I need help choosing a fixed blade knife.

Steven Roos

Steven Roos

Joined
Jun 29, 2002
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I'm looking for a good general purpose, fixed blade knife. I would like it to hold up well in water, and possibly even double as a dive knife. My prefered budget is about $100, but this is flexible.

I have a couple threads on other more general forums and I'm getting mixed advice. If anyone cares to read them, here are the links: (they may require free registration)
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=38&threadid=817956&STARTPAGE=1
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=439048

Right now, I am trying to decide between a few different knives. My current top pick is the SOG SEAL 2000, followed by the next generation KA-BARs. I have also considered the SOG Tigershark, but many people say it is too big. I have pretty much eliminated the Buck 119, which was one of my previous ideas. I have also considered the Cold Steel (I know! don't hurt me!) SRK and Recon Tanto.

Anyone have any comments on the knives I've mentioned? Any suggestions on other alternatives? Thanks in advance!

Steven
 
I think that your ideal knife, based on your info, is a Mission MPK. Unfortunately it is much more than $100. If you plan on being in and around water blades made from Titanium, Talonite, or stellite are ideal, but expensive.
 
Hey there imnotasmrtasdrjones: ;) :D (Couldn't resist!)

You may seriously want to consider just starting with the best, like a Strider.

I have a BT, and its AWESOME.

I also have a CS Recon Tanto, and for $50, you can't beat it. Sure its not the BEST blade, but for $50 it sure is!!! Very solid, well-made, thick, SHARP blade... Great one!

If you have a really tight budget, Cold Steels are nice. If you can save for a while, just get a Strider. Its like when you get a Ford, and then discover BMW...:rolleyes:

Good luck!
drjones
 
How about a good...no, GREAT hand made sheath knife for just a little more than a factory knife? D-2 Tool steel...pretty rust resistant (good rinsing and a coat of oil as soon as you get out should protect it) Lots of different blade styles, one should fit your needs. Tough Micarta scales... Dozier Knives. http://www.dozierknives.com/ Looking at $150 and up. But, you get ALOT of knife for the money....
 
I don't see how you can really go wrong with the SOG Seal 2000 or it's bigger brother, the Tigershark, or even the smaller Seal Pup. That AUS-6 steel really holds-up well in water, without turning into a chunk of rust in a hurry. It also sharpens-up well and easily.
 
Originally posted by drjones
Hey there imnotasmrtasdrjones: ;) :D (Couldn't resist!)
Click to expand...

Hehe...just because I'm smart doesn't mean I don't know when to ask for advice. ;)

I understand what you mean though. I'm sure there are better knives out there than the ones I mentioned, but I'd like to stay close to my price range. Some people even think I'm crazy to pay $100 for a knife! :rolleyes:

So, would you recommend the Cold Steel over the SOG? Over the KA-BAR?

BTW, serving as a "dive knife" is secondary. All it really needs to do is hold up if it gets submerged for a bit. I'm going on a canoe trip and I expect to be dumped at least once. The ability to be used as a dive knife is really just thinking ahead.
 
Go to www.Swampratknifeworks.com and check them out. It will take a little bit to get your hands on the knife, but it's worth it.

What length did you prefer?? The 9" and 7" models are available for order now, and the 5" models real soon.

Go to the web site and read about them and the concrete block cutting test. No blade damage!! Well, maybe a little, it wouldn't shave anymore, but still cut great.

For under $150 each for the big 'uns, and under $90 each for the smaller 5" blades and hatchet, they are a great buy. I'm gonna get at least one of each!

If you want quality and something you depend on to save your life, get a Strider or Busse. Other than completely hand made customs, nothing can beat 'em.

Sorry Eric, beat you to this one.:D

Just a little input from little ol' me,
Ed
 
I'd probably go with Cold Steel or SOG over Kabar, based on what I've read here. Kabars aren't all they're cracked up to be. Sure, they're a decent knife, but the CS & SOG are sturdier. I'm happy with my Recon Tanto, plus I really doubt it'd rust, b/c its got a durable black coating on the blade. BTW, I don't have any experience with Kabar or SOG, just what knowledge I've gained here...

drjones
 
Okay, so maybe not KA-BAR either...

The Epoxy coat on your Cold Steel hasn't worn? From what I have been reading, that is the biggest compaint most people have against CS. The epoxy coat wears and then the carbon steel begins to rust quickly...
 
The web site for SRKW states three to six weeks. They just started business at the beginning of June. An offshoot of Busse Combat knives.

Check it out. There was an incredible amount of orders (I'm sure) that are waiting to be filled with just having started up and all, so we are still waiting for the first batches to hit the Big Brown Truck of Joy.

As for the 5" and hatchet, they are to be put up on the site for orders very soon (we hope). You can compare them to the Busse Basics from a couple of years ago, but the new and improved models.

They will be a joy to own and abuse (OH, Yeah--They have a lifetime warranty on just about anything you can do to them).

Ed
 
Well, to be perfectly honest, I haven't used mine enough to have the coating wear off... Sorry!
 
Well, the Battle Rat certainly has potential! A bit above my price range, but it just might be worth it. :)

BTW, the site doesn't make any mention of a sheath...what does it come with?
 
Yeah, the Battle Rat will be worth the extra $50. They're a subidiary of Busse, and you can actually see pics of them CUTTING INTO a concrete cinder block!!! :eek::eek::eek: And I'm not talking just smashing it, they actually CUT the concrete with that blade!!! It's tougher than #$%%!!!

Good choice!

drjones
 
Epoxy coat on the CS will definately wear out. Especially if you didn't held your knife right when you sharpen it :p
To be honest I don't have a better suggestion. The problem with Molded on Kraton is that if the coating is worn down, you couldn't remove the handle and send it to bodycote and have Boron Carbide/diamond coating on it.
Beckers are not bad, but they're also carbon steel and have an epoxy coating. But at least you could remove the handle and have it recoated if you need it. They cost more though. The BK7 should do well for you.
 
Looks like I found the BK7 for sale here. Is that a good price for the BK7? Its cheaper than many of the knives I've been considering anyway...

BTW, is that sheath any good? I was looking more towards Kydex. I suppose it would hold up fine in water anyway.
 
Key word WATER!

Ok that means no carbon steeled knives. No cold steel recon tantos, no swamp rats, no becker knife and tools, and probably no busses.

For water you want a knife made from AUS-6, 440A, 420HC, and VG-10/N690; and possibly AUS-8, AUS-10, 440C, ATS-34, 154CM, BG-42 and the CPM steels.

But for your price range i would stick with the first batch of steels. You might also want to have the knife coated (either get a knife that is coated from the factory or get an aftermarket coating from body coat if you are really working around water.

The SOGs are good choices, add the Buck Nighthawk to your list as well.
 
This one?

Okay, I'll look into it. What is that sheath made from? Kydex I'd hope. Also, it is some generic plastic for the handle? And how much does it weigh? Buck is a little light on the details...:(
 
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