Recommendation Thread: high quality large fixed blade

M

Moses2792796

Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Messages
186
Before I get into the exact specs of the knife I am looking for I'll explain my situation. For a good while my go to large fixed blade was my Kabar Heavy Bowie. It's a great knife but after alot of abuse it needs some work before it's ready to use again. I've tried a couple of Condors but didn't find the 1075 steel particularly satisfying, it doesn't take as good of an edge as I would like, nor does it hold an edge once I've gone to the effort of sharpening them.

Now that I have a bit of extra cash I'm looking for something a bit more upmarket that will hopefully satisfy my need for a large fixed blade. Intended use is fire prep and shelter building on hiking and camping trips, therefore lots of chopping and splitting (batoning) and occasionally some detail work (carving) but the latter is less important. Now for the specs I am looking for

Steel: Looking to upgrade from my previous big knives, hoping to find something tougher than 1095 and with at least equivalent wear resistance. 5160 is my bare minimum but I would prefer something with a little more wear resistance. Corrosion resistance is a not important.

1. Blade Length: 9" - 12" (would be willing to go a little over 12" but not much)

2. Thickness: 3/16" - 1/4" (would prefer not to go outside this bracket)

3. Design: I'm open to most 'standard' big knife designs. From normal drop points to bolo-esque shapes to khukris, as long as you think they will perform well in the role I have specified.

4. Sheath: Kydex is preferred, high quality leather sheaths are acceptable. Not interested in knives that come with crappy sheaths.

5. Price: Would prefer not to go over $300, will consider going up to $350 for the right blade but absolutely no higher than $350.

I think that covers my requirements, I will edit this post if I realize that I have forgotten something. Any information you guys can give me will be much appreciated. If it's not too much trouble I'd love to hear some of your thoughts on any knives you recommend, pros and cons etc.
 
HwangJino said:
Bussekin is a very good knife brand.
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Agreed. Or you can save some money and get yourself a Becker BK9. :) The only thing that chops better than the King would be an axe. It may "only be 1095CV" but it takes a wicked edge and holds it, for a long time! It fits into most of your criteria, save the sheath, which with the money you would save buying the BK9, you can get yourself a nice kydex sheath and some sexy micarta handles. All would be well below $200.
 
Hmmm for good toughness thats as tough as 5160 but with more edge retention, you can go with Bussekin models from scrapyard knives or swamp rat knife works. Some models from those 2 companies I would recommend are: the SYKCO 1311, SYKCO 911, Rodent 9

Bark River knives makes their grasso bolo III's and grasso bolo II's in 5160

Guy over at Survive Knives will likely be re-releasing the GSO-10 in CPM3V, which is another >$200 option that I highly recommend, since CPM3V is some tough stuff.

Finally, if you're content with 5160, Ontario knives produces the spec plus line made of 5160 steel. I'd recommend the SP53/SP52, or SP51/SP50
 
I 2nd the BK9. I have numerous large fixed blades but usually reach for the BK9 because it just works, is easy to sharpen (I suck at sharpening), and isn't pricey enough that I am reticent to really use it.
 
Another vote for Survive Knives, I have the 4.1 GSO and personally, the material, craftsmanship, balance and performance are great.
 
If I go for a 1095 blade I will probably go for the Junglas over the BK9, just for the better quality sheath and handles and the extra size.

I've looked at Scrapyard and Swamp Rat knives and they are pretty high on my list.

I like the look of the Bark River Grasso Bolo but I am concerned about all the reports of failures which I find unacceptable considering the price.

I would definitely like the GSO 10 from Survive knives but it's at the upper end of my price range.

Thanks for the recommendations so far guys keep 'em coming!
 
Another vote for the BK9

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Hey guys I know the Beckers have a strong following around here and I'm sure they're great knives but they don't really fit my criteria.

On a different note another knife that looks interesting is the TOPS Power Eagle. Anyone have any experience with this one?
 
Moses2792796 said:
Hey guys I know the Beckers have a strong following around here and I'm sure they're great knives but they don't really fit my criteria.

On a different note another knife that looks interesting is the TOPS Power Eagle. Anyone have any experience with this one?
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You asked for a good camp knife, we gave you one. If you're just wanting to spend more money, or try a new steel then go ahead. But honestly, you're gaining very little over what the BK9 offers. I've pounded mine through tree stumps with a sledge hammer, abusing the heck out of it, and it never skipped a beat. The blade touches up very easily as well.
 
00ChevyScott said:
You asked for a good camp knife, we gave you one.
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No I asked for a knife that fits a specific set of criteria. I was pretty careful not to be too vague with my OP. As I said I already own a Kabar Heavy Bowie which is about the equivalent of the Becker imo, but I am looking for a significant step up in performance.
 
Moses2792796 said:
Hey guys I know the Beckers have a strong following around here and I'm sure they're great knives but they don't really fit my criteria.

