Need a hard use fixed blade

W

williammilkford

Joined
Feb 23, 2014
Messages
2
Hey guys I am looking for a hard use fixed blade.

FEATURES IM LOOKING FOR

- good at chopping/splitting
- low maintenance
- 75 bucks or less
- 7 to 10 inch blade
- reliable hard use knife

Thank you for all suggestions.
 
The Ontario SP45 and KaBar Heavy Bowie are in your price range. They aren't stainless but your budget and size limit the choices a bit. If you increase to $90 the Ontario SP50 is a very tough and reliable woods blade. 5160 steel, ergonomic shock absorbing handle, excellent heat treat.
 
Big difference IMO between a 7 and 10 inch blade. That being said, if you want a chopper go on the larger side.

A few that came to mind under or around $75:

- Becker BK7
- Ontario SP10, SP43, SP49.
- Kabar Heavy Bowie
- Condor Moonstalker
- Kaber USMC fighting knife (7" not a chopper by any means, but lighter and proven)
 
Ontario Ranger Bush Series RBS-9 Knife
Goes for around $70.
1095 steel, 3/16" thick, 9" blade length, micarta handle scales. :)
 
For just a little bit more, you could go with a great knife. I Becker BK9. I have one and it is AWESOME!!!! I great large knife, and a beast of a chopper.
 
Go look at the knife maker exchange here on bf. There are some extremely talented makers here. There are also some exceptional deals to be had.
 
The thing is, a 7-10 blade for hard use screams low-alloy steel, especially in your price range. Most knives of that type come with a coating of some sort which means only the edge is bare steel. When the coating wears off, you'll need to oil the blade from time to time, so it isn't really "low maintenance".

The only "hard-use" steel that is somewhat rust-resistant that I can remember right now would be Busses INFI, but its way out of your price range.
For 75$, you'll probably get 1095 or 5160, with 5160 being a little tougher and 1095 holding a better edge.

If you really only have 75, go with Ontario or Becker. They make quality knives that will take a lot of abuse, you will not go wrong with them.

But as others recommended: save up some $ and go for an ESEE. By the time you've upgraded the cheaper knives to the same sheath and handle quality, you're looking at the same price basically. And ESEE still has the best written warranty of those companies.
Not to mention the best heat treatment, great factory sharpness and great fit and finish

In short: ESEE :thumbup:
 
C_Becker said:
But as others recommended: save up some $ and go for an ESEE. By the time you've upgraded the cheaper knives to the same sheath and handle quality, you're looking at the same price basically.
Click to expand...

This is a very good point. The ESEE-4 and Laserstrike come with kydex sheaths that would cost at least $50 aftermarket, when you buy an ESEE-4 for $100 it's like paying $50 for the knife and $50 for the sheath.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top