Looking for a good fixed blade or two.

BMCGear

BMCGear

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2014
Messages
6,960
Since joining this forum I have spent a lot more money on a knife and have learned about knife brands I had no idea existed! I'm looking to get a KILLER fixed blade knife; actually two. Looking at getting an Essee 3 (or 4) and an Izulu. Are there any other brands with comparible or better performance for that kind of value?

Thanks guys!
 
Ah.....

What's you budget?

Not sure what your definition of a killer fixed blade is, but it's not the same as mine, so that's the reason for the question.
 
I have two ESEE Izula knives an ESEE 3 and the ESEE 5. I love them all. I would say that Tops knives is very comparable in price and quality. They use the same knife steel and have several different variations to choose from. I wear my ESEE 3 as an every day carry.
 
Ankerson said:
Ah.....

What's you budget?

Not sure what your definition of a killer fixed blade is, but it's not the same as mine, so that's the reason for the question.
Click to expand...

What's your definition? The ESEE knives seem to be no frill all performance knives. That's what I'm wanting in a similar price range.

csisland said:
M o r a :D
Click to expand...

spydercobenchmadekai said:
Equal performance and better value than ESEE? Becker!
Click to expand...

WolfMaster33 said:
I have two ESEE Izula knives an ESEE 3 and the ESEE 5. I love them all. I would say that Tops knives is very comparable in price and quality. They use the same knife steel and have several different variations to choose from. I wear my ESEE 3 as an every day carry.
Click to expand...

I will look into these brands.
 
And begin the esee 4 vs. fallknive f1 debate NOW. There are a ton of forum threads comparing these two knives. I will condense some quick pros and cons but I know a lot of others will have input

Fallkniven f1
pros:
vg10 laminated steel
Great rust resistance
Very tough and from a great company
convex grind
Cons
2 year warranty
No jimping
Case is cool but not as good as the kydex or Molle that comes with eseee
No color options
Esee 3 or 4
Pros
1095 coated steel
Also an excellent company (Jeff Randall himself is known to post on the forums)
ridiculous no questions asked lifetime warranty
Excellent jimping
Great sheathes weather kydex or Molle
full flat grind
many color options
Cons
1095 rusts
pretty expensive for a 1095 steel knife (ie kabars and beckers are generally about $20 - $30 cheaper and offer limited lifetimes warranties and a different look)
powercoated blade tends to not throw sparks as well (or at all) on a fire steel

I went with the fallkniven f1 for rust resistance and ability to make sparks on the spine. I imagine I would have been equally happy with an esee 4
 
Last edited:
bluemetalchurch said:
Since joining this forum I have spent a lot more money on a knife and have learned about knife brands I had no idea existed! I'm looking to get a KILLER fixed blade knife; actually two. Looking at getting an Essee 3 (or 4) and an Izulu. Are there any other brands with comparible or better performance for that kind of value?

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

I'd add SwampRat and Scrapyard knives to the list.
 
Depends on what you want to do with it. An A.G. Russell Deer Hunter in D2 will give you much better cutting performance and better edge retention for quite a bit less money, but I wouldn't want to batton through logs with one, as it may not survive. If you're looking for two blades, maybe pair a real brute like an ESEE or Becker with a Deer Hunter or Hunter's Scalpel so you have some options.
 
I would pair the Izula 2 with an RMD. I don't think there is a better small knife than the Izula 2 for the price point, and the Ratmandu really doesn't need explaining.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
What's your definition? The ESEE knives seem to be no frill all performance knives. That's what I'm wanting in a similar price range.
Click to expand...

Depends on what your definition of performance is I suppose....

And compared to what?

There are a lot of different knives out there in different performance and price ranges.

It all depends on what one feels is important to them....

It's all a compromise in the end....

Pick 2 out of the 3.

Performance
Quality
Price

As the 1st two increase so does the 3rd.
 
Ankerson said:
Depends on what your definition of performance is I suppose....

And compared to what?
Click to expand...

What suggestions would you have for fixed blades based on your preferences? Would like to spend anywhere between 75 and 150 dollars.
 
If you're looking at ESEE, it makes sense to consider Ontario, Camillus (USA models) and TOPS at the very least. All three manufacturers offer comparable knives in terms of size, materials and price to ESEE. Most of the variations will be in look and feel.
 
Ankerson said:
Depends on what YOU want the knife to do and what are you going to use it for?
Click to expand...

I would like one smaller knife that could be used as an EDC if I wanted to. It would need to be good for utility purposes and for skinning. I would also like a larger knife that can be used for camping/hunting purposes.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
What suggestions would you have for fixed blades based on your preferences? Would like to spend anywhere between 75 and 150 dollars.
Click to expand...

The favored brands on here are (in order of price; lowest to highest):

$10 to $35
Mora
Tramontina
Imacasa
Condor

$35 to $75
Ontario
KaBar
Becker

$75 to $150
Tops
ESEE
Scrapyard

$150 to $200
Spyderco
Benchmade
Zero Tolerance
Fallkniven
Survive! Knives GSO
Swamp Rat

$200+
Bark River
Busse

Did I forget any?
 
Last edited:
I think the Izula with TKC scales is a great choice (Izula 2 is great too, but the regular Izula with TKC scales has enough handle for me). As for the larger fixed blade, if you are willing spend and extra $9+shipping (ok, $24) you can get a Swamp Rat Ratmandu (or wait for one to show up on the exchange for less). If you want pure awesomeness in a 5" fixed blade, look no further than the Ratmandu. The Becker BK12, BK10, and BK16 come to mind. If you like the size of the ESEE 4, I would look at getting a BK16 with micarta scales. I :thumbup: the BK16 with micarta much more than the ESEE 4 for ergonomic reasons. The Fallkniven F1 is awesome too. In fact, my top three choices would be Ratmandu, BK16, and F1. The Izula with scales gets my vote for the small EDC knife.
 
Find a Custom/hand made from the knife maker for sale forum.

Chances are you'll be able to find something to your liking.
 
Esee makes some great knives, I would go with the 4 or 5 if I were you and then pickup your izula or checkout the knife makers market for some good handmade fixed blades and some of the prices will surprise you. Also check oout Scrapyard knives too. (and Kin)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top