I have been eying some fixed blades and I'm not quite sure what to get. I've ruled out the Izula because it's too small. I've been looking at the Chris Reeve Neil Roberts, but also I have been hearing a lot of hype about Busse knives. So I need someone to educate me/ point me in the right direction. Thanks guys!
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New to fixed blades....
- Thread starter tommyg805
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What are you going to use it for? If the izula is too small for your needs have you looked into the ESEE 3 or 4? I've also heard great things about the Fallkniven F1/S1/A1 knives, been eying the mid sized S1 for a while. Just throwing a few ideas your way, hopefully others can give ya some other options.
Tsujigiri
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Busse knives are ridiculously expensive, that would be the high end. Swamp Rat and Scrap Yard are a couple of other semi-custom fixed blade makers run by the same people. For lower cost production ones, look at Becker (made by Ka Bar), Ka Bar, ESEE, Ontario, and some of the companies that also make folders. For value, it's hard to beat Becker and ESEE in their respective price ranges.
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what will the knife be used for?
do you have any size/weight restrictions?
what is your price range?
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I was also on the fence about getting the right size blade. I ended up ordering my first esee 6 and am very excited. I plan on using it camping and hiking. I'm also looking at the esee 4 for a lighter carry blade on those long backpacking trips. Good luck on picking a knife.
chiral.grolim
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Like others have asked, what do you want it for, what tasks? And in what environment/conditions? Are you looking to get a tool (in the use of which you have or will receive some level of training), a safe queen/decoration/toy, a weapon (specific-use tool), ... ?
If you have the money to spend on CRK, you owe it to yourself to thoroughly research your options, including custom-makers as well as manufacturers, learn about their customer service as well as about their selection of materials and chosen designs. Knives fall into a variety of niches with regard to purpose, and prices vary widely.
Busse are regarded as the stand alone toughest (most durable) knives on the market, but at a high price (for many reasons, and individuals with an eye for them are willing to spend - these knives only seem to appreciate in value).
Bussekin knives from Scrapyard and Swamp Rat are also highly durable tools and generally easier to afford. ESEE, Becker, KaBar ... the list of manufacturers of 'tough' knives goes on, that's just a start. Relentless Knives and other semi-custom manufacturers abound in the arena. Another worth a look is Fallkniven. Fallkniven bridges the gap between affordable tools and expensive blades. Bark River Knife & Tool offers a large selection of pretty knives for specific cutting tasks, but at a high price. Defunct Blackjack knives have some decent offerings, and Randall knives are high quality but also quite expensive. Fox, Martin... are you getting the idea? I haven't mentioned any specific custom-makers here, and there are many.
Take your time, look around, if possible find a shop where you can handle some knives as user-preference plays a big role...
More common knife production companies include SOG, Gerber, Kershaw, Buck, ColdSteel, etc. all of whom have many knives (including fixed blades) in all manner of designs, and some are very good quality for the price. A step up in price (and often in quality) are offerings from Spyderco and Benchmade (although again it's folders that make these companies famous), and on a budget there are quality offerings from Frost / Mora knives.
So ask yourself what you want the knife for, and what makes a knife particularly suited to that role, then work on design preferences (e.g. coated vs satin finish, choil?, handle materials) ... you may end up with a very long list to begin with, and likely will purchase more than one fixed blade as you progress.
wow, so many options.
leaving out anything under 4" (you say an Izula is too small?), here are a bunch you can choose from. all are top notch knives from top notch manufacturers. knives from any of these companies can become family heirloom pieces if you take care of them.
Premium knives:
Fallkniven: F1/S1/A1/A2/H1/PHK/SK6/NL4/NL3/NL2/NL1 depending on just how big a blade you're after. from the 4" F1 and H1 through to 10" worth of NL1 Thor. Fallkniven uses funky laminate steel in most of their blades. I have an S1 and a WM1 and i cannot fault them for build quality, ergos or fit and finish.
ESEE: 4, 5, 6 and Junglas. ESEE knives are made of 1095 with a great heat treatment. imho 1095, is the Gold Standard against which all other blade steel should be judged. i don't own an ESEE but they wouldn't have built such a cult following if they were junk. one of the best warranties in the business.
Quality without busting the wallet:
Ka-Bar: their USMC model is a proven design with over 40 years of outstanding military service to it's credit, very very few other blades have a pedigree as distinguished as the USMC. their bowie knives are a great blade at a competative price point.
Buck: not too pricy, well known and by all accounts, pretty decent knives.
Inexpensive:
Mora: these things are incredibly high quality knives at a ridiculously low price point. i won't call them "cheap" because they are of such good make, they are simply "inexpensive". at no more than $20 for a Clipper 860, get two!
leaving out anything under 4" (you say an Izula is too small?), here are a bunch you can choose from. all are top notch knives from top notch manufacturers. knives from any of these companies can become family heirloom pieces if you take care of them.
Premium knives:
Fallkniven: F1/S1/A1/A2/H1/PHK/SK6/NL4/NL3/NL2/NL1 depending on just how big a blade you're after. from the 4" F1 and H1 through to 10" worth of NL1 Thor. Fallkniven uses funky laminate steel in most of their blades. I have an S1 and a WM1 and i cannot fault them for build quality, ergos or fit and finish.
ESEE: 4, 5, 6 and Junglas. ESEE knives are made of 1095 with a great heat treatment. imho 1095, is the Gold Standard against which all other blade steel should be judged. i don't own an ESEE but they wouldn't have built such a cult following if they were junk. one of the best warranties in the business.
Quality without busting the wallet:
Ka-Bar: their USMC model is a proven design with over 40 years of outstanding military service to it's credit, very very few other blades have a pedigree as distinguished as the USMC. their bowie knives are a great blade at a competative price point.
Buck: not too pricy, well known and by all accounts, pretty decent knives.
Inexpensive:
Mora: these things are incredibly high quality knives at a ridiculously low price point. i won't call them "cheap" because they are of such good make, they are simply "inexpensive". at no more than $20 for a Clipper 860, get two!
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Busse-Kin "Swamp Rat Scrapyard",Fehrman I highly recommend.. But if you want to spend less.. Becker,ESEE, Cold Steel Trailmaster or the Buck Hoodlum which looks promising.