Need Opinions Please on Knife

C

Cesar

Joined
Nov 12, 1999
Messages
119
Okay, I'm know we've all had this question asked before by various people but now it's my turn if you guys don't mind.

I want to buy a fixed blade around 4-5 inches for everyday carry (not self defense) around the woods to complement my Strider BT which I use for bigger jobs like chopping. I looked at Mad Dog knives but the thought of an epoxy filled handle didn't appeal to me.

I'm thinking of linen micarta scales/handle, no tanto blades please. Quality is a must and I am willing to spend around the $200 range but of course less is better. I'm not too familiar with many custom makers so if anyone has any suggestions please give them to me. Thanks.
 
It isn't fancy, but IMO the Benchmade Nimravus is a good workable knife in the size range you're talking about.
 
I have used a Ka-Bar short model which has a 5.25" blade. It works great and costs only 35-40 bucks. It is a proven design that needs no gimmicks to work. The BK&T Campanion is a bit heavy but it certainly won't fail you. For a more custom knife the Air Assault by Newt Livesay is a sure bet. Best Regards, Clayton Hufford
 
In your size range (roughly)

Production:
Fallkniven A1 (hell of a knife for a "rubber" handled knife)
Becker Companion
Becker Magnum Camp
Marbles Trailmaker (7")
Benchmade Nimravus
Marbles Plainsman
Marbles Woodcraft
Something from Cold Steel?

The Marbles give you near custom quality (I just ordered my 7th one today.)

Custom
Allen Blade Combat Patrol Bowie
Newt Livesay Air Assault

Should be quite a few customs out there in your price range. Maybe others will post their favorites.

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Thanks for the responses! Keep them coming. Not too in to the BM Nimvarus. The Marble's sounds like a good choice. Maybe a Bob Dozier knife or a special ordered Strider w/a micarta handle and shortened blade. The only problem is the long wait times for such knives.
 
Cesar,
I think that you should reconsider a Mad Dog. The handles on them are the most comfortable I have handled, especially compared to the bolted-on handles on many of the other fixed blades on the market. I also like the simplicity of the handle being (for all practical purposes, I know it is actually three pieces) one big solid chunk of material. The durability of the handle material and its resistance to abuse is also important to me. If you have never held a Mad Dog then try to before you write them off. I don't see how the epoxy use in the handle is a negative aspect. Since the whole Mad Dog debacle last year people haven't been talking about them much, but I still think they are one of - if not the best, fixed blades around. I have been wanting a slim grip pack rat for a while now, I think it would be what you are looking for also.

[This message has been edited by Sesoku (edited 12-13-2000).]
 
The Becker Companion is the best bang for the buck out there in my opinion. Good ergonomics, good steel, good heat treat, and good sheath. the knife is done right!
 
Sesoku,
What was the Mad Dog debacle last year?

I looked again at their knives and the more I look the more I like. Perhaps one of those Mirage X knives in OD green or camo.

Anyways, I also started looking at Randall knives (30 month wait!) and Lynn Griffith seems to have some great looking blades. Anyone know if the Griffith knives are up to hard use?
 
Cesar,
I think the Mad Dog argument stemmed from warranty issues and grew into a big debate over whether or not someone was passing off counterfeit MD knives as the real deal. If you want to know what happened though I would suggest a search or ask Mike Turber about it. Anyway, back to your question. If I were you I would probably not get a mirage-X model if I were going to use it for general utility purposes. I think that the edge holding attributes would not compensate for the negative aspects of the blade medium for your intended uses. Take a look at this site, they have some great pictures of various models:

http://mdk.idv.tw/e_index.htm

Good luck, if you have any other questions let me know, and let us know what you finally decide on.

[This message has been edited by Sesoku (edited 12-14-2000).]
 
I think a Livesay is the way to go in your price range. I think the Air Assault is around $125. Micarta handles, indeed Newt is somewhat known for his comfortable handle design. Have a look as his site - I do believe there is a Livesay forum here either under custom makers or makers & manufacturers.

Newt's knives are very general purpose, and that includes a little prying. If you are looking for something that cuts even better, but might be a little less rugged, then do consider a Dozier...
 
Check out Allen Blade at:


www.geocities.com/bladecutlery/blade_cutlery_site001.htm

For a little over $100 you can get a custom blade 4"-5" with wonderfully contoured Micarta scales.

