please inform the uninformed that is me

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facewizard13

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Jun 29, 2015
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I'm looking to you guys for help again. Normally when I look into getting a knife I tend to do a lot of research on which one that I want. Well this time I think I made the wrong choice getting an ESEE 5. Long story short, I need a knife with a stainless steel blade. The only experience that I have with knife steel is s30v and 154cm. Never really sharpened the 154cm because it took a long time on a stone free-hand. The s30v has been good for me so far although it did tend to chip on the edge. Maybe that was my paramilitary 2's heat treat that makes it chip on the edge? It was from a bit of light prying on plastic where this happened, I wasn't banging it against the concrete or anything. I know I sort of asked this in another thread I made, but that post is on another subject. This time I want to get a knife that will be well suited for my tasks and hopefully I can make a better informed decision this time around.

Here's a list of things that are done everyday with my spyderco: cutting cardboard, thin sheet plastic, plastic cable ties, string, paracord, packing tape.

Some basic requirements : I'm looking for a fixed blade because when I have blood on my hands I cant reach for my pocket knife because I'll get blood and gunk all over my pants pocket (same place where keys and other things go) I want the sheath to be made of a material that wont get gunked up with blood and fat or mildew after a while or being rinsed off. I'm assuming then that this leaves kydex and molded plastic? I'd prefer a stainless steel that won't rust after wiping it dry with a towel and sticking it into my sheath. My spyderco does all these same tasks and I've had it for a year now and there's absolutely no sign of rust on it whatsoever. I like the texture of g-10 for a handle, but any other suggestion as far as a handle that has good grip when wet I will consider. Ease of sharpening is not an issue. Carrying? - belt is fine. Just needs to be in an easy place where I can quickly draw it and sheath it again (faster than a folder clipped to my pocket)

I've been hunting on bladehq for about a month now looking for something that will fit my criteria. Having little experience with the variety of blade steels that are out there hinders the decision making process. There's a few out there that I like though :

Bradford knives - There's a few choices here. Colors can be picked after I pick the right blade shape and steel.

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Bradford-Knives-Guardian4-Knife--25914
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Bradford-Knives-Guardian5-Knife--29804
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Bradford-Knives-Guardian3-Knife--29542

benchmade - the ONLY reason I dont carry my benchmade anymore is because with its tip up carry, it tended to open up in my pocket. Otherwise I'd go with benchmade

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-140BK-Nimravus--1490
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-Steep-Country-Orange--24206

Microtech - a knife with similar dimensions to the ESEE 5, but Elmax for blade steel. I've heard nothing but good things about elmax so that peaked my interest.

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Microtech-Currahee-Drop-Point-Knife--16235

Spartan blades - I like the design on this, it looks like it would put less stress on my wrist when cutting down onto things

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Spartan-Blades-Ares-Knife-Fixed--9984

Other noteable choices I've made -

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Knife-Research-Enki-Fixed-Blade--21895
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Emerson-Police-Utility-BT-Fixed--22977
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Zero-Tolerance-0180-Hinderer-Field--21523
http://www.bladehq.com/item--TOPS-Knives-Tom-Brown-Tracker-3--19073
http://www.bladehq.com/item--HTM-Randall-King-Desert-Enforcer--8835
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Protech-Brend-Combat--7477
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Brous-Blades-Threat-Fixed-Blade--17520
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Meyerco-DDR-18-XRay-Drop-Point--9214

Some of these have nylon sheaths, but most of them either have kydex sheaths available. Worst case I can have a kydex sheath custom made if it's the better choice

I'm sorry it's not a "is A or B better" decision, but I enjoy knife shopping :D
 
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Spyderco Bradley Bowie or the temperance 2. The Bradley Bowie is set up for a little rougher use and the steel, PSF27, is technically stainless though you don't want to throw it in saltwater and leave it there for a week. Good to great edge retention and good to great toughness. I believe it has G10 handles.

The temperance 2 is more stainless but not so much set up for rough use. It's thinner so it should handle cutting things a little easier and should be easier to sharpen while retaining enough toughness for what you describe. I believe it has micarta handles.

I've never really heard of anyone complaining about spyderco sheaths.

Both knives are meant for what you describe and it sounds like you're happy with spyderco as a company but maybe not so happy with the steel in the folders you have that's why I mention two spyderco fixed blades for you to consider.

