Fixed blade help

S

smitty1505

Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
243
Hey everyone, I need to get a fixed blade but need some help. I like buying things once and want to make sure I'm getting the best item for my needs. I plan on using this knife for hunting (mostly whitetail deer), fishing (cutting up bait fish for sharking), and camping/hiking/survival. I have just recently started getting into camping/hiking and know very little of what kind of knife will be needed but I plan on getting really into it. My ultimate goal would be to thru-hike the Appalachian trail but thats years down the road. Still it'd be nice to have a knife that would be helpful during the journey. So basically I'm looking for a jack of all trades type fixed blade. I know there is no knife that is going to be perfect at everything but I'd like to get the most versatile blade I can. I have just started looking but so far Ive come across a few knives that look like good choices but want to see what you guys think. First is the CRK Nyala. I love the way this knife looks and from what I've read it seems to be a pretty awesome blade. The only downside I see to this knife is the blade steel. I know s35vn is a great knife steel but is it a great fixed blade steel? I would think you would want a tougher steel than that in a fixed blade especially if your going to be batoning with it. Also the tip looks a little to fine to me. Next would be the Busse Combat anniversary mean street. I really like the Busse name, they seem to be one of the best fixed blade complains around. However the AMS seems a bit small for what I'm looking for. Do you think there is enough belly on that blade to skin with? Or enough knife to baton wood with? Id love to justify a Busse team gemini but I can't see skinning a deer with that haha. What do you guys think is the maximum blade length for skinning? Sorry for the long winded post but would love some help with this. Thanks!!
 
S35VN is plenty tough, and based on some of the tasks you're describing, the added corrosion resistance of S35VN over tougher steels (ie CPM 3V) would be beneficial. Also, it's relatively easier to sharpen than some of the uber-tough steels out there. Something that may come in handy if you're away from a home sharpening setup for awhile. Also, CTS-XHP would be another good steel to consider.
 
Swamprat Ratmandu: Lifetime unconditional warranty, amazing ergonomics, killer steel. Get one while you can!!
Bark River Bravo line,,, Great warranty, almost endless choice in steel/handle material options,, superb ergos
Esee 4 or 6: Lifetime unconditional warranty, great value, truly tough steel.. great sheath
Busse or Scrapyard knives,, although sold out on the websites,, knives pop up on this forum in the sale area all the time,,, too many great ones to list!

Anything from any of these would not disappoint I'm sure...
 
+1 for Bark River. They make some really beautiful and incredibly tough fixed blades, many with the option of stainless steel.

I'd also encourage you to check out LT Wright or Battle Horse Knives. Those two guys used to make up Blind Horse Knives but they've parted ways. Carbon steel blades, which may be a deal breaker for you, but MAN are they tough and well made. I have a blind horse in A2 which is tough as nails, sharpens to hair popping sharpness with very little effort and with around 5% chromium the steel offers some corrosion resistance.

Happy hunting!
 
Lot of nice knives out there for the budget you have. All those mentioned so far are solid recommendations.

Unless you're doing Johnny Appleseed minimalist trips, to do what you say in your post you're going to need more than one knife. You know that, right? Not sure if you're wanting to budget it all now or not....

EDIT: Since I haven't seen it mentioned here yet, check out a TOPS B.O.B. too. I don't own one but I sure see a lot of good comments about them.
 
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My continued campaign to convert Yanks to slaughterers skinners
Svord Curved Skinner. 5 3/4" blade, L6 steel, differentially heat treated. Economy, Deluxe or Master Cutler.
Svord%20Curved%20Skinner%20-%205.75%20Inches%20-%20Mahogany%20Handle%20Model%20%20677BB%20copy.jpg

http://www.svord.com/index.php
 
Stainless is a massive advantage if you plan to go shark fishing. There are a lot of excellent SS around now, S35VN is one, there is no need to go plain carbon.
I think you will need/want more than one, especially as time passes. Buy the one that suits you now. Take a look at the Helle range. Light, excellent steel, comfortable ergo's.
 
Ain't no reason to spend lots of money on a good basic camping/hiking knife.

Mora's provide excellent price/performance without breaking the bank. The Companion (4") and Allround 748 (5.75") are stainless steel and under $20 ...
morakniv-campanion-black-thumb.jpg
morakniv-748-blue-black-fixed-thumb.jpg




The Buck 679 BuckLite Max (4") in 420HC stainless is also a good choice under $25 in Black or Orange ...
BU679BKS.jpg
BU0679ORS.jpg
 
TravisH said:
Ain't no reason to spend lots of money on a good basic camping/hiking knife.
Click to expand...

