small but heavy

A

Andrei

Joined
Jul 24, 2001
Messages
16
I am asking for advice.
I want to buy a small size fixed blade budget knife (overall maximum 7"-7,5") with a thick strong blade that feels heavy enough. I thought about boot knives (like the one in a recent Tom Cruise movie), but the ones I found at a local store are either too long, or blade is too thin and light (e.g. Gerber Guardian). I wanted to check Camillus CP75, but the store did not have it, and web stores usually do not mention blade thickness.
So can you recommend me a small size fixed blade production knife with a thick and heavy blade ?
If such fixed blade knives do not exist, what are folding knives with thick blades ?
 
Have a look at the Becker Knife and Tool Campanion. BK&T is now made by Camillus.
 
Thick + indestructible = Busse Combat Knives

If you want a really little knife, check out the Busse Assault Shaker. (2.5" blade, 5.5" OAL, 3-finger skeletonized handle) It's made from Busse's INFI steel, 1/4" stock, so that short blade is a fat little wedge. But it has Busse's asymetrical edge, which is notorious for edge hold ability, and IME the AShaker is a very handy utility-knife replacement. http://www.bussecombat.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?client=28866121&action=serve&item=shaker.html

For a more standard size handle, look into the Busse Basic 3 model. It has a 3" blade, hence its name, in 1/4" M-INFI steel. 8" OAL. I personally find the Basic handles to be incredibly comfortable for extended use. YMMV If you want one, grab it quick because the Basic models are going out of production. You can get the Basics from quite a few dealers on the web. Get price quotes because prices vary widely on the Basics, depending on who you buy them from. A Basic 3 should be under $100. Shop around & do your homework to save some money. Picture of the Basic 3 at http://www.1sks.com/store/busse-combat-basic-3.html Click on the picture there to get enlarged version.

If you care to go a bit bigger, I have found the Busse Basic 5 (5" blade, 10" OAL) an amazingly useful utility sized blade. Basic 5 info likewise on 1SKS site.
 
For a budget, I would suggest the CRKT Companion. It matches your description, has 2 sheaths -- which some don't care much for -- and costs around $30 at Bayou LaFourche last time I looked.

For a folder, your description matches the REKAT Pioneer pretty well. I have a Pioneer 1, that feels like a little tank. A little scratchy on opening, but believe the second generation may be a bit better in that department.

Just yesterday, I discovered a knife I bought quite some time ago. Was quite cheap, prolly has 420 steel. It is the Black Dragon II Tanto by United. Never used it. Don't remember how much it cost.
 
Although they are out of production, if you are looking for a single-sided knife, a David Boye basic 1 or 2 is perfect for this application. Very heavy and solid in the hand, holds a great edge. Look in forums or ebay.
 
Ka-Bar introduced some new thick and strong fixed blades this year. They aren't all that big, but big and thick enough. I think you can have some of them in D2 steel as well. Check them out for sure.
 
on the cheap side, you could go with a small cold steel bushman. i have the large one, and while the blade isn't extremely thick, i've beaten it soundly and it shows no damage. (i once wedged the blade in a rock crevice and stood on the handle to see how strong it was. :p didn't bend. :D)
on the other hand, chris reeve makes some wonderful knives out of one-piece steel bars. they're pricey, but fantastic!
peace.
aleX.
 
Marble's Fieldcraft might be just the knife you're looking for: about a 3.5" blade, just under 1/4" thick (very stout), full length hidden tang which is also very stout, about 7.5" long overall. Available in a variety of handles from stag to leather washer, full tang, SUPERB 52100 steel. The blade hasd a sweeping curve, great for slicing, a sturdy tip fine enough for delicate work... and it holds an edge better than any other in my collection (except for my other Marble's, a Campcraft).
 
I'm surprised nobody mentioned Falkniven F1. IMO it's the best for the money (30% less then Busse#3)... and you can get the perfect sheath from Eric.
 
yes, check out the Fallkniven website - all of their knives are VERY sturdy, while being both lower-profile and less expensive than comparable Busse knives. Although Busse's are probably better for REALLY hardcore use.
 
Andrei;

What you described as what you are looking for is the perfect description of the BK&T Campanion. It has a 5" blade and feels like you could pry open a safe with it. It will handle small chopping chores that you would use a knife of this size on.

The Fallkniven F1 or S1 would also give you a strong knife but not as thick and heavy as the BK&T Campanion and you said you were looking for thick and heavy...yup, that's the Campanion for sure!:rolleyes:
 
For a really solid knife, check out John Greco’s Cub Companion at Bladeart.com

3 3/4" Carbon 1057/1085 bead blasted A2 steel blade. Overall length: 7 3/4" Black micarta handles with custom leather form fitted sheath.
Full tang construction. Coated with John's special crib safe, non toxic gray protective coating. Price: $79.95

For a less expensive alternative, One Stop Knife Shop has the CAMILLUS ARCLITE

A new collaboration from Camillus and Darrel Ralph, the ArcLite is a handy neck knife for under $20! Made from 420HC steel, the Arclite's slim profile is both comfortable to hold and easy to use. The skeletonized handle keeps this utility cutter lightweight and secure under varied gripping conditions. $19.99

Are you sure you need a very thick blade? The ArcLite is slim but really tough also.
 
Dozier Personal Utility!
<$150, I don't have a ruler on me, but the blade is plenty thick for a knife this size. Bob Dozier is on the web, well worthwhile,
http://www.dozierknives.com/
I have 2 ;)
If I'm not being rude...
Why do you want a thick blade, in a small knife?
Ebbtide out.
 
If you are looking for a tough little knife, don't over-look the REKAT Hobbit Fang, or Utility Neck Knife...Unless you NEED a small knife with a 1/4 inch-thick blade.:).
 
I too am curious about why such a thick blade for a relatively small knife. The Dozier (I have a K-1) is 1/8" thick, too thin for the original request, and I think the other Dozier utility knives are of similar thickness. Personally, this is as thick as I like to get in anything short of a 5"-7" "survival knife", and even at those lengths, thin still cuts better. I'm soon to be experimenting with a custom (George Tichbourne) that has a 4" blade and is but 3/32" thick.
 
Personally, I like the "small but heavy" type. :o Try out Newt Livesay's 'Bow Huntin' Buddy'. 3" blade. Strong. Stout. Mmmmmm, ...

BBB
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top