New Knife Purchase Advice

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BOP1850

Joined
Jul 6, 2011
Messages
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I'm new here and I've been reading/researching for a few days looking for a little guidance on a new knife. The archival info I've run across has been very helpful in letting me know what mistakes not to make, but I'm looking for a little info regarding what would/could be a good fit for a fixed blade knife.

I have a few Benchmade and Spyderco folders for every day carry, but I don't know a lot about the fixed blades.

Initially, I'll use the knife in a photo layout for a magazine ad featuring my 1911's, but afterward, it will be a carry knife. I'm looking for a blade length of 4 to 5 inches in length and at least 1/4" thick. No Tanto blades and no wrapped handles.

I'm somewhat open on price range at the moment, but I'm not considering anything from MD.

Thanks Guys and I hope this is enough information to spur on helpful advice.
 
1/4" thick blade in the 5" range limits your options.

Becker BK2
ESSE 5
Ontario Ranger RD4
Busse SAR 4 or 5
 
Any other info, like more detail about what you will use the knife for? How much are you willing to spend? Coated or no? Any particular steel? Serrations? What about the tang, full, hidden, do you need a pommel? Handle material, micarta, G-10, wood? Sheath preferences, leather or kydex?
There are too many knives that are 4-5" long to narrow it down with the info you gave us.

I will say that these are great knives...
Bark River Bravo 1
ESEE 4 and 5
Becker BK-2
Ontario Afghan, RD-4
Look at Swamp Rat, Busse, TOPS, and all the custom makers here on the forums.
 
BOP1850 said:
Gotcha. I'm more strictly tied to blade length than I am blade thickness.

Thanks....
Click to expand...

That opens it up a LOT.

several custom makers here on the forum make 4-5" blades under $200.
ESEE4 with The Knife Center's aftermarket G10 scales are hard to beat in a production blade.
Swamp Rat Ratmandu is around the 5" mark
Scrapyard War Dog
 
At the moment, I'd say I'm not terribly picky about these features. But (I think) if I were to design my own knife it would be full, hidden tang without a pommel. Any hand material except for wood, a kydex sheath and no blade coatings. I don't know enough about the different steels to make an educated comment, but I'm partial to Damascus, but it's not a gotta have. I'd could go either way with the serrations.

This knife would see utility use with the possibility of protection.
 
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i would stick to busse, swamprat or scrapyard. they would be great for the picture since they are less common. i own one of each along with a few benchmades. also with those three you have the option for handle and blade color.
 
Stick with the Becker BK2 - look how photogenic!

20101215_ac_06e.jpg



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Beckerhead #42
 
BOP1850 said:
At the moment, I'd say I'm not terribly picky about these features. But (I think) if I were to design my own knife it would be full, hidden tang without a pommel. Any hand material except for wood, a kydex sheath and no blade coatings. I don't know enough about the different steels to make an educated comment, but I'm partial to Damascus, but it's not a gotta have. I'd could go either way with the serrations.

This knife would see utility use with the possibility of protection.
Click to expand...

"This knife would see utility use..." really doesn't help too much. (A knife is a terrible SD, in many people's opinion, including my own....but that's been done to death).

Maybe we could help you more if you told us why the first thing you want is a "...hidden tang without a pommel...".

Maybe you could also tell us why you originally were looking for something over 1/4 inch thick.

There are wayyyy to many options, brands, and styles in play at this point....it would narrow things down a lot if we knew what you wanted to do with this knife...maybe we could get inside your head a little bit. Walk around in it a little.
 
Basically, go to bark river, pick a knife, and then choose the handle color. it is really nice, but the price will be the downside. I want one.
 
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