small $50 fixed blade suggestions please

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Foilist

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Dec 20, 2004
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I'd like a smallish fixed blade (3"-4") in the $40 or $50 price range. I like carbon as opposed to stainless, but it is not a deal breaker. I also am looking for an easily maintained edge, and a fairly sheeple-friendly appearance. The knife will be used for general outdoor camp and utility purposes. Below are some that I'm considering and would like feedback about. Please offer any other suggestions too.

A.G. Russell Woodswalker (this seems quite useful and easy to carry; too small?)

Buck Big Sky (I saw one in a store several years ago and liked the look of it)

Grohmann #1, flat grind carbon (I have a #1 stainless, sabre grind, but I can't get a decent edge on it. Neat knife though)

Anza? (I don't know anything about these)

Bark River would be nice, but out of my price range.
 
The Moras are very functional knives and a good value, but . . .
I really don't care for the look of them. I should have but that in my criteria - I want something aesthetically pleasing (to me anyway) as well as useful.

I just discovered the Bark River Mini Canadian and Mikro. A bit beyond my budget, but really neat little knives. I bet they would fit in the Russell Woodswalker pocket sheath.
 
Anza - and you will never have a second doubt

and from the list you made and the use you want Anza is so far out front its not a contest
 
Benchmade Rant Bowie is one of my faves for about $40.The 440c steel is very good,holds a decent edge,is easy to touch up and is nice and sharp out of the box.The handle is the most comfy I own.I Also like its cousin the Rant DPT,it's a little over 4 inches but probably a little more sheepie friendly :D Both come with nice sheaths.

ak
 
Foilist said:
A.G. Russell Woodswalker (this seems quite useful and easy to carry; too small?)
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Never used one.... but I have been told the VG10 models are top notch.

Grohmann #1, flat grind carbon (I have a #1 stainless, sabre grind, but I can't get a decent edge on it. Neat knife though)
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Have one any use one. Mine is carbon steel flat grind. GREAT knife. Please to use, easy to touch up, and my hand dosen't get tired using it. This would me my #1 choice.

Anza? (I don't know anything about these)
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Neither do I. But I know they are hollow ground. For what you descrbed.... I would go with flat, or convex grind utility blade.

Bark River would be nice, but out of my price range.
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Have owned and used the Highland, Woodland, Adirondack skinner, Micro Canadian, and they are all perfect for outdoor use. A2 tool steel, and the sharpest out of the box I have ever used:thumbup:
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RAT-3, Either Steel. I like D2. Awesome knife. Good sheath too. RAT-3 D2. A wee bit more money than you want but well worth it. RAT-3 D2. You will be glad you did it.
 
Throw in the Blackjack small it's stanless but its VG10 blade from Seiki Japan. It can be found under 50.00 easy. Very easy to sharpen convex grind blade, super edge holding.


BJ-001.jpg
 
Anza HOOVES (or hands) DOWN! I have 2; you can love em, abuse em, beat em, etc. and they'll still endure and serve you well. I'm with Azis, it's not even a contest. They meet all your criteria and MORE. I neck carry a modified F-4 and can't stop carrying it I love it so much. Crazy easy to resharpen, holds a wicked sharp edge, and tough as nails. Buy one and you'll be hooked and never regret it.
 
If your using it in the smelly parts of fish/animals I'd go for a CS Pendelton Hunter. Very sharp, sharpens easy and easily cleaned.
 
Foilist said:
I'd like a smallish fixed blade (3"-4") in the $40 or $50 price range. I like carbon as opposed to stainless, but it is not a deal breaker.
Bark River would be nice, but out of my price range.
Click to expand...

I particularly like the BlackJack Small - I have it in stainless - but they come in plain carbon too.
It's a lot of cutting edge in a relatively compact knife -
BJsmall.jpg


Please take a look at this thread -

BlackJack "Small" select Cocobolo stainless

I paid $75 for mine - but at last year's Blade Show 2006 Ken Warner had them at $50! - I was very tempted to buy yet another one as I saw one that looked almost as good as the one I have.....

Using Froogle.com one can find this knife as low as $39.95 - add $9.95 shipping and the total comes in at just below $50.......
Blackjack BJ001 Small Hunter Knife Cocobolo w/Sheath


However while I was searching for prices on my BlackJack Small - I came across this "budget" model -

Blackjack BJ001B Small Hunter Knife Black Kraton w/Sheath @ $20.95 (shipping is $9.95)
for a grand total of under $31 - now that seems a LOT of knife for the money - as the pictures seem to show clearly it has the wonderful full zero bevel convexed edge.

Note: links given are merely examples of low prices found -
I have not dealt with the vendor so cannot say anything about their service/reliablity.

EDIT to add -
Just realized neither of the links has photos, or much info...

Here's New Graham's link to the Blackjack Small Kraton BJKRATONSMALL - with good pic and good description (but unfortunately it's out of stock for now) -

while I'm at it - this is New Graham's entry on the Blackjack Stainless Small Coco BJCOCOSMALL

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2007
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
Thank you for the suggestions. As I give it some thought, I think I'd like to try a small fixed blade - perhaps even a "pocketable" one. A small Anza on their website caught my eye, and I'm on the lookout for a Mini or Mikro Canadian from Bark River (if I decide to go beyond my self-imposed budget). The Blackjack Small looks good to me too. I like the pocket sheath option. As for the Grohmann, since I already have one, I'm drawn to something different.
 
I have a Mikro which I picked up for about $50 new. It is easily my most carried fixed blade due to size. It is very small, however. At first, I could not figure out a way to like it due to it's diminuitive size. Now, I use it all the time. Not too good for food prep, but for everyday chores it is great. I would recommend a nice kydex sheath for it as well. I carry it horizontally on my front belt. Wonderful carry position...
 
I've been looking more and more at Anza's smaller models. They seem to offer a lot of bang for the buck. Anyone have any more to say about Anza? I'm considering the T3, LP-D, 109, and F-1 models. All of these have 2.25" to 3" blades. A small fixed blade is becoming appealing because I might actually carry it a lot, as opposed to a large one. Do Anzas come with decent sheaths?
 
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