Some help please.

H

Helderberg

Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
322
I would like to buy a "good" serviceable fixed blade for general purpose work that is under $100.00. I have many folders but would like something that has decent steel, 440c or so, about 8-10 in blade and single edge. Tried to search and found a lot of great info, but nothing that answered my question. Any help would be appreciated. Not hung up on a brand here as I am looking for a knife I can use and not have guilt about marking up.
Thanks again, Frank.
 
The becker 9 is the best value for less than $100.00
It replaced my Sog canopy which I bought before I got into Beckers, the sog was a good inexpensive blade but cannot compare to the bk9.
 
I've owned a Ontario SP-6 for about 20 years, and it has been through hell it was never designed for, and still is a killer knife for the money, after all these years of hard usage.:thumbup:
A few minutes on a mouse pad and sandpaper, it is a laser/hair shaving beast (8" blade).

I convexed it about 10 years ago, and it has offered remarkable hard usage over the years.
Designed as a fighter, it is a great all round bushcraft knife also (batoning, feathering, ect. holds a great edge for what it is).
 
Speaking of Ontario, there's the RTAK II. A little over 10", but looks like a pretty good value for a chopper.

I actually don't have an 8-10" blades, but this thread is making me want to fix that, lol. I have a 14" Tramontina machete that serves as my "big knife" needs currently :)
 
Helderberg said:
I would like to buy a "good" serviceable fixed blade for general purpose work that is under $100.00. I have many folders but would like something that has decent steel, 440c or so, about 8-10 in blade and single edge. Tried to search and found a lot of great info, but nothing that answered my question. Any help would be appreciated. Not hung up on a brand here as I am looking for a knife I can use and not have guilt about marking up.
Thanks again, Frank.
Click to expand...

8-10 in blade for general purpose work ? What kind of general purpose work ? Seems like a lot of blade
 
Years, and years and years of abuse:

Ontario003_zpsb821546a.jpg


It will still sharpen to shave every hair on your arm.
If this knife could talk, 2 bears, multitude of deer, bushcraft, woodsplitting ect.
IIRC it was the best $38 bucks I ever spent on a knife!
Not much love nowadays, but still have after all these years.:D
 
This is the knife that knocked my Ontario SP6 to the curb.
Bobby Branton offered some Bos HT'd blades about 10-15 years ago, no handles.
I bought 2, put handles on both and never looked back.
Here is one, my handle, A2 1/4" thick, I bet he would be happy seeing this blade!:D

I should hit him up, I'm sure he would get a kick out of this knife, this is the blade that displaced my Ontario, for good!

Branton003_zps908e33f7.jpg
 
I'm a really big fan of 1095c and 52100 when it comes to great steel that is easy to upkeep and affordable, and I think these are some of the best choices for fixed blades that are good quality and affordable. My favorite features are that they are super tough and easy to sharpen. While not sporting the edge retention of many stainless steels, the toughness and ability to field service to me are more important factors for a fixed blade. Especially at the size blade you want, toughness is really the #1 trait in most cases. I also really like A2, but there are not as many options here at that price. Steels in the awesome 3V are neat, but the price is really a limiting factor and many people hesitate to treat them in the fashion they would a RAT or ESEE.

So I am a huge fan of the Ontario RAT and ESEE models, as I find them to be built tough, have great heat treatments, use excellent handles, and be models where a lot of great and affordable aftermarket sheaths can be sourced. As the RAT lines are affordable, I've beaten the absolute piss out of mine, and I've done things to my RAT5 which I do not think 95% of fixed blades could survive.

I think you would like the RAT7.
 
pnsxyr said:
I'm a really big fan of 1095c and 52100 when it comes to great steel that is easy to upkeep and affordable, and I think these are some of the best choices for fixed blades that are good quality and affordable. My favorite features are that they are super tough and easy to sharpen. While not sporting the edge retention of many stainless steels, the toughness and ability to field service to me are more important factors for a fixed blade. Especially at the size blade you want, toughness is really the #1 trait in most cases. I also really like A2, but there are not as many options here at that price. Steels in the awesome 3V are neat, but the price is really a limiting factor and many people hesitate to treat them in the fashion they would a RAT or ESEE.

So I am a huge fan of the Ontario RAT and ESEE models, as I find them to be built tough, have great heat treatments, use excellent handles, and be models where a lot of great and affordable aftermarket sheaths can be sourced. As the RAT lines are affordable, I've beaten the absolute piss out of mine, and I've done things to my RAT5 which I do not think 95% of fixed blades could survive.

I think you would like the RAT7.
Click to expand...

A2 is right up there also, you have to admit, leaves 1095 in the dust IMHO!
Especially when done right (Bos).
I like 52100 as well as anyone, more so than 1095, but it is harder to HT than most, therefore you must consider who does it, and the wide variety of recipes.........
And that becomes a "IMHO" pretty quick.:D
A2 well done, would be my "elite" steel, to compare others.........
Just MHO, nothing more, not a steel expert by any means..........
 
Twistedpair said:
A2 is right up there also, you have to admit, leaves 1095 in the dust IMHO!
Especially when done right (Bos).
I like 52100 as well as anyone, more so than 1095, but it is harder to HT than most, therefore you must consider who does it, and the wide variety of recipes.........
And that becomes a "IMHO" pretty quick.:D
A2 well done, would be my "elite" steel, to compare others.........
Just MHO, nothing more, not a steel expert by any means..........
Click to expand...

A2 is a fantastic steel and I love it. It's crazy tough, and crazy easy to sharpen. But as far as I know, there isn't a very big selection for fixed blades in A2 with a 7+ inch blade for under $100.
 
pnsxyr said:
A2 is a fantastic steel and I love it. It's crazy tough, and crazy easy to sharpen. But as far as I know, there isn't a very big selection for fixed blades in A2 with a 7+ inch blade for under $100.
Click to expand...

Or 52100?:cool:
I would put my money on the easier to HT A2, before I spent my money on the MUCH HARDER TO HT 52100 (all custom makers have their different recipes).
Just saying..........
 
Last edited:
I did not mean to give the impression that I want a 440c steel. I admit that I know little about large blades and what steel I should avoid. I know that the better, read exotic, the steel the price is affected directly. I was not trying to price myself out of the $100.00 price point I started the post with. Some of these knives posted here are exactly what I am looking for. Thanks again.
 
Helderberg said:
I did not mean to give the impression that I want a 440c steel. I admit that I know little about large blades and what steel I should avoid. I know that the better, read exotic, the steel the price is affected directly. I was not trying to price myself out of the $100.00 price point I started the post with. Some of these knives posted here are exactly what I am looking for. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Ain't nothing wrong with 440c.
Prolly do anything you ask of it if HT'd right.
I think it is underrated myself, I have a custom made skinner in that steel that has been remarkable to say the least (very hard to sharpen via "rockwell hardness 59?).
Not the best for a large blade, but mighty fine in a smaller knife.
I have ZERO complaints, and I still own it after many years, that says something!:thumbup:
 
I complained to the maker sharpening this one (Bos 59 rockwell).
I thought it was ATS-34 but was assured it was 440c.
Killer knife, ain't going nowhere, after several years of use.

Dovetailed bolsters, vine filework, beautiful specimen of the art!
Cheapest steel.....DONE RIGHT! (Bos HT)!
5" blade.

5inch002_zpsb572f25b.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top