Newbie Here - Good outdoor/camping fixed blade???

I'll agree with others and say stay away from Gerber, the quality is horrible on alot of their products and you'll very likely be disappointed. Moras are excellent general purpose knives for basic cutting tasks, if slicing and maybe a bit of carving is all you plan on doing you have no need for anything other than a Mora. If you're looking to do some wood processing for firecraft or shelter building then you'll want something bigger and tougher, at this point you have to make a decision about how much wood you need to process and how much weight you're willing to carry, since depending on this you might look at anything from a 4" fixed blade up to a splitting maul and chainsaw. For outdoor hiking I find the most versatile system is a fairly large fixed blade 7"+, in which case I would recommend a BK7 or a BK9 on the cheaper end of the scale, and probably a Swamp Rat Rodent 9 with a custom Kydex sheath for something a bit more upmarket, generally I will pair this with either a bow saw or a folding saw depending on my needs and I still carry a smaller knife (ie. Mora or smaller knife by any of the reputable brands mentioned here...Becker, ESEE, Swamp Rat etc.) for normal cutting tasks and some basic bushcraft.

I should mention that I disagree with many here in saying that the BK2 is the one Becker knife that I would absolutely not recommend. I believe it is a silly design which is too thick to be a good slicer and too short to be a good chopper and/or batoner. You're far better off with a BK7 or a BK16 or both depending on your needs.
 
After buying and using the BK-2, I agree with you Moses. We all have to learn about what we like and what we are comfortable with. I keep eyeing the BK-9 and telling myself it is just pouring more money down a hole (the knife hole), but eventually I will probably buy one just for the fun of it. Tis why I am thinking about the BK-7 right now. You have to learn how to become comfortable using a bigger knife safely.
 
i would go for a swamp rat RMD it is light and the SR101 steel will hold its edge a tad longer then 1095 (Rowen or crovan)
if you have any question go to the swamp rat manufacturers forum and ask away
 
I would also go with the RMD if they budget allows if not I would take an ESEE over a Becker just because I think Rowen does 1095 better than any other production knife also the ESEE knives come with great sheaths same can not be said for the Becker knives.
 
22-rimfire said:
I was at your experience level. Some would say that I am still at your experience level. :) I think you are putting up for consideration some good choices. I'd forget about the Bear Gryllis knife even though it's easy to find in the sporting store chains.

I didn't even own a fixed blade knife until in my mid-30's. I used folders for everything that I wanted to cut and it worked perfectly fine for me. My fixed blade bug started with my brother in law when he showed my his Randalls. It has been all "down hill" from that point on relative to my wallet.

Choosing a first fixed blade was much like choosing everything else in life... I chose based on my impression of what a fixed blade was going to do for me. No forums then. I figured "survival knife" and this was about Rambo movie time frame. Yeah, that sounds good... Did the big honking fixed blade thing... seldom carry one. I have found that folders work for just about everything short of building a log cabin out in the woods or for building a "shelter". The only "shelter" I have ever had the need to make was a tarp and a few vertical supports tied down with whatever rope I had with me. I still use folders much more in the woods than anything else. I always have a knife with me.

My experience with woods knives is that you are better off with something like the BK-16 or BK-17. But if I were buying my very first and trying to induce some common sense, I'd probably buy the BK-2 (versus something a lot larger) because of all the talk on BF and fits my sense of a "fixed blade and survival knife". You'll buy it and use it some, and then you'll buy a BK-16/17. You have to learn and you learn by doing.

It took a long time before I actually purchased a BK-16 or settling down to this size of fixed blade. Quite satisfied with it. I am somewhat interested in trying out the BK-7. You see, I am still experimenting and still having fun.

Some mentioned the Mora. Just got a Mora Companion in carbon steel and it is a real nice knife. Inexpensive. Might be something I would buy for my wife (or GF) if I had the Becker on my belt.

Added: Good post, Iwouldhurtafly. We were thinking along the same lines or reasoning and I agree with what you said. The Condor stuff is cost effective and I like the ESEE line. But I like Beckers more.
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Thank you, and yes you really cant beat the KA-BAR Beckers for price and performance. They just hit the ratio perfect... and just like we all know (again) if you want better scales there are tons to be found for a good price... better sheath? Azwelke, Godspeed, 710 for kydex and Skystorm and some other Beckerhead (Psyop) makers on this forum for leather are all beautiful and well priced. Beckers are great too because they are entry level, but they arent... they can be used and handled effectively by the most inexperienced of us... to the most seasoned outdoorsman. I will always be a student when it comes to blades and woods craft and Beckers are the perfect tool for any student who is willing to learn and gain experience.
 
The Becker BK-2, while a great knife, is a very heavy chuck of steel if you are thinking of having it on your belt for any length of time.

Smaller but very capable alternatives include:

Becker BK-16 and BK-17
ESEE-4 or ESEE-3
Fallkniven F1 and S1
Bark River Aurora (more pricey but a great knife)

The guys recommending Moras and SAKs also know what they are talking about. :thumbup:
 
dishcore said:
Welcome to the forums! The only thing I can recommend to you, is when you choose a knife be sure to choose one with a stainless blade steel. This will limit the amount of maintenance you have to do to keep the blade nice and rust free for you. High carbon non-stainless blades tend to take on some rust if not used and lacking a light coat of oil.

Some information for you can be found here:

http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml

There is a bit of info on non-stainless / stainless steel blade types.

Also, I took a look at that Bear Grylls thing - I believe your assumption is correct. And while there are quite a few quality blades made in China, i'm not sure this would be one of them.
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Wow! Thanks for the link - that is a very detailed site, I felt a little over my head! I will definitely keep the steel in mind when deciding on a knife.
 
You guys/gals are awesome :thumbup: thank you so much for all the help and encouraging words and all the advice!

I've certainly got a lot to consider and with all the recommendations my list of potential knives is actually growing! (this is a good thing from my point of view)

At this point I'm leaning towards the Ka-bar Becker BK16 but I'm still debating on some things.

Please keep the suggestions coming!

Thanks!
 
strangegeek said:
You guys/gals are awesome :thumbup: thank you so much for all the help and encouraging words and all the advice!

I've certainly got a lot to consider and with all the recommendations my list of potential knives is actually growing! (this is a good thing from my point of view)

At this point I'm leaning towards the Ka-bar Becker BK16 but I'm still debating on some things.

Please keep the suggestions coming!

Thanks!
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In all honesty, you have a pretty good list!... I think the BK16 is a great choice for an well rounded blade... Might even be able to throw you in a Mora in Carbon or Stainless to try out and save on some shipping. I prefer carbon and the military green model... but pick what appeals to you! I think you have a pretty good list from Moras SAKs, Condors, KA-BARs, ESEE's, and Swamp Rats (am I forgetting anyting?)
 
I finally decided on a knife and I'm going with the KaBar Becker BK 16 - and if all goes well I'll have it by Friday from Amazon.

Thank you all for the helpful advice and tips - they really helped me decide. I can't wait to get it and actually hold it in my hand - I've handled the BK 16 in stores but this one will be mine all mine! Although looking through all the knives I see many more that will have to make their way into my (now) collection - I'm looking at you BK2!!!

Now all I have to do is learn how to sharpen and care for my knives - I'm actually looking forward to doing work on them!!!

Thanks Again!
 
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