Small Camp/Utility Fixed Blade Recommendation

peepskp said:
Hello Everyone,

I have recently been getting into camping and want to spend more time outdoors. I am a bit of a knife nut but mostly when it comes to kitchen knives and pocket edc folders. I recently bought an Esee Junglas because I wanted something fun to hack the crap out of wood, baton, etc. but I am looking for a complimentary camp/utility knife. Here are some criteria that could be used as a starting point:

Blade length - 3-4 inches
Blade thickness - .125" or less
Grind - Full Flat or Convex
Steel Type - Prefer to be somewhat corrosion resistant for food prep etc, AEB-L, 3V, CPM-154
Hand Size - Thin, Medium/Large
Handle Material - Micarta, G10, or combo. Not into wood as much
Budget - Under $200
Main uses: Food prep, wood feathering, fire making, general camp use.

I like a few of the knives below with a bit of belly because they are different, not sure that is a good thing though. I don't have great knowledge on fixed blades and other brands that may be comparable to below...

-LT Wright Camp MUK
-LT Small Northern Hunter
-LT Wright Next Gen
-BRK JX6

Thanks!
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Dawson.

Zieg
 
Fiddleback production Kephart or a Hiking Buddy. I have also heard anything in AEBL as long as it is done right will serve you well. that LTW GNS in AEBL looks like a winner.
 
I found a good deal on a LTW Genesis in A2 and went ahead and purchased it. I figured it would be a great place to start since it has a nice neutral handle and rave reviews everywhere. I appreciate everyone's help very much! I am sure I will be back for something to add to the collection soon.
 
One more suggestion: Horsewright Horsewright uses AEBL on some of is knives. I don’t own any of his blades (yet, I need to find out how much my ongoing break-up will cost me before I take out my Mastercard) and I don’t know if he makes knives in your preferred size, but they sure are gorgeous blades!
 
peepskp said:
I found a good deal on a LTW Genesis in A2 and went ahead and purchased it. I figured it would be a great place to start since it has a nice neutral handle and rave reviews everywhere. I appreciate everyone's help very much! I am sure I will be back for something to add to the collection soon.
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Was my entry into modern fixed blades as well. Great choice!
 
Pr3inar said:
One more suggestion: Horsewright Horsewright uses AEBL on some of is knives. I don’t own any of his blades (yet, I need to find out how much my ongoing break-up will cost me before I take out my Mastercard) and I don’t know if he makes knives in your preferred size, but they sure are gorgeous blades!
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Dave Ferry (Horsewright) has a very large and varied selection of fixed blades. His knives and leather products are outstanding...which I know from experience.
Horsewright? Great...
Your ongoing break-up? Not so great...I'm sorry and hope it works out okay for you.
 
One of my favorite makers, DW Childress, has a hunter for 95.00 in AEBL for sale in the makers fixed blade section.
 
duckchildress said:
View attachment 1051821 View attachment 1051822 View attachment 1051823 View attachment 1051824 View attachment 1051825 View attachment 1051826 View attachment 1051827 View attachment 1051828 Drop point hunter/EDC, AEB-L stainless steel, sub 0 quenched, RC 57-59 full tang, .127 thick, 7 in. long,31/4 in. hand finished hollow ground blade, stabilized Sycamore handles with hand made green fiber0optic/mosaic pins, green-black-white fiber liners, green multi-colored paracord lanyard with metal beads, black hand sewn fitted leather sheath with spring steel belt clip (right hand carry)
Price $ 95.00 shipped Use PayPal Inquires can email me at duckchildress@gmail.com
Thanks....
Wayne
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See, I think it is nice.
 
palmerdl said:
That is exactly my SOP. I agree.
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I sometimes wish that was the case for myself. But I don't feel right ordering stuff knowing full well that I am not likely to keep it (and then return it). So, generally speaking, I make my choices and live with those choices as money poured down the knife black hole. If for some reason, I am dissatisfied, I buy another and another.... (But I tend to spread things out money wise.) The only time I have purchased more than one or two knives in a month is when I attend knife shows and bring home more blades than I probably should.
 
22-rimfire said:
I sometimes wish that was the case for myself. But I don't feel right ordering stuff knowing full well that I am not likely to keep it (and then return it). So, generally speaking, I make my choices and live with those choices as money poured down the knife black hole. If for some reason, I am dissatisfied, I buy another and another.... (But I tend to spread things out money wise.) The only time I have purchased more than one or two knives in a month is when I attend knife shows and bring home more blades than I probably should.
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RETURN? Who said that? Uncle Timbo said SELL. In my case, I usually just KEEP, maybe sell at some point. So, pretty much what you said.

Usually, I'm pretty sure I'm going to like what I order, because I can read and understand size specs. Not many knife stores (none that I know of) in my area to go handle before buying. If there were, they'd probably be throwing me out when I walk through the door every other day to fondle their inventory. Sometimes you just have to have it in hand before you know. Then the love only last until the next eye-catcher comes along.

All these post about 'help me buy a new knife' are BS. Grow up, figure it out yourself. You're going to do what you want anyway. Trying to blame your bad decision on the forum folks? Usually don't respond to these posts, but Timbo's was only the third post down, so I wasn't bored yet and he hit the nail on the head, IMO.
 
I am seldom dissatisfied with what I have purchased in the last 5-7 years. Before that.... it happened more frequently than I care to admit. I can read the specs too. Helping someone who knows anything about knives select and buy a knife is sort of BS. It's usually a trial and error thing, but suggestions do help narrow the field down for someone not familiar with what is available. I do have two very good knife stores (3 if you count Frost which I don't) within a 2 hours of me (KSF is 20 minutes) and these stores get about half my annual business along with shows.
 
Thanks P Pr3inar and Sonnydaze Sonnydaze for the recommendations. To the OP here's one I finished recently that was a little above the $200 mark but otherwise fits your plan. AEB-L @62 RC (heat treat by Peters), copper bolster and G10 scales. It sold with a Horizontla leather sheath to ride over the left front pocket. This is one of my Ranchero models and one of the few I've ever done not in damascus.

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