Let's talk fixed blades!

O

oXObsidianXo

Joined
Dec 30, 2013
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390
So for a while I've been collecting folders for a while, and I figured it was time I bought a good fixed blade. Now EDC is not too big of a concern, as I have folders which help with that. But I may want to EDC a fixed blade sometime (so don't completely disregard EDC as a factor).

Some of the fixed blades I've been looking at include:

ESEE Knives: 4", or possible 5" or 6".

Chris Reeve Knives: Professional Soldier

Zero Tolerance: 0100

Busse Combat: SOB, and Mean Street

Now I know that all these are somewhat different. I'm looking for something along the lines of a camp knife/woods knife. Something I can really thump on and not worry AT ALL. I like ESEE's warranty, but I have no knowledge of 1095. I know
CPM 3V is very tough and same with CRK's CPM S35VN. I also know nothing about Busse Combat's INFI steel.

All opinions are welcome, and please feel free to recommend other makes and models. Thank a lot.
 
Personal opinion only but you can't go wrong with Esee I'd stick with 5in or under if you might indeed carry daily,
For a bit less the becker bk 16 or 17 depending which style you prefer, they are 1095 steel which is great for a camp knife it sharpens easily keeps an edge fairly well, and take care of it with (cleaning & oiling) pretty low maintenance.
If you have a bit more to spend Busse. And don't overlook custom makers these guys on this forum offer some fantastic blades and some are very affordable once you're in the busse scrapyard range.
 
All good choices. For a camping knife, I have been impressed with the Hallmark Bad Blood Partisan Nano and Spartan models designed by Sean Kendrick. Can be had relatively inexpensively ($50) but very high quality and durable. Both are bead blasted 8CR14 steel, which is comparable to AUS-8.
 
It's hard to go wrong with any of the usual names.

In addition to the ones on your list, give Ontario Knives a look. ESEE was associated with them at one time, and Ontario continues to make some decent knives.

TOPS is an often-overlooked company, because of their goofy advertising. But once you get past that, many of their knives are well-designed, and they do a good job with heat-treat. Pay attention to the dimensions and the steel choices, ignore the "HARD TO THE CORE" nonsense.

Edit: some of Cold Steel's fixed blades may do what you're looking for. IMHO, their blades are too thin for wood processing, but I lean toward the "sharpened pry-bar" kinds of knives....
 
Hi oXO,

I gotta agree with Shorttime.....TOPS is making some awesome knives! I recently acquired the TOPS BTK (Bird Trout Knife) and it beautifully made and quite stout for such a small fixed blade knife. I've got my Eye on their new "Scandi Trekker". Good luck in your search.

HARDBALL
 
My favorite fixed blade, Ka-Bar Becker Bk10. Does everything I want it too, and with a 3 1/16" thick, 5 1/2" long blade.

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Like has been said by all the fellas, it's hard to go wrong with any of the knives you mentioned. You've come up with a good list of contenders! If I were you I'd just pick the one I liked the looks of. You won't end up with a bad blade out of that bunch.
 
Take a look at some Bark River knives. They cut like crazy with the convexed blade. Endless handle options to choose from.
 
oXObsidianXo said:
All opinions are welcome, and please feel free to recommend other makes and models. Thank a lot.
Click to expand...

I'd recommend the ESEE-3, '6, or LaserStrike. The '4 and '5 have terrible balance and feel "off" in the hand. I've owned and used all of ESEE's knives, from the Izula to the Junglas, and the LaserStrike is the best all around knife.

If you want something with a bit more class, look at Bark River's lineup. They have a lot of different models, all made from great user steels. If you can afford it, S35VN is a tough steel that will not stain unless you go out of your way to make it happen. For a general use fixed blade, the Bravo 1.5 is incredible, especially in S35VN. For a user knife, go with G10 or Micarta for handles, skip the fancy wood and bone as they can shrink and expand and pop free from the epoxy that holds them to the steel.
 
A ESEE 5 or 6 are huge for a EDC. A ESEE 3 or 4 is better for EDC. But as you said, you have folders for that. ESEE has the best warranty in the business. The even replaced one that a guy was shooting at. I own 5 different ESEE's

That said, they do use 1095 which is a very rust prone steel. It will start developing rust within a day if you're in a humid environment. It is a very simple steel but a very good steel. It holds a edge very well and is extremely easy to resharpen. Since all my 1095 blades are users, I always force a patina on the blades to help mitigate rust problems. Storage is simple. You can keep them in your sheath if they aren't leather. Every month or two just put a light coating of oil on them

However, the one thing that I have noticed is that many of the more well-known outdoor knife makers really don't buy into the fancy supersteels. Several think it is gimmicky (which I tend to agree with to some degree) but you see a good smattering of 1095, 5160, 52100, and D2. I hear some things about 3v but I never read anything up on it.

