Outdoor work fixie suggestions

Danny Linguini

Danny Linguini

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May 24, 2022
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Thinking of taking a short break from gawking and drooling over EDC folders for a bit and looking for a fixed-blade outdoor work knife for around the house. It will be beaten on, so nothing fancy, but nothing clunky, either. I’m thinking the $50-ish range, 4.5-5.5” drop point or clip point, and plain blade (unless somebody can convince me a mixed plain/serrated edge is worth it). Searches are turning up everything but what I’m looking for - no idea how “fixed blade outdoor utility knife” translates to “survival knife”, but that’s mostly what I’m getting back. Not looking for exotic or high-end steel, just something moderately durable that’s easily sharpened that I won’t cry if it accidentally gets dug into or dragged through the dirt. Thinking .125” thickness, definitely don’t think I need .25”. Searching the online stores just turns up an overwhelming and frustrating flood of crap.

The closest I’ve seen to what I’m looking for is a Gerber Ultimate Survival Fixed-Blade 4.75”, but I don’t need the survival stuff that comes with it, and I don’t trust the 7cr blade. I’ve also looked at the Morakniv brand, but those blades are all on the short side and just don’t quite check my boxes. A Buck 119 is teetering on overkill, but something on that idea maybe closer to a 5” blade would probably work. Any suggestions of brands, models, or even search criteria would be most appreciated. Meanwhile, I’m still hunting.
 
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Buck 119 is overkill? Sounds like a Buck 117 would be perfect, but they are hard to find at the moment. Keep an eyeout for the next run of them.

I’ve been carrying Buck 212’s when I’m not at work for the last year or so. Very nice size too.

With all that said, if you don’t have a 119 you should get one.

If the $50 budget is firm. Just get a Mora and be done with it.
 
Danny Linguini said:
Thinking of taking a short break from gawking and drooling over EDC folders for a bit and looking for a fixed-blade outdoor work knife for around the house. It will be beaten on, so nothing fancy, but nothing clunky, either. I’m thinking the $50-ish range, 4.5-5.5” drop point or clip point, and plain blade (unless somebody can convince me a mixed plain/serrated edge is worth it). Searches are turning up everything but what I’m looking for - no idea how “fixed blade outdoor utility knife” translates to “survival knife”, but that’s mostly what I’m getting back. Not looking for exotic or high-end steel, just something moderately durable that’s easily sharpened that I won’t cry if it accidentally gets dug into or dragged through the dirt. Thinking .125” thickness, definitely don’t think I need .25”. Searching the online stores just turns up an overwhelming and frustrating flood of crap.

The closest I’ve seen to what I’m looking for is a Gerber Ultimate Survival Fixed-Blade 4.75”, but I don’t need the survival stuff that comes with it, and I don’t trust the 7cr blade. I’ve also looked at the Morakniv brand, but those blades are all on the short side and just don’t quite check my boxes. A Buck 119 is teetering on overkill, but something on that idea maybe closer to a 5” blade would probably work. Any suggestions of brands, models, or even search criteria would be most appreciated. Meanwhile, I’m still hunting.
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Search "bushcraft" knife and you will likely get many hits of what you're after, I think. It's become a really broad category from teetering on survival knives to general purpose knives to hunting knives. Considerable overlap.

You might find some EDC knives fall into your category as well.

The cold steel SRK in sk5 is one I had in mind when reading your description. Maybe a buck pursuit, but they're on the thinner edge.

I like spearpoint or Kephart styled blades for general utility. The sheffield green river is pretty good for the money if you're okay knowing you may have to tidy up the edge a little and sand the corners of the handle. It is a 5-10 min job.

What is your intended purpose, or is it pretty general outdoor use?
 
Pay a little more and get the mora Garberg, condor terrasaur.

SRK would be good under 50. Or go Chinese with real steel, qsp, artisan, etc. The elementum fixed doesn't have your blade style, but is a great slicer.
 
