Looking for a larger fixed!

Monofletch

Monofletch

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Jan 14, 2010
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I am looking for a larger fixed blade. Why? Because I don't have one at the moment. It will take care of the more "heavy duty" camp chores that my other (smaller) fixed blades might not be the best choice for. I want to stay around $100. Here is a list of the type of knife I am looking for. What do you recommend?

BK7
BK3
RAT7
Condor Toloza
USMC D2 Extreme PE
 
I think for that price range the becker line will be the best choice fit/finish, steel, heat treat, and company reputation wise. That said, for my large user fixed blades i have gone with Esee (6 and Junglas) and a bark river bravo 2. The upgrade in materials, fit and finish, and sheath s (esee only) was well worth the higher cost to me.
 
Were it I, I would choose a good USMC for my first large blade. D-2 is a real good steel and isn't as prone to rust as some would have you believe. It would be a good choice...great all around knife.
 
Op, you say "heavy duty" camp chores. What does this mean? To me it says heavy wood processing like chopping and batoning. For these tasks I would want a full high carbon steel like 1095, A2, or best 3v for extra toughness.
 
craytab said:
Op, you say "heavy duty" camp chores. What does this mean? To me it says heavy wood processing like chopping and batoning. For these tasks I would want a full high carbon steel like 1095, A2, or best 3v for extra toughness.
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I have excellent medium size fixed blades that I carry when hiking, camping, and hunting. My favorite is a custom made in A2, but I am reluctant to bash it through a log. To answer your question--YES! Light chopping and possibly batoning if I don't have my bow saw. Also I have to hack through a breast plate and pelvis of these HUGE Missouri whitetail. :D

I have always wanted a BK3- I just don't know how practical it would be for what I want. The Bk2 is sweet, but not quite long enough. The D2 USMC-I read some reviews about it being tough.

I have owned several ESEE3/4/5's I would love a 6 or Junglas, but it is a tad over my budget. I was also thinking about a Swamp Rat Rodent 6/7 or Ratmandu....... but at the moment that is a no go.
 
BK7-is a good blade but a little short for processing wood IMHO.

BK3-wasn't designed as a woods tool

RAT7-see BK7

Condor Toloza-See RAT7

USMC anything-Not a great choice. The transition from the blade to the tang is a sharp 90* corner and they are more prone to breaking.


For a large woods knife my choice is a Becker BK9.
 
Posted this in another thread, but it applies to your query as well:


I have and use these three knives, which work well for what your stated tasks are:
Becker BK9: The "BIG BOY" of the bunch-batons well, chops well, and can do some lighter tasks such as feather sticking, carving, etc., but the size makes finer tasks a bit difficult.
TOPS Tex Creek XL: Nice belt knife sized blade-not quite the chopper the BK9 is but does most things well, and can perform some smaller tasks
Esee 6: Another great belt knife. Batons and chops well, and performs lighter tasks surprisingly well. Probably the most "do all" of the three. Plus their lifetime warranty is the best!

I am also very fond of my Condor Kephart. It can only baton smaller pieces of wood, but is a fine carver, feather stick maker, and great all around "smaller" camp knife. I've even used it as a spatula while cooking, and it is great at food prep.
Best of luck in your search!
 
I have a USMC D2 Extreme. I bought it because it just seemed like a "must have" when I was first getting into fixed blade knives, and because I liked the idea of a big slab of D2. I like it, but I've never even given it a second look when grabbing a knife for any outdoors work, maybe because it still feels like a fighting knife rather than the sort of jack-of-all-trades I like for situations that might present numerous cutting chores.
 
I like the Kabar Extreme alot but kinda disappointed after stabbing it into some wood and a 1/2 inch of the tip got bent. Was really surprised. You could use the Extreme as a "heavy duty" knife but I'd rather have a BK9 7, 2 for that purpose. Got a Busse Boss Jack that I'm really liking but haven't had a chance to use it yet. Becker's are all I need though.
 
I have had 2 BK2's and they seem to be just a little short for what I need. I do like the idea of 1/4" thick while chopping. :D
 
Monofletch said:
I do like the idea of 1/4" thick while chopping. :D
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Me too. I got 4 BK2's now. More I use them the more I like them. I'd get a BK9 if thinking the 2 is too short. You won't regret it. Hey how did you like that Buck Punk we traded for? You use it much or did you get rid of it already? I miss that one.
 
The Punk was great. A sort of gifted it to a friend- he ows me some .357 bullets now!! :D
 
Too bad you couldn't spend a little more that 100.00, a SURVIVE GSO 6 in CPM3V would do everything better than a BK7, Id even take the GSO 6 over the BK9, plus the GSO line dosent have that stupid black tacti-cool coating on them like the becker line. ymmv.
 
I have a BK9 and it's awesome, no doubt, but depending on the 'camp chores' you want to do, you may want to look at the BK5. Incredible slicer and in your price range too.
C
 
of that list, the BK7 is the clear choice. Of course the 9 is awesome, but approaching short sword territory.
 
The Lone Gunmen said:
Too bad you couldn't spend a little more that 100.00, a SURVIVE GSO 6 in CPM3V would do everything better than a BK7, Id even take the GSO 6 over the BK9, plus the GSO line dosent have that stupid black tacti-cool coating on them like the becker line. ymmv.
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Wow! if by a little more you mean 2.5x then yeah, that would be great! And that stupid coating protects the 1095 from corrosion. If you don't like the coating it is easily removed and you can put your own patina on for corrosion resistance. BTW, there are plenty of great knives out there with coatings, including from Survive!, so lets cool it on what we call "stupid"
 
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