My First Fixed-Blade

glockman99 said:
How about a Cold Steel Recon Scout?...Or maybe a Cold Steel SRK?
Click to expand...
The RS does not appear to be as robust as either the SR Camp Tramp or Fallkniven's A1, according the sstamp's tests. I'm assuming the SRK would fare about the same, other than performance differences do to its smaller size. Thanks for the recommendations.
 
EDCeeker said:
Ah! :) Thanks for the heads-up. I may well do that... if I can just figure out exactly how that process works and can find out if I'd get the knife in time (NLT Thu., 2006-10-19).
Click to expand...

Read the stickied threads in the Busse forum, there should be one that explains ordering procedure- basically waiting for the "go" thread to be posted on one of the forums, then sending your emails. It is a frenzy, but I have had good luck getting what I want. (dialup is a disadvantage)

If you do get one, call the Busse shop and ask if they can deliver it by the deadline.
 
kenk said:
Just in case you hadn't seen the new Doug Ritter RSK Mk3 ... it is the new big brother of the legendary Rittergrip:
4.5 inch long, 0.140 inch thick semi-custom S30V blade with full tang
Click to expand...
Coincidentally, a Mini-RSK was originally going to be my first new good folder. But, after reading up on them, I decided I preferred steels such as VG10, ATS-34, or 154CM to S30V. Thanks for the suggestion, tho.
 
Willieboy said:
I like the Bark River recommendations. I've read nothing but good things about them.
Click to expand...
Many of the Bark River's look good, no doubt. And it's hard to doubt the product, given so much enthusiasm for BRKT from people here that are no-doubt far more knowledgeable than I. (Many of which probably actually use their knives more often and more seriously than I, as well.) But, as I said, other than the Sandstorm, I'm not seeing anything that, on the face of it, has specs similar to the A1. And I've yet to see a "beat the hell out of" test/review of any BRKT knives like I have for at least four of Fallkniven's knives.

Willieboy said:
I also like Glockman's recommendation of Cold Steel's Carbon V models.
Click to expand...
I addressed Glockman's suggestions in a follow-up to him, so I'll not get redundant here.

Willieboy said:
Finally, I'd look at the Ontario RAT models. I'd look at the RAT3, RAT5 and TAK. I've been buying them from DLT Trading but they're available from many sources.
Click to expand...
ISTR looking at Ontario back several months ago when I was developing the "short list" I noted in my OP for this thread. I guess nothing in their lineup blew my skirts up--tho I really couldn't say why, anymore.

Thanks for your suggestions.
 
The Kraton handle of the A1 and SRK gives a better grip than the Thermorun handle of the S1 and F1. Both, the Cold steel SRK and the Fällkniven A1 are fine knives which are worth theyr price.

That said, did you consider one of the SOG bowies or the Gov-Tac? They may look too much as a combat knife though, but they're worth a look.

Mission Knives makes a tough A2 tool steel utility/combat knife, the MPK-A2 with a 5.75 or 7.125" blade. The price seems to be ok for what you get. May be worth a look too.

Edit: The Blackhawk Blades "Nightedge" looks useful too.
 
For your purposes, Bark River makes several knives that would be ideal. You can see most of them at DLT Trading Company's website.
My recommendations:
Settler
Sperati
Lil' Boone
Mountain Man

These are all great knives for camping & hunting chores. Personally, I have a Settler (green canvas micarta handle... mmmmm.....) and love it. It's my favorite fixed blade knife, hands down. The design is great for all kinds of tasks, from chopping, batoning and other large-scale jobs, to delicate slicing, food preparation, and fire-making. Totally reliable, comportable in the hand (can use it for hours without getting sore), well-made with excellent materials, sturdy, and nice-lookin'. You can't go wrong with a Settler.
If you'd like a slightly shorter blade, look into the Sperati. It's also an exceptional bushcraft knife. Same positive attributes apply (and to all the other Barkies, for that matter).
If you prefer a knife without a guard, look into a North Star, a Fox River, or the new one: the Aurora (coming soon to a dealer near you ;) ).
You won't be disappointed. And, your knife will have more character than some impersonally-mass-produced black-kraton-handled factory-lookin' knife; Bark River knives look & feel like custom pieces. (They've got the best warranty, to boot... His name's Mike Stewart, and he runs the show. If anything goes wrong, he'll make it right for you. :cool: )

