help with fixed blade purchase for newb

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Jul 19, 2015
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Hello. This will be typical new guy steel questions here I'm afraid but I'd aprreciate your input. I've searched and not found the info I'm looking for.

In the market for a nice fixed blade. It'll be for edc. I converted to fixed a couple of years ago and have no need for a folder short of the rare odd social event.

Currently own a few bucks in 420hc as I believe they are the only "cheap" steel worth owning. My complaint is edge holding ability primarily.

My concern with the better steels are 2 fold. 1st and most important is my concern for sharpening. I only use small diamond stones currently. I've never even seem a system in person. Can I sharpen 3v, s30v, m390 , 20 cv and elmax . I'm not looking for a perfect mirror polish . If it'll barely shave and hold it for a while I'm happy.

My lesser concern is chipping. I do not want to deal with a fragile knife. I will never hammer on it. I have axes and machetes. I do process the occasional hog and deer. It will need to be able to deal with deboning. Day to day I cut paper, cardboard, plastic, rubber,wood,rope, twine , fabric ,nylon,flesh. ... Everything.

I'm wanting a smaller knife with a thin ish blade. I like Bark rivers bird and trout, bush master lite, adventurer 2. Basically an over grown paring knife. I like the Bradford guardian 3 in m 390. I've seen a few customs that look perfect but I want it now not next year.

Please advise .
Thanks
 
Welcome to the forums :)
Sharpening shouldn't be an issue with diamonds - I do most of my sharpening with small diamond plates these days too.

There are heaps of options; as usual it all comes down to budget. Personally I think you should jump over to the Knife maker's for sale area of the forums (click "forum" above, then "knife maker's for sale area" and then "For sale: fixed blades"). There are a lot of great makers from around the world who are forum members and there is always something interesting up for sale.

Let us know how it goes :)
 
how about the chris reeve pro soldier or spartan knives enyo both are well made and good steel. s35 is pretty easy to sharpen to a razor on diamond stones.
 
cricketdave said:
how about the chris reeve pro soldier or spartan knives enyo both are well made and good steel. s35 is pretty easy to sharpen to a razor on diamond stones.
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I want scales. The Chris reeves is 200$ an no scales. Same for the other. I butchered a hog with a naked knife once and didn't care for that.

I started looking in the for sale section last night.
 
Diamonds are exactly what you NEED to sharpen the super-steels, so your good there... Takes a little longer, but the same process, just a few more strokes...

As per the knife, the Bradford guardian is a highly praised knife... Something just a bit cheaper you might want to look at it is the Benchmade Saddle Mountain Hunter in s30v. An inch longer then the guardian 3, but still very similar slim design. (A bit thinner even with the full flat grind). Different, but Very similar steels, but I personally think s30v is the slighlty better bet between the two, and while both are pretty tough overall, the fact that the benchmade is hardened just a wee bit softer then the bradford should mean that you'll run a wee bit less of a risk of the blade chipping if you come into a bone the wrong way on a cold day while field dressing a fresh kill.
 
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I've looked at the benchmades. I like the price and the kydex options. I'm afraid the 4 inch versions are a little big for my edc needs. The mid size is to skinner ish for me. I A very popular blade shape on the market now. I wonder why? Everbody has one it seems but I'm looking more toward what most call a utility. Much harder to find in better steels. I've seen half a dozen I'd have in 1095.

Entrek has one in 440c but I'm afraid it wouldn't give me enough of a sharpness longevity upgrade to warrant it.

Thanks for the replies.
 
As others have said, if you already use diamond stones to sharpen, you'll have no problem with ANY steel.


The Bark River and Bradford are both good choices. Go with whichever appeals to you most.
 
Seer said:
I want scales. The Chris reeves is 200$ an no scales. Same for the other. I butchered a hog with a naked knife once and didn't care for that.

I started looking in the for sale section last night.
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You can get a Chris Reeve Nyala for $230. They have micarta handles, and now come with a stonewashed finish. S35VN will work well around water, and the edge is easily sharpened with whatever you have handy. You'll have to purchase a kydex sheath for it, if the included leather sheath won't work for you.

The Nyala is like a fixed blade Sebenza at half the cost.
 
Seer said:
I've looked at the benchmades. I like the price and the kydex options. I'm afraid the 4 inch versions are a little big for my edc needs...
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Idk, I guess I just don't see 4" as "too big" for anything regarding an edc really... Especially in a fixed blade. It's still rather small IMO.

My typical edc folder is between 3-4", and rarely do I buy let alone carry anything smaller then 3" aside from my lady leg Knives I use as bottle openers more then anything.
 
EDC, low maintenance, cheap, great warranty, easy to sharpen........... Izula, pick a flavor:)
 
I have trouble doing technical work with a blade over 3.5 or so. Digging out a splinter with a 8 inch or more OAL is a pain. Kinda looking for a do it all . I prefer 3 to 3.75 tops. I've carried Slightly under 3 and wanted more.
 
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