Looking for SMALL hard use fixed blade thats built like a TANK.. like this (PICTURES)

E

EsthetiX

Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
38
Anyone have any recommendations for something similar. I absolutely love this knife but can't justify spending $330 on it. Looking for an excellent hiking knife like this around the sub $100 range.

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★Materials
• Handles : Jade Green G-10 (glass laminate)
• Blade : D2 tool steel (Bohler, Austria)
• Bolts and nuts : XM7 (heat-treatmented)
• Finish : Parkerizing (Dark grey)
• Sheath : Kydex (LCG GEAR products)
• Karabiner : 300 grade Stainless steel

★ Specifications
• Overall Length : 6.5 inch / 165 mm
• Blade Length : 3.0 inch / 75 mm
• Blade width : 1.2 inch / 30 mm
• Blade Thickness : 0.2 inch / 6.0mm
• Hardness : HRC 58~60
• Weight with kydex sheath : 8.6 oz / 245 g
• Possible to install 'Tek-lok', but not included
 
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Your specs aren't really for what we'd consider a traditional knife. I'll move this to General Knife Discussion.
 
Boker Pry-Mate (3.375" N690) or Pry-Mini (2.5" N690). Thick sheepsfoot blades.
 
Esee Izula II. Can be found for under $100. Tough as nails. Not traditional, but would be my pick for your specs.
 
Spyderco Enuff with a 2.75" blade (0.16" thick) of VG-10 or H-1 in leaf or sheepsfoot shape. FRN handle and includes kydex sheath for about $100.
 
TOPS
TeX Creek and Border Heat, just over a 4" blade @ 0.19" thick
Just over/around $100

Their Sierra Scout is just under 4", Eagle Shadow and Special Assault are 3.5", Little Bro and FDX are 3" blades, all the same thickness

The Dakota Drifter is just over 5" and a true tank at .22" thick

And their Sgt. Scorpion at just over 3" and Mini Eagle at 3" take the cake at a full 0.25" thick.

Their sub compact is just under 2.5"

And that's not their full lineup, but if you truly want smaller hard use blade, built "like a tank", then I would definitely look at TOPS brand if I were you. All good ruggeed 1095 steel and all right around or well under $100 too. (Made in USA if that matters at all to you).
 
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BK24 is a little bit thinner, but D2 and you could get custom scales made and buy one for about your price if you look around.
 
In the sub-$100 range, the BK14 or BK24 or ESEE Izula II would be excellent choices ...

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I have the BK24 - 3.25", D2 steel - optional factory zytel and custom G10 and micarta scales are plentiful.
 
Check out the DPx HEST and HEAT line of fixed blades. They're as rugged as any. I have a couple. The original HEST fixed blade by Rowen is for sale again---it's what I'd recommend for a hard user. The different models go up from there in steel and handles. The pry bar is more useful than you would think and saves your tip many times over.

Also, the already mentioned Bradford Guardian is certainly a sweet, lifetime knife...maybe a used one?
 
Appreciate all the great suggestions! I think so far my top 3 would be between:

Boker Vox B.O.B
DPX Hest
Tops Delta Unit 3

Though, the Jade/D2 Raidops Little John II in the first post is still heavily desired.
 
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Ontario Ranger Falcon. 3 7/8th inch blade, .250 inch, coated and very tough 5160 steel. About $70 http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON9464BM/Ontario-Ranger-Series-Falcon-Hunting-Knife-Carbon-Steel-Blade-Micarta-Handles

Note the Ranger line has several different knives in it from the Little Bird ( 1.75 inch 1095 steel) on up to over 9inches. If a quarter inch of 5160 is too thick and indestructible for you they have the thinner Ranger Bush series at .1875 inch of 1095. Handles are canvas micarta of various colors including orange. On the secondary market only ( they sold out a few years ago) they made some "signature" models of the 5 inch "Afghanistan" in .330 inch S7 shock steel. Harder to find but about as tough as a production knife gets that I'm aware of.

Ranger line: http://www2.knifecenter.com/brand/311/Ranger-Knives
 
The Ontario RF is a hard recommendation to beat. Practically indestructable for not a large amount of cash!
 
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