Favorite 5" Blade?

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wfsltt

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Apr 27, 2014
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I have been looking at a couple of 5" blades that I like. Both would make great hunting knives, but neither are built all that strong. I'm not looking for some monster blade that is 2" wide and 1/4" thick, just a solid narrow thin blade strong enough to do whatever may be asked. Anyone have a favorite 5" blade that they want to share information on or have pictures to post?

Thanks.
 
Becker Bk16 is a 4 1/2" blade but it is amazing. If you can sacrifice that last 1/2" then I'd highly recommend taking a gander at that knife.
 
Cryptyc said:
Becker Bk16 is a 4 1/2" blade but it is amazing. If you can sacrifice that last 1/2" then I'd highly recommend taking a gander at that knife.
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Been there done that...still way to big. This seems to be a trend in knife blades with causes you to sacrifice many of the abilities of the more narrow blades. These knives that are wide from back to belly just won't do much of what I need them to do. I have Beckers, Benchmades, and such and they are all too wide and thick.
 
I'm following this thread with the same interest. I have true customs, a few Blind Horse, Tops, ESEE, Schrade, Buck...the usual suspects. I'm not putting that out there by way of saying "look at me" but rather to eliminate the obvious.

You're absolutely right with the trend towards knives much to thick to do most common tasks. To me the extra bulk provides unnecessary weight and (again, for most purposes) makes slicing, cutting duties more difficult than necessary. For my needs a blade of around 4-1/2" - 5" using high carbon steel @ 3/16" (preferably slightly less) and a full flat grind to be the ticket. I also insist the final price be no more than around $110 to my door. Nice to look at but not a be all for aesthetics.

A good Bird & Trout with proper design and thin from edge to spine is where I continue to look. Tough handle, squared spine (hey, I gotta cook with a fire right?), carbon steel for ease of sharpening, a thick and unadorned waxed leather sheath, etc... That's the ticket.

Oh, and it's just a personal thing but... Please knock it off with the thick, pasty anti-corrosion coatings for us "non" Rambo wanna-be folks. It slows down the cutting process, lasts maybe a couple of months and in the end gets removed because it looks like crap anyway.

Best,
 
Hey Mako,

I know many will laugh at Cold Steel and it's marketing. However, many of their knives would fit both the op's & your needs.

BTW. I'm not a CS fan, though I own a few of their blades. I'm more of a Busse person, though I admit many of their offerings are on the thick side...... Thinking the Busse SOB would be a nice all arrounder but pricier.
 
A few that may fit your bill

Swamp rat Ratmandu
Bark River Bravo 1.25
Koster Bushmaster.
Battle Horse knives Scout Platoon
 
Mora bushcraft survival knife is a great knife that's a little short for your 5" spec being its 4.3"
 
Big Chris Wolverine. 5" and a slicing machine. The Condor Kephart is also thin and affordable, but it's less than 5". I was also going to say Ratmandu.
 
Not something I have personal experience with as stuff that I like doesn't fit your brief. That said, have a look at JK knives. He has a forum here. And I don't think it would take much at all to get fans of his work creeping out of the woodwork. There's a thread on here somewhere showing one of his taking more than a reasonable amount of stick.

The one I have in mind is below. Not an exact hit on the brief, but I know his prices are quite realistic, and you can work with him to tune a design. Actually, he seems to like that.

DSC01499.JPG


From - http://www.jkhandmadeknives.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=194998847
 
shaving sharp said:
How about an NWA Sierra Scout?

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I like this design a lot, but the blade is still a little too wide from the back to the edge. Maybe if it was cut even with the handle it would be pretty close to what I'm looking for. Still, what a great design.
 
baldtaco-II said:
Not something I have personal experience with as stuff that I like doesn't fit your brief. That said, have a look at JK knives. He has a forum here. And I don't think it would take much at all to get fans of his work creeping out of the woodwork. There's a thread on here somewhere showing one of his taking more than a reasonable amount of stick.

The one I have in mind is below. Not an exact hit on the brief, but I know his prices are quite realistic, and you can work with him to tune a design. Actually, he seems to like that.

DSC01499.JPG


From - http://www.jkhandmadeknives.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=194998847
Click to expand...


This is much closer to what I'm looking for.
 
Winkler belt knife my favorite blade.
 
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Bark River Canadian Special a 5" blade? I always liked the looks of it...

I like my bk 15 a bunch too, find it be a versatile knife.
 
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