My opinion of the best knife.

Yep, I think the Baby SAR or SAR 4 would be perfect, or near it anyhow.:thumbup:
I really enjoyed myself last time I made it to Blade West, and I think my wife is planning on us doing it next year as a Birthday trip for me. I hope to meet alot of you folks and share a bunch of blade fondling.
I have chatted back and forth with Skunk and kin about how cool it would be to get a gathering mid year for all us Western Region HOGs. I'm not much of a planner, but maybe someday we can do a Pre/Post Blade Western Hog Round-Up. Probably happen about the time we find the perfect knife.:o:D

Dagnabit, I still want a BAIII! Oh well, No Regrets!;)
 
Tony G,
Talk to Brian Okuden. I have a Sharp Thingy II that is 1/2" longer than his normal one. It comes with what may be the best kydex sheath made and at 4 1/2" of A2 it is close to perfect (given I can not get a BAIII!!!).
 
mymindisamob said:
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.
SJTSkull.jpg

The Straight handled ones are the best though. I love the SJT, but it would be near perfect an inch shorter.
Click to expand...

Then snag a Euro 4, basicly a shortened SJ. Tanker A is the same thing but with a clip point blade.

Rob
 
Ron Athay said:
Tony G,
Talk to Brian Okuden. I have a Sharp Thingy II that is 1/2" longer than his normal one. It comes with what may be the best kydex sheath made and at 4 1/2" of A2 it is close to perfect (given I can not get a BAIII!!!).
Click to expand...

His knives in that size are cool:cool:. They remind me of old Busse field grades. Of course I would't post this here if it were not that I had ordered mine already.:p :thumbup:

.
 
Not really one I can think of with the long handle of a BAIII that has a similar blade length.

Since you like Charles May(you will be blown away by his work BTW) he does have one called..I think "The Big Hand" that has the exact same profile as his "Rampage" (pictured in the center).
I've been planing to get one since I love the smaller Ramgage ALOT.

The River Knife by Sean O'Hare(top knife) has about the same length cutting edge as a BAIII, but with a shorter handle. Great knife.

Check David Mozier out as well, GREAT knives for the price. Have a few but this is the one I got at Blade(bottom Knife). Cutting edge of a BAIII, but a much differant knife, as you can tell. It locks in the hand better than any I have felt. His come with kydex, picked this extra sheath up at blade.

IMG_3570.jpg
 
Euro 4 feels great for me. Bit longer than the Tanker as mentioned but shorter than the Satin Jack. Blade looks not as wide as the BA3, very nice balance though.

euro4forsalext5.jpg
 
Have u checked out a caldwell 1-4. I just sent mine to david brown for some kydex. Cant wait to get it back.
 
Last edited:
Talk about Euros and Tankers got me thinking...

Well, For me this would be my absolute favorite blade in that size catagory ...
I may need to save up a little more $ to make this dream come through..

Bob Lum / Hunter / Damasteel mmmmm..
 
Last edited:
Ken44 said:
Since you like Charles May(you will be blown away by his work BTW) he does have one called..I think "The Big Hand" that has the exact same profile as his "Rampage" (pictured in the center).
Click to expand...

The Big Hand is a great knife. I have a scandi ground version of it:

woodcraft2.jpg


A comparatively obscure Busse alternative would be the NARK:

departmentofdefense.jpg


If you don't like the TAC handle, this won't appeal. It is just about the same size as the BATAC but made from thinner (3/16") stock. This one in my picture is of the even thinner 0.15" Special Presentation variety.
 
Anyone have a pic of the Euro 4 and the Tanker A side by side?

I think either of those knives are good candidates for the perfect every day user!
 
Ken44 said:
Not really one I can think of with the long handle of a BAIII that has a similar blade length.

Since you like Charles May(you will be blown away by his work BTW) he does have one called..I think "The Big Hand" that has the exact same profile as his "Rampage" (pictured in the center).
I've been planing to get one since I love the smaller Ramgage ALOT.

The River Knife by Sean O'Hare(top knife) has about the same length cutting edge as a BAIII, but with a shorter handle. Great knife.

Check David Mozier out as well, GREAT knives for the price. Have a few but this is the one I got at Blade(bottom Knife). Cutting edge of a BAIII, but a much differant knife, as you can tell. It locks in the hand better than any I have felt. His come with kydex, picked this extra sheath up at blade.

IMG_3570.jpg
Click to expand...

I love that Charlie May! I have a bit of a wait for my OSK-1, but I am sure it will be worth it.
 
rbmcmjr said:
The Big Hand is a great knife. I have a scandi ground version of it:

woodcraft2.jpg


A comparatively obscure Busse alternative would be the NARK:

departmentofdefense.jpg


If you don't like the TAC handle, this won't appeal. It is just about the same size as the BATAC but made from thinner (3/16") stock. This one in my picture is of the even thinner 0.15" Special Presentation variety.
Click to expand...

Again with the May! Awesome! I do like the TAC handles, but it puts the blade into a different category for me.
 
mymindisamob said:
"What knife would you choose to replace or substitute for a BA III?"
Click to expand...

Going back and looking at the original post, here are a couple suggested alternatives:

badgeralternatives.jpg


Top to bottom:
Charles May Big Hand Scandi in D2.
Koster Bushcraft in CPM 3V.
Krein Bushcraft XL in A2
Krein Bulldog in CPM 154CM
Krein TAD Gear Special (TGS) in D2

In my opinion, there are no finer choices than Tom's knives. All of these would be suitable for general purpose service. The Bulldog has a bit more of a self-defense capability, although that is not its principal design basis. It and the TGS fight to be my favorite.
 
daniel4572 said:
Have u checked out a caldwell 1-4. I just sent mine to david brown for some kydex. Cant wait to get it back.
Click to expand...

They had a table at Blade West and I checked those out. They're available in several blade lengths, 4" to 9" I think. 154CM and canvas micarta handles. They were excellent fit and finish. The Caldwells turn out a good knife!
 
mikeymoto said:
They had a table at Blade West and I checked those out. They're available in several blade lengths, 4" to 9" I think. 154CM and canvas micarta handles. They were excellent fit and finish. The Caldwells turn out a good knife!
Click to expand...
I should be getting my 1-7 any day now.
 
Last edited:
bill siegle had a couple protos on his table that looked to me like they were about the same size as the straight handled badgers. one of them felt fantastic in my hand, but he doesn't have them for sale yet. i didn't get any pictures of anyones tables this year, but i'd stay in touch with him. i'm looking forward to seeing these go into production.

Winston
 
Winston Smith said:
bill siegle had a couple protos on his table that looked to me like they were about the same size as the straight handled badgers. one of them felt fantastic in my hand, but he doesn't have them for sale yet. i didn't get any pictures of anyones tables this year, but i'd stay in touch with him. i'm looking forward to seeing these go into production.

Winston
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. I have wanted one of Bill's knives for awhile now. He is also one heck of a funny guy.:thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top