In search of a perfect convex fixed blade

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Skogsnatt

Skogsnatt

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Hi there!

Well, just like it happens with all of us, I recently wanted a new knife. As my next one I see a really rugged and sturdy 5-6" full or at least high convex blade, able to chop logs, smash tinder fungi, to break stumps and all that jazz. In other words, an indestructible piece of steel. The budget is $140. I'm a hiking fan thus I would prefer stainless, but ready to yield for a carbon steel. The main is the convex geometry. My standard is Bark River's Field knife 1.5, but it's too expensive. Then I looked at one I was quite interested in, Spanish tough guy Joker Nomad which is on the edge of my budget. Need to admit, I like its design a lot, and was close to go for it, but the flaws have won. Those are: the axe-like weight of almost 400 grams for 5" blade!, N695, not even a high convex but only a convex edge, just as DBK guys love it.

So I started the research and found... nothing! Seriously, BRK is way too out of my limit, two Russian brands seem to be good, but I don't buy Russian. I can't believe this is it, folks! There are must be other options on this planet matching my requirements.
Please, help! :)


 
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I see 2 issues with your requirements.
One, if you want a "chopper" you really want 7 inches or over, the more the better. But that's your choice.
Two, and this is the bigger obstacle- a $140 budget is probably not going to be enough.
Leaving aside Custom knives. among factory knives of the size/type you are looking for
only Bark River and Fallknven offer convex grinds. Cold Steel's San Mai III Trail Master is the
only convex in their product line, and at $260-300 range probably the most cost attractive
convex big bowie out there. Note that the San Mai version made in Japan is the only convex Trail Master.
The Blackjack model 129 (made by Bark River think) is also convex and around the same price level.

If you follow the Knives for Sale by Individuals fixed blade section here on BF, sometimes a Fallkniven A1 will come for sale
at a price not far from your budget. Probably the closest thing to your requirement.
 
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Skogsnatt said:
N695, not even a high convex but only a convex edge, just as DBK guys love it.
Click to expand...
As far es I know, the Nomad is convex all the way from the very edge to the shoulder, not just the edge. For chopping it would work in a pinch, but 7"+ would work much better.
 
KenHash said:
I see 2 issues with your requirements.
One, if you want a "chopper" you really want 7 inches or over, the more the better. But that's your choice.
Two, and this is the bigger obstacle- a $140 budget is probably not going to be enough.
Leaving aside Custom knives. among factory knives of the size/type you are looking for
only Bark River and Fallknven offer convex grinds. Cold Steel's San Mai III Trail Master is the
only convex in their product line, and at $260-300 range probably the most cost attractive
convex big bowie out there. Note that the San Mai version made in Japan is the only convex Trail Master.
The Blackjack model 129 (made by Bark River think) is also convex and around the same price level.

If you follow the Knives for Sale by Individuals fixed blade section here on BF, sometimes a Fallkniven A1 will come for sale
at a price not far from your budget. Probably the closest thing to your requirement.
Click to expand...
As for the chopping, I chop pretty well even with my Ruike Hornet which is about 3". The key is a lanyard.
But as for the price, maybe you're right. A bit strange that we have so few affordable options in convex grind.
Thank you
 
rustinxcohle said:
As far es I know, the Nomad is convex all the way from the very edge to the shoulder, not just the edge. For chopping it would work in a pinch, but 7"+ would work much better.
Click to expand...
Yeah I agree 😄 And the axe would be even better than 7" knife. But that's the whole point, I don't wanna carry axe or some Rambo-style stuff to a hard mountain hikes. And I'm telling you, lanyard gives it so powerful lever I can chop logs up to 4" thick with a smaller knife, tested.
As for the Nomad, unfortunately it's only a convex edge, yep. Take a closer look at it. Or watch DBK's review on it. Cool looking, undoubtedly durable and strong... If it would have been made of Sandvik 14C, I'd rather buy it, but I don't trust that N695.
Thank you!
 
