Fixed Blade Recommendation (details included)

[JDX]

Originally, I was looking at the Swamp Rat collection. But I had some last minute expenditures I had to take care of.

Anyways here's a little background: I hunt, hike, camp, backpack, and do most activities involving bushcraft. Now I did post a thread similar to this, but now my budget is going to be reduced. Anyways, here is what I would like to see in the knife I'm looking for. Of course, if you can only include a few of my preferences, that's fine. I'm looking for:

-Fixed Blade*
-Full Tang (rat tail is acceptable due to budget)*
-I'd love a high quality steel, but due to limitations, 1095 will suffice
-micarta or canvas handles. But I'll settle with g-10
-thumb ramp with jimping*
-finger choil*
-plain edge, unless serrations/saw teeth are on other side
(* =necessary)


Also, I plan on beating the crap out of this knife. I'm a minimalist, and don't like carrying a hatchet or saw or other heavy tools that I can use a knife for. I want to be able to rely on this knife.

Let me reiterate, I understand some of the previously mentioned specs might not be possible.


BUDGET. <$100


Thanks for the help

 

[Sharp Knives 86]

Becker/Ka-Bar, Condor, Cold Steel and Ontario I'm sure will have something your looking for. For your price youre gonna get alot of recommendations for Becker.

 

[ocnLogan]

Any preference on size of the blade? I don't see any reference to one in there.

And this is a bit of a tricky one, mostly because of the thumb ramp with jimping AND the choil both being required. The entire Becker line is in your price range (well, not really the BK12, but thats for other reasons), and all of them are full tangs. About half to one third of them have thumb ramps (BK10, , BK12, BK7, and BK9). None of the ones with thumb ramps have choils though. The BK5 and BK15 have choils, but no thumb ramp. The other problem is that none of these have Micarta from the factory. You can add it of course, but its ~$40 to add it, which puts you over budget.

The ESEE 6 might work, but again, no thumb ramp (but has choil and Micarta, but its a bit over your budget).

Most of Condors stuff is made out of 1075, the Kabar MK1 is a great knife, but no choil or thumb ramp (or micarta, but since its a rat tail tang its a different story).

I don't actually know the Ontario or Cold steel lines very well, but perhaps one of theirs might work out for you.

You might try buying used as well, as you can buy used Beckers and ESEE knives that are close to what you're looking for for your budget for sure.

Good luck .

 

[chiral.grolim]

So not interested in an RMD or SYKCO knife, huh?

Well, I'm not sure why you require a jimped thumb-ramp, but the Buck/Hood Punk can be had for ~$100, pic from the review here: http://www.woodsmonkey.com/buck-punk-review

It's made in USA of 5160 steel and is about the size as your last thread requested. Otherwise, there are a lot of USA-made and China-made Gerbers that fit the bill -1 or 2 features (e.g. not a lot of micarta'd Gerbers)...

 

[BOSS1]

Esee4 or maybe a Schrade schf10, the latter being a high value at about $40.

And 1095 may not be a super wonder stainless or tool steel, but it been a performer for a long time.

Boss

 

[GlockandBalls]

The Ontario Rats have a choil and nice jimping on the spine, but no extended thumb ramp. I personally love this set-up as it allows a nice forward choke up. Your thumb will be just fine trust me. No ramp necessary. I have the Buck Punk as well and I find myself putting my thumb over the ramp instead of on it while choked up. I wish it wasn't there and just flat and jimped. Also, I prefer the Bark River Bravo (outside of your budget) without the thumb ramp as they make it both ways.

 

[chiral.grolim]

How big are your hands?
As i mentioned in your other thread, I'd be willing to part with this SYKCO 511 (a Busse knife). Drop me a line if interested. It's been used & modified but is plenty capable, is leg-shaving sharp. No thumb-ramp or jimping anywhere (still not sure why you'd want that), handle is Resiprene C instead of micarta or G10, steel is SR101, full hidden tang: http://www.scrapyardknives.com/technica-specs/

 

[craytab]

Is this a for sale thread?

Anyway, something from Becker would do within you budget. That said, I would lock at the Esee 6. Has just about everything you want. I love mine.

 

[Brisket]

I would take the generous offer for the SYKCO 511 from chiral.grolim . The Resiprine C grips are quite comfortable for long term use and the SR101 will withstand heavy use. It would not be my preference for a hunting knife, but for an all-around heavy duty user, as per your described needs, you would be hard pressed to find anything better in that price range with or without a jimped thumb ramp. I would guess his PM box is starting to fill up with "I'll take it if he doesn't want it" messages.