The operative word here is CUSTOM, i.e., you can choose blade length and shape/style, thickness of stock, flat or hollow grind, steel type (Talonite also, although for a bit more), full tang or Mortise, choil or no choil, rounded spine, etc. RE handle: send him a xerox print of your hand and he will tailor the scales to fit accordingly.

Look at Allen's designs for ideas, then tweak according to your prefs, call/e-mail him, and you're on your way to a knife that meets ALL of your specs.

Glen
 
Don't forget to check out the incredible value of Fallkniven; the A1, S1, and F1 are great woodsman's tools. All have super VG-10 steel and very comfortable handles. You could get an F1 and a WM-1, and still have plenty of $ left over from that $200 bill.
 
I hesitated to suggest a Dozier because you mentioned you wanted to do chopping. Dozier knives seem better suited for slicing instead of chopping. But I really don't know 'cause I don't own one...yet! I have a small utility on order and yes, the wait is long. But...I just made a deal with someone in the for sale or trade forum and I have a Dozier professional guide winging it's way here as we speak.
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But still, if you want to do a little chopping, I think Rob is bang on. The Companion is one helluva knife for the price. I now carry mine regularly when I'm hunting. It's just the right size for comfortable carry yet big enough to take out those pesky briars that want to cling to your clothes or small branches that want to poke your eyes out when you chase grouse into the thick brush. I find the Companion and the Fallknive A1 similar in weight and chopping ability and either would be a great medium size knife for a moderate amount of money. Marbles are classier but I have no knowledge as to what kind of abuse they can take. However, they all come with a convex grind and 52100 steel, so they should be tough and I can tell you from personal experience, they are awesome slicing blades.

I disagree with Sesoku about MD knives. For one thing, Sosoku goes to Michigan State, so what does he know?
wink.gif
For another, it baffles me how they can attach the handles the way they do and call that a good design for chopping. But...I don't want to start a whole MD thing again (but chrome is for bumpers, not knives).
biggrin.gif
Anyway, aren't they out of the $200 price range? I mean, if you want to spend big bucks, get a Busse Natural Outlaw or Steelheart.

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM

[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 12-14-2000).]
 
Lets see...4-5 in. blade for everyday carry. I have a few suggestions:

1. Fallkniven F1 - You'll have to look far and wide to find a better small drop point. They come with a super hard rubber handle, but you can also get one with Micarta handle scales. Truly an excellent buy. You can also get one with a leather or a Kydex sheath. I'd get a Concealex sheath for it from Eric (Normark) at On Scene Tactical. As Tony the Tiger would say, "They're great!"

2. Newt Livesay's and Allen Blade's knives worth considering. However Blade has a waiting list, and you should call Livesay to see what they have in stock to be sure they have the knife you want before sending money. A Livesay US Marshall would be great, so would a Blade MEUK w/ a drop point blade. Livesay also has some great small drop point hunters with desert ironwood handles that are awesome.

3. Barry Jones and his brother Phillip of Jones Knives make and sell great knives that you will find are exactly what you sound like you want. They are definitely worth checking out.

4. Running Dog Knife Company makes some real nice small blades that you might consider, too.

5. Definitely look at Bob Doziers new web site, because his stuff is first class at a great price.

6. Checkout the Entrek line of knives by Ray Ennis. He has drop point hunter that is priced right, and looks like a winner.

7. Cold Steel's Master Hunter is a excellent knife, too. Hard to find a better blade at that price.

8. Last but definitely not least, I'd consider a Busse Lean Mean Street. However they run about $225, and if you want one you better get in line quick, as they will no longer make Mean Streets at Busse Combat, after this run of Lean Mean Streets is done.

9. Lynn Griffith's Tracker knife seems sweet, but a bit pricey, IMO.

There's many more, but those are the ones I'd check out first.

Happy trails...




[This message has been edited by volvi (edited 12-14-2000).]
 
Without a doubt I would recommend a Chris Reeve One Piece. Mountaineer, Shadow or possibly the Aviator. All come in 4 and 5.5 inch blades. I carried an aviator for years in the military and you never knew it was there until you needed it.

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Hoah! (Its an Army thing!)
 
I spent most of this hunting season working with a new Marbles Bison Model, it is superb, I could not recomend it more highly.
 
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