INFI, I think there is a whole bunch of hype and marketing behind it. From what I understand, it's a fairly good steel. But look at how many people use INFI in their products? It might not be that spectacular if nobody else bothers to use it or replicate it. I guess the big secret about INFI lies is the heat treat. They've lent out the steel to some makers and all were under performers so de doesn't lend it out anymore.


There are quite a few companies that make high quality fixed blades (arguably you get more bang for your buck because of it). ESEE, Becker, Ontario (though their sheaths usually suck floppy donkey dong). treeman (or grayman I forget), Winkler, bark river, and some Ka Bars and Cold Steels.

Heck, mora is one of the most favorite fixed blades.
 
The cow said:
A ESEE 5 or 6 are huge for a EDC. A ESEE 3 or 4 is better for EDC. But as you said, you have folders for that. ESEE has the best warranty in the business. The even replaced one that a guy was shooting at. I own 5 different ESEE's

That said, they do use 1095 which is a very rust prone steel. It will start developing rust within a day if you're in a humid environment. It is a very simple steel but a very good steel. It holds a edge very well and is extremely easy to resharpen. Since all my 1095 blades are users, I always force a patina on the blades to help mitigate rust problems. Storage is simple. You can keep them in your sheath if they aren't leather. Every month or two just put a light coating of oil on them

However, the one thing that I have noticed is that many of the more well-known outdoor knife makers really don't buy into the fancy supersteels. Several think it is gimmicky (which I tend to agree with to some degree) but you see a good smattering of 1095, 5160, 52100, and D2. I hear some things about 3v but I never read anything up on it.

INFI, I think there is a whole bunch of hype and marketing behind it. From what I understand, it's a fairly good steel. But look at how many people use INFI in their products? It might not be that spectacular if nobody else bothers to use it or replicate it. I guess the big secret about INFI lies is the heat treat. They've lent out the steel to some makers and all were under performers so de doesn't lend it out anymore.
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I second both the quality of the esee knives and the rust issues with the 1095. I keep mine pretty well oiled. I have an izula with aftermarket micarta scales, and an esee 5 which is a beast of a knife for not being a machete. The cow, how did you do a patina on yours?
 
You should check out Fiddleback Forge. They have a sub forum here on Bladeforums. A LOT of really nice camp type knives and a great warranty too.
 
Cow - Nobody bothers to use INFI except Busse because nobody else CAN. It is their own proprietary steel. No other company can use it because they are not allowed to use it. There is a lot of hype and marketing behind Busse knives, but they do live up to the hype. INFI is the real deal. I can tell you from firsthand experience.
 
For my patina, I sliced up some jalapenos and left some slices on the blade to sit for an hour. I use it a lot, so the patina constantly changes.
 
That Kabar Snoddy Big Boss mentioned by Jeepster looks like a really cool knife for your use. It is so cool that I am going to take a hard look at getting one as I am always trying things out.

I would tend to keep the fixed blade 4" or less for EDC duty unless you live in a rural area. With that comment in mind, I really like the Kabar Becker BK-16 (or BK-17) for your application. I have an ESEE 4, but just never really took a liking to it even though I know it's a good knife. Hard to beat 1095 steel if it is properly heat treated for tough condition usage. Rust.... no big thing. Wipe it off at the end of the day with oil and don't worry about it or take a few Rem-oil wipes with you in the field.

I have a number of options with woods knives. I really like the Kabar Beckers. The BK-10 was mentioned above and it's a good knife and not so heavy as the BK-2. I also really like the Blackjack 125 for this use. Been using a couple Dozier customs of late for woods duty as well (Wilderness Knife and Guide's Knife). I really like the Guides knife, but it is a much more pricey than the ones I have mentioned.

The knife that gets the most use in the woods remains my Vic SAK no matter what fixed blade I carry. You're used to folders and once you get used to them, it is hard to switch to another choice. With that in mind, perhaps you could go larger with the woods knife to say a BK-7, BK-9, or ESEE 6.
 
oXObsidianXo said:
Does anyone here have any experience with Busse' Infi steel? How is it's Corrosion resistant and toughness?
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I do. It is brick shithouse tough, and semi corrosion resistant. It seems to closely resemble D2 in that respect. It takes on a nice grey color and doesn't rust or stain that much at all.
 
Check out the fixed blade for sale sub forum in the custom knife makers market. D.W. Childress makes a great EDC
 
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