Recommendation? First time noob, looking for a decent fixed blade knife

A

Applemush

Joined
Dec 28, 2020
Messages
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Hello! I'm brand new to knives and I've lurked on this forum for a few questions I've had in the past with some success so I figured I'd give this a go. I'm looking to purchase my first "real" knife as I recently moved and lost a $20 gerber that I loved. I'm looking for what you guys would consider as the "best" fixed blade with the following criteria:

Available - I'm looking to buy it, so custom or unavailable options aren't really considered

Blade length - 4 - 8 inches long. I like to carry a larger knife as I'm a manual laborer and sometimes have to cut through heavy plastic, rubber, wires, and wood. I also have used a stick to hammer the back edge, so I'd like it to only have one edge.

Blade Material - Something resistant to rust/staining. Stainless is what comes to mind but you guys could probably name a bunch of other materials

Edge - Flat grind. I kinda beat the gerber and had to sharpen it frequently. I'm not good by any stretch, and I'm not looking to reprofile an edge

Sheath - Needs to have one readily available, preferably something that works with a belt

Aesthetics - Highly prefer the look of stainless and wood, but can't deny the maintenance free nature and cheapness of plastics. No strong preference

Cost - I'm new here, and the only posting rules I found seemed to involve commercial posting. If you recommend a blade, please only consider those that are in the sub $200 category. If this is inappropriate on this forum I apologize

Weight - Not a concern

Quality - It's a work knife, and it will be used as such. I don't need a handmade or custom knife by any stretch. I'm looking for something that will hold up with a reasonable amount of maintenance under working conditions. The better constructed from the factory, the better

Thank you for your feedback and patience. This is my first post, if it's in the wrong area please let me know and I'll move it.
 
I just bought an Ontario Blackbird SK-4 for a lot of the reasons you mentioned. Even though I am far, far from new to knives, I was looking for a new belt knife. I work in my office mostly, but I am a contractor by profession and will do a lot of dirty work from time to time.

I was looking for a 4"-ish blade, and the flat grind and spear point of the Blackbird makes for a fine utility knife. The handle slabs are synthetic but look great and will require no maintenance. The blade is of a quality stainless and the sheath is a nice compact ballistic nylon that will fit a wide belt and retain the knife well.

I bought mine from my favorite brick and mortar for $160-ish.

Lots if good choices out there.
Good luck:)
 
Esee, Tops, Buck, Ontario and quite a few others make nice knives in the range you are looking for. If you are using the knife frequently rust is never going to be an issue, so I would not focus too hard on a stainless steel.

n2s
 
There are roughly a bazillion options, BUT if you like the look of wood and stainless steel (stays silver & doesn't darken when contacting acidic material) then I would check out Buck knives first - they fit the bill, and have been around a long time for a reason.
 
Some good suggestions already, and I think a Mora robust will be a great work knife.

If you prefer the look of wood handle, I'd recommend giving Becker BK62 Kephart a try.

Otherwise, do feel free to check out a few offerings from Cold Steel with 3V blades, few of them are also sub 200.
 
Lionsteel makes some very nice wood handled fixed blades in your preferred size and price range. They come with very functional leather sheaths as well. Readily available and come in stainless options.

Good luck with your search!
 
A robust 5" blade with a great sheath could be the Gerber Strongarm.
A bit pricier, also robust and more corrosion resistant, excellent steel and sheath, then have a look at the SOG Pillar.
Was going to suggest a Cold Steel Recon Tanto but it's probably a bit thick. The tanto profile would be great for construction (see page 8 of the 'tantos- do you love them or hate them' thread.
 
condor two rivers skinner - it's 420hc steel (very stainless, and the same steel buck uses as default)
4.5" blade, looks like a great flat grind, but not full height with a solid 1/8" thickness most of the way

and the wood handle you mentioned ; ) for only a quarter of your $200 budget = perfect for working it hard and not worry about babying it

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for about $70 consider the ruike jager - which uses better stainless 14c28n - it's an almost full flat grind, but with g10 handle, but it's an amazing all around knife
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Last edited:
Applemush said:
Hello! I'm brand new to knives and I've lurked on this forum for a few questions I've had in the past with some success so I figured I'd give this a go. I'm looking to purchase my first "real" knife as I recently moved and lost a $20 gerber that I loved. I'm looking for what you guys would consider as the "best" fixed blade with the following criteria:

Available - I'm looking to buy it, so custom or unavailable options aren't really considered

Blade length - 4 - 8 inches long. I like to carry a larger knife as I'm a manual laborer and sometimes have to cut through heavy plastic, rubber, wires, and wood. I also have used a stick to hammer the back edge, so I'd like it to only have one edge.

Blade Material - Something resistant to rust/staining. Stainless is what comes to mind but you guys could probably name a bunch of other materials

Edge - Flat grind. I kinda beat the gerber and had to sharpen it frequently. I'm not good by any stretch, and I'm not looking to reprofile an edge

Sheath - Needs to have one readily available, preferably something that works with a belt

Aesthetics - Highly prefer the look of stainless and wood, but can't deny the maintenance free nature and cheapness of plastics. No strong preference

Cost - I'm new here, and the only posting rules I found seemed to involve commercial posting. If you recommend a blade, please only consider those that are in the sub $200 category. If this is inappropriate on this forum I apologize

Weight - Not a concern

Quality - It's a work knife, and it will be used as such. I don't need a handmade or custom knife by any stretch. I'm looking for something that will hold up with a reasonable amount of maintenance under working conditions. The better constructed from the factory, the better

Thank you for your feedback and patience. This is my first post, if it's in the wrong area please let me know and I'll move it.
Click to expand...


See this thread, this is the only knife made specifically for your application. Also very cheap.

Scroll down for images.

https://bladeforums.com/threads/tradesmens-hacking-knife-very-wtf.1766360/
 
Applemush said:
Blade Material - Something resistant to rust/staining. Stainless is what comes to mind but you guys could probably name a bunch of other materials
Click to expand...
Please - don't overlook some really great inexpensive knives due to the type of steel they have.
Left neglected, carbon steel will rust.
With just a tiny amount of extra care, carbon steel can and does hold up to use in wet places.

I prefer to use cold gun blue after a good dunking in hot vinegar - as a way of turning my carbon blades into something that will resist rust.

The super handy & super great Mora 511s can be had wither with carbon or stainless - sometimes for as little as $7.99

Probably the best aspect of the Mora is - it's priced low enough to allow you to order a Spyderco Sharpmaker & toss in a couple of 511s or Companions to make freight from places w/$100 min order for free shipping.
 
You can find a Buck 119 just about anywhere, or upgrade to a custom directly from Buck. Or you can go smaller or larger if you prefer: 102, 105, 120.
 
Look in the custom section and find a few makers you like. Then send your specs to them and get the knife of your dreams for $200 or less.
 
Buck for the win...USA made, "Forever Warranty", different sizes in the 100 series, and the 100 series all come with good quality sheaths.
 
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