Newbie needs help picking a bomb-proof fixed blade

yalskey said:
Just googled them... holly crap, you ain't kidding... these things are MONSTERS!!!

But how does SV30 hold up to smashing and bashing and prying type abuse?
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Check out the testing they provide/or used to on their web. I wouldn't pry with it but it should take some serious abuse.
 
Yeah, I was looking at that.

So from what I gather, the S30V is pretty much tougher and more wear resistance than 154CM, but it's as corrosion resistant (if not more so) than 440C stainless steel.

That seems pretty freak'in awesome to me.

How's S30V compare to good old 1095? Pros / Cons ?
 
yalskey said:
Thank you so much Sep... This is exactly what I needed. I didn't read your post until after my last post.... you had already covered my request. Thanks!

Also... What kind of oil should I use on 1095? Link to a good store?
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You're welcome.

For oil, just get mineral oil from your local supermarket, usually close to laxatives. Failing that, you can use baby oil. It's the same stuff.
 
Anything to help a fellow CPF'er :D

The RC-5 is a nice one but personally I would go with a RC-4 or 6, I like flat grinds a little more because they tend to cut better. For sharpening get some DMT dia-folds they are like the malkoff drop-in of sharpening.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Anything to help a fellow CPF'er :D

The RC-5 is a nice one but personally I would go with a RC-4 or 6, I like flat grinds a little more because they tend to cut better. For sharpening get some DMT dia-folds they are like the malkoff drop-in of sharpening.
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Knifenut... yeah, but the brute heft of that RC-5 is soooooo sexy to me (ok, this is getting wierd). I think the RC-4 and 6 are a bit thinner / less-heft, right?

I also found this online... the summaries at the bottom of each section helped me out a lot.

http://cutleryscience.com/reviews/blade_materials.html

Now, is there any large fixed-blade ZDP-189 knives out there? Maybe too expensive???
 
elkins45 said:
To read some of the dialogue among BF members (myself included) about blade toughness, you would think the wilderness is filled with the weathered bones of dead guys whose skeletal hands are wrapped around the handle of a knife with the blade snapped off at the hilt! I'm not sure that's the case.

Anybody ever have a knife catastrophically fail while doing a wilderness or survival task, even an extreme one? I haven't, nor do I know anyone who has.

What do you really need, as opposed to what would be cool to have? Those are two different questions. All most of us probably really need is a good small stockman and a steak knife :D, but don't tell that to my wife!
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So very true. Early Native Americans spent their entire lives surviving with knives made of volcanic rock.
 
In that case get what you like, hard to go wrong with a RAT.

You might want to wait on something made from a super steel like ZDP, its a challange to sharpen without diamonds or sharpening skills.

Get the rat you will be very happy. :thumbup:
 
lotus1972 said:
I'M JUST RAZZING YOU:D. There are other really tough knives out there. Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works makes very good very strong very stout knives out of 5160. They take a licking and keep on ticking.


T.O.P.S. does very good with 1095 even if their grinds are a little on the thick side.

I have owned an RC-5 and while not anywhere near as comfy as a Busse it was/is a good knife.

The three companies I just mentioned are not gonna put one out of pocket too much either. MMHW can be pricey when new but on the secondary market prices are very reasonable.
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Hi, Lotus,

I'm just very conscious of price and value so, for me, Becker's and Rat's would be my choice. I'm an old, banged up mud Marine living on a pension, so I have to watch my pennies. I learned in Vietnam (and other places) the difference between what I need and what might be nice to have. I don't have all that I would like to have, but I get along with what I have.
 
From what you've been saying I'd guess the RC-5 or the KaBar Beckers would be a good match for you. If you wanted to buy a Surefire in the same style that's available now it would probably be this knife:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6616023#post6616023


It's available for a bargain price (for a Busse) for a limited time here:

http://bussecompanystore.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PLST&Store_Code=BCS

If you wait a couple of months you'll be able to buy a small fixed-blade ZDP-189 knive to go with it which will be available here:

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=384

Then again, you could just buy the S90V mule now.
 
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UPDATE EVERYBODY:

I just ordered a RAT RC-5 with a black partially serrated blade and a black sheath from Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop.

I hope I made a good decision.

I just worry about taking care of the 1095 steel... but it sounds pretty easy. Just a light wipe down with mineral oil a few times a year, and wipe it off after wet use... I think I understand.... right?

Thanks for everyone's help!!! This was awesome!!!
 
lotus1972 said:
Ask and you shall receive :eek:!

becker_combat_bowie_damaged.jpg


There can be only one:p. BUSSE:D
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looks like a very clean break. must have been doing some heavy prying. More than should be pried with a knife anyways.

OP, Congrats on the RC5! You wont be dissapointed!
 
yalskey said:
UPDATE EVERYBODY:

I just ordered a RAT RC-5 with a black partially serrated blade and a black sheath from Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop.

I hope I made a good decision.

I just worry about taking care of the 1095 steel... but it sounds pretty easy. Just a light wipe down with mineral oil a few times a year, and wipe it off after wet use... I think I understand.... right?

Thanks for everyone's help!!! This was awesome!!!
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Congratulations, yalskey, that's a fine knife.

As far as taking care of the 1095, I think you've got it covered. Keep her oiled and she'll be happy. Should last you for a long, long time.
 
Congrats, I'm sure you'll love it. Don't worry about the carbon steel. Even if it rusts, the knife will not be ruined. Just clean it up and possibly sharpen it, and it will work fine.
 
yalskey,
Welcome to the club...hope you have some $$$ to spend once the knife-bug REALLY bites. :)

Also, remember that a KNIFE is probably the most valuable tool you'll have in a survival situation.
(Think how much easier Tom Hanks would have had it in "Cast Away" if he'd been wise enough to pack a Spyderco.)
Sooo, treat the knife like it was made of glass, and don't do anything with it, in the way of abuse, that you can do with a rock, tree branch, forked stick, etc.
You may NEED to baton it, but think it thru 1st...gentle batoning aided by wooden wedges will split firewood; and is much less likely to damage your knife. Stuff like that...

Keep us posted on your progress.

JMH
 
cool buy, looks like a brute and I like the pommel! sheath looks top notch as well.

post when you get it and let us know what you think!
 
The RC-5 is a great product. I'm with knifenut on the RC-4 and 6....I sort of prefer 3/16", but the RC-5 is bomb proof and this is what you wanted. You are aware that it is a coated blade. So rust really isn't an issue. In fact, if you use your knife, the cutting action will keep the blade cleaned of any corrosion. Don't even need the oil rag, the only thing that is exposed is the very edge of the knife and regular use keeps the edge nice and clean.
 
I'm glad you all think I made a good choice. Everyone here has been so nice and informative. This forum rocks!

Where else in this world can you go and get dozens of experts weighing in with sound advice to your custom question / situation... and for free, and in less than 24 hours get guided to a great solution that will serve a lifetime?

You all are invited over to www.candlepowerforums.com for some good flashlight addiction. Flashlights are pretty addicting too.

I think I'm starting to get blade bug. This is terrible / wonderful.

I'll post some pics to this thread when I get my RC-5 in the mail.

kgd... thanks for that bit of info on the coating. I didn't realize that. I think I'll still oil it down lightly from time to time anyways... I guess that can't hurt.

Edgyone... you are right... what's next LOL Same is true with torches.
 
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