First Fixed Blade Knife?

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dominolo21

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Oct 3, 2013
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Hello! This is my first post in these forums, so I would just like to say that I am a beginner to knives. I have been using a couple of switchblades for quite some time and I decided that I want to get a fixed blade. Now since I am new to this, I scoured the internet and found a lot of knives that would fit my needs. I go camping 6 times a year, but during the summer I go to Poland and I used my knife a lot over there. I really don't want a big knife such as the Buck Reaper, but a 5 inch or 6 inch knife would be the best. The knives that really shined out above the rest were the KABAR Becker BK2, Ontario Blackbird SK-5, Ontario Rat 5 and 7, and SOG Force. Does anyone know how well these knives perform? I really want a knife that can be reliable and not chip and break in a year, one that I can have for a very long time as I am fond of saving my money. Which one of these knives, or other ones I didn't mention, would be a reliable first fixed blade knife?
 
I agree with an esee 6 or a bk2. Might also be worth looking at the bk10 or bk16. Depending on price point you may also want to take a look at a Swamp Rat Ratmandu, excellent knife for the price really.
 
ESEE 6 is a good choice. You want a solid performer that will last a long time, this is a great option. The blade is warrantied for life, check it out.
 
Thank you all for these replies! Most people said ESEE 6 and the knife looks promising. I'll have to see if I can really afford it, if not I'll just get a BK 2 or the SOG Force!
 
If you don't have to have new sometimes you can find a used ESEE6 at a lower price. Also unless you have a place to get a really good price on the Sog force its not going to cost but a few dollars more on the ESEE6.
 
The Swamp Rat RatmanDue would be a nice rig, with a spec-ops, or really any quality, aftermarket sheath. Also their SR-101/52100 whatever you wanna call it is impressive to say the least. Not much in the way of corrosion resistance, but tough as nails, with more than serviceable edge retention. Fine steel, and similar in size to what you're looking for.
 
if neither ESEE and Fallkniven are an option, personally I would look into the Becker knives. and fwiw, Id buy a Mora long before a SOG.
 
I kind of thought in terms of 6" fixed bladed knives when I first started buying fixed blades. Those knives included a couple Randall's (back when you could buy them at gun & knife shows), an EK, and always kept eyeing up the Rambo knives. Then I started buying SOGs and the first one was the Northwest Ranger. Still a bit big for me, but it is a pretty nice size and feels good in your hand. Yes, I own a couple SOG Tigersharks and looked far and wide for an older carbon steel plain edged one.

I was seeking a happy median length that I hoped would be comfortable using. What I discovered is that for me, I seldom want to use a 6" or longer blade. 6" is about my limit although I own longer blades. I have the ESEE 4 and find it a fairly good size. The Kabar BK-2 is such a tank that I seldom choose to carry it with me. I have settled on the BK-16 as being a very practical knife for all the knife uses I usually have. If I am going to be chopping, I bring along a short machete. All that said, I keep wanting a BK-7 to try out. It feels good in the hand and one you might consider as perhaps a bit more practical than the BK-2 for everything other than chopping.
 
BK2! :D
The 1095 steel sharpens easy and hold a good edge.
It's a beast. You can give it to your Grand kids! Lol
Ka-bar has a great warranty and the designer, Ethan Becker, is a heck of a cool guy!

But as 22rimfire said, theBK16 is a great all-arounder too.
I own Esee's(which are fine), but Becker handles feel more ergonomically correct in my hand.


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Those are fine looking Beckers. I myself may have to take a second look at those.
 
My camp knife is a BK2. It is an indestructible beast of a knife and relatively inexpensive ($60-80). The 1095 carbon steel holds a decent edge which can really take a beating. I often go directly from cooking with it, to chopping logs into kindling. In a real world survival situation this is the knife I'd choose without question. If you have a little more finances and are looking for something a little less beastly, I'd recommend any of the Bark River knives. Particularly the Northstar, but I keep hearing great reviews about the Bravo 1 and Gunny.
 
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