New here with a fixed blade question

P

paxamus

Joined
Jan 30, 2015
Messages
4
Hey guys
Long time lurker with a first post. I'm currently looking at the Vulture equipment works Talon or a ZT 0180 Hinderer. My question is which one of these do yall prefer? Or is there another 4.5-5" good fixed blade I should consider? I'm planning on this being my all around hunting, skinning, bushcraft knife. Any input appreciated.
 
Check out the new Cold Steel Master Hunter in 3V. You get a lot of knife for the price and 3V is one of my favorite steels for a general purpose outdoors knife. It also has a grind that makes it more suited to slicing than the ZT 0180 or the Talon. A Becker BK16 would be another option to look at.
 
WELCOME!

Between the two, I prefer the blade profile/grind/thickness/steel of the ZT0180 over the Talon.


In the same price range, you should consider Bark River like the Fox River or Bravo 1 in A2, 3V, or S35VN.
bark-river-fixed-01-130m-bc-black-canvas-micart-ba130bm-thumb.jpg
bark-river-bravo-1-black-canvas-micarta-ba111mbc-thumb.jpg



At HALF the price, I prefer the KaBar BK&T BK15 or BK16 over the Talon.
ka-bar-becker-short-bk15-thumb.jpg
ka-bar-becker-short-bk16-thumb.jpg
 
BK15!

If you wanna see a bit of what it can do, check out my BK15 30 Day EDC Challenge thread over on the Becker subforum. It has quickly become my favorite knife, and it's not gonna be going off of my hip after the 30 days are up either.

2IyBW6Z.jpg
 
I think that any fixed blade that you like will be suitable for a general woods knife. For a hunting knife, I like a 3-4" blade overall due to the nimbleness and often the thinner bar steel used. But I agree that a 4-5" knife fits as a general woods knife and can be used for most any purpose in the woods as long as it is sharp and dependable.

I will just tell you my favorites of late and in no particular order: Kabar Becker BK-15 and BK-16, Dozier Pro Guides Knife, Blackjack 125, Fallkniven F1, Buck 192 in S30V steel, the new Blackjack 124, and various Bark River knives (only own a couple and not recommending a specific model). I have gravitated to this size of knife as my general do all fixed blade, but I love big blades, just seldom seem to use them.

I would couple this knife with a folder of your choice that you like and are comfortable using.
 
Fallkniven PHK IS WHAT I'D GO FOR. Excellent steel(3G) which is laser sharp. Great blade shape IMHO . Also look at the sk1, s1, a1, nl 4 or 3. Have used em all n loved them but have since sold them all and got a volcano. What a sweet knife it is. Happy hunting
 
I hunt, camp, and fish with one of several Moras I own and they are good performers. Don't let the price fool you, a $15 Mora Companion can do some serious work.

I also like the Becker Ka-Bar knives, but find them serious overbuilt for most cutting tasks. I would probably choose the BK16 if I was going that route.

I also plan on owning a Fallkniven F1 someday, so if that's in your price range give it a look.
 
jfk1110 said:
Fallkniven PHK IS WHAT I'D GO FOR. Excellent steel(3G) which is laser sharp. Great blade shape IMHO . Also look at the sk1, s1, a1, nl 4 or 3. Have used em all n loved them but have since sold them all and got a volcano. What a sweet knife it is. Happy hunting
Click to expand...
jfk, what sold you on giving up all those great Fallky's and getting the Volcano?
 
FA1BladeGuy said:
jfk, what sold you on giving up all those great Fallky's and getting the Volcano?
Click to expand...

I've always had a thing for trailing point or persian knives and love cocobolo as well. (Redheads 2). After using the lam CoS steel in the kolt I wanted to try it in a larger.format and have been totally impressed by it. This knife will be with me till the best part of me comes out of a worms southern orifice. I'd recommend a Fallkniven to anyone looking for a good knife to last. The steels they use are.top notch .
 
Just for the record, the Vulture Equipment Works knives are made by TOPS Knives, so if it's the design you want, go for it, but if it's the knife quality/materials, you can also look at ALL of TOPS Knives.
 
Check out the Esee 4 man. Great knife, touch as nails, and the best warranty in the business. Great steel choice too for hard use and bushcraft(Rowen forged 1095). For a stainless knife that would suit your use, I would go for the Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter or Saddle Mountain Skinner both in S30V. For something in the middle, have a look at the various Bark River models including the Bravo 1 and Gunny available in A2, 3V, or S35VN.
 
Last edited:
I would second JK Knives and the "fishikers design" posted above. His O1 steel is one of my favorites, and is fine regarding the field maintenance aspect. Takes a Great edge and will hold it for a longer duration over 1095crovan found on the Beckers.

That being said, the Beckers are no slouch in regards to edge holding and the ability to take a Great edge. On top of that, they are easier to maintain in the field.

If the JK doesn't resonate with you (it should though), I would also stand behind a Becker BK15/BK16.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top