First Fixed Blade - Questions

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blint

Joined
Jul 19, 2011
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Hey guys, first post here.

Been reading around a while, and have a vague idea of whats what. Really didn't realize I knew so little until I came here.

Having gotten into backpacking and hiking, I have found myself in the need of a decent knife. I'm looking at an ESEE 6, although I'm open to all ideas. Preferably not above 7.5", or over $250. I want it to be able to handle rigorous use. I appreciate that a decent folder and a hatchet/saw may be a better idea, although that is not an option at the minute.

Finally - I've been bought up to think that stainless steels are useless when it comes to heavy use. Is this wrong, or is it a much better idea to stick to carbon steels.

Many thanks,

Blint.
 
Try looking at the scandi made knives offered at Kellam, they"re below $100.00 for the most part, very light in weight, can be worn either on a belt or around the neck, and better yet, easy to resharpen in a pinch plus very traditional when it comes to bushcraft also. On the other hand, you may be better off with a Buck 119.

If you do want to go up to the $250.00 range, check out Andy Roy over at Fiddleback Forge. I have one of Andy's Nessmuks in a convex grind and absolutely love it, and I'm thinking of picking up one of his hiking buddy fixed blades that look absolutely sweet..

Cheers,
Serge
 
The esee is very much loved around here, and you can't beat the warranty.

as far as stainless steels go, they are not useless, but carbon is easier to sharpen in the field and holds an edge better with a good heat treat, in most cases. also, most of the toughest steels are carbon. 5160, L6, S7, INFI (I think), 3v, 10v, and so on.
 
blint said:
Hey guys, first post here.

Been reading around a while, and have a vague idea of whats what. Really didn't realize I knew so little until I came here.

Having gotten into backpacking and hiking, I have found myself in the need of a decent knife. I'm looking at an ESEE 6, although I'm open to all ideas. Preferably not above 7.5", or over $250. I want it to be able to handle rigorous use. I appreciate that a decent folder and a hatchet/saw may be a better idea, although that is not an option at the minute.

Finally - I've been bought up to think that stainless steels are useless when it comes to heavy use. Is this wrong, or is it a much better idea to stick to carbon steels.

Many thanks,

Blint.
Click to expand...
I think there are a few hundred people who owns a Fallkniven F1 knife(VG-10 steel) here that would disagree with you. As well, I found the S30V in my CRK Umnumzaan held up pretty well when I decided to cut out a chunk of the papaya tree in my backyard:
IMG_0134.jpg


Of course, it depends on the blade grind(convex makes the Fallkniven F1 much tougher), heat treat, and how you use the knife. I did some prying with my Umnumzaan, but I never used the tip itself for that. I just shoved it into the tree and used the middle of the blade to pry.

That said though, not much aside from S30V, S35VN, Elmax, and AUS-8 comes to mind when I think of a "tough" stainless steel.

Unless you're prying or chopping, it shouldn't matter whether the steel is stainless or not. Though for prying, I believe a thick tip matters more than the steel type.
 
Been through a ton of bush knives. As far as larger ones go , my favorites are the Esee 6 and Becker BK-7. Got a couple of each. Anything smaller , you got to bring a chopper. Anything larger , you need to bring one smaller. Carry one tool...it's one of those.
 
I carry a 4 - 5 inch fixed blade and a folding camp saw when backpacking. The ESEE-4, Fallkniven F1, Bark River Bravo-1, are all good choices as are the Scrap Yard War Dog.
 
i just got the bokerplus vox rold and it is working out great, 5.5 inch blade, d2 steel, and a good choil for more precise work
best part is i got mine for 80 dollars even though they are retailed for 180 dollars
 
blint said:
Hey guys, first post here.

Been reading around a while, and have a vague idea of whats what. Really didn't realize I knew so little until I came here.

Having gotten into backpacking and hiking, I have found myself in the need of a decent knife. I'm looking at an ESEE 6, although I'm open to all ideas. Preferably not above 7.5", or over $250. I want it to be able to handle rigorous use. I appreciate that a decent folder and a hatchet/saw may be a better idea, although that is not an option at the minute.

Finally - I've been bought up to think that stainless steels are useless when it comes to heavy use. Is this wrong, or is it a much better idea to stick to carbon steels.

Many thanks,

Blint.
Click to expand...

if your budget is $250, how is a folding saw and folder not an option? an ESEE 6, folding saw and a decent tough folder will run you less than $250.

if your interested in a ESEE 6, also take a look at the becker bk7.
 
Colton B said:
i just got the bokerplus vox rold and it is working out great, 5.5 inch blade, d2 steel, and a good choil for more precise work
best part is i got mine for 80 dollars even though they are retailed for 180 dollars
Click to expand...

+1 to this. The Boker Vox Rold is excellent.
 
For a $250 budget I say go custom all the way. Many newer makers on here who are making really great knives and are very reasonable prices. Plus you can have control over the design and materials to make a knife like no other. And who knows, you may be buying a knife from some future hall of famer! Mark Wohlwend comes to mind for his outdoor type knives, decent prices as well. He is on here as well. You don't say where you are located, but there may be a maker near you.


-Xander
 
jimnolimit said:
if your budget is $250, how is a folding saw and folder not an option? an ESEE 6, folding saw and a decent tough folder will run you less than $250.

if your interested in a ESEE 6, also take a look at the becker bk7.
Click to expand...
Well traditionally some are limited to fixed blades due to legal or social reasons(for some odd reason, a large machete is less intimidating than a scary tactical ninja folder:thumbdn:).
 
Noctis3880 said:
Well traditionally some are limited to fixed blades due to legal or social reasons(for some odd reason, a large machete is less intimidating than a scary tactical ninja folder:thumbdn:).
Click to expand...

Fair enough, then he should have no problem adding a good folding saw and smaller fixed blade (like a necker or even a mora) and all can fit within his budget.
 
Alright, thanks for all the help guys :)

I think I'm leaning towards the ESEE 6, though I have to admit that both the BK2 and 7 are attractive options. I will try and get a folding saw also.

Many thanks,

Blint
 
With a Becker or ESEE in one hand and a SAK or multitool in the other, you can rule the planet.
 
What do you call rigorous use? Are you planning to baton and use it as an axe? Or are you just planning to cut stuff with it? That makes a difference.

ESEE and Becker are good, as is Fallkniven, SAK, etc.

Personally, for that money, I'd go custom and get the exact design you want. I did and ended up with an ML Knives Kephart. To me, it's the perfect "bushcraft" knife.
 
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