Plenty of Bark River's sell in your price range every day.
Plus a beat up Bark River can be sent back to the "Spa" at any time for a face lift (i.e., like new for the cost of S+H).
Big Mike
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
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Knife For The Outdoors
- Thread starter jfive
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Plenty of Bark River's sell in your price range every day.
Plus a beat up Bark River can be sent back to the "Spa" at any time for a face lift (i.e., like new for the cost of S+H).
Big Mike
I highly recommend adding the the Tracker or Boddington from Anza (Charlie Davis) to your list of knives to check out. I live in a rural mountain state where camping and hunting is a way of life. The Anza file knives have been excellent for me skinning game and around the campsite. I've skinned Mule Deer, prepped my firewood, pounded tent stakes, and gutted Steelhead with mine. They're tough as nails, well designed and come damn sharp. Some people whine about the hollow grind vs flat grind but I've never had one fail me nor have I been dissapointed in what I was able to accomplish with the blade. Great fit in the hand, sharp, and tough steel. Check them out for yourself.
Thank you very much for your advice!!! Anza seems to be another good option. It's really hard do decide 
Especially thanks to you for this advice. Haven't heard anything about knifesupply.com so far but at least their prices rock. If they are reliable - like I said time is a factor - maybe I go with them.
Especially thanks to you for this advice. Haven't heard anything about knifesupply.com so far but at least their prices rock. If they are reliable - like I said time is a factor - maybe I go with them.
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You know what? I bought the F1 first and then the Bravo1 and then the Aurora. I keep going back to the F1 though. There's just something about it.
Recently ordered a Bark River Bravo-2 in Ivory Micarta from them and it arrived in a timely manner (into Canada too) at a fantastic price. Ordered via web site July 10 at 8:43 pm (Saturday night) and it was shipped July 12 (Monday) via USPS. Their e-mail said it takes 2-3 business days after shipping it to receive it if you live in USA. International orders may take 7-10 days to arrive. This is good but if you are in Germany you will have to decide if it is good enough.
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jfive, first you have to define your priorities, what properties you'd require in the first place.
if it's more food prep, take a knife with a thinner tang (Grohmann #3, Spyderco Moran, AG Russell Deer Hunter), if more of a harder use is expected (batoning or similar) then go for a thicker and possibly longer blade (F1, RC4).
A good choice for a hunting all-rounder would be a Buck 192 Alaskan Guide in S30V. it would fit the bill of around/under $130. Hi-tech steel with a long lasting edge, very comfy handle, sufficiently strong but not thick tang, low weight. However the handle is designed better for hunting purposes rather than food prep.
On the budget end for me there would be Mora Clipper Craftline TopQ model.
if it's more food prep, take a knife with a thinner tang (Grohmann #3, Spyderco Moran, AG Russell Deer Hunter), if more of a harder use is expected (batoning or similar) then go for a thicker and possibly longer blade (F1, RC4).
A good choice for a hunting all-rounder would be a Buck 192 Alaskan Guide in S30V. it would fit the bill of around/under $130. Hi-tech steel with a long lasting edge, very comfy handle, sufficiently strong but not thick tang, low weight. However the handle is designed better for hunting purposes rather than food prep.
On the budget end for me there would be Mora Clipper Craftline TopQ model.
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RC4
F1
Bravo 1 but it is over your price limit, it prices at 150 (Rockynational.com). The Bravo 1, I believe to be the best of the 3.
I had an RC4 just didnt like the handle as much as the Bravo 1 or the F1. Still an excellent knife. The Sheath on the RC4 is really impressive best of the crop, and you cant beat the ESEE warranty, it is amazing! If you do decide to spend a few extra bucks and get the Bravo 1...dont get it with the thumb ramp. I do not like mine with the thumb ramp. The bravo is also the toughest knife of the 3. It has the thickest blade and the A-2 steel is tank tough!!! The F1 is nice and I would put it a very close second. The Stainless blade makes it the best of all 3 in damp and wet conditions. The handle is also very good in the wet, damp, humid conditions. However the handle doesnt take the beating the 2 micarta knives have. My A1 handle is beat to hell! But to be fair it is my go to knife so it goets used the most. I have one hang up on the F1...the lack of a finger guard. And finally grind...the f1 and Bravo 1 have convex grinds. I love convex grinds. the RC4 is a full flat...still a good grind but the convex grinds seems to perform overall task and more task better...oh and the up keep, mouse pad sharpening is really easy on a convex, cheap and forgiving. Just my $0.02
F1
Bravo 1 but it is over your price limit, it prices at 150 (Rockynational.com). The Bravo 1, I believe to be the best of the 3.
