Fixed Blade Recommendations?

F

frgtn340

Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
105
Hi everyone, it's that time of year and I'm in the market for a hard use medium-sized (5-6 in blade) fixed blade. My budget is $100 and less. Any recommendations?

Here are some that I have looked into:

Kabar Becker Bk2
Esee 5 (Rat RC-5)
 
Just picked up an ESEE-6 for $105. Love the knife. Also held the ESSE-5 ($130), but very similar in size and weight to the BK2 which I already have.

The ESSE-6 is very quick in the hand in comparison to the BK2 and ESEE-5, and I am thinking it would be more suited for family camping chores, in particular, food prep. As for "hard use," I plan to use it for batoning and chopping in the context of car camping with the family, although I would expect it is a bit light for chopping and would require more work than a heavier/longer knife. Fit and finish is wonderful.

I guess it depends what you are planning to use the knife for. For me, the ESEE-6 will serve as a medium/large camping knife and not a SHTF knife. I trust the 6 will be plenty tough for what I intend to use it for. Rowen has a great heat treat and knows how to get the most out of 1095.
 
I've got an earlier BK2 and love it. It's a great handy knife that feels real good in my big mitts. i've never tried the ESSE 5, but i definitely recomend the BK2.
 
I really like the finish on the essee knives, but I can't help but witness the beastliness of the bk2
 
Spend a little more on a RatManDu or Howling Rat LM from Swamp Rat Knife Works. You are making an investment in a blade that will last a lifetime. Both feel great in the hand and look great too! Nearly indestructible and you can order them now from their website which you can't always do.
 
frgtn340 said:
Kabar Becker Bk2
Click to expand...
If you are looking for an absolutly bomb-proof knife, this is probably your best value for the dollar. Personally, I find it too heavy duty for most tasks I ask a knife to do, but lots of people swear by it as a perfect heavy use knife (chopping, splitting, battoning, etc).

Esee 5 (Rat RC-5)
Click to expand...
I myself prefer the slightly lighter and more nimble ESEE 4, but if the 5 is what you want you really can't go wrong with ESEE.
 
BK2 is better as a camping/bushcraft. The RC5 (is more than 100) is designed around a SERE (Survival), downed pilots and what now. I had an RC5 and I did not like the handle for chopping. Honestly I didnt like it at all. The BK2 is far better in that regards. The BK2 is cheaper but to be fair it doesnt have micarta scales and when you add them they put that blade near 100 bucks. I do think it is worth it. The handle is great for chopping but it is hard and sends some shock through it. So Micarta scales make it really nice...I wish they just sold it that way or at least as a second option.

Take a look at a Fallkniven S1. It is in the same length category. It can usually be had for 105 and I think it is a much better blade then either the BK2 or the RC5. better in the sense that it can do more things. It is different so not quite apples to apples. However it is lighter, easier to carry, same blade length, lower profile and is very tough...not as tough as either the RC5 or the BK2 but those are pry bars and the S1 is now whimp either. Neither of those blades do detail/fine work very well. The BK2 will chop better but batonning based on blade size to log ratio the S1 is gonna hang with it just fine. I pitted my S1 and A1 against my now gone RC5 and the S1 and A1 seem to do what I wanted better. Just my 2 cents.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top