Seeking Advice: S35VN vs INFI (basically)

[quine]

Thread Ret-Con:

I've currently got a Spartan Harsey Mod. II in s35vn with DLC and a Busse SAR-6 SE. They were very similar in price, and because of their size, kind of redundant. I'd like recommendations on which should be kept.

I'd like to have one of these two blades for general hiking/camping/bushcrafting/outdoors stuff. They both seem like good knives for this role. I feel like the s35vn can stand up to some abuse, while being very low maintenance, while the infi is going to stand up to even [much] more abuse, and still be pretty stain-free and corrosion-resistant.

A couple of considerations:

I'd like to be able to dick around with this knife, (e.g. throwing it into wood).

I'd like to be able to baton this knife if needed.

I'd need to be able to use it as a chopper (on the small side, but still).

I'd like to be able to leave the blade in a moist environment without worry.

I'd like to be able to use it for small tasks, like whittling, or food prep.

I am pretty sure I'll be getting a dedicated small, stainless blade for the smaller, food-preppy stuff so that may not be an issue.

Anyway, let me know your thoughts and recommendations.

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

I carry a CRK Green Beret for just such tasks and it has served me very well. I also have some customs that will fit that bill as well. One from Big Chris and another from Adam at AA Forge knives. My CRK has served with more versatility than the others only due to me owning it longer.

 

[Ken44]

Many good knives in that catagory.
I like the Busse SFNO LE alot. Plenty thick at .22, and you can find one for less than $600.

Many knives that are going to do well at chopping may be a bit large for food prep. I would match a sturdy fixed blade with a lighter folder with a blade around 4". A Spyderco Military would be good for food prep, and is very light for its size.
You could get both for the $600 you mentioned.

Alot of good custom fixed blades out there as well.

 

[quine]

I guess my main question might be, s35vn or INFI for all-around outdoors use?

Is the toughness worth lost corrosion resistance? Should I expect chipping if I baton s35vn?

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

My Green Beret is S30V...the KG Gunkote is pretty "bulletproof" the Big Chris is 3V and the AA Forge is 5160...they have all been used extensively in the elements w/o issues. Between your 2 choices I'd rock the infi.

 

[El Bandit0]

No one blade to rule them all... I would suggest a pair: one 4''-5.5'' fixed blade for small tasks (food prep, field dressing, whittling, digging splinters, EDC, SD), and one 9.5''+ big-a$$ chopper/fighter (shelters, killin bars, stickin pigs, ETC.).
smaller knife: SOG Seal Pup on the under $100 end (has yet to fail me), Cold Steel Master Hunter in Carbon V (US Made) or Scrapyard War Dog in INFI All three are well-built, SP is full-tang, MH and WD are hidden tang, not much different unless you baton with your wee blades..
Chopper: Have to recommend Cold Steel Carbon V or Sk-5 (Japanese 1084 Carbon Steel) Ghurka Kukri and/or Trailmaster Bowie. Other good (in many minds better) options would be customs or Busse(kin)... but prices will vary. Stainless will not do for choppers... INFI, Carbon, or bust! A bit of Vaseline or vegetable oil and you have a large, rustproofed blade safe for carving up larger chunks of meat too.
Anyway, that's my mileage. Best of luck, hope you find what works for you!

 

[Dan57]

Bark River knives in A2 or 3V should be somewhat stain resistant, and able to do anything you ask of them.
So would the ESEE 6. It's 1095, but ESEE's coating are great. You'll only need to worry about rust on the edge and the logo. It's thinner than .25" at 3/16", but I don't see anything in your list if uses that would require such a thick blade anyway.

 

[goodeyesniper]

smatchet
preferably one made with rosta frei steel.

 

[Ken44]

I guess my main question might be, s35vn or INFI for all-around outdoors use?

Is the toughness worth lost corrosion resistance? Should I expect chipping if I baton s35vn?

INFI is as close to a Stainless as you can get. Well, D2 is about the same in that regard, but its not as tough as INFI.
I've got S35VN folders, time will tell how tough it is. It won't be as tough as INFI if that is a top priority for you.

There are many good steels, but if you plan on chopping I think INFI offers the best balance for toughness, and corrosion resistance. Great handle designs, and a top notch warranty, but dought you would ever need to use it.

 

[pap11y]

Busse TLGB and a SAK..

 

[FTR-14c]

The SARGE-7 is my favorite Busse in that size range. Its very light for its size and with its thinner grind it bites deep when chopping and slices well.
Pair it up with a ScrapMax 460 for light duty and food prep and you are set.
SAR-6 - 16.3oz
SAR-8 - 18.6oz
SARGE-7 - 14.7oz

Here is my SARGE-7 with a SAR-3 piggyback:

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ScrapMax 460:

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[quine]

FTR, that does sound pretty much perfect. I am starting to come around to the idea of having a smaller knife dedicated to precision tasks. I've kind of been coalescing in the past few hours to a pretty specific choice, though, for the larger knife. I need to choose between a Busse SAR-6 and a Spartan/Harsey Mod II. They're both similar in price and size, though obviously the steels are different. I'm a really big fan of the jimping on both.

I'm going to reboot/retcon this thread.

 

[762cal]

fallkniven knives might be your answer.

 

[quine]

I've been checking them out too, mostly for a smaller knife.

 

[sideways]

The ultimate all around knife that does everything you want great is a myth. It does not exist. To be good at brute force tasks a knife needs weight and thickness. To be good at precision tasks it needs to be short for controllability and thin for slicing. Putting two blades into one sheath is not a new idea. You also do not want to dull the edge of your precision tool going through firewood.

On the other hand you might prefer to do as many hunters/campers do and have an ax or saw in the pack and just keep a sturdy detail knife on your person. Whatever you get make sure the handle is comfortable. Those edc slim handle knives are not great if you use them for many hours. For prolonged use look at the bushcraft knives, you do not want any extra ridges to create hotspots and it should be pretty simple to facilitate a range of different grips.