I had an RC4 just didnt like the handle as much as the Bravo 1 or the F1. Still an excellent knife. The Sheath on the RC4 is really impressive best of the crop, and you cant beat the ESEE warranty, it is amazing! If you do decide to spend a few extra bucks and get the Bravo 1...dont get it with the thumb ramp. I do not like mine with the thumb ramp. The bravo is also the toughest knife of the 3. It has the thickest blade and the A-2 steel is tank tough!!! The F1 is nice and I would put it a very close second. The Stainless blade makes it the best of all 3 in damp and wet conditions. The handle is also very good in the wet, damp, humid conditions. However the handle doesnt take the beating the 2 micarta knives have. My A1 handle is beat to hell! But to be fair it is my go to knife so it goets used the most. I have one hang up on the F1...the lack of a finger guard. And finally grind...the f1 and Bravo 1 have convex grinds. I love convex grinds. the RC4 is a full flat...still a good grind but the convex grinds seems to perform overall task and more task better...oh and the up keep, mouse pad sharpening is really easy on a convex, cheap and forgiving. Just my $0.02
Thank you very much for the comparison. It's basically the thickness of the Bravo that keeps me away from buying it. I love the looks of the knife and heard a lot of positive feedback. However I'm afraid slicing with this TANK - to be honest: I've never handled it - is most likely not that easy ^^. Plus I sharpen my knives with the Lansky sharpening system (the only way sharpening works for me
) so the convex blade might be a serious problem 
Bobby Craig
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11111
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Thank you very much for the comparison. It's basically the thickness of the Bravo that keeps me away from buying it. I love the looks of the knife and heard a lot of positive feedback. However I'm afraid slicing with this TANK - to be honest: I've never handled it - is most likely not that easy ^^. Plus I sharpen my knives with the Lansky sharpening system (the only way sharpening works for me
I am not familiar with the Lansky Sharpening system. I have only ever sharpened knives freehand on bench stones, and also with sandpaper and a leather strop, so anyone with more knowledge of this and other guided systems feel free to correct me if I'm wrong...
I don't think you should have a problem sharpening a convex edge on your guided sharpening system. While it's true you won't be able to duplicate the convex edge on your guided system, you will still be able to adequately sharpen the knife. Over time, your convex edge will slowly disappear with repeated sharpenings and turn into a standard bevel. You could reprofile the edge right away if you wanted to take the time to do it all at once, but it probably isn't necessary.
I have a small fixed blade that I use for most of my daily cutting chores, and I have experimented with different edges on it several times. It has gone from a standard edge, to an edge with a microbevel, to a convex edge, and back again. All were sharp, but slightly different in their own right, and by experimenting with different edges I was able to find the one that best suits my knife and the chores that I ask of it.
Does anyone else find this feedback to be true? Again, I have no knowledge of these guided sharpening systems, but I do have knowledge of knife sharpening and edges, and I think it would work just fine. Thoughts?
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Thank you very much for the comparison. It's basically the thickness of the Bravo that keeps me away from buying it. I love the looks of the knife and heard a lot of positive feedback. However I'm afraid slicing with this TANK - to be honest: I've never handled it - is most likely not that easy ^^. Plus I sharpen my knives with the Lansky sharpening system (the only way sharpening works for me
I had the lansky set up prior to getting my convex knives and to be honest just not as good as a leather strop with black and green compound for ease and efficiency.
Trust me, I'm actually converting my knives to convex now because it's so easy to sharpen. No tightening screws and changing stones. Just a hand-held strop that you can use watching the tv.
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Another vote for the F1 :thumbup:
Its a great knife and the VG10/Zytel combination means you dont have to worry about wiping it down before you sheath it. It has an excellent insulated handle and ergonomics.
Its a great knife and the VG10/Zytel combination means you dont have to worry about wiping it down before you sheath it. It has an excellent insulated handle and ergonomics.
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go with esee 3 or 4. you will not be disappointed