Fixed Blade Recommendation

J

jjmc2001

Joined
Jun 11, 2002
Messages
12
I am a folding knife fan and have a number of them. I need(or want) a big tough fixed blade for general camp use. This blade will get used for general camp stuff and I want it to be sharp. I use the Spyderco 204 for my personal sharpening. Can I get a 7" fixed blade as sharp as I get my Spydercos, Benchmades, etc? Any recommendations? Thanks
 
Welcome to the forums!

Right now, the first knife that comes to mind for a 7" camping blade is the new Camillus Becker C/U 7. It comes with a nylon sheath with a pouch on the front, for one of your folders or a little sharpener or whatever.

You will be able to get this knife hair shaving sharp if you want! Best of all, it is something like $50. Check with www.1sks.com for this knife. By the way, ti is carbon steel (not stainless), but still recommend it. I've been carrying a custom carbon steel knife around for a few months now, and carbon steel doesn't rust when you look at it!
 
The Becker seems like a good starter knife, but when you want one of the best, get a Busse Steel Heart II. Except for the fact that it's almost $300, it's the best on the market.

The next best (although they are new) is the Swamp Rat Knife Works Camp Tramp and Battle Rat. For under $150, these are going to be best sellers on the market.

Both the Busse and Swamp Rat knives are also guarenteed for life. You can't beat that!:D Besides, they are .25 inches thick of solid working knife. Can't go wrong there.

Ed
 
Originally posted by jjmc2001
...I need(or want) a big tough fixed blade for general camp use. This blade will get used for general camp stuff and I want it to be sharp...Any recommendations? Thanks
Click to expand...

Cold Steel Recon Scout.
 
Save yourself the trouble, and start out with the best. 99.999% of all people, when they first get into something; cars, watches, knives, guns,... their first purchase is usually not top-notch, or anywhere near that, and justifiably so. They are LEARNING. Well, if you have enough sense to read these forums, take our advice. I think I will be backed up when I say get a Strider or Busse. They are two of the BEST knives on the planet, bar none. Sure, they are several hundred dollars, but you will NEVER have to replace it. And if you go camping often at all, the last thing you want is to have a tool as vital as a knife fail when you need it most.

Maybe also check out Extrema Ratio Knives. They are new, but seem quite tough. The importer/distributor for them is a VERY nice and helpful man, and he has sold grippes of these blades to Ranger units in his area, and has gotten positive feedback. Although not a Strider or Busse, it's unlikely that a blade of this caliber would ever fail you either. I have one on the way, and I'll post a review when I get it.

Good luck, and get set to buy a WHOLE LOT of knives now that you're here!!! :D

Drjones
 
A lot of great ideas coming here. Problem is, they are not all compatible with the Sharpmaker. The Busse has an asymetrical (combination flat/convex bevel), the SwampRats will have a convex bevel, you will spend more time sharpening the thick bevels on the Recon Scout with a Sharpmaker than you will camping. A heavy use camp knife is bound to take it's share of edge abuse. Hit a rock and even do minor edge damage and you will be along time fixing it with the Sharpmaker.

I would initially opt for something along the lines of the Becker BK7 and a good benchstone. I would strongly recommend getting the hang of sharpening and maintaining the edge of a relatively inexpensive large fixed blade before you jump into a $300 Busse and can't get an edge back on it. Plus, you can always hang onto the Becker when you decide to upgrade. Many camp chores don't require a 1/4" thick chunk of heavy, beveled steel. A nice, flat ground 3/16" blade does have it's advantages.

BTW, I have a Swamp Rat Battle Rat on order. Should make for one heck of a chopper. It most probably will not excel at the lighter tasks and eliminate the need for my 7" Matt Lamey Camp Bowie.
 
The Becker C/U 7 is the way to go, as a starter, especially. It is a great knife and the best bang for the buck out that.
 
Get the Rob Simonich Raven production knife. S30V blade, G-10 scales, Black hawk sheath. Very sharp, very durable and in my opinion the best buy for $299 on a 7 inch fixed blade.

Phil
 
Thanks guys-Excellent recommendations. I always carry some variation of Spyderco or Benchmade folder. Either PE or partial SE. This summer and fall I will have occasion to need something that is heavier for camping,etc. These are great recomendations. thanks again
 
Either a Becker CU/7 or CS Recon Scout. If you go with the Scout, try a factory 2nd. Much less money, just as good. I did some chopping tests, and they both hold at least as good an edge as the Busse, for a LOT less money.
 
Swede,

I don't want to start a war here, but am curious as to how you tested the CS products against the Busse line. Which model?

I have, in my experience, not found the edge holding ability close on a CS compared to a Busse.

Like I said, I'm just curious.

Thanks man.
 
Thatmguy,

I know what you mean, thanks to the latest idiotic threads on this forum, I am trying to be ultra-careful about what I post.

Email is on the way to you.
 
Ive used both coldsteel and Busse,I think the Busse Battle Mistress held its edge better but not by a large amount,Me personaly I found that I can clean game better such as rabbit, squirell,deer,pig better with the Trailmaster because it had a more of a point,it has just enough belly to clean game.The Trailmaster is a good chopper but thats where the Battle Mistress shines its a great chopper.Also for long stays in the woods,for me is like 4-6 weeks of primitive camping the Trailmaster was easier to sharpen,I can get a very keen edge with a river or stream rock,I had problems sharpening the battle misstress with a rock,But dont get me wrong I love my Busse Battle Mistress and my steel heart but my Trailmaster gets used more cause im better with it.
Its all what you find yourself more comfortable with,but that just mho. If ya got the funds get the Busse if ya dont get the Trailmaster.

As for me,Im a Bullrider I might neeed to sell those busses if times get ruff,gotta keep them in the best condition as I can:D
 
For all around camping use, I like a 3/16" Busse Satin Jack.
I don't use it for a lot of heavy chopping and it's just over 6" in the blade.
Life time warranty....$227.00
 
Originally posted by swede79
Thatmguy,

I know what you mean, thanks to the latest idiotic threads on this forum, I am trying to be ultra-careful about what I post.

Email is on the way to you.
Click to expand...

I'm curious too, could I get that email aswell? :D
 
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