Let's amend that. There are dozens of reasons to spend lots of money on a good, basic camping and hiking knife, you just don't NEED to spend lots of money to get one. ;)
 
TravisH said:
Mora's provide excellent price/performance without breaking the bank.
Click to expand...
+1 to this,,, I bought a Mora Companion,, because why not, 15 bucks?? I have put that knife through the ringer,, and it has passed with flying colors. I would argue that it is the best Money to Performance knife out there right now.
 
In my opinion, right around 5"-6" is a good size for a do everything knife... A little less is ideal for skinning, a little more is ideal for chopping, but that's a good place to get enough knife to do both without too much inconvenience.

Plenty of quality brands out there to choose from too; to add to the cuurent ones mentioned,
Bark River Bravo 1.5, Gunny Hunter
Benchmade saddle mountain skinner
Knives of Alaska wolverine, bush camp, boar Hunter

My suggestion though is, for extended trekking especially, get yourself a smaller 3.5"-4" (stainless) blade for your hip, for skinning and carving. Then get yourself a larger 7"+ carbon/tool blade to carry horizontal ontop of your pack for bushwhacking and chopping...

Example combo:
Bark River Fox River (ELMAX) - 4.25"
Kabar/Becker bk9 Combat Bowie - 9"

The two together will handle whatever you come across...
(For $30 you can do the same with a Mora HD companion and 12" Tramontina... Which, fwiw, no matter what you choose, you should get a 3-4" mora for $10-$15 to throw in the bottom of your pack as a lightweight functional backup, in the event you lose/break your other one).
 
Thanks for all the info guys, you've all been a big help. Ive never really looked into Bark River Knives before but they have some really good offerings. I really like all the handle materials they offer as well. So far the Bark River Fox River seems to fit the bill quite nicely. My only hesitation is that they don't have a coating on any of their knives. Ive heard A2 is a great steel but if I'm hiking/camping for an extended period of time would the A2 be a pain to maintain? I should also mention I will almost always be carrying a small Sebenza or wharncliffe 3 inch xm-18. I almost never leave the house without one of those in my pocket.

Also between A2 and CPM 3v which is a better option. I see both are offered on a good deal of their knives but I don't know which would better suit my needs. Thanks again!

strategy9 said:
In my opinion, right around 5"-6" is a good size for a do everything knife... A little less is ideal for skinning, a little more is ideal for chopping, but that's a good place to get enough knife to do both without too much inconvenience.

Plenty of quality brands out there to choose from too; to add to the cuurent ones mentioned,
Bark River Bravo 1.5, Gunny Hunter
Benchmade saddle mountain skinner
Knives of Alaska wolverine, bush camp, boar Hunter

My suggestion though is, for extended trekking especially, get yourself a smaller 3.5"-4" (stainless) blade for your hip, for skinning and carving. Then get yourself a larger 7"+ carbon/tool blade to carry horizontal ontop of your pack for bushwhacking and chopping...

Example combo:
Bark River Fox River (ELMAX) - 4.25"
Kabar/Becker bk9 Combat Bowie - 9"

The two together will handle whatever you come across...
(For $30 you can do the same with a Mora HD companion and 12" Tramontina... Which, fwiw, no matter what you choose, you should get a 3-4" mora for $10-$15 to throw in the bottom of your pack as a lightweight functional backup, in the event you lose/break your other one).
Click to expand...
 
Cutting up bait of any kind for saltwater fishing has to be one of the most corrosion advancing activities one can do with a knife.
Not just that the baits being cut are often loaded with salt water but washing a knife down quickly after use with freshwater is
nearly impossible. The ideal stainless for such an application is H1 but there are only a few fixed blade models around, and even less
if you want one that can handle your land based requirements as well.
 
Have a look at Fallkniven PHK. probably the best shape knife for all your needs plus a phenomenal steel too boot.
 
get a dedicated stainless knife for bait duty. You don't want a quality high-carbon blade anywhere near that activity!!!! Then take a look at a Dozier knife for the other duties. Simple proven and effective at near-production knife costs
 
OP, some will definitely disagree with me but, personally, I've never found a steel that I like more than A2. Like I mentioned, somewhere in the neighborhood 5% chromium offers something in terms corrosion resistance. It will definitely rust, but a nice even patina with help with that also.

I've just found the steel to be tough as nails and an absolute breeze to sharpen. For me, being on the trail with carbon steels involves a tiny little container of a small piece of a towel soaked with mineral oil. Boom. That and I carry a small leather strop with me and my blade stays sharp and oiled the whole time. I also just happen to really appreciate ease of sharpening in the field.

But again, that's just me!
 
Fallkniven F1 or one of their fillet knives. let us know what you go with.
 
I'd get the Bark River Bravo 1 LT in 3v. Should meet all the listed applications well
 
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