Recommendations for Fixed Blade

This is my first post, and I need some advice. I'm a pretty young guy who does a lot of hunting and backpacking. I need a 4-5" fixed blade knife that is partially serrated. I was looking at the Seal Pup 2000 by SOG, but I am open to suggestions. I've heard good things about Mad Dogs, but are they worth it for me? I don't want to spend a fortune, but I want a great knife and am willing to pay for quality. I'm open to any suggestions. Any help would be appreciated.

Pied Piper
 
B

Boriqua

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
655
Im not into partial serrations. I would probably carry a plain fixed blade and then a small serrated pocket knife. Oh wait .. I do do that. Anyway though different strokes and all.THe seal pup is priced right and will serve your needs just fine. A little ways up the food chain is the mission MPTSS and sounds right up your alley http://www.missionknives.com/products/mpt.html

Im sure the atak would serve you well but its a little highly priced and a little larger than you were thinking.


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ALex

http://home.att.net./~a.boriqua

[This message has been edited by Boriqua (edited 06-25-2000).]
 
There's a big price difference between the two. If you're willing to go to Mad Dog prices, you also have the option of whole bunch of custom knives that can fit your needs and aesthetic considerations.

I have the Sog Seal Pup and carry in the woods. I think is decent enough camp knife, especially given the price which is under $100. The 440A steel doesn't have the edge retention of some of the higher price knives out there but it's not big deal if you don't mind sharpening more. There is enough belly to skin, and sharp clip point. At about 3/16" thick, the seal pup is not the best slicer.

If you don't need a knife for chopping, which the seal pup can't do too well anyway because lack of size, you're almost better off with the Moran which has better steel, VG10. Though a bit smaller, the Moran has better geometry for skinning and slicing. The Moran doesn't have serrations. The price is similar to the pup.

Good luck,

sing

AKTI #A000356
 
I suggest the Cold Steel Master Hunter. Get the AUS-8 version, because I know that when I backpack, everything gets wet at some time or another, and you don't always have the time or resources to keep a Carbon V blade as clean or dry as it need to be. BTW, Carbon V is notorious for rusting and staining easily.

If you want a slightly large knife, check out the CS Bush Ranger. It is Carbon V(although you can find the old AUS-8 versions), but it has a protective coating that helps improve elemental resistance. The knife is better as an all around camp knife because of the shallower gring and more versatile deign. I also like the grip design better.

The Mater Hunter is easier to carry, but not as versatile as the Bush Ranger.

The Seal Pup is not a bad knife, but both of the Cold Steel knifes are cheaper and tougher. Cold Steel get crap from some of the more refined knife types, but nearly everone agrees that their knife are nothing if not solid.

Check out botach.com or wholesalehunter.com for good prices on those knive, as well as neat tactical and outdoors stuff (respectively).

Hope I helped.
 
And if you want serrations, get a CS ER-1. It is intended for emergency use buy Paramedics, but is it very lightweight and cuts like mad. The serrations are a little tough to sharpen, but it also only cost about twenty bucks.

BTW, Both the Bush RAnger and Master Hunter can be had for 50 bucks or under.
 
PP. The seal pup is probably a good choice, but as it says it is a Seal knife, you might be better looking at Sogs, Nortwest ranger, Fallknivens A1, or Cold Steel's SRK all which are in your price range. If you have the extra $$$, try Newt Livesay, his no "BS" guarntee leaves the rest for dead, I own 2 Mad Dogs, both ATTAKs and have a Wild Thing and a Newt Livesay Air mobile on order, in saying that any of the above knives suit your needs at more than half the price. Hope this helps you out.

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Hunting?
Don't be a wise guy!
What d'ya hunt with a knife?
Name it!
 
You didn't say what, exactly, you intended to use the knife for. I personally tend to be a minimalist when it comes to my hunting/camping equipment, so I tend toward well-built pieces of equipment. My knives are for cutting, not chopping or prying.

If you are interested in knives for hunting... and processing the game you capture... then there are some excellent choices:
a) Bob Dozier Yukon Pro Skinner (D2 steel)
b) Simonich Cetan (esp. in Talonite)

If you are primarily interested in camping, and using the knife for general camp chores, there are also some excellent choices:
a) any of the Fallkniven line (VG10 steel)
b) John Greco Companion (A2 tool steel)
c) Benchmade Nimravus or Nimravus Cub (M2 tool steel)
d) several of Trace Rinaldi's pieces (A2 tool steel or Talonite)

Personally, I have carried either the Dozier Yukon Pro Skinner or the Simonich Talonite Cetan on hunting trips (many of them backcountry backpacking trips) all over North America. I have never found myself wishing I had taken another knife along.

I know that there are many more knives, both production and custom, that could fill the bill, but I'm listing only those with which I have personal experience. YMMV.
smile.gif


Good hunting!

AJ
 
Welcome to the forums!

Well, I first have to say that partial serrations are a bad idea. Even on seatbelts, where serrations are supposed to be great, I found that a 'toothy' plain edge out-performed a partially-serrated knife (SAK plain edge versus a Spyderco something or other, apporximately equal blade lengths). Especially for hunting and backpacking, a plain edge is important because it is much easier to sharpen in the field.

