Looking for a Fixed Blade

Originally posted by WorkForALiving
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.
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I find CLP is definitely not odorless. I used to use it on my guns and knives but quit because I thought it smelled like rotting fish.
 
I find CLP is definitely not odorless. I used to use it on my guns and knives but quit because I thought it smelled like rotting fish.
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There must have been something very wrong with that CLP. While it is not entirely odorless, it shouldn't smell like rotting fish. It would be difficult to smell a light film of it on a knife blade.

It sounds like most of you want me to buy a carbon steel blade.
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I don't think that it is a matter of anyone wanting you to get a certain type of steel. It is, after all, a choice that you are going to have to live with and everyone else responding to this thread will still sleep at night either way. At $200, I think that carbon steel is the way to go. At $300, then you get some very high quality fixed blades using stainless (S30V, BG-42) like Strider, Chris Reeve Green Beret, Simonich mid-techs, and a lot of customs.
 
Originally posted by det
There must have been something very wrong with that CLP. While it is not entirely odorless, it shouldn't smell like rotting fish. It would be difficult to smell a light film of it on a knife blade.

I don't think that it is a matter of anyone wanting you to get a certain type of steel. It is, after all, a choice that you are going to have to live with and everyone else responding to this thread will still sleep at night either way. At $200, I think that carbon steel is the way to go. At $300, then you get some very high quality fixed blades using stainless (S30V, BG-42) like Strider, Chris Reeve Green Beret, Simonich mid-techs, and a lot of customs.
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Hmm...maybe the CLP was bad. I used it on a pocketknife and it smelt so bad I didn't want it in my pocket. Now I use Mpro-7 on my guns and knives.

I don't think the carbon vs. stainless issue is really that important if the blade is less than 10". If its longer than 10", I'll only take stainless if the heat-treat is exceptionally well done and so far Barry and Lynn Dawson are the only ones in that category that I personally know and would trust. I currently have several knives made of 5160, D2, 1095, ATS-34, and 440C. All of them work well and would serve in an emergency. I would place more stock in the skill of the maker and the quality of the heat treat than the type of steel used. Sure, S30V is technically superior to 440C, but a properly made knife of 440C will still get the job done just fine. If I were buying a survival knife right now, I would definitely consider a Chris Reeve knife as one of my options, but I would base my decision on the overall knife design and specs, not just on the type of steel used.
 
Carbon V is pretty awsome stuff, easy to sharpen, holds an edge, The SRK and Master Hunter are good choices, IMHO.
 
Originally posted by Chazzy151
Carbon V is pretty awsome stuff, easy to sharpen, holds an edge, The SRK and Master Hunter are good choices, IMHO.
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Yeah, I had a Master Hunter and it was a great knife. I've been eyeing the SRK lately.
 
I would base my decision on the overall knife design and specs, not just on the type of steel used.
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I definately agree with this statement. It just so happens that most of the knives under $200 that I seem to like (quality, fit, finish, materials, blade shape, stc.) seem to be carbon steel knives.
 
I already have an SRK that I keep in the car. It is an awsome tool and I have used it many times to trim branches from trees, break down cardboard boxes, and perform other rough cutting/hacking chores. The Carbon V really holds an edge.
I keep the edge slathered in grease because that was the way that Cold Steel preserved it for shipping.

The CS shipping grease was the reason that I started this discussion by looking for a stainless steel blade for my briefcase.
Now the thread has come full circle and I think that I should get another SRK and keep it coated with Tuf Cloth or another dry, odorless lubricant.
 
Originally posted by WorkForALiving
I keep the edge slathered in grease because that was the way that Cold Steel preserved it for shipping.
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Yeah, a lot of manufacturers will lay it on thick because they realize their knife may lay in stock for quite a while before it's sold. Don't worry about that if you plan to use it and maintain it.
 
SOG Seal Pup and Emerson Police Utility Knife are my fav. Their blade lengths are shorter than your requirement, though. Then again check them out and see what do u think about them. Personally I love them.
 
I can think of a few other knives not mentioned so far that meet WorkForALiving's criteria. One is the Bark River Classic Fighter from A.G. Russel. The price is around $175, I think. The blade is made from ATS-34, and is the only knife I have found in the below $200 price range with a 7 inch blade made from a high end stainless steel.

Another is the Timberline Zambezi with a six inch blade made from 440C, which usually sells for under $100.