I'd also consider watching the knife maker's forum as there are some real deals there. Most are carbon steels but there are knives in elmax, m390, D2, etc with great sheaths. The longevity of the knife makers warranties is sometimes questionable. If they no longer mess with knives then the warranty is kind of bunk when you may need it a couple of years down the road.
 
So to paraphrase and cut that down a bit:

You want a stainless hunting knife with a waterproof/easy to clean sheath?
 
I think he wants to spend $300. This is an oppurtunity for anyone with an extra Mora laying around. Just get a metal engraver and draw a skull on the blade then a set of markers and decorate the sheath and call it custom.
 
facewizard13 said:
I'm looking to you guys for help again. Normally when I look into getting a knife I tend to do a lot of research on which one that I want. Well this time I think I made the wrong choice getting an ESEE 5.


*snip*

Some of these have nylon sheaths, but most of them either have kydex sheaths available. Worst case I can have a kydex sheath custom made if it's the better choice

I'm sorry it's not a "is A or B better" decision, but I enjoy knife shopping :D
Click to expand...

Yeah...if you wanted a stainless blade getting the ESEE5 was definately a misstake.

My advice....get a custom. The heat treat will most likely be better, it'll be ground thinner and the price might be around or the same as most decent production blades depending on the maker you get it from.

Check out our BF maker for sale forum and you'll probably find something to your liking.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades

Here some examples of good hunting style knives that can be found there.:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1316428-CPM-154CM-Cholla-Drop-Point
C2AFBE25-839A-41AF-81DE-1D7F1E3E3ECD_zpsjmufgumi.jpg


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-1-AEB-L-Knife-Micarta-Handle-Price-Reduction
9671182_orig.jpg


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1314475-Loveless-New-York-Special-My-version
attachment.php


I know some of these aren't exactly hunting knives. But there are many (many) more to be found there...hunting knives included. Some with Kydex, some with leather....and many makers are perfectly willing to make exactly what you would like.
 
LX_Emergency said:
My advice....get a custom. The heat treat will most likely be better, it'll be ground thinner and the price might be around or the same as most decent production blades depending on the maker you get it from.

I know some of these aren't exactly hunting knives. But there are many (many) more to be found there...hunting knives included. Some with Kydex, some with leather....and many makers are perfectly willing to make exactly what you would like.
Click to expand...

This would be My advice as well.

With the amount you are looking to spend, judging by the knives shown above, you can get a Great custom that is built For You.

Go with m390, 440c or other carbide enhanced steels since you will not only encounter food, but cardboard as well. OR, do what I would do, use a box cutter for the csrdboard and your higher end knife for the food.

Cardboard will kill an AEB-L or 14c blade quickly, but it will be easy to bring back, and will likely respond to a steel well for food prep alone and take a Very keen edge that can stay relatively thin (look at an opinel for instance). Unless there is a particular steel that the maker prefers, try not to use your food knife for dirty warehouse cardboard.

Those IBP boxes are filthy...
 
NJBillK said:
This would be My advice as well.

With the amount you are looking to spend, judging by the knives shown above, you can get a Great custom that is built For You.

Go with m390, 440c or other carbide enhanced steels since you will not only encounter food, but cardboard as well. OR, do what I would do, use a box cutter for the csrdboard and your higher end knife for the food.

Cardboard will kill an AEB-L or 14c blade quickly, but it will be easy to bring back, and will likely respond to a steel well for food prep alone and take a Very keen edge that can stay relatively thin (look at an opinel for instance). Unless there is a particular steel that the maker prefers, try not to use your food knife for dirty warehouse cardboard.

Those IBP boxes are filthy...
Click to expand...

I posted a thread a while ago in the custom hand made knives section but I never got any responses about what I was looking for. that's why i was just going to stick with production. I have dedicated knives for cutting meat, cutting meat with this is only when I dont have one of those within reach of me. I'm well aware of how gross those meat boxes are, but I do take care to clean my knives as often as possible. Any time I switch meats or even after an hour of work on the same meat they're cleaned with industrial degreaser and sanitizer. If I could get a fixed blade knife that could work as a meat cutting knife as well as for utility (cutting boxes, etc. ) that'd be awesome. Having it right there on my belt ready for anything at work would be super handy
 
facewizard13 said:
. The only experience that I have with knife steel is s30v and 154cm.
Click to expand...

