First Fixed Blade Knife, Please help me choose!

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lee12

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Apr 8, 2014
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I spent a lot of time preparing this forum so I hope to get some good results :). I am looking into getting a tough fixed blade knife for outdoor purposes. Mostly it would be used to cut small twigs, string, sharpen sticks or plastic stakes, maybe field dress a deer, and breast out turkeys. I wanted a fixed blade due to its strength but I need something small and light to carry. I was hoping to find a short blade but a fat one. Something that is stout yet short in case I want to through it in the car. I also might need it for shooting range use, mostly cutting targets and at the most a small sapling. Below are a list of some knives I am really considering and I wanted some input on them. (( not a paid BF Dealer )) Price is also an issue and would like something cheap. I will say at the top of my list right now is the Kershaw Skinner Knife #1080. Anyways here is the list.

1. Kershaw 1080 Fixed Blade Skinning Knife ( 14c28n steel) (2 3/8 inch)

2. Kershaw 1895 Lone Rock Small Fixed Blade (8cr13mov steel) (3 ¾ inch)

3. Kershaw 1082 Fixed Blade Field Knife (14c28n steel) (3 ¼ inch) (MOST EXPENSIVE)

4. Buck 390 Omni Hunter 10pt Fixed Blade Knife (420HC Stainless Steel) (3 3/4 inc

5. Buck 3241 Bucklite Max Small Fixed Blade (No Blade Info) (3 ¼) (looks like a good blade)

6. Schrade SCHF14(16,13,24) Drop-Point Fixed Blade (8cr13mov steel) (3.4 inch) (looks nice)

7. MTECH USA Xtreme MX-8035 Tactical Fixed Blade Knife (440 Stainless Steel, 5mm thick) (7” inch overall length)

Thank you everyone, If anyone one has tips or other knife ideas PLEASE let me know. I have little experience with knives and am sincerely asking for help. Thanks!
 
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Cant go wrong with a Kershaw!!!! But pending on amount you want to spend Id look at a Zero Tolerence fixed blade like the 0121, 0160, or 0170. I have the 0121 and love it!!! Also Bark River make great fixed blades but can run you few hundred dollars pending on model. Just just bought a Bark River Trail Buddy and carry it on all my hiking, camping, and hunting trips. The Trail Buddy makes a great skinning knife as well comes with big belly on the blade
 
By the way if you go with a Kershaw check out kershawguy.com Dave has some of the best prices around and the fastest shipping Ive ever seen anywhere.
 
Look at the becker bk16 and 17, they're small yet extremely tough, honestly you can't go wrong with any knife in the becker line up
 
Yep the Beckers listed above, and their sibling BK-15 are all excellent all round knives.
 
Based on your title and first few sentences, I was going to suggest a Bark River Gunny, but then I saw you say "cheap."

I'll reply anyway - the knives you selected will be serviceable, but you'll be re-sharpening them after every use (and sometimes during use). The BRKT's (and other higher-priced blades) are more expensive because you are paying for very high quality steel (and hands-on assembly) which lasts and lasts. Generally speaking, though, it sounds like you might want to consider carrying both a fixed blade AND a folder.

Btw, WELCOME to the forum!
 
I think you've done your research and have disclosed some winners. Since expensive ESEE 'neckers' pretty much overshadow the other less expensive but excellent smaller fixed blades I never knew about the Kershaw blades you brought up. I own and carry their folders. They all look like great knives for what you need, even the MTech.
 
In that price range go with the Schrade! That is a pretty nice little fixed blade.

On the other hand, IF you can invest a little more, go with a BECKER!! Their 1095 steel is beast and the amount of customization you can do with them will make you an instant addict to their series of blades. I suggest the BK17 for a smaller fixed blade. Worth every penny!!!!
 
