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Fixed Blade Help

I am looking for a fixed blade knife for general purpose field use. Not really a survival knife, but something that will hold up to some abuse. This knife would be used to augment the Benchmade mini-stryker I carry everywhere. My two main contenders are Timberline Aviator or Benchmade Nimravus, based on size price etc. I am in the Air Force in a moblie Command & Control Unit. We don't do the special ops thing, but we are world wide deployable. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.


Thanks for all the great responses. I'll be checking them all out.
Ok after all the comments and some internet research I have 3 new choices.
In no particular order
Dozier KM-3 agent
Dozier K1 general Utility
Reeves Shadow III
Also does anyone know the differance between Dozier Hunting vs Tactical knives?

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[This message has been edited by droopy (edited 28 November 1998).]

[This message has been edited by droopy (edited 28 November 1998).]

[This message has been edited by droopy (edited 28 November 1998).]
 
Any of the following knives would probably be suitable:

Cold Steel SRK
Ontario Quartermaster Knife
Randall #1 (5" or 6")
Randall #15
Cutlery Shoppe Grphon M30A1
Gerber LMF (without the sawteeth)
Buck Nighthawk (original model)
Buck Special

and, of course a Swiss Army Knife or a Leatherman.


 
droopy --

I thought I understood your request until I saw the two knives you suggested: the Aviator and Nimravus. What confuses me is that the two knives are pretty different. I think of the Aviator as more of the classic pilot survival knife genre -- a medium-small sharpened prybar. Whereas the Nimravus is a thin-bladed concealment knife; I expect it to cut great but not have the prying/puncturing strength of the Aviator.

I'll assume you're looking for a medium-sized (~5"), stout fixed blade.

The Aviator is a reasonable choice, but not the one I would choose. It's a chisel-ground tanto. I don't like the chisel grind because it doesn't cut straight. I don't like the tanto for field use because it doesn't have a belly, and a belly is useful for a wide range of cutting chores.

Starting at the low price range, check out either Ontario's classic Navy Knife or the Navy Knife in Ontario's Spec-Plus line.

Cold Steel's Master Hunter might be a great choice, or the SRK if you want to go up a notch in size.

At the high end, Mad Dog's pATAK, in 3/16" (or 1/4" if you want it to be *really* strong).

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com
 
What really surprised me about the Aviator was how light it was. I can see myself easily forgetting I ever had this knife strapped on me.

Anyways, I vote for the Cold Steel Recon Tanto. It's got enough heft to take a fair amount of abuse, as well as acting as a sharpened pry bar. The blade is of basic tanto design, augmenting the mini-stryker quite nicely IMHO.

Other suggestions that have been made are fine too. But definitely want to handle these knives before settling on which to end up buying.
 
In the "small utility prybar with a good edge" class I'd nominate any of the Chris Reeve smaller fixed blades, esp. the Aviator. If you really want a small precise 4" class item, a Bob Dozier set up single-edge (New York Special or Arkansaw Toothpick) will be a better knife than the Nimravus and if you sharpen the secondary bevel, a better weapon if that's a factor.

JM
 
I go with Jim on the Doziers......but If I was ordering another Ark T/pick, I would ask for a different carry system. The shoulder rig does not suit me......firstly, it requires that I wear a belt and that is not always convenient.
Secondly, when worn as a shoulder rig, I find the lack of "give" in the strap restricting. (my old Gerber Mk1 and Guardian rigs are elastic and carry better..don't reuire a belt, either)
And, finally...when worn as a horizontal belt sheath, I find it impossible to find a part of my anatomy where the thing will lay flat and still allow me easy access to the tricky release system.
One day I will send the knife back to have a vertical highride sheath made....it is an excellent knife that deserves to be used but I just do not bother.

Actually, the Dozier Professional Guide might be a thought......love mine. D2 steel cuts like Hell, holds an edge, decent sheath.

Just a few thoughts

Brian W E
 
*Lightfoot "Hammer" BG-42, double ground.
*Brend #2 5" (LDC F-5 series)
*Bauchop utility cat

*no special order*

If you are going to buy a knife that may potentially save your life, and - OR- the life of others....dont skimp on factory junk spend the money for a seroius tool that you can feel secure in using hard.

IF THE CHIPS ARE DOWN, IT WILL BE THE BEST MONEY YOU EVER SPENT.

 
I support the folks who mentioned the Dozier's. Very well made knives with steel that stays sharp a long time. Very robust knives. And, best of all, you don't have to mortgage the house to own one.
 
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