’m learning as I go. I’ve only ever owned a few in my life.

Since I go camping and do outdoors stuff just a couple times a year , I didn’t want to spent all that much on a fixed blade because it wouldn’t get much use. But after reading through this thread and poking around online , I think I’m gonna up the price cap to @ $150. So many good knives out there. I feel a new obsession taking form.

The LionSteel M3 in Niolox steel looks outstanding. So that one has my attention now and that Ka-Bar BK22 just looks unstoppable. My qualm with 1095 (or any carbon steel) is that although the majority of the blade is coated , will the uncoated blade edge rust up even if I dry the knife off after each use?
 
Wolverine666 said:
Excellent post. I appreciate you’re thoughts as you seem quite well-experienced. I’m very familiar with folders but not so much with fixed blades. So I’m learning as I go. I’ve only ever owned a few in my life.

Since I go camping and do outdoors stuff just a couple times a year , I didn’t want to spent all that much on a fixed blade because it wouldn’t get much use. But after reading through this thread and poking around online , I think I’m gonna up the price cap to @ $150. So many good knives out there. I feel a new obsession taking form.

The LionSteel M3 in Niolox steel looks outstanding. So that one has my attention now and that Ka-Bar BK22 just looks unstoppable. My qualm with 1095 (or any carbon steel) is that although the majority of the blade is coated , will the uncoated blade edge rust up even if I dry the knife off after each use?
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Unless you're swimming in salt water with it odds are it won't rust if you wipe it down after each days use!!!
Doesn't even have to be each use.unless you're in a mess😜. Wipe it on your pants before you resheath n good to go!!
 
Wolverine666 said:
Excellent post. I appreciate you’re thoughts as you seem quite well-experienced. I’m very familiar with folders but not so much with fixed blades. So I’m learning as I go. I’ve only ever owned a few in my life.

Since I go camping and do outdoors stuff just a couple times a year , I didn’t want to spent all that much on a fixed blade because it wouldn’t get much use. But after reading through this thread and poking around online , I think I’m gonna up the price cap to @ $150. So many good knives out there. I feel a new obsession taking form.

The LionSteel M3 in Niolox steel looks outstanding. So that one has my attention now and that Ka-Bar BK22 just looks unstoppable. My qualm with 1095 (or any carbon steel) is that although the majority of the blade is coated , will the uncoated blade edge rust up even if I dry the knife off after each use?
Click to expand...
If $150 is your cap, check out the lionsteel m4 👍🏻
 
XtianAus said:
If $150 is your cap, check out the lionsteel m4 👍🏻
Click to expand...
I had an M4 @ a year ago and foolishly sold it after owning it for just a short while. I was looking at getting another when I stumbled upon the M3 which I’m seriously considering. I like the wider blade of the M3 and I’m curious about Niolox.
 
Wolverine666 said:
I’m looking for a fixed blade companion knife for the outdoors. For light duty while camping and hiking. I’d like to keep at around $100 (make that $150) give or take. So far , I’ve been looking at the QSP Bison , Real Steel Doppler and of course the Buck 119. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. My only nit pick is that I want a stainless (or semi-stainless) steel blade. No carbon steel.
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Look at Lamnia. They have a large selection. Great Smoky Knife Works does too and has great prices on MoraKniv.
 
Niolox is some decent stuff.... I like it.....Holds an edge well and is easy to maintain !!!!!
 
Currently two threads down from this one. Sounds like a good all-rounder and fits your criteria for a light duty knife.

Victorinox Venture fixed blade

Got an email announcing the release of the victorinox venture. Looks like a capable “bushcrafter”, more importantly to me is that victorinox released something new, and it looks like a good general purpose fixed blade at an approachable price point. They list the steel as 14C28N, which is...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
Wolverine666 said:
Excellent post. I appreciate you’re thoughts as you seem quite well-experienced. I’m very familiar with folders but not so much with fixed blades. So I’m learning as I go. I’ve only ever owned a few in my life.

