help me find the right fixed blade!

U

UrbanAuthority

Joined
Nov 21, 2006
Messages
6
Im new to the forum and need some help finding the right fixed blade.

I am looking for a fixed blade knife with at least a 3" blade and no longer than 5" or 5.5" . . I will be using this knife out on the ranch, and need a knife with a high quality blade that can keep an edge for a while, and wont rust. I don't need a bowie, just a solid, reliable, all around good fixed blade. It will cut steaks, open stubborn bags of corn, and whatever else comes my way.

The handle needs to be comfortable in cold weather, so no thin metal handles. Overall nothing to pretty, just good quality under $100 - $150 is okay.

Open to all your sugestions, and thanks in advance!

Martin
 
First things first, Urb. Welcome to the forum and the money pit that is.....KNIVES! ((( :D )))

I have just two words for you: Bark River.

I have three internet site recommendations:
to look: http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/products.html
to buy: DLTtradingcompany.com
to buy: Knivesshipfree.com

I have four recommendations:
- Highland Special
- Northstar
- mini-Northstar
- mini-Skinner

You'll hear alot of different suggestions here, and alot of that will probably be....Bark River Knife and Tool :thumbup:
((( :D )))
 
+1 on the Fallkniven S1

Less $$ Benchmade Fixed Griptilian

Even less $$ K-Bar impact. D2 Stays sharp but keep it clean. Also look at those K Bar Law enforcement TDI designs, they might work well on the ranch. (Well probably not much of a steak slicer but should open bags extremely well.) I point this one out because of the sheath and how it carries, hopping in and out of vehicles all day the knife rides high and the shape gets you a longish blade in a compact space. Maybe it will or won't work, the price is low and K BAR so tough as nails.

A little more "upscale" Benchmade 201 Activator. But still under 100
 
I like the Barkriver knifes and the highland special is beautiful! But I do not see it for sale at either of the two online stores you posted. I'm guessing it would cost around $160

The busse gamewarden isn't really my style, but the fallniven knifes sound very nice.

Overall my favorite is the benchmade 201 activator, looks perfect considering price, dimensions, and quality.

How does the benchmade D2 steel/hardness 60-62HRC compare to highland specials A2 steel/hardness 59-60RC ?

Where do you suggest I order the benchmade 201 activator, I really like this one. Also where to get the highland special?
 
For the kind of stuff you are talking about, I would blow ten bucks on a Mora Carbon Clipper and a good sheath. Maybe another twenty bucks, or make the sheath yourself for about five bucks. The Mora was just made to be a quality knock around knife for very little money. In that role, its hard to beat at any price. Having been born and raised on the ranch, I know what knives go through out there. Mine often ended up on the floor in the truck or the tool box of a tractor. Sometime it laid for a week out by a feed bunk or in the barn.
 
Go to Bark River home-page, I think there's a list of dealers there or was that in another forum...?

I've ordered from DLT Trading and McKnight Cutlery with very good service AND I don't even live in the USA.

Barkies offer immense choice.
 
RAT cutlery RC-3 comfortable canvas micarta scales. Has stayed sharp with only moderate sharpening through all the cutting tests I have done on it. 3.69 inches or there about. Nice kydex sheath with plenty of mounting options. Runs about $90 with delivery from knife site. As to the person who suggested the Ka Bar TDI I own the large version and for cutting bags it would be fine but just imagining here since I am not a farmer. I can't see the knife design being a good fit for those tasks. As to the rust aspect the RC-3 is coated with a rippled Tuff coat coating as they call it. http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=10174. I am a big fan of this knife so far.
Sorry for the bad grammar and probable bad sentence construction it is late.
 
one of the bark rivers would be nice, i would prefer a bud nealy though, maybe a 3" pesh kebz, buds knives are really well made/designed with excellent F&F, and perhaps more important his sheaths are top notch too, his MASS system is imho the very best sheath for edc around,
 
My short list:

1. F-1 $89. 3.8" blade
2. BRKT Mini-Northstar $127 3.5" blade
3. RAT-3 the new version is $90, the old is $60. 3.3" blade

All these would work really well for the farm.
 
I will suggest RAT D2 TAK-1 4" blade ,RAT-3 D2 3"blade and is resistant to the weather but still needs proper maintence.both under $100 and a great knife...I own and use them,so I am not telling you about a knife that I have not tried and really like due to fits my needs + does not break the bank.. also try the new version RC-3 Excellent blade ,and has been revamped and more user friendly over the RAT3...LOL
 
I suggest the Benchmade 140 with G-10 scales (should be some around).

It thin enough to cut very well but still rugged and I like its grip.
 
UrbanAuthority said:
Im new to the forum and need some help finding the right fixed blade.

I am looking for a fixed blade knife with at least a 3" blade and no longer than 5" or 5.5" . . I will be using this knife out on the ranch, and need a knife with a high quality blade that can keep an edge for a while, and wont rust. I don't need a bowie, just a solid, reliable, all around good fixed blade. It will cut steaks, open stubborn bags of corn, and whatever else comes my way.

The handle needs to be comfortable in cold weather, so no thin metal handles. Overall nothing to pretty, just good quality under $100 - $150 is okay.

Open to all your sugestions, and thanks in advance!

Martin
Click to expand...

One of the larger Moras should do you very well.

Andy
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
One of the larger Moras should do you very well.

Andy
Click to expand...

I already have a couple cheap sharp blades for throwing around. These moras are very nice, and certainly a good option in the future.

I think I am going for the Benchmade 201 activator, for 86 shipped from knifeworks.com I like this one the best, also from other posts benchmade D2 steel is heat treated very well.

the Rat cutlery knifes are very tempting also.... hmmm
 
Rat Cutlery knives are great and the business cards are plastic like a credit card with survival tips on the back side...that is a cool idea...
 
I would also recommend the F1 or the S1. They are strong, stainless and nice all over :)

The difference between RAT-3, North Star, F1, S1 etc is more about which knife that fits your hand best. Dont focus too much about the brand, try to feel all the knives in a shop and choose the one that becomes an extension of your hand.

The F1 is more like a Mora knife in size and shape and do not have an agressive look. Light but still extremely sharp and strong. Cheaper knives are the Hultafors GK that has become quite popular lately.
 
My advice is to take a deep breath and get the Bark River you want anyway, even if it is a bit more money - you won't regret it.

If you must stick strictly to your budget, look for a another, less expensive Bark River model to buy. These are serious working knives that also happen to please the eye.

In additon to the other Bark River suggestions, I'll recommend the Woodland Special.

I have a Mini Canadian and a Northstar.:thumbup:
 
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