Burly, light, under $100

[DocT]

An Esee Izula fixed blade would be a good choice.

You can get an extremely tough Cold Steel Code 4 with XHP steel for that money, too.

 

[BostonBull]

Thanks everyone

Yes, the GB may not seem very bulky. Clip it to the shoulder strap just below your collar bone, on a very lightweight pack, and then go run 20 miles. Let me know your findings

Im not carrying this to make camp, its kept high and close in case its needed rapidly in the backcountry in an emergency.

Several good options here, thank you all.

Maybe I can combine my dive knife and backcountry knife purchase into one with a Sheepsfoot serrated H1.

 

[NJBillK]

What about a Spyderco Mule in LC200N?

Fantastic stain resistance (near impervious), good toughness and edge retention (near M4). Cord wrap the handle and get a simple Kydex sheath and strap it wherever you want.

Light, strong, stain resistant, sharp, tough, and can be found for around $65 new from Spyderco...

 

[Alberta Ed]

Mora. 'Nuff said.

 

[BostonBull]

Do I up my budget to $150? And add the BM Bugout to the list? OR another few... ..

 

[Cryptyc]

Fällkniven F1

 

[BostonBull]

Fällkniven F1

As heavy or heavier than my current favorite GB. Beautiful though

 

[strategy9]

Cold Steel Broken Skull in cts-xhp or
Spyderco Manix 2 in BD1 steel.
A full oz + lighter then a GB
Or
Spyderco Endura 4 / Stretch 2 lightweight, both in vg10 & about 3/4 oz. lighter then a GB

Native 5 lightweight in s35vn
About 2 oz. Lighter then the GB


Also under 2.5 oz. is the Fox Terzuola folder in 440c
Or, for something ultra lightweight, the Maserin 392 starlight is a front flipper linerlock with C.F. scales, comes in at under 2 oz. Aus 8 wont hold an edge like m4, but will sharpen up easy and is tough.

 

[aleforme]

The first thing that comes to mind for me is the Spyderco Native Lightweight in S35VN. It’s a wonderful knife.

I'll second the Spyderco Natice LW. It's a stout little knife and it's a perfect size and weight if your going to run with it.

 

[Engrid]

No neck knives, i run hours at a time. Cant stand the bounce of the GB, nevermind a lanyard and knife bouncing/chafing

You can put a tek loc on the Izula its a great option for small /light but very sturdy the Eese 3 is a good one too

 

[BostonBull]

I'll second the Spyderco Natice LW. It's a stout little knife and it's a perfect size and weight if your going to run with it.

Well then......this may be the winner. How tough is the steel compared to CPM M4? Both edge retention and durability when foraging for things and abusing the blade?

 

[aleforme]

Well then......this may be the winner. How tough is the steel compared to CPM M4? Both edge retention and durability when foraging for things and abusing the blade?

I'm by no means a steel expert so I can't really compare it specifically to M4 but I can say S35VN will hold up just fine. It's a great steel in my experience. Pretty easy to sharpen and holds an edge really well. Maybe someone else can chime in on the comparison.

 

[GermanyChris]

Any sketonized small fixed blade should work.

 

[luke86]

Do I up my budget to $150? And add the BM Bugout to the list? OR another few... ..

Yes you up your budget to whatever you can find a bugout for and you get it. No more list. That's the one to get. Trust me.

 

[BostonBull]

Yes you up your budget to whatever you can find a bugout for and you get it. No more list. That's the one to get. Trust me.

Just like that? Mic. Drop. Thats it? End of the list?

 

[Wolverine666]

OP , so what did you get?

 

[luke86]

Just like that? Mic. Drop. Thats it? End of the list?

Yes just like that haha. Love that dang thing. Slowly selling off others because it really is perfect. You have to a at least try one.

 

[BostonBull]

OP , so what did you get?

Nothing yet, but man oh man the bugout is looking like the one to own

 

[NJBillK]

I am still leaning towards a Spyderco Mule in LC200N, with a cord wrap, and kydex sheath...

Lighter than your GB, Stronger construction method, near the wear resistance, almost impervious to any corrosion, tough enough to not be a factor, and within budget...

 

[timbo813]

In order of my recommendation.

1. Mora Companion. Light, tough, cheap. (Get one and try it, they are dirt cheap and cut very well)
2. Spyderco Pacific Salt (Or salt 1 or dragonfly 2 salt). Light weight, corrosion proof, surprisingly tough (less tough than a fixed blade)
3. Benchmade Bugout. About the lightest weight knife you can find with that size blade. I don't own one yet but I will.
4. Spyderco Mule LC200N. Seems like a good option but I don't know if it's really going to carry better than your GB.