Recommendation? Looking for a high quality, tough 5"+ fixed blade

[NWPilgrim]

Fallkniven S1 surprised me with how nimble it is in hand while still having a thick robust 5” blade. The Zytel sheath carries very well too. Nothing fancy about it, just excellent design and construction.

I still may get a Golik, White River, LT Wright, or CPK just for their great construction and a different steel to try. But the S1 seems like it could easily be a “one and only” for me. Not ideal for hunting but for general camp/woods use it has far exceeded my expectations.

 

[22-rimfire]

Fallkniven S1 surprised me with how nimble it is in hand while still having a thick robust 5” blade. The Zytel sheath carries very well too. Nothing fancy about it, just excellent design and construction.

I still may get a Golik, White River, LT Wright, or CPK just for their great construction and a different steel to try. But the S1 seems like it could easily be a “one and only” for me. Not ideal for hunting but for general camp/woods use it has far exceeded my expectations.

My only Fallkniven is the F1 which I like. It's a good knife with about a 4" blade. I purchased it back when the F1 was a very popular choice here on the Forum as a general purpose woods knife. It has a Fallkniven micarta handle on it and it quite the looker.

In terms of "one and only" I feel the same way about the BRKT Wilderness Explorer at 5.75" blade length. It feels very nimble in the hand which I attribute to a normal diameter/width handle and balance typical of other BRKT knives. I bought it to be my "one and only" last year. Of course, that was after feeling the Dozier KS-3 Professional Guide's Knife (acquired in 2013) was my one and only. Before that, it was the Blackjack 125..... This "one and only" thing never ceases for me.

I could easily use the Eastland Kephart I got at Blade this year as my one and only for woods use and limited field chores with wild game. I however generally prefer something smaller for field dressing game. Slip joints work just fine for me for this.

I am very attracted to fixed blade knives, but in reality I have little need of them. But since I shifted to a very small edc folder, I suspect I will use fixed blades more often in the woods in the future.

 

[Velitrius]

Cold Steel SRK in 3V for $150 or the Bradford Guardian 5.5 3V for $250.

Myself, I like the 3D scales on the Bradford better than the rubber grip on the SRK.

I also like that you can customize the Bradford a bit, getting the blade grind, blade finish, handle color and hardware finishes just the way you want them. Nothing like getting a knife that has all the features your way.

But hey, if you want to save a hundred bucks or so, the SRK will get it done.

 

[xyrium]

Not sure if you purchased one yet, but I'll second the FK A1 recommendation, not the numerous S1 Pro recs. I recently picked up an S1 Pro to supplement the A1, and the S1 Pro handle is terrible unless you have the smallest of small hands. I also don't buy the "shorter blade, thinner handle" nonsense. We're talking about an inch or 3 cm difference here; there's no reason to make the S1 Pro handle as thin as a matchstick. Just my humble opinion of course.

That said, the tip on the S1 Pro is more robust, and the Laminated Carbon is pretty darned sweet from what I hear. For me, unless I can find someone to make a new micarta handle for it on the cheap, it's goin' back.

BTW, if CRK makes the FK in a 5 inch version (no choil) I'm all in! I will stalk the subforum for years if I have to, in order to get my hands on one!

 

[cbach8tw]

Lt Wright gen 5.