Recommendation? Stainless fixed blade for hiking & bushcraft

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Toomanyquestions

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Mar 15, 2010
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Material: stainless steel
Style: fixed blade, 90 degree spine, 3.5" - 5" blade
Price range: $40-100

I have a Becker 16 and I'm interested in hearing opinions about the best stainless steel belt blade suitable for day hiking and bushcraft. Presently I have a 15 year old Kershaw Echo in AUS8 (metal handle scales) that serves this purpose. I'd love to hear about all competitive options (e.g. mora garburg).
 
A cold steel master hunter in San Mai steel would fit your specifications.

Or a Helle Harding if you want a more traditional handle.
 
I think those Steel Will Mini Druids are worth investigating. Squarely in the budget category at around $50, they check all the boxes for a reliable hiker/bushcraft. Some favorable reviews on YouTube.
 
It's more than you are looking to spend but, I like my Benchmade 162.

I think Ontario makes a stainless bushcraft knife at your price point.
 
I've been pretty impressed with my Gerber Strongarm for $60ish or so. It and my Ontarios are my main camping/hiking blades. Made in the USA (if that is important to you) and comes with a decent sheath for the $. I really don't differentiate much between military, camping, hiking, bushcraft, etc knives. Gerbers 420HC isn't bad at this price point. It checks all your boxes.
 
Five that I'd consider in your price range, in order of increasing price. I own the first three, I'd seriously look at the last two in this price range, if I didn't already have this size range of knives well covered.

* Bucklite Max II: https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BU...ade-black-rubberized-handles-polyester-sheath
* Buck Selkirk
* Mora Garberg
* Benchmade Steep Mountain Hunter: https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BM...ter-fixed-s30v-blade-black-santoprene-handles
* Cold Steel Master Hunter in 3v (slightly over your budget, but a premium steel): https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CS...ewashed-blade-kray-ex-handle-secure-ex-sheath
 
Real Steel knives- Pointman, Bushcraft plus, or Forager. I love them all, they all perform very well and are comfortable in hand
Ruike knives - Jager . Tough and feels good in hand.
Cold steel - master hunter
Benchmade - whatever fixed blade you like, there are some great models
Any Buck knife you like
 
I really like my Garberg as well, highly recommended as long as you like scandi ground blades. My Garberg came with a definitely intentional microbevel, which I maintain rather than sharpening the entire primary bevel. YMMV just something to mention.
The Cold Steel Master Hunter is a great knife too, it's broad flat ground blade should handle similarly to your BK-16. I think either one would be a win at that price range.
 
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My Garberg also came with a Microbevel. OK knife, but IMO there are better stainless knives under $100. That said, I am not a huge fan of scandi grinds. I like them on occasion, but would rather have saber with convex edge. Everyone is different though. Gotta find out what you like/prefer.
 
At under $100 and in stainless I would probably consider one of the Buck Selkirks or a Mora of some sort. I am sure there are others out there, but those are a couple that I have owned that would do okay.
 
The Terava-jaakaripuukko from Finland is an excellent choise. Two versions (4.3'' and 5.5'' blade).
Very strong, effective and reliable.
You can find a lot of very positive reviews in the internet, in youtube etc.
A reviewer has given the name: "the Garberg killer".
 
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hunter55 said:
The Terava-jaakaripuukko from Finland is an excellent choise. Two versions (4.3'' and 5.5'' blade).

- LINK -


You can find a lot of very positive reviews in the internet, in youtube etc.
A reviewer has given the name: "the Garberg killer".
Click to expand...

The Teräva knives are excellent. I have some in carbon steel.

You might want to remove that non-supporting vendor link...

....just saying.
 
For $40 I'd just get 3 Mora Pro S's.


I do like the Strongarm for a sturdy stainless fixed blade too.

Edited to add that the BK16 is king for me in terms of outdoor/bushcraft use. It's the one that's always with me.
 
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