Looking for an inexpensive fixed blade (carbon)

J

JJaggar

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Jan 15, 2015
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Looking for something I won't feel bad using as a beater and learning to sharpen on. I'm looking at an Ontario SP2 in 1095, and a Cold Steel G.I. Tanto. Looking to stay around the price range of those. I like the idea of the G.I. Tanto cause I would like to remove the scales and cord wrap the handle. If the Ontario had scales I'd definitely just go for that one, i enjoy cord wrapping handles. Any other suggestions or info on the Ontario or G.I. Tanto?
 
For the price, check out the Schrade SCH36. Less than $30 for a 1095 carbon steel fixed blade, and sheath with sharpener and firesteel.
 
Mora knives are always a good choice. But they are smaller compared to the Ontario or CS Tanto.
 
I can tell you the GI tanto is a tough knife. I have one I have thrown for about 10 years now. It was the original cord wrapped handle.



What do you plan on using the knife for?
 
nolanzc said:
Mora knives are always a good choice. But they are smaller compared to the Ontario or CS Tanto.
Click to expand...

Cant recommend a Mora enough, especially if you want something to tinker with and learn on. They are no longer a $10, but can be found for less than $20 if you look around.

Look at the Mora 1, 2/0, Companion HD, and Companion. They are a dream to sharpen freehand and you can get good results on almost any stone.

If you decide you like the Moras then the Bushcraft Black is an obvious choice for a dedicated outdoors knife.

I am also a Cold Steel fan, even their cheaper knives are a good value like the Moras, and would pick the GI Tanto over the Ontario.
 
Cheaper than Moras are the similar-looking knives by Hultafors. If you want a true beater, try the GK for $13. A Hultafors HVK (thinner, more Mora-like) had the living crap beat out of it in a five-part video on Youtube and was still in one piece. Here's the first part to get you started:

[youtube]2m1EjwdKpx8[/youtube]
 
I would pick up a Kabar Becker BK-15. The blade shape makes for easier learning to sharpen plus you get the experience of sharpening a longer blade. It is also a very useful knife.
 
Mora Classic No. 1. You can get them for $14. An incredible value.
Mora%2520No.%25201%2520Classic.JPG
 
I plan on using this purchase as a chopper out on day hikes, clearing paths, chopping branches/sticks. I will end up grabbing a BK one of these days hmm, maybe now is the time, I do not like the BK handles at all though so hopefully they are scales that I can take off and cord wrap? Thanks for the schrade suggestion, looks like a cool blade for 26 bucks, and Moras may be amazing I'm sure they are y'all but they are absolutely not my thing I don't think I'll ever own one but who knows
 
Don't discount the Becker handles before you use them, especially if you plan on chopping with them. Ethan Becker's design on these handles is probably the best production handles out there.
 
I second basically all these suggestions. In fact, I would suggest getting the least expensive Mora or Hultafors you can find and getting something like a Schrade SCHF37. Those would make a solid pair for heavy and light work and you'll be able to try two very different styles of knives and see which you prefer for what tasks. I'm guessing you could score both for under $50 shipped.
 
There's another option along the same lines as the Mora or Hultafors, I got one of these and it's an awesome little knife. The Marttiini Timberjack. Costs about $20-25, comes with a very comfortable rubberised handle, a sharp carbon steel blade with a Scandi grind. It's not full tang, but neither are the Moras, still works quite well for most outdoor activities. My only issue with it was that the original plastic sheath was too long (had a couple inches of wasted space, not sure why it was designed in such a way) so I've made a quick Kydex sheath for it.
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