Recommend a fixed blade

kingston73

kingston73

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Oct 14, 2013
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For various reasons I’m looking to buy a fixed blade. Main use will be camping and hunting. Looking at 4 inches or above, I’ve got plenty of 3 inch folders. I don’t want to spend more than $100 and whatever I get it’d be nice to have a sheath with it. Right now I’m leaning towards the buck 863 Selkirk, the only draw back being it’s made in China. I was also looking at the vanguard 692 which is a little more expensive but made in us. Any thoughts and recommendations appreciated, thanks.
 
Since you're already looking at buck, consider the 119 special. It's available in several different steels if you look around. I recently got one on 5160 to see if the hollow grind with a tougher steel handles a more wood-focused use over a FFG. It should also excel at hunting so I was thinking it would be a great all-purpose knife that's easily serviceable if/when I finally get back into doing hunting trips with the family after other long-term obligations are finally over.

I think their custom knife program has S30V as an option.

I think the ontario bushcraft line kind of falls into the fixed blade traditional realm with wood handles and classic steel choice, 5160. The utility and field knife should be decent.
 
kingston73 said:
For various reasons I’m looking to buy a fixed blade. Main use will be camping and hunting. Looking at 4 inches or above, I’ve got plenty of 3 inch folders. I don’t want to spend more than $100 and whatever I get it’d be nice to have a sheath with it. Right now I’m leaning towards the buck 863 Selkirk, the only draw back being it’s made in China. I was also looking at the vanguard 692 which is a little more expensive but made in us. Any thoughts and recommendations appreciated, thanks.
Click to expand...
119 special all the way.
 
Yep, the 119 is probably a great suggestion for the handle and steel- but a little more info might be helpful. Ex. wondering if batoning might be a planned camping use? Hunting big game or small?
 
I’d definitely want something multi use, batoning possible. I mostly hunt small game but deer are possible as well.

Bikerector, responded to your message.
 
Even though I don’t have one I really like the handle and blade length on the 117 that a dealer had made on a special run. And even the most expensive one is under $100. I think the blade sits around 4 1/4 to 4 1/2. Being a hunter I’d rather have a blade under 5 inches as they tend to be easier to use on game. Maybe Old Hunter Old Hunter will chime in. If I remember right, he has several fixed blade Bucks.

PS...after I posted I saw you were thinking about batoning with it. Since I’ve never done that with a knife I’m not sure what to suggest.
 
I would look at a Hess Tiburon. Beautifully made, comes with sheath, perfect size and design for an all around user in 1095 steel.
 
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Condor Kephart

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While not old time traditional in any way, the Gerber strongarm is USA made, stupid tough, hits that "not to big,not to small mark. Can be found for less than 50 bucks, but usually 50-60. Although made in China I really like my Browning bushcrafter. Currently edc'in the buck 119, wish I'd bought one sooner.
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If hunting small game, I really prefer the 118 personal but that's really going to struggle with any type of batoning since it is thin but crazy slicey. The 119 is considerably more stout in comparison. I'm fortunate to have both. The 118 is pretty darn light for a 4.5" knife, I want to say it was around 5oz with sheath last I checked, which the knife being around or under 4oz.
 
Bang for the buck, it's hard to beat a Mora Companion. Your basic entry-level bushcraft knife. They can be had for under $15 and are lightweight and sturdy. Cheap enough to put one in each car, one in a bug out bag, etc. They weigh less than half of what the Selkirk weighs. Knife plus sheath is under 4oz. What they aren't is fancy, stylish, or purty ...
 
Personally, I've never found a knife suitable for both batoning and cleaning small game. But then I don't ask a knife to prep my firewood. That is a job for a hatchet, axe, or saw IMO.

I do own many hunting knives, that work at the campsite as well as in the field. Many available for under $100. I tend to gravitate towards the drop point. I've always liked the way Boker does it. My Relincho is good though, at a 5" blade a bit bigger than I normally like. I prefer more the size of my El Trampero or Campanero though those are discontinued. Boker's Pine Creek, Dano, & Hunter are similar and available.

I've carried my Buck 102 woodsman for decades in the field, though it is smaller than what you seem to be looking for.

I have a Browning Overtime I like, though the blade is under 4" and closer to a B&T knife. If you look at Browning, AVOID the new Ignite. It is right what you are looking for being a bushcraft / hunting knife and only $50, but they currently have a defect in the bolster that will IMO significantly weaken the knife.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, I like Benchmade's Saddle Mountain Hunter or Skinner. Also check out Enzo's Badger or Trapper 95. Bradford's Guardian 4 is also well regarded.
 
Hess knife works would be my input. At or around $100 at least when I bought mine, full flat ground 1095 steel made by GEC. Used my tiburon on anything from skinning squirrel, to feather sticks, to just carving and wood craft. I have the tiburon (4 inch blade, ~ 4 inch handle) with stacked leather handle and aluminum pommel but they have several options including burl woods and stag. Made in the USA too.
 
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Thought I'd put up a pic of the Browning "bushcrafter" Grip is a bit on the slim side which makes it less bulky to carry, but gives up a bit in comfort for prolonged heavy use.
Edit: looked online, seems its called the bush craft ultra, b4 the term bushcraft became all the rage, this would be called a drop point skinner. Goes for around 30 bucks.
 
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This forum is terrible for my bank account. Just bought a Hess Muley with stacked leather. I couldn’t find many Hess knives at all, are they still in business? I found 1 single site selling tiburons but I really wanted a stacked leather handle and the only tiburons I found had wood handles. I don’t know if I’ll even use the Hess since I’ve got the Ontario on the way and it’ll be my user.
 
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Check Schrade USA 165 OT Woodsman, 160 OT Mountain Lion and 15 OT Deerslayer. I think these came in carbon only. Make sure there is a USA on the tang and no "+" after the USA (if you want carbon). You will have to look on the bay. Might get a good deal. Good hunting.
 
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