Need help picking a fixed blade and a new folder....

O

onekneedown

Joined
Aug 24, 2010
Messages
2
So I've been reading through threads and searching various websites and I'm hoping the folks here can maybe provide some ideas.

I'm looking for a tactical fixed blade work knife for my SWAT rig. Don't want anything more than say 5"-5 1/2". It needs to be a plain edge, highly rust resistant (due to sweat, water, chemicals, etc), traditional blade shape so it can fit in a nylon MOLLE sheath. I'd prefer something no more than $250 at the top end as I'm having to buy a lot more gear too.

I'm also looking for a new EDC folder for my day to day invetigations duties. My 5 year old SOG is tired and frankly the edge sucks. It's held up fine for patrol duties but it's time to upgrade. Looking for a frame locking plain edge knife. I've been looking at a couple options and was hoping I could get some advice on the ones I've come up with so far....

Spyderco Sage 2 (Ti)
ZT 0550
ZT 0303 (might be a little big for daily business dress)
ESEE DPx HEST

A CRK Sabenza, Strider SnG, Hinderer XM-18 would be nice but out of the budget right now (maybe after Christmas). Any other options out there?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

-Chris
 
The HEST is a great choice, for both fixed blade and folder. I'd highly recommend a Swamp Rat Howling Rat or Ratmandu (128-140 bucks). Sr101 holds an insane edge, and the ergonomics of these knives are literally perfect. I doubt you could make them better. They are high carbon, but the finish is tougher than anything I've seen-ESEE, Zero Tolerance, you name it. With light maintenance and routine sharpening rust won't be an issue.
 
I'll just throw in a couple cents here for other potential options.
The Benchmade 710 (knifeworks has one with M390 steel... whoa! What a beaut!) is an excellent folder, don't write it off. There is also the BM 940. These both carry well and are hella good knives.
The next batch of Spyderco Gayle Bradleys will be out soon, definitely don't write this off either.
ZT 350... nothing wrong with that blade in the least.
Tons and tons of options, some might fit your hand better than others.
Good luck.
 
PayetteRucker said:
The HEST is a great choice, for both fixed blade and folder. I'd highly recommend a Swamp Rat Howling Rat or Ratmandu (128-140 bucks). Sr101 holds an insane edge, and the ergonomics of these knives are literally perfect. I doubt you could make them better. They are high carbon, but the finish is tougher than anything I've seen-ESEE, Zero Tolerance, you name it. With light maintenance and routine sharpening rust won't be an issue.
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I've looked at both Swamp Rat RMD (I might buy one later for other duties though) and the ESEE RC-5 but wrote them off for work due to the fact that the carbon steal isn't very rust resistant. I need something that I can kind of abuse since it might sit in the sheath for weeks/months at a time without use and I'd hate to have the knife be a rusty mess when I do pull it out to use it.

ras said:
Don't forget the Spyderco Military Titanium
Click to expand...

Another good option....although more money than all but the ZT 0303.
 
That whole 'carbon steel isn't very rust resistant' motif is BS. It's not like the stuff disintigrates on you. Unless you TRY to make it rust it takes a long period of time. I used to freedive in Florida with a 1095 5 inch Kabar strapped to my ankle. Not only was it soaked with salt water, but it also got full of sand, and wallowed in constant humidity. I just whiped it off before I put it back in the sheath, and whiped it with a silicone rag once every few weeks-to this day, not a speck of rust has touched the blade. If you take care of your tools and maintain your knives like you would your service pistol, that powder coated 52100 will not cause you an issue. The 5 is insanely large-I own one too-I probably wouldn't be using it as a duty blade. At that point I'd carry a breaching tomahawk. The RMD is the perfect balance between durable and practical carry. Know that you will be sacrificing a ton of toughness, chip and fracture resistance, etc. going with most stainless steels over a good high carbon. The few I would consider for a duty fixed blade are AUS8, ATS34 and BG-42. Maybe a SOG SEAL Pup? The blades are great-very comfy, very durable, and get extremely sharp, though the sheath sucks.
 
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How about an ESEE-3 or HEST would be a great fixed blade. The 3 and the 4 meet your blade length requirements and both are available with a MOLLE back sheath. They are great knives.

Here's one of my older 3's:

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Here's a few models together to compare the 3 and the HEST:
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All of your requirements for the fixed blade basically = Al Mar Sere Operator.

I have the 4" Mini Operator but the full-sized one is 5".

I really like mine and the sheath that comes with it is very nice too.
 
I can't contribute much to the conversation; just wanted to say, "Welcome to BladeForums."

Ft Collins? I love your beer up there. :D
 
Could always save by getting an ESEE fixed and go wild on the folder... zt550, umnum, sebbie, etc..
 
Take a look at Ontario's Ranger lineup. The RD-4 would be a good knife. It is 5160 carbon steel, but with the black coating it becomes rust resistant enough, as long as you may a modicom of attention to it. The sheath is set up for MOLLE carry.

Have you ever thought of an automatic for carry? Today's knives are well built and built to last, in most cases. The BM AFO II, in spearpoint and tanto, would be a great choice. The AFO II is an upgrade of the long lived AFO. These knives are also purchased by the government and issued to troops for use in the field. The few comments I've read were very favorable about this knife. Comments from soliders that have/do carry it that is.
 
You might look at the ZT350 for a folder. Coated S30V, and a stout blade. Can be had for under $120.
 
Another vote for BM 940 -- I EDC'd this one for many years (before I got my first Sebenza 3 years ago):

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The modified reverse tanto blade will do everything you ask of it. Comes in S30V and D2 steel.
 
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