My opinion of the best knife.

mymindisamob

mymindisamob

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Feb 1, 2005
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I have searched high and low for what I feel is the best blade for me. I have bought and traded just about anything and everything I could lay my hands on, to no avail. I do have a Charlie May OSK-1 on order and I love the look of Ray Laconico's current work but haven't quite been able to grab one yet. The real problem is though, since handling the BA III, which wasn't mine, I have been ruined for anything else and I am unable to pay the current prices even if I do run across one. So, my question is, "What knife would you choose to replace or substitute for a BA III?" Just looking for input.;)
 
Groovemaster maybe?

its real nice. looks different til ya hold it and use the cut outs in spine.

they work well with thumb or index finger...not offering mine



see below for some other ideas

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Since you need something more readily available at a reasonable price, I second the SAR 5. I think that you wouldn't be disappointed with it.
 
Not knowing what you would like to use it for I have two suggestions.

SAR 5 or a Cutellus
 
I feel your pain. I have a black/snakeskin BAIII that I got a few years back and watching the exchange prices I can't bring myself to use it. I agree with knife hunter the groovemaster is the same knife without the extra 3/4 of an inch for the lanyard whole (waste of length to me), the Buffalo Soldier is basically the same as the GM with different groove shapes and a full height grind. One of my favorites. Easier to aquire however and functionally better than the BAIII to me is the Swamp Rat Ratmandu. I have three of them and while the micarta is lighter I prefer my black/black G10 version, it just feels right. This is the blade Jerry should steal back from the rats and make it in infi, satin, and green linen. Not that he has problems selling blades but this would sell like hotcakes. It, like the BAIII, has a very good blade to handle ratio. Its not nearly as "girthy" as current knives like the BATAC. Makes for a great carry knife in the size range of the BAIII.
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the least expensive option IMHO is the old swamp rat Howling Rat.

Its the BA III with a res-c handle. Atleast to me
 
knife hunter said:
the least expensive option IMHO is the old swamp rat Howling Rat.

Its the BA III with a res-c handle. Atleast to me
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My wife has mine, and I feel it is almost perfect. If it weren't for the massive choil, I'd just take it back.;)
 
Might look into a Tanker A as well. Similar styling and ergos with a bit less length. I've seen those on the exchange at better rates.
 
Stop it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


NO CHATTING PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
HRLM. Not INFI, but definitely a dead-ringer. Slightly different handle (advantage: HRLM, IMHO) and near the same blade - the HRLM is a bit shorter.

If it weren't for the collectability of the ABA, I'd probably not own mine. The handle just doesn't quite do it for me. But the HRLM handle MELTS into my hand. Odd.
 
Which BAIII? What config you want most? What makes it the best for you as an all around blade?

One of the reasons I ask is that I've toy with the idea of what "one" blade would suit all my needs in the field. The holy of holies so to speak. Haven't figured it out yet......lol, hell I'm not even close. But it sounds to me that you may have come up with one......and I'm wondering why it's the BAIII?
 
In a perfect world, the BA III that would be IT for me would be Satin and Black Linen. I would convex it of course. It is perfect in size for bushcraft, skinning and even some moderate whiddling. It can be battoned and it's made of INFI. Those are the main reasons, but it just feels perfect to me. The only knife that has felt as right in the hand for me is the ST Ripper.
As for the HRLM, no offense meant to anyone who likes it, but I hate the way they look and feel. I find the handle so aesthetically unpleasing that I will crop them out of picks I keep of other knives shown with them. On top of that, I absolutely despise clip points.
As for Satin Jacks, they were what popped my INFI cherry.
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The Straight handled ones are the best though. I love the SJT, but it would be near perfect an inch shorter.
 
Sadly, we're all so 'experienced' (maybe even 'jaded') that nothing will really serve as a substitute for our favorite.

Fortunately, isn't the mere pursuit at least half of the fun? ;):cool:





I tried to avoid the old-style Busses to avoid this sort of situation. And then I got a good deal. Now I'm hooked. :mad:
 
OldPhysics said:
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Fortunately, isn't the mere pursuit at least half of the fun? ;):cool:


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QUOTE]



I think so. I like the hunt, the kill and finally the actual touch.


after that, I am kinda like a kid with his sand box.


For me I think I have found that its like a pristine passaround. I need to touch em. The ones that dont just grab me.....I pass around.


THe ones that do I keep
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mymindisamob said:
I have searched high and low for what I feel is the best blade for me. I have bought and traded just about anything and everything I could lay my hands on, to no avail. I do have a Charlie May OSK-1 on order and I love the look of Ray Laconico's current work but haven't quite been able to grab one yet. The real problem is though, since handling the BA III, which wasn't mine, I have been ruined for anything else and I am unable to pay the current prices even if I do run across one. So, my question is, "What knife would you choose to replace or substitute for a BA III?" Just looking for input.;)
Click to expand...

At Blade West a porker and I were looking over the Busse table and were asking ourselves, that without the BAIII around what would be a good camp knife. Well there is the SAR 5 and that's about it. And when we were talking camp we meant packing in on foot where weight is an issue.

But as much as I like the Blade of the SAR 5 it isn't going to handle like a BAIII.

Too bad you didn't make it to Blade West I had a few others with me that I use for extra camp knives so that when my girlfriend has my BAIII I have a knife to use.

At Blade I saw the Okuden. Sharp Thing II and I think I'll be owing one of them soon.

Then Jerry could bring the SAR 4... he did post some time ago about that.


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