Need new fixed blade. What to get?

W

Wunderbar

Joined
May 2, 2003
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I'm looking for a 5-6" fixed blade that's not a SOG brand knife. I'd like to keep it under $90. Not interested any blades that are 420HC or that have plastic handles. Looked at the AUS-8A SRK and the OSI. I currently use a CarbonV SRK and thought I'd see what else was available and what comes recommended. Thanks.
 
In my order of preference:

Cold steel SRK San Mai III
Cold Steel ODA San Mai III (7" blade if that is OK)
Benchmade CSK
Gerber LMF
Buck Nighthawk (even cheaper than your budget)

You can pick any of these online or fleabay for less than 90, (ok, 94 for ODA).

Hope this helps.
 
Ontario Night Stalker 6 :) (if you dig the recurve) Ontario Ranger Series RD-6 (if you don't dig the recurve)
 
I'd recommend the RatManDu from Swamp Rat if you had a few more bucks to spend-super high quality practical design at 140 bucks. The SRK would be my next choice, hands down.
 
Nuthin' wrong with the Aus8a SRK. I beat the living daylights outta mine ( even this afternoon on solid oak) no probs whatsoever . I thought ,if it breaks, it breaks... but it hasn't. ( I have both carbon 5 and Aus8 ones.)

I have all the Esee's. If you like a good 6" bush knife ,get the Esee 6. If ya want to save some money and still get a great knife , get a Becker. I wail on these blades all the time. No issues at all ,except one minor thing: If the knives use screws to secure the handles ,check them for tightness and/or put some blue loc-tite on them. Other than that ,you can't lose with either brand.YMMV
:)
 
Wunderbar said:
I currently use a Carbon V SRK and thought I'd see what else was available and what comes recommended.
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Lots of good recommendations here. But if you've already got a Carbon V SRK, why are you looking for another fixed blade under $90.00? :confused:

There's nothing wrong with Carbon V (aka 0170-6C aka 50100-B). In fact, A. G. Russell and Jerry Busse picked up literally tons of it at the Camillus bankruptcy sell-off and Mike Stewart at Bark River is still making knives out of it. So unless there's a problem with your SRK or you're just plain tired of the knife, it should continue to get the job done.

If it were me, I'd be looking for something like a folder or multitool to complement my Carbon V SRK, not replace it.

.
 
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+1 on ESEE 6.

esee-6.jpg
 
Some considerations; Becker BK-2, CS Master Hunter, Ontario Ranger 4/6, Buck Vanguard, Ontario RAT-5. On the cheaper side, I've heard that the Gerber Big Rock Camp knife is a decent buy for the money.
 
bld522 said:
Lots of good recommendations here. But if you've already got a Carbon V SRK, why are you looking for another fixed blade under $90.00? :confused:


.
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My SRK in Carbon V recieved several chips and a missing tip after loaning it to my brother. Yes, I learned my lesson.:(

Are there ESEE's with 5-6" blades available under $90? Most of the sites I've seen ran them well over $130.
 
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Wunderbar said:
My SRK in Carbon V recieved several chips and a missing tip after loaning it to my brother. Yes, I learned my lesson.:(
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Sorry to hear that. :( The street price on the ESEE 6 is a little higher than $90.00. But it's similar in geometry to the SRK and Rowen's 1095 heat treat is as good as it gets. So it's likely to be the last 6" blade you'll ever need to buy. In addition, ESEE has a no-questions-asked lifetime warranty on their knives in case your brother ever manages to get hold of it. So I'll also give it my vote.

.
 
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+1 for esee 6 if you can spring the little bit of extra cash...also comes with a nice sheath at that price and down the road you can add the molle back for ~40-50 bucks which makes it super versatile.
 
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