Looking for a Fixed Blade

W

WorkForALiving

Joined
Dec 12, 2002
Messages
138
I'm shopping for a fixed blade to carry in a briefcase (my urban Bug Out Bag). I would appreciate a few suggestions from the BF crowd.

Here are the characteristics that I am looking for:
1.) Stainless steel blade (I don't want a blade that needs to be oiled or coated with grease to keep it from rusting - oil is messy in a briefcase).
2.) 5" - 7" blade.
3.) Kydex sheath (I'm not a fan of leather sheaths).
4.) Strong Blade. Something thick that can be used as a prybar or chopping tool in an emergency.
5.) Under $200 street price.

Thanks for your help.
 
A Fallkniven A1 sounds like what you're looking for. I haven't used one of these personally, but there are lots of good reviews here on the forums if you feel like doing a search. Strider also certainly has a number of blades with your requirements, but I think they run more than $200 for the most part. You may be able to find a good used one however. SOG also has the SEAL 2000 and SEAL Pup, which aren't bad knives, but not my personal favorites either. I had a SEAL 200 but sold it, I didn't like the handle much. Good luck in your search.
 
The Fallkniven A1 with the optional Kydex sheath looks to fit the bill quite well.
Does anybody have any experience with an A1?
 
Take a look at Swamp Rat knives. You can get two of the smaller blades for under $200. Tough knives "that can be used as a prybar or chopping tool in an emergency."


dave
 
WorkForALiving'

I know that you don't like leather sheaths, but Mike Sastres can make you a great Kydex sheath, if you need one... I would suggest you look at the knives listed at the link below... If Kydex and nylon are your best bet, try the Bagwell "Midnight," though the blade is about 10" long... However, if you want the blade that Bagwell designed in the sub-7" size, see the "Drifter." I've ordered two to use for carry, if and when I feel they're needed... Would rather have any knife designed by "The King of the Bowies," than any other... I have two Hell's Belles, and one is always on or near me... That may change over to the Drifters when they arrive, but no other knives have engendered such a feeling of "well being" as these have... So, see the link below, and look at the best... My B.O.B.'s are so equipped by his designs... If your life depends on a blade, make it a Bagwell Bowie or Blade...

http://www.ontarioknife.com/Internet/designer.html

Regards and Respects,
Carter, oldpaladin, out...
 
Det---How do you keep a carbon steel blade from rusting if you don't keep it coated with at least a thin layer of oil?
 
I have a Fallkiniven A1 with leather and it is a great blade if you can find it in pure VG10 (unlaminated). Don't get the laminated steel. Try bladematrix and the kydex sheath is optional for a bit more. It takes 2 weeks from them. If I had 2 bills to spend, I'd add a c-note two it and get the CRK Green Beret. I think S30V is the way to go in stainless whoppers.
 
Originally posted by WorkForALiving
Det---How do you keep a carbon steel blade from rusting if you don't keep it coated with at least a thin layer of oil?
Click to expand...
I'm not Det but I'll answer this one for you. Use Tuf-Cloth or Marine Tuf-Cloth if you don't like using oil. Otherwise, just wipe the blade down with oil and wipe it off, leaving just enough to leave the blade shiny. You don't need enough on there that it might drip off. I used 3-in-1 on my Master Hunter like that and put it away in it's kydex sheath for 2 months and as yet there is no rust. Carbon doesn't take that much work to maintain.
 
I just got a Busse BA-E sounds like its just what your after.
 
I'm not Det but I'll answer this one for you. Use Tuf-Cloth or Marine Tuf-Cloth if you don't like using oil. Otherwise, just wipe the blade down with oil and wipe it off, leaving just enough to leave the blade shiny. You don't need enough on there that it might drip off. I used 3-in-1 on my Master Hunter like that and put it away in it's kydex sheath for 2 months and as yet there is no rust. Carbon doesn't take that much work to maintain.
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Thanks TorzJohnson- Carbon steel really isn't that difficult to maintain. I just use Breakfree CLP, it does fine for me. You realy don't need to have that much on there. It definatly should not drip off. Just a very, very light film is all that is necessary. By the way, I do the same to my stainless knives too.
 
As others have stated, carbon steel isn't that hard to take care of, I prefer it for edge retention and toughness.


Usually A-2 or D-2 but 5160, carbon V, 1095, all good carbon tool steels.

If you can see your way to carbon v I'd choose the SRK. You can buy two for just over 100.00. I have one in the BUG at all times.

BTW--It has sat for over two years in the kydex sheath and when I check the bag once a year, the knife is as I left it [ light coat of clp on it ].

Brownie
 
Originally posted by WorkForALiving
I'm shopping for a fixed blade to carry in a briefcase (my urban Bug Out Bag). I would appreciate a few suggestions from the BF crowd.

Here are the characteristics that I am looking for:
1.) Stainless steel blade (I don't want a blade that needs to be oiled or coated with grease to keep it from rusting - oil is messy in a briefcase).
2.) 5" - 7" blade.
3.) Kydex sheath (I'm not a fan of leather sheaths).
4.) Strong Blade. Something thick that can be used as a prybar or chopping tool in an emergency.
5.) Under $200 street price.

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

Check out www.knives.com. Lynn and Barry Dawson make some nice knives and they use stainless steel. Most of their stuff is shorter than what you specify, but they are always willing to do custom designs.

Lynn is working on a custom design for me right now. I sent her the money and she sent me some pics of the heat-treated blade prior to its final finishing. She modified my design a little and made it wider, but said she would gladly make another if I didn't like her interpretation. After looking at the pics, I like her modifications better than my original design and told her to continue with the final polishing.

I think she or her uncle could probably make a knife to fit your specs with no problem. Their knives usually have integral guards (keeps them flat), micarta handles, and kydex or leather sheaths, depending on your preference. A lot of Barry's stuff is bead-blasted, but he does satin finishes too. They're both nice people and easy to work with.
 
It sounds like most of you want me to buy a carbon steel blade.
What is CLP made of? I suppose that I could go with a carbon steel blade if the coating is odorless and dry.
 
Best thing would be tuf glide because it does dry completely dry.
BTW check out Entrek knives.Smoky mt knife works has good deals on them.
 
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