Specifically for the purposes of hiking and whatnot, I bought a Benchmade 140HS (Full-size Nimravus in M2 steel). The blade is 4.5" (sharpened; the actual blade length is a little bit longer). This is my favorite production fixed-blade (and the only one I still have, since I didn't find it to be a big disappointment). You should be able to pick one up for near $100 (probably a little more, especially for the M2 steel version, which I definitely think is worth it). I now carry this knife on a regular basis, just because I like it so much. As far as production fixed-blades go, I can't recommend in highly enough. Even a friend of mine who absolutely refuses to carry a knife calls it 'beautiful.' It hasn't failed to impress me at any task to which I put it (of course, it's a 4.5" blade, so I wouldn't try and chop down a tree with it; that's why they made hatchets). I've spoken poorly of the factory sheath in the past, but for hiking it would be more than enough (I had a custom sheath made for easier carry in-town).

If you want to get into customs, use the links section and the Shop Talk forum to find more makers than you ever though existed. Many will have knives you may be interested in, with pretty reasonable prices. A custom knife will be tailored to your specifications, which is a big plus. The downside is that custom knives take time to make, so if you want it now, go get that Nimravus.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Hmmm, SOG Seal Pup and Mad Dog knives are falling in quite different price categories. Additionally, a small serrated part of the partially serrated blade can add almost nothing to cutting abilities. I explained this particularly here: http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum55/HTML/000055.html
However serrations work pretty decently on fully serrated smaller blades in certain circumstances. Really, you could support your general utility fixed blade with lightweight folder with fully serrated blade, SPYDERCO Endura would serve you nicely in this role.

As to fixed blade, check for Fällkniven S1 (5" range) and F1 (4" range). These knives are really hard to beat if decent cutting tool for outdoors activities is required. Please visit my review on F1 http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001348.html for more info.


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Sergiusz Mitin
gunwriter
Lodz, Poland
 
I second the Nimravus. I just got one and I would sleep with it if I could. When you snap that thing out of the kydex you don't want to put it back. Mine is M2 and I'm currently testing the limits as far as rust. The worst thing seems to be sweat, not plain water or salt water (although those are hard on it too). You could get ATS-34 but I recommend against that if you are taking it out in the wilderness. It's just too hard to sharpen in the field, and you will have to do that. Everyone says M2 is fine if you protect it with tuff cloth.
Mine is the combo-edge, only because I got a deal on it. I think I agree with the reply above that it would be best to get a plain edge and a small, inexpensive serrated for rope and stuff. That's what I do in the kayak.

 
Why not carry a "Pro Guides Knife" by Bob Dozier and a serrated Spyderco Endura.
The Dozier has a 5" lond D2 blade and Micarta handle.
Both can be had for slightly over $200.
Why carry only 1 knife?
 
For a bigger knife, Newt Livesay's Wasp is a good one, for something smaller, a Fallkniven A-1 is great, for GP woods use, BK&T Campanion is the wat to go.
******Welcome to the forums**********

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The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict
 
Livesay's US Marshall...
About a 4-4.5" blade, great handle ergos and it works well blade up, with your index finger under the point, as you'd hold it to open a deer. Quality kydex too...
Also anything by Dozier...
Just my 2¢
 
Welcome Pied Piper! This is the place to get great advice and opinions on all knife-related subjects. For your question, if you want to get a great working blade (approx 4" blade) for a decent price I recommend,

Cold Steel Master Hunter
Fallkniven F1
Grohmann #1 or #3 models
Spyderco Moran
BM Nimravus

For a step up to some excellently priced customs, I can't say enough about...

TH Rinaldi's LUK
an of Dozier's skinners
Newt Livesay's smaller models

Great quality customs like above are excellent entry levels into owning a great working blade, excellent craftmanship and a little personality. Just poke your head around and you'll get links to other great makers with very reasonably priced knives.

Dave


 
I'm among the users who have no use for a serrated blade. A well sharpened straight edge will perform better than a dull serrated blade. A heavily used serrated blade is a real pain to keep sharp since every little tooth needs attention.

Many of the knives recommended have great steel, but the handle designs are sub-optimal for game cleaning. When you gut your game you invert the blade for opening the abdominal cavity. It is nice to choke up on the blade with the web between your thumb and forefinger butted up against a finger guard. Most knives with fancy steels don't have a guard and a handle shape well suited to this grip. The Cold Steel Master Hunter is well shaped. I prefer the non-stainless Carbon V alloy for toughness, but both AUS-8 and Carbon V get very sharp.

A personal favorite shape is the Buck Vanguard. The blade, handle and guard shape are very utilitarian and the 420HC alloy blade takes a great edge. I've got a Master Series version with BG42 alloy blade (alas out of production).

If you like a slim blade that cuts very efficiently, look at AG Russell's Dear Hunter. This is well designed and has an excellent ATS-34 alloy blade for under $70.00.

http://www.agrussell.com/agrussell/agdh-34.html
 
In response to Jeff Clark's post, you can hold the Nimravus that way, and the thumb ramp actually helps fill my hand so I can do so comfortably. I've never actually used it for cleaning game, so I have to thank Jeff for giving me one more reason to like this knife!
smile.gif


--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
PP- Welcome. If you have a few spare hours, click on the "links" here, go to custom makers, and start browsing! You'll probably find many knives that fit your needs, and at prices that are very reasonable.WARNING: this could be hazardous to your bank account!
 
Hey Pied Piper...

Alot of people have talked about the Fallknivens...

Excellent Choice for a Very Good quality Knife..

I suggest either the SI or the FI,,although the AI is Great also...

Copper..

Have a look at my Concealex sheaths for the Nimravus and Nimravus Cub on my site...

ttyle Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom,Quality, Concealex Sheaths.

Leading The Way In Synthetic Sheathing.

[This message has been edited by Normark (edited 06-26-2000).]
 
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