Recommend a 5" fighter

Whoa, fast replies, thanks! I'll go through the knives mentioned since my last post (or at least the ones I know, will check on the others). Many awesome suggestions, will have to re-check some...

Camillus Air Force: Old faithful standby utility beater, but doesn't quite handle like a fighter

Gryphon M10: 4" blade, too short. Awesome as a 4" fighter though.

Small Boker Applegate: Most inviting choice if I choose to go with a classic dagger design.

SOG Pentagon: Yep, you got it, too little guard, not even a real speedbump

Spyderco Temperance: Another awesome choice, a hair under 4.5" so I was leaving it out. 4.5" is the bare minimum I'm going for.

Spyderco Perrin: I hate the way the Perrin feels, with that deep exaggerated finger choil. I know many disagree. great suggestion otherwise

SOG Seal Pup: I'll have to re-handle that one

Camillus boot knife: looks like a good inexpensive choice if I go dagger-style

Gerber Yari: a little less speedbump up front than I'd like, otherwise looks great.

Blackjack Trailguide: Another great choice, though if we're going with Blackjack, I think I favor the Model 5 a tad.

Fallkniven NL4: This is one I didn't realize existed. Looks great, and with Fallkniven quality, I'm sure it's a real winner. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll get the chance to handle one beforehand, no one I know stocks these things around here.

The Gerber Silver Trident looks great, but definitely bigger than what I want. I already have a great 6" fighter, looking for something definitely smaller.

Swamp Rat Bandicoot: I'm sure it's great all-around, but for my style, too much belly and too high a point for a fighter. For others, it would be perfect though.

Blackjack Model 5: Another real winner, I just love the Randall #1 blade shape. I handled these years ago, and they were slick.

Schrade Mt Lion: too much belly and too high a point for my style, but otherwise, nice-looking fancy sharpfinger.

CRK short Green Beret: very cool utility knife, but at .22" spine and sabre grind, a little more on the robust and less on the speed side than I'm looking for. Nice looking knife though!

In addition to the knives above that I'm most interested in, I'll be checking out the SERE, and also talking to Bob Dozier to see if he's willing to basically make me a 5" Arkansas Toothpick with the model 6's handle.

Thanks again guys! I may have missed some of the suggestions, will go back through.

Joe
 
One of the notable knives in this size is the Chris Reeves Sable. I've always wanted one of these - love the blade shape.
 
I immediately thought "Spydie Perrin, of course, or if a custom a then a custom Dozier might be doable at around $200." Looks like you hate the Perrin (truly your loss, it's a great knife). Dozier is of course awesome. Doesn't Geno Denning make decently-priced fighters? Like a custom Black Widow with a 5" blade would be truly wicked.
 
Snoopy said:
My favorite choice is just over your budget. It is a customized Dozier based on his model six. Basically it is the standard knife with a longer blade (5.5" in my case) and a more pronounced finger guard. The knife Bob made for me is as scary as anything I have ever handled with extremely thin edge bevels sharpened very, very well. I had to wait three months for him to make it, but it was an absolute bargain. I got this idea from a post I found on the internet, here is the original version of the described knife: http://www.october.com/knives/bob/fixed/texas_six.html
Click to expand...

You just made my day! That's my knife. :D

--Bob Q
 
Bob Q - it is very cool that you found this post. You made my knife collection by coming up with this idea and having Bob D make it. I saw a picture of your knife a while back and had Bob D make me one that is similar. There is really nothing like it, easily my favorite knife!
 
It's a shame you can't get to handle a Fallkniven NL4. Along with my NL2 it makes an awesome combo.

How about a Busse Badger Attack?

David
 
Some quick follow-ups:

Chris Reeves Sable: Like the Spyderco Perrin, this is one of the knives that just doesn't feel right in my hands. And, like the Perrin, I'm bummed I have to pass up an otherwise great knife.