On a different note another knife that looks interesting is the TOPS Power Eagle. Anyone have any experience with this one?
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What leads you to believe that TOPS is a "significant step up in performance" from the Beckers? Or fits your criteria any better than a Becker? All it seems is more expensive. :confused:
 
marcinek said:
What leads you to believe that TOPS is a "significant step up in performance" from the Beckers? Or fits your criteria any better than a Becker? All it seems is more expensive. :confused:
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Well just looking at it I prefer the design, the handle, the sheath and the steel, in my experience the quality of TOPS knives is high even if some of their designs are "questionable", but I would still prefer to get some info from someone who has used one before I think about buying it.

Right now my list of preferences goes something like this...

1. GSO 10 or Swamp Rat Rodent 9 (These are at the top of my list but they are also pushing the limits of my price range)

2. Scrapyard 911

3. ESEE Junglas

Just have to weigh up price against what I get. Thanks for the recommendations so far guys still interested in hearing from anyone with more info!
 
Moses2792796 said:
No I asked for a knife that fits a specific set of criteria. I was pretty careful not to be too vague with my OP. As I said I already own a Kabar Heavy Bowie which is about the equivalent of the Becker imo, but I am looking for a significant step up in performance.
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I understand what you are getting at, but aside from the steel, what about the BK9 doesn't fit the criteria? Based on what I see there, it fits beautifully. And saying that the Ka-Bar heavy bowie is equivalent to the BK9 is a little strange to me. It is kinda like saying a VW Jetta is equivalent to an Audi A4. The Heavy Bowie is a Taiwanese made 1085 knife, where the Becker is American Made 1095CV. Very different levels of quality IMHO and the Becker is a significant step up in performance over the Ka-Bar.

Another option for you then would be the Ontario RTAKII. It's a big blade, and is offered in 1095 and 5160.

marcinek said:
What leads you to believe that TOPS is a "significant step up in performance" from the Beckers? Or fits your criteria any better than a Becker? All it seems is more expensive. :confused:
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Agreed! With the Becker, if you have an issue with the sheath, $40 bucks and you get a nice kydex sheath. $90 for the BK9, $40 for the sheath and if you want micarta handles, another $40. That's cheaper than the Junglas (equivalent steel, better sheath) and anything that TOPS has to offer.

That being said, if you are adamantly against the Becker, than the Junglas and the RTAKII would be my next suggestions.
 
For a smidge more money you could end up with a Busse Basic from the forum exchange. They pop up all of the time in the Busse sales forum, and often come with good sheaths.

In my humble opinion, you won't find better steel for a big blade than INFI.

Read this.
 
CDKJudoka said:
I understand what you are getting at, but aside from the steel, what about the BK9 doesn't fit the criteria? Based on what I see there, it fits beautifully. And saying that the Ka-Bar heavy bowie is equivalent to the BK9 is a little strange to me. It is kinda like saying a VW Jetta is equivalent to an Audi A4. The Heavy Bowie is a Taiwanese made 1085 knife, where the Becker is American Made 1095CV. Very different levels of quality IMHO and the Becker is a significant step up in performance over the Ka-Bar.

Another option for you then would be the Ontario RTAKII. It's a big blade, and is offered in 1095 and 5160.
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Point taken about the steel. For some reason I thought the Kabar was also in 1095. I'm not sure how much difference the country of manufacture makes though. I'm not really against the Becker per se it just wasn't really what I had in mind when I started the thread, although you guys have almost sold me on it tbh, but I think I would still lean towards the Junglas. I had a quick look around for an RTAK II in 5160 and couldn't seem to find one, although I think if I went with an Ontario I might go with one of their spec plus knives anyway.
 
Cypress said:
For a smidge more money you could end up with a Busse Basic from the forum exchange. They pop up all of the time in the Busse sales forum, and often come with good sheaths.

In my humble opinion, you won't find better steel for a big blade than INFI.

Read this.
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If I found a big Busse that I could afford it would be right at the top of my list, unfortunately they are usually a little out of my price range, but thanks for the advice I will keep an eye out.
 
Moses2792796 said:
Point taken about the steel. For some reason I thought the Kabar was also in 1095. I'm not sure how much difference the country of manufacture makes though. I'm not really against the Becker per se it just wasn't really what I had in mind when I started the thread, although you guys have almost sold me on it tbh, but I think I would still lean towards the Junglas. I had a quick look around for an RTAK II in 5160 and couldn't seem to find one, although I think if I went with an Ontario I might go with one of their spec plus knives anyway.
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Here's a link for the 5160 on Knifehog. I think the model number is 8628. The 8629 has serrations on the blade.

http://www.knifehog.com/p-1978-onta...&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CN-A5bSt6bgCFcOh4AodYWsArw

I found the 8628 on the river site.
 
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