Fixed blade help!

I

iwannamakeknives

Joined
Oct 17, 2009
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I am really wanting to get myself a fixed blade with some money that I was given for christmas. Brand is not a big deal to me, but i do have a budget of around $150. I am going to be using it as an EMT and Firefighter, as well as just EDC sometimes. Any advice that anybody may have for me would be greatly appreciated.
Also, forgot to mention that I would prefer it to be around 3-5" blade.
 
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well it depends on your blade length. you might want to look into RAT cutlery. either the RC-3 or RC-4 paired with an izula. the bigger knives could handle firefighter stuff. and the izula would be a great EDC. plus if you break the knives they have a lifetime no questions asked warranty.
 
You can also look at landi knives or BRKT.

Rat also makes an excellent knife. Although I think your also paying for the best warranty ever made. Ever.
 
gundude73 said:
well it depends on your blade length. you might want to look into RAT cutlery. either the RC-3 or RC-4 paired with an izula. the bigger knives could handle firefighter stuff. and the izula would be a great EDC. plus if you break the knives they have a lifetime no questions asked warranty.
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good advice so far. With a warranty like that you can't go wrong. Make sure you have an understanding of how to care for Carbon steel (especially if a damp environment is in the future).

If you can score a Scrap yard on the busse sub forum exchange they have several models in that price range that would be indestructable, and great warranty if you ever manage to break one, they replace it (as long as it is unintentional).

For that price range also cruise the custom fourm. Some times you can find great pieces in that price range.

Busse are super tough, and have great corrosion resistance. But finding one in that price range will be impossible. You could cruise the Busse sale Subforum for a Scrapyard S5, 5 inch blade out of INFI, and I have seen some sell for arround your price range on here, where the sellers were not trying to flip them for a profit.

Clarify with more info, and you wil get answers more tailored to your needs.
 
I would choose between an RC-3 and a fallkniven F1. For me, it would tip towards RC-3 because I prefer micarta slabs over the synthetic/plastic once used by the F1. However, if you are a stainless fanatic and like uncoated blades, then the F1 might be your ticket. BRKT's are another good choice.
 
Rat Cutlery RC4. Last fixed blade you'll ever need, but you'll get more :)

Just my opinion, but I would avoid SOG.
 
SOG is awesome! (Jake is mis-guided.)

E37T-Sheath-copy.jpg
 
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AUS8 for bushcrafting I would not recommend... at least at the price SOG puts on their knives. Most of their knives are designed to be fighting knives, not everyday beaters for outdoor use. AUS8 IS a great steel based on its typical pricepoint and its ability to take a rediculously sharp edge, but SOG wants too much money for their knives to go out and split wood with... PS those BS plastic sheaths the Seal Pups come with rattle around, the knife is not retained securely. They make alot of noise, take up a bunch of unnecessary space and are about the worst design I've ever seen for a knife sheath. I've owned 3 Seal Pups in the past, they are quality solid knives, they were just designed for a different role than you are looking for.
 
I read your post and almost sccreamed aloud RAT Cutlery!!

Rat is an all around great company. you get

1) a solid no nonsense design from guys that use knives for a living
2) the best ht available on a steel thats an industry standard
3)Bar none the best warranty on par with busse which is at least 200 hundred dollars more expensive.
4) a great carry system either a well thought out injection molded or kydex sheath designed by blade-tech and the rat team.

They are one hell of a deal. Sogs are ok but they arent quite the knife that RATs are.
 
iwannamakeknives said:
I am really wanting to get myself a fixed blade with some money that I was given for christmas. Brand is not a big deal to me, but i do have a budget of around $150. I am going to be using it as an EMT and Firefighter, as well as just EDC sometimes. Any advice that anybody may have for me would be greatly appreciated.
Also, forgot to mention that I would prefer it to be around 3-5" blade.
Click to expand...

With your username I'd say...buy a set of files......and get cracking. Check in at the makers forums for tips. It's not that difficult to make something basic.
 
KGD and I are on the same page here.

A Fallkniven F1 or Rat RC3 are excellent all around EDC knives. You can't go wrong with either.

Bark River does make some nice knives as well. I would recommend a Bark River Gunny or Bark River Mini Northstar for EDC.
 
Take a look at Doug Ritter's fixed blade - the RSK Mk3 made by Benchmade.

http://www.equipped.org/rsk_mk3.htm

dscn0625po8.jpg

(Top to bottom: Mk3, fullsize Mk1, mini Mk1, Leatherman Charge Ti ... with a Fenix TK10)

S30V semi-stainless steel, G10 handle. Not quite so thick or heavy as the RAT. At $165 its a tad more than your $150, but well worth it.
 
gargoyle, welcome to bladeforums. I encourage you to stick around, read, and learn a lot about the vast world of knives and steels. You will come to find that there are much better knives for the price sog asks for. Just my opinion now, many love their sogs to death and im glad they like them, just from my experience with them, they're not my favorite. If you're interested why, send me another email.

AUS8 is a great steel. Just not for the high demands of the bush.
 
How big are your hands? If you have huge ham-sized mitts then go with the RAT. If you have smallish hands then go for the Fallkniven.

The Benchmade Rant is also a good value choice, as is the Buck Nighthawk. The Nighthawk is a very underrated blade IMO.
 
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