Looking to add another knife to my 'Outdoors' collection

L

lnhiv

Joined
Nov 8, 2011
Messages
36
I've read, and read, and then read some more on this subject, but I still can't make up my mind. Here's the deal: I am looking to add another knife to my 'outdoors' stash. What I mean by that is that I have a variety of tools/packs/holsters/guns/etc that I take with me when going outdoors for an extended period of time (at least a full half day), in various configurations depending on what I'm doing.

I don't take all of these with me at any time usually, but I have a few different edged pieces that I grab as I expect to need them:
CRKT Neck PECK with 6ft of paracord.
CRKT M16-14SFG (this is my daily carry)
Cold Steel Rifleman's hawk
Leatherman Pulse

I have many other knives, but those are the go-to's for being outdoors. Most of them sit around for the majority of the year, so a low maintenance steel is nice to have, but is NOT a necessity to me. I have no problems taking care of my blades as long as their care is worth the time for the function they serve, if that makes sense.


I am looking for a larger knife to add to the list:
6-9" blade length
Must have good edge retention
Medium sharpenability or easier (need to be able to effectively field sharpen it if necessary)
Good batoning/chopping
Cheaper price is better, but a cheaper knife is not worth saving a few bucks to me


I don't really want a traditional Ka-Bar, as I think the use/abuse I'd put it through warrants a stouter blade. This would be the go-to for the heavy duty tasks that I either don't want to use my hawk for, or in case I don't have it with me. I am very comfortable with large knives in general, so size doesn't bother me. It will most likely be strapped to my pack, lower back or thigh depending on what I'm doing, so a kydex sheath with molle or dual belt loops is a huge plus, but it's also very easy to get one made, so not a deciding factor. One thing I can honestly say that I don't really care about is skinning with it, but if the blade shape will lend itself to it, then so be it. I'll be adding another mid-sized fixed blade to the kit after this one for those types of outings where that may be needed.


Here are the ones that I am currently considering:
Cold Steel Recon Scout
Gerber LMF II (if I can find one that isn't 420)
Becker BK2
Becker BK7
Becker Combat Utility
Boker Plus Vox Rold
TOPS Black Heat
ESEE 6
ESEE CM6



I live in the Phoenix metro area in AZ, and I hike, mountain bike, go up to the mountains for afternoon trips, out in the desert shooting, up north camping, etc. So this knife will experience a very diverse climate/wildlife/vegetation change. Please, come at me with ideas, other suggestions, other thoughts or points that I should consider, maybe deciding factors that I hadn't thought of yet, etc.
 
Hi,

I have a feeling this post will get moved to General. Not because of the fixed blade, but most of the blades are considered "modern". Don't get riled when/if it does, the Trad. mods run a tight ship.

However, please have a look around at some of the great folding and fixed knives that are being talked about! (As an aside, I would go Becker or Esee out of that group you posted)
 
I wasn't quite sure where it should go, just saw fixed and thought maybe here haha. Thanks for the heads up and the comment :)
 
You might also try posting this in The Great Outdoors sub-forum as you might find some folks there that have actual experience with the knives you are considering and perhaps offer alternative suggestions.
 
Most of the knives you listed are 1095, so I wouldn't consider them "good" edge retention. Maybe decent.
The Vox Rold is made out of D2, which has better edge retention, but I dunno if you could really field sharpen it.
It is a really great knife though and if you use it for wood mostly it will stay sharp for a LONG time being D2, so maybe you don't even have to sharpen it in the field.

It will chip more easily though compared to 1095 when you hit stuff like rocks.
That said, D2 is not as brittle as teh interwebs will make you believe.
If you take the coated version, you shouldn't have any problems with corrosion, D2 being almost stainless anyway.
All in all a great knife with great ergos for a decent price. Made in China though if that matters to you. To me, it doesn't.
Sound like I get paid for advertising that knife, but I just really love mine :)

If you look for something made in the USA and for a steel somewhat tougher than D2, definitely take a look at SwampRat knives. Their 52100 has a very good reputation around here and it has the same great warranty as the other Busse-kin. And very decent prices, too. If you got some more money to spend, buy a Busse TGLB. It don't think you could ever break that knife ! And even if you do, you'll get a new one !

Or if you decide to go 1095, definitely go ESEE. Best heat treatment, best warranty, great fit and finish, good sheaths. In fact, I think ESEE has the best
factory sheaths period.
 
Let's see how this does in General Knife Discussion.
 
Another vote for the ESEE 6 or the Becker BK7!
I personally like the canvas micarta handles on the ESEE better.
Great, tough knives that won't let you down, at a great price. :thumbup:
 
Of the ones you listed, I would go with the BK7 or the ESEE 6. The BK7 has a more comfortable handle shape imo, but I like the ESEE 6 blade better. Have you considered the BK9? It's a much better chopper than the BK7 and only a couple inches bigger. I sold my BK7 and kept the BK9. I also would strongly recommend looking at the BK10, BK12/MK2, and any Swamp Rat that your heart desires if you don't mind spending the cash. The Ratmandu is an amazing knife, but more of an all-arounder. The Rodent 6 and 7 would fit the bill for a bigger knife, and Swamp Rat really is a bargain considering their quality. ESEE and Becker are great quality as well, though the steel is a step below what Swamp Rat uses. It is arguable that ESEE (Rowen) has a better heat treatment than BK&T, but only slightly imho. I own knives from ESEE, BK&T/Ka-Bar, and Swamp Rat, and I can strongly recommend all three brands (though the Swamp Rats really are something special).
 
