Choose my First Fixed Blade

cinnamochoil said:
both I'd say factor, I'm looking at one 5mm wide..too much you think?
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Well I guess what your going to be using it for possibly Splitting wood it probably would do really good with the right taper . Maybe not so good slicer but again I guess it would depend on what your going to use it for and the blade . That's definately pretty hefty but its all about your personal needs and likes 👍
 
I think you should talk about that topic in the General Knife Discussion.

Personally, I can´t see any relationship to Traditional Fixed Blades.
 
For your first blade, I would recommend a Becker BK7. Think this one will get your feet wet so to speak, and not hard on the pocket book.
 
I would say any of Lon Humphrey's Brut de forge hunter would be right up your alley, 1/4 thick blades but ground to a nice edge, different styles, 4-5~ inch blades and beautiful handles. Check out his stuff on DLT trading. I definitely consider his a traditional style. Have good heft to them but also very agile. They also come up for sale on the customs for sale section in the exchange.
 
Smithhammer said:
I would also look at L.T. Wright, Hess, Fallkniven and some of the various Finnish makers of puukkos/leukus (Enzo, Ahti, Woodsknife, etc).

Also, just a reminder - this is the Traditional forum - not a place to discuss Beckers and other "swamp rat" knives. :thumbup:
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Humppa said:
I think you should talk about that topic in the General Knife Discussion.

Personally, I can´t see any relationship to Traditional Fixed Blades.
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Nice to meet you too. Honestly thought this area was for traditional folders and fixed blades. Didn't realize it was traditional folders and traditional fixed blades, my oversight, sorry to cause distress. If a moderator wants to move it to general, fine by me, but leave it to the mods. To be fair I do have some traditional designs at heart. As I'm searching for a good usable knife, I'm trying not to restrict myself too much. Kind of rude to hop to an assumption without reading what we've been discussing. Several bowie like patterns have been mentioned, I've been eying some kephart patterns as well. Loosen up

Mink said:
For your first blade, I would recommend a Becker BK7. Think this one will get your feet wet so to speak, and not hard on the pocket book.
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Thanks for that Mink, I will remember your words before committing to a purchase. This has been near the forefront of my mind tbh


btmccutcheon said:
I love my Blackbird SK5

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Great looking knife sir, specs look about in line, I'll have to check out some user feedback on it. Definitely on my list, considering price, near the top.
 
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cinnamochoil said:
Nice to meet you too. Honestly thought this area was for traditional folders and fixed blades. Didn't realize it was traditional folders and traditional fixed blades, my oversight, sorry to cause distress. If a moderator wants to move it to general, fine by me, but leave it to the mods. To be fair I do have some traditional designs at heart. As I'm searching for a good usable knife, I'm trying not to restrict myself too much. Kind of rude to hop to an assumption without reading what we've been discussing. Several bowie like patterns have been mentioned, I've been eying some kephart patterns as well. Loosen up
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If you want to discuss traditional fixed blade patterns only, then you're more than welcome to do so in this forum.

But other types of fixed blades that do not fall into this category do not belong here, pure and simple.

So if you're looking for info/feedback about a variety of fixed blade designs - both traditional and modern (such as the Blackbird and a few others mentioned previously), then this would be best addressed elsewhere.

It isn't a matter of "loosening up" - it's a matter of your thread being in the proper place. With all due respect, you just joined BF and you only have 20 posts on this forum - might want to listen to people who've been around longer.
 
As requested by the OP, moved to General.
 
Smithhammer said:
If you want to discuss traditional fixed blade patterns only, then you're more than welcome to do so in this forum.

B-but other types of fixed blades that do not fall into this category do not belong here, pure and simple.

So if you're looking for info/feedback about a variety of fixed blade designs - both traditional and modern (such as the Blackbird and a few others mentioned previously), then this would be best addressed elsewhere.

It isn't a matter of "loosening up" - it's a matter of your thread being in the proper place. With all due respect, you just joined BF and you only have 20 posts on this forum - might want to listen to people who've been around longer.
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Is a matter of loosening up, you clearly take this much too seriously. I don't understand why you're even bothering with me. Are you auditioning for janitor? Any given thread on the "traditional" board seems to be 30 year old case slip-joints and stag handled hunters knives of no remarkable pattern. I was posting there because fixed blade users will go to a board with fixed blades in the title. :jerkit::jerkit::jerkit:
 
I just have one question, is the Lon Humphrey considered a traditional "style" of knives or are the ones considered traditional like from the late 1800's - the mid 1900's? Like old Kabars or Schrades, etc? I would think that any knife as long it is in the style or pattern of the old knives would be considered traditional, including those made by GEC today. Please give me some of your ideas. Much appreciated.;)
 
cbach8tw said:
I just have one question, is the Lon Humphrey considered a traditional "style" of knives or are the ones considered traditional like from the late 1800's - the mid 1900's? Like old Kabars or Schrades, etc? I would think that any knife as long it is in the style or pattern of the old knives would be considered traditional, including those made by GEC today. Please give me some of your ideas. Much appreciated.;)
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Questions (and much confusion) can be alleviated by starting here, particularly the 2nd post down:

Guidelines For The Traditional-Folders Fixed Blades Sub-Forum

Yes, old Schrades, KaBars, etc. are appropriate in the Trad forum. But 'traditional' doesn't just mean 'old' - it is also a matter of the style of the knife, and possible also how the knife is made. In the case of most Lon Humphrey knives, since they are hand forged, hammered and built, they would be considered traditional. However, just like Bark River, Lon offers some designs that would probably not fit into the "Traditional" category either. On the other hand, knives with high-tech handle materials, exposed torx screws, blade coatings, etc. are modern knives, even if they may have been inspired by a traditional design.

