looking for a solid working knife

C

canukstik

Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
4
hey everyone i'm new to the fourms i've been creeping around for a while now admiring all the amazing work of the makers on, astounding!
but the point of this post is to get some suggestions on a good solid working knife, i want it to look good but not so good that i dont want to use it, i'm hoping to bring it to afghanistan with me next year, needless to say i want something i can really rely on
 
is this to be a Bowie, Fighter or Hunter? More info would be good and then have you looked in collectors sites to see what is for sale and have you looked in the Makers for sale section and the collectors of custom made knives for sale in BF? Sure there is something that would do the trick. What price range are you wishing to deal with? Just recently I sold a chap a small utility knife by Charlie Weiss which he hope to use so with a slight amount of browsing you should find something to pique your interest.

Here is the knife I use all the time but then I'm not going to be in Afghanistan.

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right more info would probably help:p i'm thinking of something bowie/fighter not so much hunter, something fairly large, to be honest i have no idea of the price range, the most i have spent on a knife to date is a 100 dollar ka bar that broke as soon as i put it through the paces, so i have no idea what price range i'm looking at, i suppose 1000 is my maximum i have no idea the value of hand made knives but a thousand seems like a reasonable amount
 
A budget of $1k will more than suffice to get you a knife that meets your needs. But man, the list of possibilities is pretty long.

First question might be how soon you need this knife. A year and up waiting time is not uncommon. Some guys can get it to you faster - or else dealer sites and private collector sales might be an option.

What is your preference as between stainless and forged carbon steels?

Do you want a synthetic handle material, or natural?

I can definitley second Burt's military pieces - extremely well made, as are all his knives. This piece, in a slightly longer blade, would certainly fit your needs:

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At Blade a month and a bit ago I picked up this Dan Farr Combat, of which I am very fond:

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Roger
 
I'd take a look at Horton knives. He has a forum in here somewhere and his stuff looks TOUGH! http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=825

Burt Foster is a great choice, too. But he's got a pretty long lead time I think.

Matt Lamey also comes to mind. I have a large knife from him that I use hard and it's very tough. He's pretty quick on delivery and his rates are fair.

Tai Goo makes a very high performance blade, does so quickly, and his rates are very reasonable.

If this is your first custom, you may want to consider something in the $400- $600 range, as that will get you something just as good performance as any custom, without the extra expense for extensive finishing work and fancy materials.
 
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If you are in a military unit, you might want to check on any restrictions there might be on personal knives. We have had this discussion repeatedly over in the Busse forum, and serving members have reported that very large knives are either frowned upon or not allowed, to say nothing of the practcal limitations of the added weight.

Good luck in your quest! :thumbup:
 
My suggestion is to determine exactly what you want from the knife. As has been stated, choose your materials. Stainless or high carbon, natural or synthetic. Once you have decided on your materials browse the makers gallery and decide if there is someone there whose style you like. Contact them and come up with something you want together.

$1000 will cover a LOT of knives. You may even find some factory or semi-custom knives that you like.

Good luck.
SDS
 
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SDS said:
My suggestion is to determine exactly what you want from the knife. As has been stated, choose your materials. Stainless or high carbon, natural or synthetic. Once you have decided on your materials browse the makers gallery and decide if there is someone there whose style you like. Contact them and come up with something you want together.

$100 will cover a LOT of knives. You may even find some factory or semi-custom knives that you like.

Good luck.
SDS
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SDS is being very modest.

He means to say check out his forum and look for the MUK (Military Utility Knife). It's a sweet blade.

There are a lot of good makers on the forums and also countless avenues to take for production or semi-customs.
 
I will mention two things that have not yet been mentioned here.

1. Don't restrict yourself to just custom knives. There are many production knives that will fill your needs as well. You simply need to define those needs and then begin your search in earnest.

2. Do not overlook the possibility that whatever knife you take may end up getting lost or stolen. I know the latter possibility is not one that anyone likes to think about, but it is a reality. My point is only that you should keep these possibilities in mind, even if they are remote possibilities.

And lastly, thanks for your dedication and service to our country. :thumbup:
 
thanks for all the input everyone! i'll take all the suggestions into account, i'm not too worried about it getting stolen, but as for getting lost i'd rather have something i can trust for the majority of my tour than something i dont for all of it, i like having something that someone has put their blood sweat and tears into than someone standing beside a machine pumping out thousands of knives a day, (exaggeration i know but you know what i mean)
 
Just a thought, after speaking with quite a few fellas who had to actually do "stuff" in Iraq and Afghanistan, I came away with the impression that they didn't prefer knives which were large, or heavy, or which would keep them from being able to get into or out of narrow or tight places, like narrow doorways or vehicles. Most of them wanted sturdy folders which were easy to manipulate wearing gloves.

I suggest the ZT MUDD.

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I have used mine plenty hard, and it has not disappointed me.,

Andy
 
canukstik said:
thanks for all the input everyone! i'll take all the suggestions into account, i'm not too worried about it getting stolen, but as for getting lost i'd rather have something i can trust for the majority of my tour than something i dont for all of it, i like having something that someone has put their blood sweat and tears into than someone standing beside a machine pumping out thousands of knives a day, (exaggeration i know but you know what i mean)
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I hear you and I understand completely. Good luck with your search - you will be spoiled for choice.

Roger
 
Hasn't Walter Brend just launched some knives to enable military personel to buy and use at a budget (compare to has standard range) price?
If I was headed to Afghanistan this is the knife I would want strapped to my leg.
 
canukstik said:
thanks for all the input everyone! i'll take all the suggestions into account, i'm not too worried about it getting stolen, but as for getting lost i'd rather have something i can trust for the majority of my tour than something i dont for all of it, i like having something that someone has put their blood sweat and tears into than someone standing beside a machine pumping out thousands of knives a day, (exaggeration i know but you know what i mean)
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Well said.
Choose the correct custom knife in that price range an you should not only be able to trust it through the remainder of your tour, but the rest of your life as well.

Thank you for your service to our country!
 
no doubt in my mind i'd call up burt foster and talk to him about your knife.....ryan
 
Though most of the top custom knife makers have substantial waiting list, I believe some actually move military personnel orders ahead of others.
IMO, this is a good gesture on their part.
 
thanks very much everyone!! i'll give burt a call as it sounds like he's the fellow to go to with knives of this nature, i have a few folders that i like(something like 40 mass production ones) i like the solidity of a fixed blade, folders are for small chores in my opinion, fixed blades are where you need to go when the real work comes around, and thank you for all the support guys, can't say enough good things about this forum and the people on it
 
Remember, the best knife for a job is the one that you have with you, if to big and heavy it will be back in a foot locker, folders are nice but if its in a pocket and you only have one hand can you open it or can you even get to it, as left hand and right side or pocket, keep it where you can use either hand to get it or open it. Call Kim Breed or any other lifer from a unit and talk to someone who has had to rely on one, In the dry AO you may be going to my choice would be ( because I'm a bladesmith ) carbon steel (lots of good steel to choose from) 5-6 inch blade in mod spear point, good working guard, micarta handle, left unpolished for now and a good carry system, and lots of folks will make you a very good one for the cash that you have to put out, if you just want it for show-- PRICELESS--.
 
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