Looking for a fixed blade for outdoors

J

JDX

Joined
Mar 2, 2014
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923
For the past two years, I've been using a Kabar Mark 1 with kraton handle as my outdoor knife. I used it for cutting off branches and splitting kindling. I understand it's not exactly the ideal bushcraft knife, but I didn't think my Mora bushcraft would hold up to the beatings. Besides I use my mora for making feather sticks or carvings when I'm bored.

Now, every 3-4 months I go to Vermont for a couple of weeks and find nice campground, and try to live off the land without technology. So as you can imagine, my knife is very important to me.

So I'm looking for a good fixed blade for all the woodwork I do, but please don't suggest the kabar bk2, as I might use it for food prep, and I don't need a 1/4" thick, 1 pound knife to slice vegetables and cut through meat haha.

So a few things I like to see in a fixed blade is:
-good steel. 1095 is my go to, but if you know of a better steel for the job, then I'm all ears.

-handle material can either be wood or micarta, not a fan of beckers grivory. Just feels cheap to me.

-full tang, visible spine would be nice

-I feel a drop point would be ideal, but again, if you stand by something different, I'll consider it!

-scandi grind

-a sharp 90 degree angle on the spine for striking ferro rods. But I usually have a few other fire sources So it's not necessary.

My budget is very flexible, although I'm looking to be around $200. I'm actually looking at the TOPS B.O.B. but if you know of anything better (swamp rat, esee, fallkniven etc) then just say so!

I appreciate you all reading this and for any answers you give.
 
JDX said:
...but I didn't think my Mora bushcraft would hold up to the beatings. Besides I use my mora for making feather sticks or carvings when I'm bored.
Click to expand...

You might be surprised. In all honesty what you describe is exactly what I use a mora for. To go primitive I would recommend a hatchet or a larger knife to pair with your mora but you don't want that so you're looking for something like a mora only with a nicer handle and full tang? Lots of options from cheap to expensive. What's your budget?
 
I am going to give my standard response to this question:

EnZo Trapper in O1:
trapper01blackB.jpg


Fantastic fit, finish, quality, and value.

Also for outdoor tasks the Kephart pattern of knives is a good starting point. TOPS has one:

Dragonfly 4.5 in 1095:

dfly4.5.jpg
 
Battle Horse Knives Highlander H1 would be perfect I think and it comes in right at $200 bucks. Of course I cant post in a recommendation thread without suggesting you at least take a look at the Swamp Rat Ratmandu.
 
Shotgun said:
You might be surprised. In all honesty what you describe is exactly what I use a mora for. To go primitive I would recommend a hatchet or a larger knife to pair with your mora but you don't want that so you're looking for something like a mora only with a nicer handle and full tang? Lots of options from cheap to expensive. What's your budget?
Click to expand...
yea I just feel overencumbered when I carry an axe or hatchet. Almost like it's not worth it's weight. (Imo) and my budget is flexible, but around $200 (or less if possible)
 
I'll second Shotgun. Since you're at a nice campground, as in no danger of death, why not have some fun and see what your Mora can do? I would pair it with a 12" Ontario machete. I bet you'll be surprised how much you can do with that lightweight and cheap combo. I'll go further and say you'll find nothing you can't do (which needs to be done, of course). Take the extra $175 and throw it into an emergency fund:D

As a side note, check out the abuse vids on the Hultafors GK. It's a great example of what these budget blades can withstand;)
 
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