Geno Denning black widow: Awesome! Thanks for bringing it to my attention. If I can figure out how to contact him, I'm going to try to get a quote on a 5" version.

Fallkniven NL4: Agreed, wish they were easier to find in person. Just looking at the pics, it's growing on me.

Busse Badger Attack: It's been a long time since I've handled one of these ... I remember it being a bit thick for a fighter this size, which would go along with Busse's general overbuilt philosophy. Am I mis-remembering? I do like it overall.

Joe
 
Hey Joe:

the FIRST knife that came immediately to mind is the Greco Whisper. I bought a couple of these recently, one from a forumite, and frankly I think it fits the bill. Carbon steel blade (I forget which), narrow profile, thin spine, full tang, micarta slabs for the handle, double guard, 5.5". Oh yeah, I got both for about $56 EACH, including shipping. Wicked sharp, cuts AND thrusts through cardboard like butter.

Here's the kicker: John Greco DOESN'T make them anymore. He used to make/sell them at $99, but he discontinued it. He's making Greco/Scagel Whispers - same blade profile, but the handle is now in a stag/scagel design. $165 per knife.

If you go to the WTB section, you might be lucky enough to get one. They're GREAT knives and they're rock solid fighters.

Good luck w/ your search!
 
I strongly suggest you check out the Spyderco Perrin.

5" blade, decent factory sheath and one of the best handle designs ever. In my opinion, the Perrin is the best factory made SD knife around.
 
Rob Patton (JS.) Foxbat, carbon fiber handle, integral double guard, with a 52100 diff temped D/E blade? Might find one someday for $400 or so. I believe I saw one for that price on Arizona some months ago, should have bought it.

Or...

Hossom Combat Stiletto. Approx 5" blade with sharp long top swedge. Canvas micarta handles with Jerry's nicer than normal moasic pins. Butt doubles as a nice skull crusher.

This is a fast, sharp, gracefull fighter with impeccable F&F and blades can be had in 3V. No need for diff temps really with 3V. :)

Yes, slightly above your price criteria at possibly $500-$600 in the collector market, not sure on Jerry's price though. But, I think it handily meets your specs, and would please you immensely. :)

I wouldn't sell mine for anything. :)

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Hi folks,

More really good suggestions, thanks.

Blackjack Archangel: Awesome! Seem hard to find, but you can find them here and there.

Greco Whisper: Also awesome.

Perrin: Again, awesome knife. Would be an easy decision, but for my hands, the handle is among the worst I've ever felt, with that deep index finger cutout. I realize I'm in the minority, although I occasionally see someone who has the same problem I do with it. Otherwise, I'd probably have just picked up a Perrin and been done with it.

Like the Patton Foxbat ... but that Hossom is unbelieveable. If I were willing to double or triple my budget, I'd go with the Hossom.

Mercworx looks good also, although for some reason I've never fallen in love with their designs. 3/16" thickness is, BTW, the absolute outside thickest I'd want with a knife this size, I think.

Joe
 
I've asked Bob to give me a quote on the attached pic (I know you'll all be in awe at my photo re-touching virtuosity). Basically, Dozier Model 6, 5" blade, straight clip instead of drop point, sharpened false edge.

Joe
 

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  • Joe Talmadges Model 6.JPG
    Joe Talmadges Model 6.JPG
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I hope the quote works out favorably, that looks like a winner, would like to see a picture if it gets made. Bob's knives really are incredible.

With that said I thought of one more for you to take a look at, it is made by a local knifemaker named Gary Little. It is the third down in this picture, is made of 15n20, differentially tempered and relatively inexpensive.
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Here is an angled shot that I think kind of shows Bob's wicked thin grinds:
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I really like this style of knife. :D The Nimravus that I removed the coating off of has also had the edge reprofiled down to under 18 degrees and is really a razor. Probably should have said more positive things about it, but I think the Doziers and Sere Operator are more what you described. All the Benchmades are made of M2.
 
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