knife recommendations

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andrew7978

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Mar 19, 2007
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I know we have these threads fairly often, but my friend is asking me for a recommendation for a fixed blade knife in the 3 to 5 inch range. He is looking to spend anywhere from $40-$90. He will be using it mainly for general bushcrafting activities around a campsite. I am probably looking for a production knife.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. As opposed to everyone just saying "+1" on a recommendation, I am hoping to get in some variance. Thanks again.
 
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Mora 510, Mora 2000, Jarvenpaa utility puukko, Fallkniven F1, Enzo, BHK bushcrafter (a little more).

Of course the makers around here could cook up something in the price range too.

Dave Farmer (I LOVE his edges), Bryan Breeden (the CUB), etc.
 
It would help to know what he is going to use it for. Geberal use or will it be used more often for specific tasks?
 
if he's leaning closer to the 40 dollar range a mora 2000 is a heck of a blade for that price...if you are leaning towards the 90-100 range there are allot of great productions out there such as an Enzo trapper, bark river fox river, fallkniven f1. Allot of great customs here on the forums as well, avail at great prices...
My bush knife is a DP knives scandi ground camp master.. 4 inch cutting edge, 1/8 inch thick 1095 blade full scandi grind... it's a mora on crazy steroids that's all dressed up for the prom...great heat treat as well.
JK (Stomper) makes excellent blade in that price range
so does Bryan Breeden
 
andrew7978 said:
thanks for the suggestion. It will be general use.
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Mora 545 ond a 3 inch one in carbon. You can buy several for $40:D

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Just to mix it up a bit (though I agree with the Mora suggestions), I'll recommend a Grohmann DH Russell no. 1, in carbon steel. You can choose flat grind or traditional (sabre) grind. It's a classic camp knife, and it will excel at food (/game) prep, camp chores, carving, and light splitting. Pair it with an axe and you're set.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Koster Bushcraft. A lot of Dan's designs are over the top but this one is close to perfection, very comfortable and SHARP. Comes with a great sheath (also available in leather) and should be at the top end of your price band.

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Basic laminated carbon steel Mora with the wood handle. For $10 or so, they are without a doubt on of the best camping knives I have found. I would pay $30-40 for one.
 
Mora, or have him get one of those inexpensive russell=green river blade blanks and handle it himself and he will be hooked. High carbon steel, easy to sharpen, cheap. A dadley would be good. I have a sheep skinner in my knife box with an antler handle.
 
It's amazing how many folks suggest knives starting well over the OP's upper limit of $90. Here are a few within your budget:

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Starting at the top is a Buck #192 Vanguard in 420HC (~$65), although Cabela's had a copy in S30V as their 'Alaskan Guide' for ~$90 and Buck did make a run in 154CM. I have all three - and they came shaving-sharp. Next is the Benchmade 201 'Activator+' in D2 (~$80) - mine needed some sharpening right out of the box, but it is a nice knife. A traditional 'Hunter', the KaBar #1232 in AUS6 is a bargain ~$35 and is the only import (Japan) shown. The Queen #92 in D2 is a great knife, even if the handle is smallish - ~$45. The Buck 192s and the BM Activator+ came with nice leather sheaths; ho hum leather sheaths for the other two. The Vanguard is available with a rubber handle and nylon sheath as the #692 for a few dollars less, too.

The Vanguard is just a tough knife - with a great finger guard to keep your hand off the blade, even when wet & cold. Before my 'enlightenment', ie, before acquiring a bunch of more expensive fb knives, it was my favorite woods-stomping/camping knife. It's two great blade attributes - being stainless and easy to resharpen (Spydie 'Sharpmaker'.) - are hard to beat. It just feels 'right' in the hand, too.

I purposely left my all-time-favorite Buck 119 out of the list due to it's length (6") and price ($34 at WallyWorld!) being out of your listed range. Seriously - do handle one, if you can - it's a classic! Even old Les Stroud, TV's 'Survivorman', can be seen carrying one on some of his treks. Good luck!

Stainz
 
I have a PSKK from Bryan Breeden that cost me less than your $90 limit from the maker. It is one of my favorite EDC woods blades and Bryan is a great guy to work with. I would recommend emailing Bryan and asking what he would recommend. He's not just a maker, he uses his knives every day.
 
I own the vanguard and I'll say that one...mine has the rubber handle. And I am about to get a mora 2000. Hell, you could get both and still be within range!
 
can't go wrong with a mora...

Buck has a couple of knives in that size and price range, and you can handle them in many walmarts/sporting goods stores.

just outside the upper limit of both parameters if the new kabar/becker Companion model. the becker necker fits inside both parameters.

the kabar hunter also fits the bill it looks like.
 
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