Need advice on a new fixed blade

I checked out an ESEE 4, uncoated, non-serrated, 1095 knife online. Seems like a great deal for ~$99.00. Would need some mods - G-10 scales and maybe a custom leather sheath, but by then I'd be nearing the price of a GSO 4.1 in CPM-20CV!
 
2) Bark River Bravo 1 Rampless A2 Field knife, with Micarta handle: like the handle shape, steel, grind, sheath quality, and warranty, but I have concerns about the blade thickness. I know they offer an LT model, but I am not interested in 3V steel.
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Not sure what you're concerned about, regarding the thickness, but even though the Bravo 1s are 0.200" thick they slice very well due to the convex grind. I took apart a huge mountain of cardboard last weekend with my S35VN Bravo 1 and it cut soooo well.
 
<knife slumming ahead...>

I'd recommend pointing your YouTube app to the channel by Virtuovice. He's a doctor in northern Japan and an avid deer hunting (they can hunt unlimited there) with money to spend. His knife reviews have been interesting to watch has he's gone through a whole bunch of knives from a whole bunch of makers. He uses them for hunting and bushcraft and the videos are great (especially if you like sharpening). The videos aren't coming out as much now that he's dialed in his preferred edge geometry and pretty much settled on either Bark River or .... get this... Mora.

Here is a video that explains his asymmetrical grind and that puts a reprofiled Aurura in 3V up against a rerprofiled Mora Companion HD. The results I think pretty much speak for themselves and fans of expensive knives and of cheap knives will each see what they want to see. He concludes that the 3V Aurora is better but also that the Mora is nearly as good for a fraction of the price.

My take away is that the grind is probably the most important issue, so my recommendation is to search his other videos on scandi-convext or scandivex or asymetric grind. After that, buy a knife who's look and materials make you happy (with the naggng knowledge that a $15 Mora can basically keep pace...)

[video=youtube_share;sLlxWbce4iE]http://youtu.be/sLlxWbce4iE[/video]
 
Survive GSO 4.1, I just received one in 3v. I feel really lucky. I bought one of their "lottery knives" which are basically their seconds, only they don't specify what the issue is. They say things like could have bad etching, imperfect finish, etc. The one I got had a tiny nick on the spine, hardly noticeable a perfect user knife. The knife feels amazing in hand and is super sharp. There may be one of these lottery knives left. The only issue is that they are moving and may be shutting down for a while.
 
I own the Survive! GSO 4.1 in a very limited S90v. I've spoken to Guy on the phone and intend to purchase more of his knives. It's great as an all around bush/camp knife. They come up a lot on the fixed exchange here. That's my recommendation. Buy one and check it out. If you get it I'm positive that if its not for you there's a mile long line behind you that will take your "catch release". I'll personally never part with mine.

I'd really like a GSO 10 but I just "want" rather than need. It's basically a $350 machete.
 
I don't think the Esee Laserstrike has been mentioned yet, I haven't had the pleasure using either of them but many who have seem to favour it over the 4.

Another one you might like is the Enzo Trapper with a FFG & micarta handle scales in N690co.

Enjoy your search :thumbup:
 
You guys are killin' me! Every time I think I'm getting closer to making a decision, someone recommends yet another great knife. Like I said, too many great options out there - how's a guy supposed to make a decision?
 
You've had 100 of the best knives in the world thrown at you; you're nailed to the backboard.

Why don't you find a custom builder? :D
 
High_Noon said:
You guys are killin' me! Every time I think I'm getting closer to making a decision, someone recommends yet another great knife. Like I said, too many great options out there - how's a guy supposed to make a decision?
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When I was younger and I was waffling on making decisions my dad would say "S--- or get off the pot." Meant make a decision and quit farting around. There are way too many possibilities out there that meet your criteria and that plethora of options, while a nice problem to have, is causing you to "analyze til you're paralyzed".

2 ways to do this, each being a 4 step process - 1 is the cheap way and 2 is the fast way---

Method 1 -
Pick the top three that appeal to you based on your specs without ever even holding them.
Find some one(s) who has(have) them and handle/use them.
Pick the one that you like the best.
Buy it.

Method 2 -
Pick the top three that appeal to you based on your specs without ever even holding them.
Buy all three.
Test them all.
Sell the ones you don't like.