Well, my main wish is to get 5-6" unbreakable blade, in convex grind, rather than a true chopper Rambo would be proud of
 
There are some heavily built shorter blades that can chop due to their weight .
But you have to carry that weight .
So a longer blade makes sense .

But depending on how much chopping you plan on doing ? A small axe ?
I have seen people process fish/meat with a small axe ..
 
Stainless smash/chop knife is a bugger.

The skrama in carbon is a good basic chopper. No idea about the grind. Probably skandi
 
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old4570 said:
There are some heavily built shorter blades that can chop due to their weight .
But you have to carry that weight .
So a longer blade makes sense .

But depending on how much chopping you plan on doing ? A small axe ?
I have seen people process fish/meat with a small axe ..
Click to expand...
As I just mentioned, chopping isn't a goal, I want a reliable, fracture resistant, convex grind fixed blade knife, 6" long max.
Any ideas?
 
Yes!
Drop bear said:
Reel steel do a convex in D2.


I have one I don't mind it.
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Yeah! I saw this one too! It's cool.
But it's from 14C, why D2? Other version you mean?
Anyways, D2 isn't the right steel for those purposes.

Thank you, I'm interested in model too
 
Skogsnatt said:
Yes!

Yeah! I saw this one too! It's cool.
But it's from 14C, why D2? Other version you mean?
Anyways, D2 isn't the right steel for those purposes.

Thank you, I'm interested in model too
Click to expand...

Vg 10 or magnacut or something is the right steel.

But then you will have to pay for that.
 
Man
Drop bear said:
Vg 10 or magnacut or something is the right steel.

But then you will have to pay for that.
Click to expand...
MagnaCut - certainly, but VG10? Hmm...
Never seen it in any steel toughness charts. Also particularly on Fallkniven knives it chips pretty good, according to some knife vloggers.
Thank you anyway
 
Becker Knives. In fact for your budget you could get the BK2 (indestructible as far as knives go) or a BK9 (great chopper, but beyond your chosen size range) AND a Mora or SAK - which are never a bad things to have in the woods.
 
Skogsnatt said:
Man

MagnaCut - certainly, but VG10? Hmm...
Never seen it in any steel toughness charts. Also particularly on Fallkniven knives it chips pretty good, according to some knife vloggers.
Thank you anyway
Click to expand...
I've been extensively testing an A1 and I don't know what these vloggers are doing with their knives and/or perhaps not maintaining the convex edge but I've been using hard for days now and no chipping/deformation, it's a very strong knife.

Was batoning some very very knotty, resinous wood today, I tried for comparison the A1 v Ontario Sp10. The Sp10 wouldn't baton some of the wood and even that which it did it struggled. The A1 had no trouble, due I'm sure to the shape/grind/thickness for a knife that is not large (depth) compared to the Sp10. But thus far its proved a very strong blade and would meet your requirements although a little outside your budget.
 
Skogsnatt said:
Well, my main wish is to get 5-6" unbreakable blade, in convex grind, rather than a true chopper Rambo would be proud of
Click to expand...
Not sure about the convex grind but you could probably have that done or do it yourself. The Esee 5 comes to mind for a 5" blade in a close to unbreakable blade. There is also Swamprat you may be able to pick up but may cost a bit more as well as the Esse 5. Good luck on your hunt the fun part the chase. 😁
 
Skogsnatt said:
As for the chopping, I chop pretty well even with my Ruike Hornet which is about 3". The key is a lanyard.
But as for the price, maybe you're right. A bit strange that we have so few affordable options in convex grind.
Thank you
Click to expand...
If you can "chop" with a 3 inch blade, all power to you. I have "chopped" with my 4 inch Falkniven F1, but compared to my 6.3in A1 it's night and day. And it's even moreso with my 9.5in Cold Steel San Mai Trail Master. In my opinion "choppabilty" increases with blade length and weight. With or without a convex grind.
You're right that there aren't too many options out there, as I understand convex grind knives are more difficult to produce than others. But what is out there doesn't seem to be overly priced for what they are.
If your budget is fixed, I'd look at non-convex grind large knives of which there are countless options.
 
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