Just about any steel can work well, so long as it was designed and ground by someone who knows what they're doing. S30V and 154Cm were great, and still are, it seems that the next step up would be S35VN for a tougher, stain resistant steel with better edge retention.

facewizard13 said:
Spartan blades - I like the design on this, it looks like it would put less stress on my wrist when cutting down onto things

...

Some of these have nylon sheaths, but most of them either have kydex sheaths available. Worst case I can have a kydex sheath custom made if it's the better choice
Click to expand...

You're on the right track, IMO, with Spartan Blades. I've used the more utilitarian Nyx, and would highly recommend it.

The Nyx has the same handle as the ares, with a blade that works exceptionally well for field dressing critters and general wood chores and utility. The cutting edge is one big curve, and it cuts extremely well in spite of the strong sabre grind. The layout of the knife is brilliant, the choil works great for fine work like carving. The included kydex lined nylon sheath is as well thought out as the knife, and the knife and sheath combine to make a very light, flat rig worn on a belt or 'pack. The handle is highly polished micarta, it's not very absorbant and cleans up easily with hot soapy water. The handle of the Nyx isn't the most comfortable for something like hours of carving or other bushcraft tasks, but it's thin and compact and plenty good for utility or camp chores. Overall the knife is "just right", it's tough enough for anything I can think of while still being light and efficient.

If you want kydex for the Nyx, buy the factory version, it's excellent. I would have trouble deciding between the nylon and kydex sheaths, both are great and I use both for different purposes.

Spartan Blades are made very well, with an incredible heat treat and a great warranty. If you do need support, it's a fast call or email away, they really care about taking care of their customers.
 
If you go the custom route, I would ask the maker if they can make a sandwich kydex sheath that can be dismantled, using bolts instead of rivets. If they cannot, ask for the knife alone and have one made, 710, azwelke, and a host of others can set you up.

Just in case you have to give it a Really good cleaning.
 
Well instead of finding a production knife that I have to make sure fits my criteria maybe it might be better to have someone make one for me. That was my original intention for posting in the hand-made section. Hell, I might have 2 knives made. I have a 6'' and a 12'' victorinox for work. they both are scalloped blades which make it easier to cut through things
 
I just have to say that I've had a Temp2 for 2 or 3 years and I LOVE it. Other great suggestions in this thread and I don't mean to detract from them but I just had to mention that it's one of my favorite knives. I think it really needs to be held to be appreciated. Terrific fit and finish and I love VG10.

I also love the sheath. It offers a ton of carry options and has terrific retention. One of the best factory sheaths that I've ever had.

I hemmed and hawed before buying mine for a long time and picking it up in person at a shop was what sealed the deal. I was really concerned about durability but I've put it through its paces, even batoning, and it's held up brilliantly.

Of course Spartan is a great company too, and who could resist the excitement of a custom? I just had to gush a little because I don't seem the Temperance 2 popping up too much and I think it's a great option!

Happy hunting!
 
I really like the Spyderco Southfork...in S90V...designed by Phil Wilson...
You can't do any better than this steel for edge-holding, and it will slice wonderfully...
The blade thickness is only 0.118" thick, whereas that Spartan is 0.190" thick. I don't think you need a thick blade for what you are cutting, and the difference is slicing ability will be tremendous with the thinner blade-stock.
I have included the Spyderco link for details, but you can check around at our supporting dealers for a much nicer price.
https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=763
 
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Mora has been mentioned already, have you looked at them? Seems like one would fit your needs. Or is it that you are just looking to have a much nicer knife?
 
The Bradford Guardian 3 would make a good hunting and nimble general purpose blade. I admit that I did not go down your entire list of possibles other than scan them for what grabs me.
 
I don't know if you have already bought this knife but others will see this post as well and maybe you choose wrong again or something but the post about the Phil Wilson designed Spyderco has it right. I like the Bradford option but the s90v will do all you are asking and sheath and knife clean up with ease. My wife uses it in the kitchen and I've used it for hunting and it is the best all around knife I presently own(I am supposed to get an actual Phil Wilson in a few weeks; God willing). I know this knife will do all the chores you listed and blow your mind when it still shaves. I had an issue early on with it not holding an edge but after I found out that you have to strop the burr off after sharpening I've had mind blowing results and I can't say that enough. I recommended it in another thread like this as well as other people and you can't go wrong with the Spyderco South Fork or I'm sure the Sprig(the other PW inspired Spyderco).
 
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