First fixed blade

D

Doughboywarrior

Joined
Apr 18, 2017
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I am doing research on a fixed blade knife for hiking and camping trips. I wanted to keep it fairly light weight with a min/max blade length of 3.5-4.5". I have a budget of $300

At the moment, I am looking at a Hinderer 3.5" wharncliffe blade (huge fan of Hinderer products and is the first placed I looked). The kydex sheath with tek lok is a huge plus, but I am definitely open to recommendations.

Thank you all for the recs and patience. It's funny, I feel fixed blades is a whole new world from folders.
 
Hard to give a good suggestion without knowing more specifically what you will be using it for and maybe some idea of what you like.

But just by your post about camping and hiking ... some of my suggestions would be the Bradford Guardian 4 ... great knife for those uses with premium blade steels. Mine have impressed me alot. Around $250.00 give or take depending on options.

Another I would reccomend right with the Bradford would be LT Wright ... a Bushcrafter or a GNS ... they make several styles and some steel options on some models ... they are great camping / hiking knives. most well within your price range.

A step down in cost but just as able Esee the newer EseeHM series have more comfortable handles. and are about half of your $300.00 limit.

Of course Beckers which again aren't as expensive but are great knives for outdoor uses and offer several models ... I prefer the thinner blade models the BK5 ... BK15 ... BK16.

And if you want somethimg that is a very good knife for camping / hiking ... a Mora ... you could buy several and still have money left and it may seem they wouldn't be good knives from the cost but they are great knives and the least exspensive.

I've never owned a fixed blade Hinderer but the folders are among the best so can't think you'd be disappointed with any of their offerings.

And one suggestion I would highly reccomend is to look at some of the Custom makers here on the forums like JK Knives ... you can get a custom and he will work with you to design and produce exactly what you want ... or he has many styles already you may like ... and well within your budget.
 
I was in the same position just a few weeks ago, with a much smaller budget. I ended up with the Becker Bk12/Ritter Mk2 RSK. Great knife, durable, sharp, and excellent leverage on the handle for medium hands. If I had 300 back then, those Bradfords that JJ recommended look excellent!
 
Also check out the production (midtech) Fiddleback Forge Kephart or Bushfinger.
 
A wharncliffe doesn't seem like a "hiking and camping" blade profile to me. Never really has been.

I'd get a Fallkniven...A1 or S1.
 
I appreciate the patience here. I really do feel like the fixed blade world is an entirely different beast. I will do research on everyone's post. Thank you again
 
I would suggest researching some "historic" outdoors blade shapes like Nessmuks and Kepharts, just to get an idea of what blade shapes the old schoolers used! :thumbsup:
 
Unless you are hell bent on spending $300 there are a lot of sub $200 blades that will do everything you need a hunting, hiking, camping knife to do. The bushcraft crowd swear by Mora knives, and they are very functional. I have Moras but my go to are either an Esee 4 (1095) or Benchmade 162 bushcrafter (S30V). At least go some place you can handle different makes and models or better yet try out the knives your peers are already using. Kinda like test driving a new car.
 
I would look at a custom for that price range.
JK Knives, Daado, Osprey Knife and Tool, W.A. Surls, Fiddleback Forge and Big Chris all have plenty that will work for you.
 
LionSteel M4 or M5..... been wanting one of these for some time, especially the M5. Can't decide if I want the "7" as it is just a tad too long for what I'm looking for.... much the same kind of use as you intend.
 
Another vote here for Esee, top quality knives at affordable prices not to mention the warranty that comes with your purchase. Esee is a huge bang for your buck.
 
With a budget of $300 I would get a Becker 16 with micarta scales and send it out for a regrind to thin the edge out. You might still have some left over for a leather sheath. If I was going the economy route, I'd get a SAK with a saw and call it a day. Post some pics when you finally decide. Good luck.
 
I just ordered a custom Elmax knife 3.5 inch blade from Gollik knives. Under $200, well made, you can do whatever you want any design(custom), good steel, etc. I put a pry tool on the end of the handle.
There are tons of great options on the knife maker for sale area here.
Another great option is this knife, but it is a half inch over, 5 inch blade. I just ordered one of these, but don't have it yet to tell you how it is. I have one of his machetes and it performs fantastically! https://www.huntsmanknifeco.com/shop/fjord-hiker-z-wear-pm
Should be tough as nails though!!
Austin Goldman makes great knives and a good price! He is one the knife maker for sale area. Nice guy too.
Lionsteel makes good knives. The Niolox steel is good stuff, as is M390.
Fiddleback Forge's production knives are great! Within your price range, good F&F, good steel, good HT, good geometry, etc.
Buck makes some great knives in that size, which are much cheaper than the others mentioned. I hear their S30V heat treat is great, I have been wanting to try for myself. Their 420HC is good stuff too. Both are good stainless options if you were looking for good, less expensive stuff.
 
You don't have experience using fixed blades for the purpose you're describing, so it's kinda tough to know what features you want and what you'll really find useful for your needs.
I can't imagine dropping $300 on a knife without the knowledge base to know what that knife offers is useful or not.

My crazy suggestion is to buy a Mora Companion. They're only about $15. Take it with you on your next hike and camping trip. See how it does and learn how you use a knife. Then use that base of acquired knowledge to make a truly informed purchase so you can maximize on that $300 investment.
 
Svord
Drop Point 3 3/4
Model 350B
Svord%203.75%20Inch%20Drop-Point%20Knife%20-%20Mahogany%20Handle%20Model%20350%20B%20copy.jpg

Length of Blade (inches) 3 3/4"
Over All Length (inches) 8 1/2"
Blade Shape Drop Point
Handle Material Mahogony and Brass
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 2.2mm
Sheath Leather

NZ Stag 4
Model 1990NZ2S
140-thickbox_default_large.jpeg

Length of Blade (inches) 4"
Over All Length (inches) 8 3/4"

(370BB) Drop Point 4 3/4
Svord%20Deluxe%20Drop-Point%20Knife%20-%204.75%20Inch%20-%20Mahogany%20Handle%20Model%20370BB%20copy.jpg

Length of Blade (inches) 4 3/4"
Over All Length (inches) 9 3/4

Utility General Purpose 4 3/4
Model UGP2
Svord%20General%20Purpose%20Hunting%20Knife%20-%204.75%20Inch%20-%20Mahogany%20Hnadle%20Model%20UGP2%20copy.jpg

Length of Blade (inches) 4 3/4"
Over All Length (inches) 9 1/4"
Blade Shape General Purpose
http://www.svord.com/index.php?id_category=20&controller=category
For $300, buy 2.
 
marcinek said:
A wharncliffe doesn't seem like a "hiking and camping" blade profile to me. Never really has been.

I'd get a Fallkniven...A1 or S1.
Click to expand...
Bellies are overrated IME.


Op...lol...gotta say it...get a plane Jane mora companion. Use it to figure out what you like and dislike then revisit the high end purchase later. My 2 cents.
 
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