Since I go camping and do outdoors stuff just a couple times a year , I didn’t want to spent all that much on a fixed blade because it wouldn’t get much use. But after reading through this thread and poking around online , I think I’m gonna up the price cap to @ $150. So many good knives out there. I feel a new obsession taking form.

The LionSteel M3 in Niolox steel looks outstanding. So that one has my attention now and that Ka-Bar BK22 just looks unstoppable. My qualm with 1095 (or any carbon steel) is that although the majority of the blade is coated , will the uncoated blade edge rust up even if I dry the knife off after each use?
Click to expand...

Just be a bit careful in identifying exactly what you are going to use the knife for.

That way you can get the right shape. Which is where the budget moras, hultafors and cold steels sort of come in to play.

You can use the knife and be like. I want that idea but done better.

Cold steel also do these sorts of things on the cheap.


Canadian belt knife.

The roach belly, the fin bear, a nessmuk?
And it will give you different blade shapes for cheap.

And so for example if all you do is say camp cooking. You drive to your camp and everything else is a modern tent and you basically don't have to craft anything. That nessmuk for example will work well on a chopping board where a falkniven modern stainless would be a little bit crap.
 
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As an example of bushcraft? But not your traditional shelter building.


And to show there is no real priority placed on knives. So you don't really need a dedicated survival knife and then make do with it being mediocre at everything else. If you are not survivaling all the time.

(By the way. Don't buy that knife. It is overpriced)
 
TC said:
Currently two threads down from this one. Sounds like a good all-rounder and fits your criteria for a light duty knife.

Victorinox Venture fixed blade

Got an email announcing the release of the victorinox venture. Looks like a capable “bushcrafter”, more importantly to me is that victorinox released something new, and it looks like a good general purpose fixed blade at an approachable price point. They list the steel as 14C28N, which is...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
Click to expand...
I just saw this one today. Looks nice. It’s a definite contender.
 
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SALTY said:
Putting aside the stainless criteria of the OP, there are many good suggestions here. No one knife can do everything well but many knives can do a lot OK.

I've been using knives in the outdoors for a long time - everything from fuzz stick, field dressing critters of various sizes (squirrels to moose) as well as food prep to firewood processing. Limiting yourself to one knife is challenging - and fun.

Random thoughts - that others may disagree with:

Carbon steel, such as 1095 and its cousins is a great, forgiving and reliable beater knife steel for tough jobs. I just happen to be a fan of Becker knives and the BK2/22 is a great tank of a knife that can split wood and skin a Buick. The BK16 is what Ethan Becker himself carries and has said, in my presence "If there's dirt under my feet, I have a BK16 on me." Though both carbon steel and each $100 or slightly more, they would be quite a woodsman's combo.

I like Buck knives and really like the company. Some of their handles are small and potentially slippery; some of their knives are, for me, difficult to sharpen. Admittedly, I am spoiled with 1095 knives.

Mora can't be beat - for the price. They are my loaner knives in camp. They are light, handy and affordable. Good value.

Cold Steel makes some offering that I am a fan of as well. The Drop Forged Survivalist and Hunter are two that I fancy - handles aside, they are tough knives made out of time honored and very good 52100 - again, a carbon steel. The SRK (not unlike the Becker BK7) is, IMO, a compromise knife that tries to do it all. I have a few and really like them, but they are neither great at foot prep or firewood yet OK at both and very handy for much in between those extremes of function. I am really a fan of 3V and a Cold Steel SRK or Master Hunter in 3V is with me on serious outings.

All of that being said, and even with me being an admitted Beckerhead, for $100 you would not be wring to get a carbon steel SRK and a couple of stainless steel Moras. If your budget for this acquisition changed, a Becker BK2 (or 22) and a couple of Moras would do you well - very well.

Though you didn't mention folders, a really stout fixed blade (did I mention BK2?) and either a Buck 110 or a Cold Steel Large Voyager would do almost everything that need doing in the wild.
Click to expand...
I 1000% agree with this. I love carbon steel and basic tool steel. I live at the beach and carry carbon steel daily with zero issues.
 
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