I want a 5"-ish inch survival knife with premium stainless. The Ontario Blackbird is a 5" survival knife with premium 154CM stainless for $100-120. Comparable 1095 knives aren't priced much away compared to this 154CM knife. Is this a value or can $100-120 buy better?
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Ontario Blackbird.
- Thread starter Whisper21
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2011
- Messages
- 350
I wasnt really clear on what you were asking for. A premium stainless knife for 100-120 or a comparable 1095 knife. Stainless knives usually run more than carbon steel. The Ontario Blackbird is too thin IMO. 154CM is a good steel but tends to be more brittle than its comparable carbon steels. This combined with the FFG makes the knife not that strong. I have seen a few pictures here on BF of large chips in the blade after some hard use.
In that price range come carbon steel options you should check are Becker and Esee. Becker and Esee knives are both well worth the money. I prefer Esee personally because their sheaths and handle materials are better but you pay for it. Check out the Becker BK-10 and the Esee Laser Strike. You may also want to check out the Buck Punk, from what I have seen people seem to like it.
Check out Fallkniven for stainless, they have an S1 model that I really like. I bought the S1 for a camp/canoeing knife and the thing is a beast for its size and weight, it has a 5" laminated VG-10 blade.
Another knife in the 5" range (carbon) is the Swamp Rat RMD, ordering one takes some patience as they are made to order and take about 1-2 months to be at your door. They are a bit above your 120 but are worth it.
The Scrapyard 511 is also another good carbon knife for the money.
Good luck on your search!
In that price range come carbon steel options you should check are Becker and Esee. Becker and Esee knives are both well worth the money. I prefer Esee personally because their sheaths and handle materials are better but you pay for it. Check out the Becker BK-10 and the Esee Laser Strike. You may also want to check out the Buck Punk, from what I have seen people seem to like it.
Check out Fallkniven for stainless, they have an S1 model that I really like. I bought the S1 for a camp/canoeing knife and the thing is a beast for its size and weight, it has a 5" laminated VG-10 blade.
Another knife in the 5" range (carbon) is the Swamp Rat RMD, ordering one takes some patience as they are made to order and take about 1-2 months to be at your door. They are a bit above your 120 but are worth it.
The Scrapyard 511 is also another good carbon knife for the money.
Good luck on your search!