Both methods work. So, paraphrasing what my dad would say.... "Choose or get of the pot." :D
 
zzyzzogeton said:
When I was younger and I was waffling on making decisions my dad would say "S--- or get off the pot." Meant make a decision and quit farting around. There are way too many possibilities out there that meet your criteria and that plethora of options, while a nice problem to have, is causing you to "analyze til you're paralyzed".

2 ways to do this, each being a 4 step process - 1 is the cheap way and 2 is the fast way---

Method 1 -
Pick the top three that appeal to you based on your specs without ever even holding them.
Find some one(s) who has(have) them and handle/use them.
Pick the one that you like the best.
Buy it.

Method 2 -
Pick the top three that appeal to you based on your specs without ever even holding them.
Buy all three.
Test them all.
Sell the ones you don't like.

Both methods work. So, paraphrasing what my dad would say.... "Choose or get of the pot." :D
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Agreed. Buy, keep, sell, trade. It's not a lifelong commitment. The true cost of an item is the difference between what you pay for it and what you sell it for. ...or, the way Io at it, the annual cost dividing acquisition cost by year's of use. My first buck knife is probably down to an annual cost of under 50 cents. (I still own it, got while in cub scouts).

Good luck with your search.
 
I actually started a forum post on what would be one of the best fixed blades out there so if you want to check it out here's the link, > http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1236941-What-is-the-best-Fixed-blade < the 2 best choices I would recommend is 1 the Tops BOB and 2 the Busse TGLB (IF you have a ton of money to spend) both are well rounded all around knives and everyone can agree they are very high quality knives.
 
L.T. Wright Genesis gets my vote. It looks great.
[video=youtube;_sVVggmz3IA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sVVggmz3IA[/video]
 
High_Noon said:
You guys are killin' me! Every time I think I'm getting closer to making a decision, someone recommends yet another great knife. Like I said, too many great options out there - how's a guy supposed to make a decision?
Click to expand...

Here is my suggestion.

Dust off that Dozier and give it some field love. I imagine many of your folders would also love to have a crack at field work. They are not as delicate as you might think so you may as well use em while you consider what you want from your next knife. :) I'll second the recommendation to look at virtuovice's youtube channel.

If you are already packing a hatchet (presumably a sharp one?) you really don't need that much from your knife. It is going to be mostly food prep.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
When I was younger and I was waffling on making decisions my dad would say "S--- or get off the pot." Meant make a decision and quit farting around. There are way too many possibilities out there that meet your criteria and that plethora of options, while a nice problem to have, is causing you to "analyze til you're paralyzed".

2 ways to do this, each being a 4 step process - 1 is the cheap way and 2 is the fast way---

Method 1 -
Pick the top three that appeal to you based on your specs without ever even holding them.
Find some one(s) who has(have) them and handle/use them.
Pick the one that you like the best.
Buy it.

Method 2 -
Pick the top three that appeal to you based on your specs without ever even holding them.
Buy all three.
Test them all.
Sell the ones you don't like.

Both methods work. So, paraphrasing what my dad would say.... "Choose or get of the pot." :D
Click to expand...

OK, I slept on this and have decided that a 5th step needs to be added.

Step 5 is:::

Repeat until you find "The Perfect Knife For You" or until you run out of money, whichever comes first. :D
 
MatthewSB: I do not particularly like thick blades - I prefer a thinner blade. Should I go the BR route, I would probably get a Bravo 1 LT, but I am still on the fence regarding 3V steel.

pinnah: I will certainly check out Virtuovoice.

onojoe: I am not adverse to getting a GSO 4.1 &#8220;second.&#8221;

AmericanEDC: a GSO 4.1 would be great for me. I will continue to look on the Exchange.

sideways: Yep, the Dozier is awesome.

zzyzzogeton: Yessir. My top 3, in order of preference right now are:
1) GSO 4.1 in CPM-20CV
2) Bark River Bravo 1 LT
3) L.T. Wright FFG Genesis?

TheBushWookie: I&#8217;ll check out the link. Busse knives are cool, but I&#8217;m not sure I want to spend that kind of $.

mmarkh: I would be interested in an L.T. Wright w/ a FFG.


Mike-The-Knife: Yep, I just missed &#8216;em, but I&#8217;ll keep looking on the Exchanhe and elsewhere. Apparently it will be a while until Survive! Has more in stock due to their move, but I&#8217;m not in a hurry.

Thanks everyone!
 
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There was... the GSO 4.1 CPM-20CV has been sold. I inquired about it last night. The one you posted a link to yesterday is still available, but I am still on the fence regarding CPM-3V steel. Quick, someone talk me into 3V!
 
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