New Guy interested in Fighters

E

Edgedog

Joined
May 10, 2015
Messages
18
Recently I've sort of been bit by the fighter bug. I have absolutely no real use for one, but what the heck, right? I'm pretty new to the knife thing, and all my current knives are modern/traditional EDC folders or small fixed blades, so I'm not terribly knowledgable about fighters. I'd appreciate any guidance as to what makes a fighter "good", be it production or custom. I'm mostly thinking something in the $100-$200 range should I decide to pull the trigger. Thanks, and my apologies if this has been asked before.
 
Any knife would do in a pitch.
But when an individual gets serious about knife fighting,
It would relate to his preference
And more importantly,
Martial or combative skills.
At that point such an individual's knife/knives could even be customised
To fit the defined purpose or method of deployment.
Thus, some knives end up having unusual looks
Which only the owner alone can appreciate.
Try, posrting at the practical tactical forum here.
I m sure you will get a dizzing amount to figure out.
 
A fighting knife actually meant for that purpose will - or should - have good balance and ergonomics, or a long blade isn't going to be of much use. A good sheath with numerous carry options is another selling point on a combat-oriented knife. I got bit by the "tactical" bug a few years ago and bought a number of $40-80 fixed blade knives in a fairly short span of time. My favorite is the Buck Nighthawk in its various flavors, although it wasn't until Buck teamed up with TOPS on the latest versions that they added a decent sheath. I also really dig the CRKT Ultima, even if its steel is nothing spectacular. My favorite is probably my Cold Steel Recon Scout in Carbon V steel, which I believe was made by Camillus when it was still in its US-based incarnation. It's truly nothing fancy, but its beautiful in its simplicity.
 
Thanks for the quick replies! While I do have a bit of training in Kali/Escrima, I have no interest in using a knife for self-defense unless it's a complete last-resort situation. I'm looking at these from more of a collector's perspective, although I'd certainly use them outdoors if possible. Does anybody have any experience with the Mineral Mountain fighters and bowies?
 
When I think of fighting knives, I think of bowies, daggers (like Fairbairn-Sykes, Gerber Mark II), Rambo/Special forces style knives, bayonets, and daggers (Green Beret knives, old SOG offerings, military bayonets, trench knives)

For fighters, there's basically the need for length. (To reach vital organs, and for general ability to reach further) Good balance for fighting and quick transitions is also important. (Some fighting knives just feel electric in the hand... Really fast. So cool to feel) I guess for military use though, some more tougher and utilitarian blade shapes can be useful.

Some knives will be more tool use oriented, some will be more killing humans oriented.

I like stuff like:
Old SOG knives from the nineties, seki made
Old Al Mar knives
All sorts of custom bowies
Fairbairn-Sykes daggers
Applegate-Fairbairn knives
Gerber Mark II,
Chris Reeves/Harsey Green Beret knife

All of the above can have some degree of collectibility and make good additions and representations of the fighting knife category. Collectibility is almost all about rarity vs desireability/popularity vs personal/historical value of the knives. My own desires and interests lead me to value the knives above. Yours may lead you to different areas.
 
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Edgedog said:
Recently I've sort of been bit by the fighter bug. I have absolutely no real use for one, but what the heck, right? I'm pretty new to the knife thing, and all my current knives are modern/traditional EDC folders or small fixed blades, so I'm not terribly knowledgable about fighters. I'd appreciate any guidance as to what makes a fighter "good", be it production or custom. I'm mostly thinking something in the $100-$200 range should I decide to pull the trigger. Thanks, and my apologies if this has been asked before.
Click to expand...

No apologies necessary. This comes up frequently, but I never get tired of talking about it. You're looking for a blade size of 9 1/2 to 12 inches, made of tough steel that will not fracture with hard impact, that has a great balance and quickness, and that feels great in your hand. A second edge on top or clip point is also a good idea, along with a half guard or full guard. The blade length is important because the extra reach gives a pretty enormous advantage over a small folder or even a midsize knife. That said, the balance and quickness is the most important quality, along with toughness of the steel. You don't want a fighter snapping off at the tang. If that description sounds like a bowie, that's right, I'm partial to 'em. They make great fighters. Cold Steel's Laredo Bowie in O-1 carbon steel (10 1/2 inch blade) would be a good place to begin at your price range, around $160-180 street price these days. They also make the Trailmaster (slightly smaller) and the Natchez (slightly larger). Other makers, the CRKT Hisshou a Japanese style knife but it doesn't have a guard, that runs around $150. There are some decent ones on atlantacutlery.com by windlass steelcrafts, made in India. Those are less than a $100. Do your research and pick what you think best suits you. After you get one, you'll get a lot more, I'm sure. The Bill Bagwell book Bowies, Big Knives and the Best of Battle Blades is a good place to learn about fighters. It's available on amazon and other internet retailers for about $25.
 
Edgedog said:
Does anybody have any experience with the Mineral Mountain fighters and bowies?
Click to expand...
Sadly i do not.
But i always did fancy that wickedly curved "assassin"
assain.jpg
 
i'm assuming you're a collector. so why don't you start with the classics. get a FS commando dagger and a Ka-bar USMC combat knife. next look for a gerber Mk I and II. beyond those (and assuming you're not looking for customs), you'll land with the present brands and models.
 
Thanks for all the informative replies! I'll start doing my research. As of now, I'm leaning towards the Cold Steel bowies suggested by GrReaper as a good starting point. I'll be sure to check out that book too, read the sample on Amazon and it seemed highly informative.
 
Rappy said:
Or a Buck 119 :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Or a Buck 110. Or a grocery store steak knife. Or a Schrade Sharpfinger.

which probably have been involved in more real knife fights in the last 100 years than all other knives combined.

If you have no interest in having a knife fight, I'd just get whatever you think looks coolest. :thumbup:
 
I'd start with the more traditional stuff and work my way up to the more expensive kinds of fighters. Yes, I'd even get a couple of the Rambo knives. A knife is only a "fighter" when you fight with it, otherwise it's just a knife. My favorite is probably the Blackjack 1-7, but it is a bit over your budget at the moment. The pupils of my eyes dilate when I pick it up.
 
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