Recommendation? Fixed blade for hiking and exploring.

O

onionsninja

Joined
Jan 30, 2021
Messages
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I'm back again with a skinnier walllet than the last time :D, looking for a medium size fixed blade to take with me exploring and on hikes.

I usually explore the bush, walking trails, waterfalls, hours to a day long walk, some camping. I found myself climbing onto rocks and ledges, sliding down hillsides often.
  • Kydex/hard sheath is a must. I will definitely get the blade wet.
  • An ergonomic handle that the hand won't slip forward during stabing/knife slipping off during chopping/slashing.
  • Blade length, 4" and above. But not too big that it will make light climbing with it unsafe.
  • Light enough for long hikes, but has enough weight and momentum to chop and trim vines, twigs, and small branches.
  • Medium to high corrosion resistance. I'll be using the blade to poke/prod/pry and touch things I find in nature with it.
  • Decent edge retention and high toughness are desirable.
I don't plan to have to field sharpen often, and probably not going to skin anything with the blade.
 
What's your budget?
I also wouldn't be scared of carbon steel as far as maintenance goes. I carry it nearly exclusively and with just the most modest of wipe down, a lot of mine are going on 20+ years of use.

I kinda like Condor for solid user knives. Easy to sharpen, tough to break, and affordable (if not as affordable as they were a year or two ago), but many of them come with synthetic handles and a hard sheath.
60ish-100ish bucks.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
What's your budget? ... I also wouldn't be scared of carbon steel ... and with just the most modest of wipe down, a lot of mine are going on 20+ years of use ... Condor for solid user knives ... 60ish-100ish bucks.
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Steely_Gunz Steely_Gunz , I'm very torn between the "buy once, cry once" policy and buying something 1/3 or half the price that I may have to baby it and replace two years later because it chipped/doesn't perform.

Having said that, I would be reluctant to pay more than $100-$400 for it.
 
id take a look at the esse 4 s35vn. lots of choices though to fill your requirements.
 
I’d rethink the 4” minimum if you might have to do any chopping....maybe start at 6”
 
Oddly enough, if I want tough AND corrosion resistant AND easy to maintain AND affordable... I think of 420HC.

Two blades that fit this bill and won't cost a wad of bills are the Buck 655 Nighthawk and the Gerber Strongarm.

I like them both. You could sharpen both with very little effort, and both will leave you with enough left over for a dinner for two.

Or you could get yourself a Cold Steel SRK in 3V. Their SK5 version is plenty tough for me, but the 3V would kick it up a notch it seems.

Either of these can easily chop vines, twigs and small branches. Anything more than that you should get a chopping tool.
 
Towards the top of your budget but a Carothers Field Knife 2 would work well. Not a great chopper but enough to take down saplings or small branches and exceptional for your other uses.
 
When I feel like exploring the outdoors, I'm thinking small machete and SAK. Not everyone is into machetes, so in comes Cold Steel. How about a Rajah 2 or Extra Large Voyager? If you want to up the coolness factor and price, the Extra Large Espada. That knife can chop, slice, and poke with the best of them in fact, I think I need a new folder with an attitude.
 
Burke said:
Towards the top of your budget but a Carothers Field Knife 2
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B Burke , thanks. I looked the Carothers FK2, it's beautiful.. but the blade looks too short. I love the handle ergo and the more upright blade of the Carothers Heavy Duty Field Knife, but prefer the grooveless blade style of the FK2 or the 6" Utility Fighter.

How do I contact Carothers to inquire about the price and shipping?
 
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SurviveKnives GSO series 4.1" or so in 3V or CPM 20CV...they have a nice series of lengths... DO BUY this off the Exchange, their sales program does not get good reviews... Pay about $250 as new on the Exchange...they come around pretty often.
Also Bradford Guardian in 4 or 5 inch fixed... very nice knives, good steels. Not expensive...$200-$250
 
If you wander around the bush, you forgot the most important criteria - fending off local wildlife. I recommend offering them whisky, and if that doesn't pacify them, I carry a Swamp Rat Ratmandu in INFI steel. ;)

w6.jpg


You can pick them up the bladeforums exchange 'Busse' section pretty regularly for [just within] your price range. Semi-stainless and tough as heck.

Been with me from the Snowies....
10.jpg


... to Cape York. :thumbsup:
1-9.jpg
 
Currawong said:
If you wander around the bush, you forgot the most important criteria - fending off local wildlife. I recommend offering them whisky, and if that doesn't pacify them, I carry a Swamp Rat Ratmandu in INFI steel. ;)

w6.jpg


You can pick them up the bladeforums exchange 'Busse' section pretty regularly for [just within] your price range. Semi-stainless and tough as heck.

Been with me from the Snowies....
10.jpg


... to Cape York. :thumbsup:
1-9.jpg
Click to expand...

Seconded. Cant get much better than a Ratmandu for this type of stuff.
 
AntDog said:
Seconded. Cant get much better than a Ratmandu for this type of stuff.
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Another very attractive option. Even harder to decide before lol. Also that wombat probably needs to quit drinking.. hope it didn't walk into the knife!

Won't the big choil become a potential weak spot on the Ratmandu?
 
onionsninja said:
Another very attractive option. Even harder to decide before lol. Also that wombat probably needs to quit drinking.. hope it didn't walk into the knife!

Won't the big choil become a potential weak spot on the Ratmandu?
Click to expand...

The only weak spot on a Ratmandu is the availability. You’ll need to buy an aftermarket kydex.
VlqY1Fn.jpg


A Fallkniven A1 or S1 would also fit your criteria
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or an ESEE 6 if you leave it coated
JeZt3G5.jpg
 
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