Some of these are over budget, but not by that much, and some are under or right at it. BK16, ESEE 4 on sale right now on a certain site, Buck Bucklite Max II large, Buck Pursuit large, are all some I would 100% recommend that are between $50-100. Most of these are closer to the 4 inch blade range which, in my opinion, is probably the most versatile length. I have been using an LT Wright Frontier Valley as my edc and for all the things I use a knife for, even a little in the kitchen. It’s A2 steel, $69 without a sheath direct from LT Wright, but it’s only a 3 inch blade. I’ve not needed anything longer than that so it works for my uses, but for a strict outdoor type knife I could see wanting a longer blade. Good luck shopping
 
Thank you all for the info. I’m gonna take a shot on a Schrade SCHF30. Love the looks, perfect length, supposedly comfortable handle, ok steel (8Cr13MoV), overall good reviews, and well within my budget. I’ll keep checking into all these suggestions anyway in case it turns out to be crap.

bikerector bikerector , thanks for the ‘bushcraft’ idea - I actually figured that out after a bunch of searches in the sellers’ sites and saw how they have stuff broken out. My intended purpose is just general use out around the yard - cutting up dirty old boxes and containers of pool supplies, and weeds and light brush. I don’t want to chance crudding up my nice folders. I do have a machete for heavier brush hacking, so I don’t need anything too big or heavy. 5” blade feels like the sweet spot.


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Get you a good ol' Buck 119, if you know how to make your own edge, get a beautiful Ontario SP-whatever your size is, they're all diff sizes but the size you want is in your price range and good and tough. Bombproof, actually! I like to say how bombproof it is!
 
Danny Linguini said:
Thank you all for the info. I’m gonna take a shot on a Schrade SCHF30. Love the looks, perfect length, supposedly comfortable handle, ok steel (8Cr13MoV), overall good reviews, and well within my budget. I’ll keep checking into all these suggestions anyway in case it turns out to be crap.
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If, "gonna take a shot" means you've settled on the idea, but haven't yet purchased it, I'd recommend you take a step back while there's time and re-evaluate your options.

If you already bought it, well... ok.
 
A bit more that your $50 range (I think I paid 70), and the leather will need treated, but this is the what I’d go with. I’ve been using mine in the garden mostly but it’s definitely capable of being pushed harder than that.

 
19-3ben said:
If, "gonna take a shot" means you've settled on the idea, but haven't yet purchased it, I'd recommend you take a step back while there's time and re-evaluate your options.

If you already bought it, well... ok.
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Why is that? I did notice that Schrade was missing from everbody’s suggestions, but I couldn’t find anything bad about them anywhere. I did order one, but for $25 it won’t kill me if it’s not up to the task.
 
Danny Linguini said:
Why is that? I did notice that Schrade was missing from everbody’s suggestions, but I couldn’t find anything bad about them anywhere. I did order one, but for $25 it won’t kill me if it’s not up to the task.
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There were options that likely would have gotten yo more bang for the buck. In most cases you get what you pay for. You spend $25 on a modern Schrade fixed blade in 8cr13mov, and you're likely getting a $25 knife. The knife is totally in line with its price.

Folks on this forum are a wealth of info, and likely could have helped you find the gems that punch above their price point, where you get more than you pay for.

FWIW, my suggestion would have been either the Cold Steel SRK-Compact, or the Ontario Sp-2. Both of which have great reputations as extremely durable hard use outdoor knives. With the OKC, you'd even get USA Made at that price, which may or may not matter to you (no judgment either way). There are other good suggestions that have been made here although I do see where our members were taking some liberties with either the blade length or price point...
 
19-3ben said:
There were options that likely would have gotten yo more bang for the buck. In most cases you get what you pay for. You spend $25 on a modern Schrade fixed blade in 8cr13mov, and you're likely getting a $25 knife. The knife is totally in line with its price.

Folks on this forum are a wealth of info, and likely could have helped you find the gems that punch above their price point, where you get more than you pay for.

FWIW, my suggestion would have been either the Cold Steel SRK-Compact, or the Ontario Sp-2. Both of which have great reputations as extremely durable hard use outdoor knives. With the OKC, you'd even get USA Made at that price, which may or may not matter to you (no judgment either way). There are other good suggestions that have been made here although I do see where our members were taking some liberties with either the blade length or price point...
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Thanks. Like I said, nothing is saying I won’t keep looking after I get this one. I don’t abuse my tools, I don’t plan on going Rambo with it, this is just for general use around the house. This Schrade just looks the most like what I’m after, between overall size, blade shape, and ergos. If it turns out to be a total pile of crap, then the SRK will get another look.
 
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