Edit: the best way to learn about Bark River knives is to check out their forum. It's not on BladeForums, so I don't know for sure if I'm allowed to post its location here.... If not, I apologize and respectfully request that a moderator please remove my link. Bark River Knife and Tool forum
 
RogerRabbit said:
The Kraton handle of the A1 and SRK gives a better grip than the Thermorun handle of the S1 and F1. Both, the Cold steel SRK and the Fällkniven A1 are fine knives which are worth theyr price.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that bit of information. I was still vaguely considering the S1, instead of the A1, but I think this additional datapoint pushes me firmly into the A1 decision (between the two).

RogerRabbit said:
That said, did you consider one of the SOG bowies or the Gov-Tac? They may look too much as a combat knife though, but they're worth a look.
Click to expand...
Too "tactical" looking for me.

RogerRabbit said:
Mission Knives makes a tough A2 tool steel utility/combat knife, the MPK-A2 with a 5.75 or 7.125" blade. The price seems to be ok for what you get. May be worth a look too.
Click to expand...
The Fallkniven A1 would appear to be (much?) tougher, comparing Stamp's reviews/tests of each.

RogerRabbit said:
Edit: The Blackhawk Blades "Nightedge" looks useful too.
Click to expand...
Also too tactical for my taste.

Thanks for the feedback!
 
+1 for Bark River, great knives for the money

or go the cheap route - $20 ontario machete and $10 Mora - covers all the bases.

dave
 
Have you considered the Helle knives?they have the same type of blade(laminated stainless) as the Fallkniven's.They look very nice(not tac).They're about 100$.I'm looking at one myself(the brakar).
Just a thought.
 
I would also suggest the Bark River line. Perhaps a Clip Point Hunter would be good. Not great for chopping though due to size...

I have a Camp Tramp that I would be willing to part with if you want a knife that large...
 
After considing everybodies suggestions, I just pulled the trigger on a Fallkniven A1 Leather from New Graham Knives.

I'd like to sincerely thank each of you for your time. There were many good suggestions. I did look into each and every one of them--even the ones that initially struck me as unlikely to sway me. In the end: I still felt that, for my first and, for a time, at least, only large knife, of all that's currently available the A1 offered the best combination of size, performance and appearance for my immediate needs.

For you Barkie fans, and there were a lot of you ;), you may rest assured that a BRKT knife is probably in my future.
 
For what you are looking for I am with Glockman - the CS SRK is about the most bang for the buck in a relatively small, easy to carry blade. The 3/16" x 6" blade is just the right size. And weight.

Recon Scout is much thicker & heavier as are some of the other blades mentioned... And with all due respect to Mr. Stamp, I wouldn't worry about toughness for either model. They are both incredibly tough knives.

I have had an SRK for many years - even used it for a thrower for awhile - as if throwing it weren't bad enough, while doing so it struck some of the other knives I was throwing at the time on more than one occaison - so we are talking thrown blade to immobile blade contact - and the knife is none the worse for wear.

The SRK was my EDC during the hurricanes of '04. And probably will be again in '07... It is one of my favorites and I've got a few to choose from! Can't recomend it enough...
 
Since you settled on the fallkniven A1 I''ll warn you.......their knives are CURSED!!!

you buy one and the first time you handle it you'll be like "wow,are all of their knives this good?".....they are and you'll buy more and more of them.
Soon you'll never put one down(I'm playing with my S1 right now),your phone will have fallkniven-shapped stab marks in the numbers,your tv remote won't have any numbers left because you'll be changing the channel with your new knives,all of your arm hair will go by the wayside due to sharpness testing,all of your ceral boxes will have the tops sliced off,soon your home will be dominated by fallkniven knives........:D
you can also apply this to Busse,Ka-bar,BRKT.....ect
enjoy your new knives.
 
I normally recommend a knife I own but I went to House of knives today and had a feel of the SOG Seal pup elite and I was really impressed with the overall look and feel of this knife.But if I were to say one that I own you can't go wrong with a Blackjack Grunt........you will never want to put it down !!!!!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top