Yup, Becker or Esee. I am an Esee man myself. Love the 6! It has seen a lot of camp use for me. If you need bigger, the Junglas is amazing.
 
I would probably get a Kabar Becker BK-9 for your purposes.

The short machetes are also quite useful in the woods for chopping. My favorites are Condor Pack Golok, Condor Village Parang, Condor Golok, and a discontinued Condor Puerto Rican. Thinking about picking up a wood handled Condor El Salvador.
 
I'd get the Esee 6 and I'd buy from the place with the custom G10 scales. Buy the blade separately and pick your scales.

The other one you could consider not on your list is a BRK Bravo.
 
There are some good knives listed here. Others you might consider would be Buck Hood Punk in 5160, Ontario Randall fixed blade over 10 inches long of 5160 http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ONRTAK2/ontario-randall-rtak-ii-fixed-plain-blade-micarta-handles-8628

Svord makes some good knives in convex ground L6 steel. Ontario also makes several nice knives in their spec plus line in both 1095 and 5160. The Gen 2 sp 42 is a coated 8 inch blade of very nicely heat treated 5160.

Lots of others around but the prices tend to go up sharply.

In addition, people generally mean well when they talk about this or that brand having the best heat treat but the truth is they don't know anything about the heat treats except maybe the hardness and possibly the method ( high temp salt tanks or whatever). There is no way to state objectively which brand is "best" at heat treatment. The true heat treat protocols are proprietary information from company to company. Usually only the really large manufacturers do their own heat treating. Most contract out.
 
Get a used Fallkniven A1, perfect blade for what you described. If that's too pricey, cold steel makes a quasi-clone that some people like. Don't remember what it's called but I've never used it.
 
Thank you to everyone who replied! It seems that ESEE 6 and BK7/9 are the winners if this were a poll, but there are a lot of other suggestions to look into also. Time to do more homework!

C_Becker said:
Most of the knives you listed are 1095, so I wouldn't consider them "good" edge retention. Maybe decent.
The Vox Rold is made out of D2, which has better edge retention, but I dunno if you could really field sharpen it.
It is a really great knife though and if you use it for wood mostly it will stay sharp for a LONG time being D2, so maybe you don't even have to sharpen it in the field.

It will chip more easily though compared to 1095 when you hit stuff like rocks.
That said, D2 is not as brittle as teh interwebs will make you believe.
If you take the coated version, you shouldn't have any problems with corrosion, D2 being almost stainless anyway.
All in all a great knife with great ergos for a decent price. Made in China though if that matters to you. To me, it doesn't.
Sound like I get paid for advertising that knife, but I just really love mine :)

If you look for something made in the USA and for a steel somewhat tougher than D2, definitely take a look at SwampRat knives. Their 52100 has a very good reputation around here and it has the same great warranty as the other Busse-kin. And very decent prices, too. If you got some more money to spend, buy a Busse TGLB. It don't think you could ever break that knife ! And even if you do, you'll get a new one !

Or if you decide to go 1095, definitely go ESEE. Best heat treatment, best warranty, great fit and finish, good sheaths. In fact, I think ESEE has the best
factory sheaths period.
Click to expand...

I'm quite familiar with D2, and personally it is my favorite blade steel, even if it is a pita sometimes. I think it's worth it.

Peregrin said:
Let's see how this does in General Knife Discussion.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for moving the thread!

TheJeepster said:
The only trees where you are at are poisonous. Never cook your hotdogs on the sticks from trees out there. You will not wake up the next day. At least that was the warning I received when I live there (Corner of 59th Ave and Northern in Glendale).

Don't let those big saguaro cactus fall on you if you cut one down.

You need a machete for where you are at. The stickers on some of the cactus out there are longer than the knives you are asking about.

Of the knives you suggested I like the Cold Steel Recon Scout best. Good luck, wear long sleeves and drink lots of water.
Click to expand...

Rofl...you are correct about the trees, for the most part. There are a couple around the valley that you can use, but they're few and far between...up north though it's a different story. I only camp up north anyways.

What you wrote about the cactus had me laughing out loud...they do get pretty nasty, but the cholla (jumping cactus) is by far the worst, and extremely annoying to try and get out. That plant is the whole reason I bring my leatherman with me on hikes, just in case I have to rip spines out.

The Mastiff said:
There are some good knives listed here. Others you might consider would be Buck Hood Punk in 5160, Ontario Randall fixed blade over 10 inches long of 5160 http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ONRTAK2/ontario-randall-rtak-ii-fixed-plain-blade-micarta-handles-8628

Svord makes some good knives in convex ground L6 steel. Ontario also makes several nice knives in their spec plus line in both 1095 and 5160. The Gen 2 sp 42 is a coated 8 inch blade of very nicely heat treated 5160.

Lots of others around but the prices tend to go up sharply.

In addition, people generally mean well when they talk about this or that brand having the best heat treat but the truth is they don't know anything about the heat treats except maybe the hardness and possibly the method ( high temp salt tanks or whatever). There is no way to state objectively which brand is "best" at heat treatment. The true heat treat protocols are proprietary information from company to company. Usually only the really large manufacturers do their own heat treating. Most contract out.
Click to expand...

I've read a ton on heat treating, and working as an engineer, I've come to realize exactly what you have said. Thanks! I'll look into Svord and the Ontario line again. I honestly spaced Ontario when I was writing this.

Cassander said:
Get a used Fallkniven A1, perfect blade for what you described. If that's too pricey, cold steel makes a quasi-clone that some people like. Don't remember what it's called but I've never used it.
Click to expand...

I've been looking around. I have a little time, so this is definitely a possibility, Thanks!
 
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