Help? Fixed blade, about 3", under 3oz, under $75 - do you know some?

OneStarLeather

OneStarLeather

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Aug 30, 2014
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I'm about to do a little video review summarizing my thoughts on what is a good knife to take backpacking. Not camping, where a 6, 7, 12oz piece of steel is great and handy, but backpacking where you carry everything on your back. I've assembled a pretty good list, but am having a hard time finding fixed blade knives under $100 that fit these criteria:

- at least 3" blade, no less than 2.5" (and over 4" is usually impossible given the next criteria)
- under 4oz with sheath, under 3oz preferred
- under $75

For expensive options I have many: Bark River, Koster WSS (top pick at 3", 2.4 oz!), LT Wright Patriot (but a little short at 2.5").

And for super cheap I have the $9 Ontario Old Hickory Paring knife at 3.5" (not sure of the weight, but it must be small), as well as the Cold Steel Pendleton Mini Hunter at $30. I have had a very hard time finding other fixed blades in the $25-$75 range that are under 4oz with sheath.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

This is my list so far:

- Ontario Knives Old Hickory Brand, $9. Wooden handled fixed blade.
- Cold Steel Pendleton Mini Hunter $30. 3", 2.4 oz. knife, 3.4 oz. with sheath - cheap, get what you pay for
- CRKT RSK Mk6, 3", 2.2oz, $30, skeleton design
- Buck® Bucklite MAX™ Small Hunter - 2.6oz, 3.25", $20
- Buck Thorn, $60, 1.7oz, 3.25"
- Ka-Bar® Becker Eskabar - (BK-14) - 2.7oz, 3.25", $40
- Becker BK-11 (Becker Necker) - $50, 3.25", 2.5oz
- Esse Izula 1 or 2, 2.6", 2.5oz, $50
- budget version of Izula is Bench Mark Backpacker, $15, 3" (chinese made)
 
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I use a Mora Classic #1. Under $20. Around 2 oz. with sheath. Takes an incredibly sharp edge.
 
Great Eastern Cutlery H20814 Fixed Blade Muskrat Point Hunting Knife OD Green Canvas Micarta

Not completely certain of the weight with sheath though. Made in the USA with Micarta in 1095
 
Some options you may look at are

- Mora 511 or 546
- Mora Pro C and Pro S, scaled up versions of the aboves

Mora's carbon steel is Sandvik 20C, a cleaner version of 1095, the stainless steel is Sandvik 12C27. Carbon is taken 59 HRC, SS to 57 HRC.

- Ahti Metsä
- Ahti Vaara
- Iisakki Järvenpää Jänisjati
- Kauhavan Puukkopaja vuolupuukko (both 3'' and 4'' available)
- WoodsKnife yleispuukko
- WoodsKnife perinnepuukko (3'', 4'' and 5'' available)

All these but the Järvenpää have blades from Lauri Metallin Oy. All are anyway in Krupp 80CrV2 taken to 59 HRC.
 
The bark river knives that fit your criteria really blow your budget right out of the water. One of the few knives they have under $100 is so small it's pretty much useless to me. The other is so damn big it wouldn't fit your use.

If you did want to exceed the budget I would suggest the Bravo EDC, Necker, Necker II, or the little creek.

LT Wright also has their skeleton key which has more blade length than the patriot and has a pretty nice kydex sheath.

Another one that is a bit more unique would be a Lon Humphrey Whitetail. It's still over the budget but it has a bit of cool factor being hand forged and completely unique.
 
Mora. Condor. Enzo necker. Queen hunter (4180).
I can't relate about weight though, aside from Mora's (which do fit the criteria).

Fausto
:cool:
 
Svord EDC Hiker
6" overall
3" blade
2.5 oz w/sheath
under $40


I don't have one of these but I do have other Svord knives and have been pleased with them. I like the Izula II out of your list.
 
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Never mind, it's over the weight limit...

Take a look at the Buck 113 Ranger,
SpecificationsBlade: 3 1/8" (7.9 cm) drop point, 420HC steel
Thickness: 0.120"
Length: 7 1/4" (18.4 cm) overall
Weight: 5.2 oz. (147.4 g)
Handle: American Walnut, brass bolster
Sheath: Genuine Leather
Features: Lanyard Hole
Made in USA

UPC Code: 033753110580

I found one for about 2/3 of your price limit. The hanle can be a little small for some peoples tastes, but I have large mitts and I like it well enough.
 
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ESEE has some pretty decent offerings. I've got one of their Izulas that sits in my truck - totally worth the purchase.
 
I carry an ESEE Izula II on the hip belt of my backpack and have used it for everything from typical camp chores to field dressing elk. Great knife.
 
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Some good thoughts Eric!

And the rest, thanks for your input!

Eric@DLT said:
The bark river knives that fit your criteria really blow your budget right out of the water. One of the few knives they have under $100 is so small it's pretty much useless to me. The other is so damn big it wouldn't fit your use.

If you did want to exceed the budget I would suggest the Bravo EDC, Necker, Necker II, or the little creek.

LT Wright also has their skeleton key which has more blade length than the patriot and has a pretty nice kydex sheath.

Another one that is a bit more unique would be a Lon Humphrey Whitetail. It's still over the budget but it has a bit of cool factor being hand forged and completely unique.
Click to expand...
 
Mora, Marttiini Lynx Lumberjack (stained birch handle, carbon blade, 7.5" overall, under $40), Marttiini Little Classic (rubber/plastic handle, stainless blade, under $20). Anza small hunter.
 
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