Need a fixed blade

[Tachead01]

Here is a list of nice knives that would fit the bill. Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter, Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner, Esee 4(1095 or 440C), Tops B.O.B., Tops Scandi Trekker, Tops On Point Tactical , Bark River Bravo, Bark River Gunny, Fallkniven A1, Survive GSO series, exc.

There are a lot of companies and models. You might want to ask your son about his preferences as knives can be a personal item and tastes can vary greatly.

 

[Cobalt]

I want to buy my son a new knife and he wants/needs a good fixed blade. This knife will be heavily used for cutting brush for trail blazing, feild dressing animals up to and including white tail deer and general in the woods food duties. He is not a kid he is a 40 year old man that is an avid outdoorsman. I would like to stay around $200 for this purchase but if necessary I wil go higher. I know and collect folders but never had fixed blades to know how well different brands and models preform. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I would recommend these:

ESEE 6
Swamp Rat Rodent 6
GSO 4.7

All three fit in the price range and are top quality products.

 

[Velitrius]

I don't think there's really a better place to buy a fixed blade then here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades

So many options, all custom made.

I like the cut of your jib, sailor.

Either that, or at $200 I'd get him a Bradford Guardian 4.

 

[highestpoint]

Bark River, Fiddleback Forge, Benchmade Bushcrafter 162.. These are all on my list for potential fixed blades next

 

[zombieassassin]

+1 rodent 6

 

[SALTY]

Many knice knives shown and referenced in this thread. If he would appreciate work horses more than show horses I might respectfully suggest, in your budget, two Beckers: a BK15 (<$50) and a BK-9 (<$110). I am a big fan of the BK-5 but for a deer guttin' and skinnin' knife - the BK-15 is very hard to beat. The BK-9 is a renowned chopper.

With some careful internet shopping, a 15 and a 9 could be acquired for enough under $200 to allow for optional handle scales and/or a nice leather sheath.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I would reco a Becker BK5. Take a look at this 3-year review that I read yesterday on our forum...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Year-Knife-Review-The-Becker-BK5-Magnum-Camp

 

[highestpoint]

Also check out Ambush Knives

 

[Surfingringo]

I'm also in the camp of getting a skinner and a machete. A machete for clearing brush can be had for next to nothing. Spend the money on the skinner where it matters. My recommendation would be the Spyderco Phil Wilson Southfork. Just outside of your budget but a brilliant design for a hunting knife/skinner.

 

[r redden]

Thanks for all the great input. I contacted a knifemaker from here that lives close to me and going to buy my son a handmade knife. ( probably get one for myself also ) and let him pick out an inexpensive machete from one of the web based knife stores. Thanks again Blade Forums is a great community to be a part of.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Thanks for all the great input. I contacted a knifemaker from here that lives close to me and going to buy my son a handmade knife. ( probably get one for myself also ) and let him pick out an inexpensive machete from one of the web based knife stores. Thanks again Blade Forums is a great community to be a part of.

Your son is darn lucky, that's a heck of a fine gift. Here's to him using both in good health!

 

[strategy9]

Tramontina = best "cheap" <$20 machete on the market.

 

[NJBillK]

Please check out JK Handmade subforum in my sig line.

John (the maker) can make just about anything you can dream up.
Hes making a knife for my sons birthday in September, and even has my sons initials stamped into the blade.

Check out the picture thread over there to see all the different styles and whatnot.

In my opinion, a custom handmade knife is much more meaningful than a mass production blade.
And his price point on a blade that big is right on par with what your wanting to spend.

Exactly the Craftsman I was going to mention! I love his pieces and every one that I do have, just straight out performs.

Check out the link in my sig for a pre order of his going on. Only two models this time around, but he has plenty available to build for you, plus a few currently available for immediate shipment.

Or, he can build you The knife that He wants. Just think about it, you get a box in the mail and His first Good fixed blade is one that you were instrumental in the design of.

Edit, just saw your post. Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[TheStupid]

The ranking has nothing to do with product quality. Prices are estimates and don't represent the quality. It's just a list of recommendations since I recently did some research on this subject.

1. ESEE 6, $120
2. GSO 5.1, $250
3. TOPS Silent Hero, $160
4. TOPS Tex Creek XL, $160
5. Winkler II Knife, $375. Mr. Winkler has many wonderful options.
6. Doug Ritter RSK® Mk2 Perseverance (Knifeworks Exclusive), $125
7. Ka-Bar 1217 USMC, $70

 

[DeadboxHero]

Bark River Bravo 2 in 3v would be an excellent choice for hunting, and brush clearing.

 

[bt93]

Check out the Buck Frontiersman, it's 200 dollars from Buck, surely less elsewhere. Noone has yet mentioned Buck, but they have great service and not too many knock they're quality. From much reading their 440hc is probably better than other brands 440 hc. Anyway let us know what you eventually get.