Expaning my fixed blade collection

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
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Feb 2, 2005
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For a long time, I had just focused on folders. As I am becoming more active again, I am noticing the need for a fixed blade. I have some on my boat, in my trucks, in my poor excuse for a bug out bag etc. Recently, I have been trading off a lot of folders I don't use for fixed blades. Currently, for fixed blades, I have

Cold Steel LTC kukri, Kukri machete, Scottish dirk, Bushman, Culloden

Camillus USMC fighter serrated with sawback, Becker Combat bowie

Swamp Rat Bog Dog

SOG Seal

some model number of Western skinner/hunter/fighter blade

Boker Arbolito

Kabar shorty tanto

custom antler handled skinner from a central PA maker



I have ordered a Kershaw Echo and a Mora, and have in trades coming to me two Ontario Spec Plus knives, a Camillus CQB3 and an Entrek Jag. I'm looking for a lot more custom and production fixed blades. No real point to this, just reflecting on my buying and trading habits. I guess you could say that a good fixed blade, in maybe the 6" blade range is the right size for me, for hiking, fishing, etc.
 
Since we're just gabbing. I guess you could say I dove straight in. But, considering that online purchases are the only way I can handle knives, I didn't have much of a choice.

So, here's where I'm at on fixed blades:

Katz 302 6"
Katz Lion Cub 5"
SOG Seal 2000 (NIB $66 delivered, couldn't pass it up).
CRK Aviator 4" (another decent deal with custom sheath, should be in this weekend).
Gerber LMF 5.5" or so.

I'll handle these and see which suit me best.

I bought and sold a BMF, and a Gerber coffin bowie. No real use for either, for me anyway. But I did keep the BMF sheath. However, for now, I'm guessing 4"-5" is about all the knife I need for now. The 6" should make a nice camp knife. But I'm not sure I'll need that BMF sheath (just can't seem to let it go though). I'm still on the fence about keeping the LMF and or the sheath.

Though I started out looking for a fixed blade, I also ended up with 3 Ritters. An Rsk1 and 2 minis, 1 in yellow. Still not sure how that happened??

Now to pay for it all. I sold my row boat, I'm selling my camera outfit (going digital), made a couple bucks on the knives I sold (I usually lose $$). I even put a 37' Trailer on ebay! I thought guns was the end of this nonsense!
 
Thanks djolney. The CRK is on its way, but the Katz are sweet. I can't understand why they don't get more play on here. The 302 I got for $53! The only thing I can see happening is that the ribbed grip could start to wear under regular use. The Lion Cub is nice, and I might just have to grab a Lion King as well.

Didn't care for the leather sheath much on the Cub though.
 
I’ve had my 302 since 1991, and the handle has held up well. I would have liked one of the micarta handles, but at the time I couldn’t afford it. My sheath is nylon with a plastic liner, and is pretty average by today’s standards. I don’t know what Katz did wrong: they make a good fixed blade, but they seem to be out on the periphery of the knife world.

I’ve got two steel handled Chris Reeves. The round rough handles take a bit of getting used to, but the way CRKs cut makes it worth getting to grips with the handle.
 
I figured as much on the CRK. I was wondering if anyone makes a cover for tha handle. Or perhaps I would cover it with paracord. I'm not tall, but I can palm a basketball, so thicker handles generally feel better to me anyway.
 
My advice is to use the Aviator as much as possible, because in the process you’ll toughen your hand up. Once you’ve done that the metal handle will never be a problem.
 
Since we're just gabbing, I'm not really a fixed blade guy, but ever since I saw a Kershaw Trooper bootknife, it's been haunting me. Expensive, but damn it looks cool.
 
I’ve also had a Kershaw Trooper since 1991. It’s a very pretty knife, but I’ve never found anything to do with it but look at it once or twice a year. It’s surprisingly heavy for its size.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I'm looking for a lot more custom and production fixed blades.
Click to expand...
I can't carry fixed blades very often, usually it's a Dozier Straight Personal. I like smaller, well-made fixed blades for ease of carry and discreetness. You might want to look at the Bark River Woodland - very nicely made for the money.
 
I just purchased a Spyderco Ronin fixed blade - it's VG-10, and it's my first Wharncliffe (albiet touted as "modified") blade. An excellent slashing edge, the blade is <3" long.

Since they are discontinuing the Ronin, IMO a VG-10 blade for $80 was a worthy purchase.

Not sure what I think about the sheath yet though, as that blade is scary sharp and it wears close. While adjustable, I haven't worn it enough yet to determine how I am most comfortable with wearing. The neck sheath isn't being offered any longer, but some reviews reported they didn't seem to like wearing it that way. One could easily tie their own lanyard for the knife as the kydex portion has holes through the the sheath punches.
 
Slightly off-topic, but pertains to previous posts here: what type of steel do Katz knives consist of? I looked up their web site but couldn't find much by way of specific info on the various models they offer. But, I must say, they certainly have some nice-looking knives :)

Now, on-topic :cool: when I'm in the wilderness, I like to have a good fixed blade with me. The more I get out, the more I realize that my 6" bladed, Cold Steel SRK is the smallest I would want for a survival fixed blade. My own range of comfort falls somewhere in the 8"-9" blade category.
 
Katz use a couple of steels. The fixed blades (like the 302) are XT80, and there is another steel called XT70. There have been a few threads about Katz’s steel, but I don’t remember reading a definitive answer. My impression from using my 302 is that XT80 is something like ATS34.
 
Cool knives. Wish I could make a list... would take an hour.

I generally prefer drop-point hunters with traditional handle materials. But I'm also a fan of the Scandinavian-style hunters.

Silenthunterstudios, you should pick up one of the Helle, Marttiini, or other Scandinavian fixed blades. Very ergonomic, and inexpensive.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
My favourite Scandinavian knife brand (well, designed in Sweden) is Fallkniven. Their Northern Lights series are very beautiful, and make excellent working knives.
 
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