Then there are the Boker AF daggers, with both single and double edge models. The blades are six inches long and made from 440C. Prices start a bit below $100.

All of the above have the advantage of more effective guards than the Fallkniven A1. The other problem with the Fallkniven is that they have switched from solid VG-10 to a laminate, which probably is not as strong. I would not buy the Fallkniven unless it has the older sold VG-10 blade.

As for the Kabar Next Generation Fighter, I read a thread recently in which one member stated that Kabar has switched to cheap 440A stainless for that knife. This may or may not represent a decline in quality. The formerly used Sandvik 12C27 stainless can give better performance than other low end stainless steels provided it is heat treated just right, but I don't know if Kabar gave the Next Generation knives the kind of heat treatment necessary to get that superior performance.
 
Oh - I forgot you wanted a Kydex sheath. In that case the Bark River Classic does not meet your criteria, as it comes with a not so great leather sheath. In the case of the Boker AF daggers, kydex sheaths are an option, I think.
 
The only area you have to keep damp with oil or another lubricant is the very cutting edge, a thin film of clp has kept all of my knives safe from rust.

My daily carry knives get the same light coat of clp on the edge and oiled then wiped on the rest of the blade.

When I take it out it has fine film of lint on the very edge of the blade, I know the clp is protecting the edge from corrosion and consequently as sharp as when I stoned it.

Brownie
 
Originally posted by W.T. Beck
I can think of a few other knives not mentioned so far that meet WorkForALiving's criteria. One is the Bark River Classic Fighter from A.G. Russel. The price is around $175, I think. The blade is made from ATS-34, and is the only knife I have found in the below $200 price range with a 7 inch blade made from a high end stainless steel.
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I've heard good things about the Bark River knives and if I had the money I might buy one for myself. Check out their website at http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/index.html

One other thing to consider is a smaller knife/axe combination. Bark River has a nice GlenEagle Axe for about $170. Spend the remaining $30 on a decent production knife, even a multi-tool, and you'd have a pretty versatile combination.
 
I had forgotten about a couple of other options with good stainless steel for under $200. I believe there are Entrek Knives with 440C blades and kydex sheaths, 5 - 7 inch blades, selling for under $200. Don't know how good they are, though. Also there are the Boker Orca knives made with a European stainless they claim to be equivalent to 440C. I've seen those selling for $150 - $160.
 
Why don't you take a look at the Spyderco Temperance ?
Kydex sheat, VG-10 steel (and you can choose from black or ceramic coating, plain or serrated edge) and one of the best handles ever.

Take a look at spyderco.com.

Regards,

Andre Tiba
 
Almtiba,

I have been thinking seriously about that Spyderco Temperance myself, although the blade is slightly under the 5 - 7 inch length range WorkForALiving specified.

Does the Temperance fit snuggly in the kydex sheath? The reason I ask is because I bought the Spyderco Perrin Bowie, and was disappointed in the sheath. The knife fits loosely and rattles loudly in that sheath. This is something I find very annoying. I would like to know if the Temperance has the same problem?
 
I bought my Temperance one month ago, and I'm carrying it in my briefcase. The sheat fits very well and there's no rattle at all. It's a very small pack (knife and sheat) since you can remove the part you fix to the belt (sorry, English is not my mother language.

Answering to your question, mine doesn't. And I don't think it will.

I like this knife so much that I've just ordered another one, this time with a black coating.

Hope this helps...

Regards,

Andre Tiba
 
Thanks for the info, almtiba. I have seen nothing but strong praise for the Spyderco Temperance. I will be ordering one soon.

WorkForALiving,

This knife has a slightly shorter blade than you specified. Also, you might want to ask someone who has one if the blade is stout enough for prying.
 
My vote is for the Camp Tramp. My user/beater knife is the camp tramp and it has really held up and performed well.

Swamp Rat makes a fine product and backs it up with an unconditional guarantee. SR101 (modified 52100) is a fantastic steel, gets sharp, stays sharp, very tough while being easy to sharpen and fix.

Repirene C does not disintegrate like kraton does. I have had some kraton handled cold steel knives, the handles lose there shape and texture quickly.

I sheath that comes with the camp tramp is "okay". The blade sticks when you unsheath. The cordura tends to wear quickly.

The size of the camp tramp is good. I think the battle rat would be tiring to lug around. although, I would like to see how it performs.

I am looking to get another camp tramp as a backup.

The best thing about the swamp rat line is that the knives are price to be used.
 
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