Beckers have a cult like following and for good reason. For the money they are one of the best knife values out there. You will find you get what you pay for especially when it comes to a knife. Spend the extra money and take a serious look at the Beckers. They are knives that will hold a good edge and with minimal care will last a lifetime.
 
shaving sharp said:
Beckers have a cult like following and for good reason. For the money they are one of the best knife values out there. You will find you get what you pay for especially when it comes to a knife. Spend the extra money and take a serious look at the Beckers. They are knives that will hold a good edge and with minimal care will last a lifetime.
Click to expand...

^^ this guy gets it
 
I am very very glad that you all brought the becker to my attention. It looks like a great little knife and perfect for what I want. I am looking at the becker Bk 11 and bk 14. They are in the $30 range. I just need to research the difference between the two! As kero said, I like the customizations. Keep on with the advice, I am really liking it. Thanks!
 
The difference between the 2 is the handle. Go with whichever one you like the looks of the best. You'll LOVE that little guy!!
 
Thanks! How well does the blade hold up? My kershaw has the 14c28n blade, I don't know where the one on the becker sets on the scale.
 
I would not buy a neck knife without handles. Every one I have handled "hurts" if you have to use them very hard. If you should go that route, I would suggest you look at ones that already have handles or you can buy after market handles. An example is the Kabar Becker BK-14 (1095 steel) or the more expensive BK-24 (in D2 steel). They sell plastic handles for them that are pretty cost effective, but I have micarta. The handles turn the knife into something you can use for many tasks.

My suggestion you choose something like a traditionally designed Buck fixed blade or perhaps the Kabar Becker BK-16/BK-17. But of the ones you listed, I would choose the Buck Omni Hunter. The first one is a great knife for skinning in terms of design, but less good for general woods duty. Queen makes an modestly priced drop point hunter in D2 steel which is a nice knife (and leather sheath). You will just have to sharpen it after you get it unless Queen has changed.

You budget makes recommending something difficult for me as I don't buy knives like this any more.
 
1095 CroVan is some of the toughest steel around! It beats the mess outta 14c28n.....no doubt. If you end up stripping the black coating, you'll need to keep it oiled and maintained every once in a while. especially in humid/damp conditions.

here's my bk14 after stripping the black crap off, doing some etching and some slight mods......just kinda shows the tip 'o the iceberg as to what you can do with them. you can also check out some of the mods done in the BECKER KNIFE & TOOL section of this forum. Most look WAY better than mine.
8BC75D73-ADBC-45C3-8690-5407DC69A8EC.jpg
 
Really guys?
I'm gonna say Mora all the way. Get a Clipper/Companion and be done with it. Cheap, and a great value for the money. After 35 years of hunting, fishing, bushcraft, and working the docks and a fishing vessel (almost all they use is Mora, trust me), and now working my farm, just go Mora. Get an aftermarket sheath if you want. I'll suggest Grizzly sheaths, I like mine, and Mike at Grizzly will take care of you. For less than $15, you'll have a light fixed blade of good Swedish steel. I put my 546MG through 3 deer one season without sharpening, and it still shaved (in places). Four passes (per side) on a red DMT stone on my patio rail had it hair-popping sharp again, and they come that way. Put it in the dishwasher if you get a stainless model and it gets too gunky from dressing game (my primary use in hunting season). Get a few, put one in the car, keep one on you, and one in reserve. One good aftermarket sheath to fit all the knives (same model), and just replace the knife (cheapest part). Real easy to sharpen a bevel knife (scandi grind) anywhere.
 
Thanks guys! I am also looking into the Becker BK24 since it has D2 as well. Thanks 22-rimfire for that recommendation. Ill do some more looking into the BK14 vs BK24. I am watching some videos on the BK and I like what I am hearing. From the looks of it, it looks like a flat full ground blade which is what I wanted to begin with but I could not find anything in that price range. Think I am turning into a BK fan here. I am more sold since it looks like flat full ground. I just need to check out the D2 vs 1095 CorVan.
 
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