Many of us own both traditional and modern knives, and no one is looking down their nose here at one type of knife or the other - it is simply a matter of putting the right info in the right sub-forum, rather than having unrelated topics spread all over BF in places where others might not be able to find them. No one is trying to be an uptight $%&* here either, but when members who have been around a long time try to point this distinction out to a new member, and they are responded to with sarcasm and name calling, that's where a problem begins. There is simply no need, nor justification for it.

Carry on...
smileycoffeed.gif
 
cbach8tw said:
I just have one question, is the Lon Humphrey considered a traditional "style" of knives or are the ones considered traditional like from the late 1800's - the mid 1900's? Like old Kabars or Schrades, etc? I would think that any knife as long it is in the style or pattern of the old knives would be considered traditional, including those made by GEC today. Please give me some of your ideas. Much appreciated.;)
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I've been here for years and the closest I can come to explaining what fits in the "traditional" forum is whatever old knife your grandfather carried. It's basically a forum for nostalgia as far as I'm concerned. There's no real definition of what "traditional" is.


To the OP, 4-12 inches is a broad category. For backpacking I'd aim for the smallest knife that can get the job done. For me it's about a 3 inch blade. A survive knives or something similar would be about right. If you really just want a chopper than the BK9 is a good bet.
 
The traditional thing is no longer an issue - the thread has been moved to General Knife.
I agree - it's difficult to narrow options with an 8" span in blade length.
 
Shotgun said:
To the OP, 4-12 inches is a broad category. For backpacking I'd aim for the smallest knife that can get the job done. For me it's about a 3 inch blade. A survive knives or something similar would be about right. If you really just want a chopper than the BK9 is a good bet.
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^ I couldn't agree more with the bolded bit. ^

With respect OP.... you are doing it wrong. :)

Everyone starts with the big knife and romantic ideas about swinging it around chopping things.

In practice the big blades are left behind by all but the most dedicated knife-nuts.

Trail clearing is not realistic. The forests are too big to chop your way through... better to chose an easier path and walk around the obstacle.

For chopping; a heavy baton and a light knife beats a heavy knife any day of the week. You can always find a baton on site without lugging the extra weight for the rest of your trip. Even then... Chopping is an inefficient and dangerous activity. A folding saw is lighter, safer, and more energy efficient. :)

If you must have a big blade start with something affordable and spend the difference on something in the 3-5 inch blade length range. A "Condor pack Golok" and "Mora" combo would let you try both a big blade and a small blade at a reasonable price.
 
Say what you will, you'd have to pry my MBB M4 from the fingers of my dismembered right hand...
It's long, it's heavy, and I like it that way.

Though I agree that the path of least resistance is easier walking.
 
cinnamochoil said:
I'm have a few decent folders for fun, I'm satisfied with my axe at home, I think its time to have a decent fixed blade for backpacking.

I'll spend up to and around $150, closer to $200 if it's an exceptional piece. Looking for something rugged and well balanced. I've looked into a few Beckers but didn't much know where to go from there.

Something with less than a 12'' blade but more than 4''. Handle material isn't necessarily important, nothing too flashy. Blade steel I'm also flexible on, I keep my blades well oiled and it isn't terribly wet here so stainless isn't vital. Biased toward American made but not a deal breaker.

Will be used for processing kindling and small amounts of wood and trail clearing.

Your suggestions will result in a purchase in the very near future.

thank you kindly

---cinna
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Just get a BK-9 or Junglas, Condor. Doesn't sound like you need much of an all arounder knife if you're just trying to replace a bucksaw and axe. If you want more functionality, checkout some of Survive! Knives options. They fit in your price range right now, but won't after their sale is over.
 
Thanks for the comments on what "traditional" sort of applies to, and I hope the OP finds what he is looking for. I like large knives too, but I am finding that I reach for the smaller ones or the medium size ones the most, not that I am any expert in anything, but mostly look for handy and just plain useful, and not a beast to carry.
 
Because you (OP) said "backpacking" (which, to me, means hiking anywhere from 5-20 miles to a different camp every day), I'd have to suggest something lightweight, first and foremost. I have A LOT of experience long-distance backpacking, and weight is the primary concern. That's why I tend to carry something like a Mora Companion and a Delica for backpacking trips.

Now, if I'm hiking in and base-camping, then that's a different story. For that scenario, weight is not as crucial, so (assuming I'm doing some shelter- and/or fire-craft), I'll take something like a BK-7 and Bravo-1 (or Bravo Gunny), plus some kind of pocket knife.
 
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