Good Fixed Blades under $60

A

a Trexler Ranger

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Nov 17, 2016
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So the only fixed blade knife I have right now is my dads old Herters knife. I don't won't to break that, though it is a fully working model. I was looking at the Gerber Strongarm, and am seriously considering buying it. Once school lets out and I have my summer job again, I'm considering purchasing an Esee 6 and a Spyderco Para 2 or 3.

Does anyone know of good beater knives that can chop through branches and used to build a good shelter? Preferably under $60 Please give me some thoughts

Edit: I worked at a Scout camp last year and I ended up borrowing several peoples knives (Thanks Matt) whenever I had my Wilderness Survival outpost which is why I am looking for a good knife for shelter building and some light digging

Edit 2: I'm looking for a blade length between 4 and 6 inches, but am willing to go up to seven or eight inches
 
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It does exceed your budget by a bit (OK, by 25%), but if you can save a little longer and swing $75, the Becker Crewman is a heckuva knife.
I used mine pretty hard this Summer and the edge didn't change a bit.
 
Check out condor knives. They have a great selection of budget blades. Some may need some tlc when you get them.

I've got a bushlore blank as my primary camp knife but am also looking at the new swamp romper.

Another plus is the sheath you get with them. I don't have any of them personally, but some people buy the knives just to get the sheaths condor makes.


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The Strongarm will probably treat you right. Made in the USA of decent stuff.

If I were to pick up a knife just to beat on, I'd get the G.I. Tanto from Cold Steel.

$30-ish and made of 1055. Chop, stab, lash it to a spear, throw it if you want. Sharpen it back up with a file. :D :eek:

Good times to be had, for about what you'd pay for a half-rack of microbrew and a pack of smokes.
 
Schrade also makes a tough survival knife in1095in your budget, a good beater and jack of all trades but I think Buck makes a better one in 5160, Buck 104 Compadre camp knife, but do not know the price range without research. Also Kabar makes good ones, and the Becker line.
 
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The strong arm might be a little on the short side for chopping. Condor or schrade might fit your bill pretty well.
I'm still a huge fan of a mora and a fiskers hatchet. Definitely not stylish, but those two can accomplish alot! That way it won't break your bank while you save for an esee 6.
 
Kershaw Diskin Hunter Knife in sandvick steel. Sandvick could be compared and similar to AEB-L and sharpens easily. True value on this fixed blade.
 
The Gerber Strongarm is a great knife that will fit the general purpose knife role well, but is gonna eat up much of your $60.

I think a Condor Speed Bowie ($37) and a Mora of some sort($12-20) and you will be set.

If you want to have just one knife, I would spend the money on a Schrade schf 37. I was part of a schf 36 pass around and found the 36 to be a great deal for the money. The 37 has a couple more inches of blade, but has that great choil so one can choke up on the blade for finer carving.
The 37 would be a great shelter maker ! And.... thanks for working with kids at scout camp ! Those kids are blessed so much by that !
 
I have a Strongarm as do several of my buddies, while it's not my ESEE 6 or any of my other high end blades it will take a beating and serve you well.
It's been well documented that it is an excellent knife. I use mine for hunting, it's about perfect for deer and camp work in deer camp..
 
Cool, lots of ideas here. Someone mentioned the Cold Steel Gi Tanto. I've heard my friends rave about it and I personally like the weight when I use it. Has anyone had significant issues with it? Its $25 on Amazon so I might just get that for now. Angus McG mentioned getting a Mora, and I know it's only a few dollars more than the Heavy Duty Companion....

Any thoughts?

-TR
 
I feel odd recommending Schrade products, but have you considered one of their 1095 models? I found the SCHF42 surprisingly nice, and cheap.
 
I was gonna suggest Condor, I see that I've been beat to it. I'd also suggest Ontario's USAF knife, several Buck knives, a cs gi tanto isn't bad for something cheap to hack limbs with, also, you could probably find some Becker/ka-bar knives around that price with a little searching.

When you can, I definitely recommend the esee 6. You won't be disappointed.
 
As others here smarter than i have said, (to paraphrase a bit) axes are for chopping. Unless you're going ultralight think about a pack axe for that, and a Mora for everything else.
 
a Trexler Ranger said:
Cool, lots of ideas here. Someone mentioned the Cold Steel Gi Tanto. I've heard my friends rave about it and I personally like the weight when I use it. Has anyone had significant issues with it? Its $25 on Amazon so I might just get that for now. Angus McG mentioned getting a Mora, and I know it's only a few dollars more than the Heavy Duty Companion....

Any thoughts?

-TR
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Very nice beater for the $, durable and easy to sharpen. I also recommend a Mora, a Cold Steel Bushman ($30) and most Condors, all these give you tough and sturdy blades for very little $. Basic steels, basic designs, time proven models value blades!
 
If you're looking for something that you can chop/hack/dig with, and on the cheap, then the GI tanto is a great deal, and is what I'd probably recommend.

Its made of lower carbon (1055) steel, and is tempered to a lower hardness. What this means is that it will be VERY tough and difficult to break, but won't hold an edge as long as other options. Also, the knife is built very thick, with a low grind (and that akward top guard), so it isn't the best knife available for carving (the edge is thick), and might not be the most comfortable to use like that for a long period of use. So the knife IS good at being very tough at a very low price point. Just be aware of what you're giving up.

The Moras may be a few dollars cheaper, but are made with higher carbon steel, at a higher hardness, and a better cutting geometry (for carving, etc). So you'd give up the ability to hack, chop, and dig with it, but in turn it would have an edge that lasts longer, and that is more comfortable (IMO)to use as a "knife" when you need it.

And none of the above are "bad" things. They're just "things". Choose which aspects of a knife (and your uses) you value most, and find a knife that delivers what you want :).

Other really good alternatives include the Condor Hudson Bay knife (looks more "old school"), Condor Rodan/Kumunga, and the Schrade SCHF42 and 42D (both designed by a member of this forum). Alternatively, you might consider a short machete (tramontina 14in cost about $10, so if you pair that with a Mora, you're likely under $30-40), or a hatchet (estwing makes good hatchets for ~$30-40).

Good luck on your search sir :).
 
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