Finding the perfect Outdoor fixed blade knife...help

LT wright: gns, Genesis, outback

Bark River: bravo 1 LT

All those have several options and are priced rig below your price point and in my opinion are all life long knives of great quality.
 
Like dirc said, I'd recommend looking at Bradford Knives, specifically their G4. If you don't like sharpening choils, then you may not like their finger choil either. But the knife's blade performance is outstanding. You have a choice of 3V, 4V+, S30V, and maybe something else. And Brad grinds his blades a bit thinner than some of the "overbuilt" guys do so they're excellent cutters.

I can also speak well for LionSteel. I have an M1, which is smaller than you want, but the T5 might just fit your specs and look good doing it. It has a 5" blade and a 4.9" micarta handle. If the T5 sheath is anything like my M1 sheath, it's very well made and fits the knife perfectly.
 
Enzo trapper 115 (elmax) or trapper 95 (n690) in flat grind.
2067_elmax__green_mic_firesteel.jpg
 
Jordan@DLT said:
The outback ends up feeling more like a drop point in use to me. Though I can't think of a time where I've needed something especially pointy for camp tasks.
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Hey Jordan, I got your email about the handle size of the bravo, thank you. Have you ever held a bk16? If so, how does the handle compare to the bravo?
Steve
 
I own both a bravo1 and a bk16 and have used them decently hard. The bravo 1 definitely has a more substantial handle. I have XL hands and also found the bk16 to have too small of a handle at times. The bravo fills your hand out more, but it is also super slick (unless you order a matte version). I used sandpaper on mine to round up the micarta.
 
I had been using a Dozier Pro Guides knife as my standard woods knife. Essentially I wanted a beefier (prettier) Kabar Becker BK-15 which I really like. The BK-15 is essentially the model like with folders I have gravitated toward the Spydie Delica size as favored. I like a pointy woods knife.

I just recently purchased the Bark River Wilderness Explorer which has a 5.75" blade. It is just a tad longer than my 5.5" focus. But it is a great knife in Cruwear. Haven't had much experience cutting with it yet, but I expect it to be just about perfect and a smidgen longer than I was looking for. The bottom guard is what tilted me toward it as I like having that guard on a woods knife for safety reasons, but also because I can tell which side has the edge by feel alone grabbing the handle. I think a Bark River that is just a tad shorter would be perfect for you based on your parameters. There really isn't a perfect knife.

Added: My suggestion other than the Bravo would be the Bravo 1.25 in 3V or the Camp & Trail model. Both of those are 5" bladed knives. I don't own either of these knives, but I suspect I would like them a lot in the woods.
 
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Cryptyc said:
I own both a bravo1 and a bk16 and have used them decently hard. The bravo 1 definitely has a more substantial handle. I have XL hands and also found the bk16 to have too small of a handle at times. The bravo fills your hand out more, but it is also super slick (unless you order a matte version). I used sandpaper on mine to round up the micarta.
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That’s good to know
 
Was your Master hunter 3v or San mai? They are now available in 3v, I love mine. Also check out prepared mind 101’s new video on the FOBOS line. I think one of these will be the next outdoors knife I buy.

 
Was my first thought along with other LT Wright offerings ... some really good choices in their lineup ...

And I agree with Jordan my Outback is so versatile it does seem more like a drop point that a spearpoint ... it does n
most everything well ...

91bravo said:
BHK Outback from DLT
LT-3970__67521.1515181300.1280.1280.jpg
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Stevemag said:
My master hunter was in 3v from Taiwan. I liked it but maybe the edge was too fine for rough use. I sold it.
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Gotcha. I haven’t rolled mine but I’ve only used it for game skinning. The grind is pretty thin. If you get another one with a thin grind use it for a while then send it to TLE Sharpening for a reprise to a wider angle. Did you watch that video? I was pretty impressed. I’d like to own one.
 
Stevemag said:
first, I want to say hello and admit that I am becoming....ok...i AM a knife addict.
I went to a knife show this weekend and a nice guy with a table full of knives asked me what I was looking for, I replied “the perfect knife”.
Well that got quite a few chuckles from the group around me and a few sad knowing sympathetic glances.
They too, were all in search of the “perfect knife”.
I know it’s out there someplace but even when I think I found it, and buy it,it turns out there is even a MORE perfect knife somewhere else.

I like my bk16,BUT the handle is too small. Cramps my hand.
I like the Cold steel Master hunter in 3v, it was perfect until the edge seemed to...not roll, but flatten when I was splitting some kindling.
Bk7, too big
Esee laser strike... so close, but that choil. kind of bugs me. And truth be told I am not fond of the spear point . But the best knife so far.
Almost forgot, Tops lite traveler...just....never liked it.
My Mora of course, too anemic. Benchmade Bushcrafter handle felt weird to me.
My recent find was the jakkit something. I really thought this had it all, but I just can’t seem to get it as sharp as I would like. And it’s rather large sharpening choil gets hung up on stuff.
All this has lad me to looking at the bark river bravo 1.25 lt
Or the white river knives Ursus45.
Here is my wish list
4-5” blade
Full flat or a high saber grind(not fond of the hollow grind)
Rust resistant
Better handle than bk16
Slight or no drop point
Decent sheath
3/16 or a little less thick.
Little or no choil .
$250 limit.
So I turn to all of you, for guidance. It must be out there.
Thanks in advance for all your helpful suggestions.
Stevemag
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Check out the Bradford Guardian 4. These things are some of the best fixed blades on the market. They are essentially semi custom knives too as the owner swapped a handle from one model on to another for a friend of mine when he asked him to. If you ask around these knives have a stellar reputation and come in several steels, n690, m390, 3v and now Vanadis 4.

It really don’t get much better than this. There are several handle options too. Also several blade grind options too.

IMG_4912.jpg~original
 
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