Suggestions for all around "outdoor" hard use fixed blade

M

makey98

Joined
Jan 25, 2006
Messages
64
Looking for suggestions for good quality fixed blade with the following characteristics for under 200 bucks, but I am flexible on the stuff below. Thanks!!!! I originally was going for a Bark River Highland, but now I am not sure, the handles seem a little small and unbalanced with the blade size. Any suggestions on drop point, clip, skinner, ect? I don't really know. I would be using this for everyday cutting, vegetables, meat, and some field use, skinning deer, rabbit, cutting kindling, string, ect. Just whatever.

1. Solid tool steel - good for hard use and will hold an edge well if I am out and about - corrosion really won't be a problem for me

2. 4 inch blade - good size for most tasks

3. solid tough handle that is well balanced with the blade.

4. "traditional" hunting knife looks. (wood, full tang, hidden or exposed, doesn't matter, just that classic, classy look, not into the tactical look so much

5. convex blade- i was set on this originally, but now I am not sure if it is neccessary. For a while I bought into the whole, " my knife needs to cut concrete" , but now I think if I need to chop something, I will just get an axe.


I tend to be more attracted to some of the lesser known brand names just to have something a little more original. Most of the stuff in the chain stores, Gerber, CRKT, ect just doesn't appeal to me and doesn't seem to be that great anyway...
 
Maybe a Buck Gen-5 skinner, its only 3" though...rosewood handle, 154cm steel
Anything Muela, more specifically, the Tejon model 2
 
seems to me that a Bob Dozier would fit your bill, D2 steel, full tang, drop point hunter, also really nice sheaths, most are small ish but well balanced, if I was not awaiting a custom from a local bladesmith to my own specs I would be getting one of his customs.
 
I never see the Gerber LMF II posted anywhere...now before I get flamed, I'm kind of a noob, so go easy on me...is it a good knife, or no?
 
Well, there's always the highly respected Fallkniven F1 which is a sturdy survival knife, carried by the Swedish pilots and probably some more soldiers. But, except for the more expensive micarta-handle one it looks quite utilitarian. Still, you may want to read the manufacturer's sales blurb . I don't have one (yet) and it seems to me an excellent engineered knife, and I only read positive comments about it.
 
Bark River Canadian Special or Fox River.

If hunting is not an option for you, the Aurora.

All three are solid all around performers.
 
How about a Blackjack Trail Guide?

Choice of handle materials include black Micarta, antique ivory Micarta, stag, stag carver and stacked leather.

Copy%20of%20BCBTGS.jpg


The one above is a Knifeware version with convexed, cryo-treated 1095 carbon steel blade. Older Effingham versions are convexed A2 tool steel, as are the latest versions (I don't know if the newest Trail Guides are out yet).

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
How about a Chris Reeve Aviator? My comments are in blue.

1. Solid tool steel - good for hard use and will hold an edge well if I am out and about - corrosion really won't be a problem for me A2 is great steel and the entire knife is a single piece.

2. 4 inch blade - good size for most tasks 4" blade with very usable serrations on the spine.

3. solid tough handle that is well balanced with the blade. The handle is actually circular and hollow (it has an o-ring sealed cap on it for storing small items). It has an extremely gripped knurled surface though and the balance is great unless you load the handle with wet sand or something.

4. "traditional" hunting knife looks. (wood, full tang, hidden or exposed, doesn't matter, just that classic, classy look, not into the tactical look so much It's classy not looking but not super traditional (see pic below).

5. convex blade- i was set on this originally, but now I am not sure if it is neccessary. For a while I bought into the whole, " my knife needs to cut concrete" , but now I think if I need to chop something, I will just get an axe. It's up at the cottage presently but I'm pretty sure it isn't convex.

I got mine for $190 a year or so again but I believe it's now out of production so that price might be hard to find.

knifeart_2021_99175928
 
Ask Dan Koster. He has some beautiful designs.

Personally, I'll never buy another Bark River again...
 
don't give up on convex edges quite yet- it's not always about cutting concrete. I find they can just hold up for a very long time and require nothing more than a strop in the field.
 
meliaant said:
I never see the Gerber LMF II posted anywhere...now before I get flamed, I'm kind of a noob, so go easy on me...is it a good knife, or no?
Click to expand...

makey98 said:
4. "traditional" hunting knife looks. (wood, full tang, hidden or exposed, doesn't matter, just that classic, classy look, not into the tactical look so much
...

Most of the stuff in the chain stores, Gerber, CRKT, ect just doesn't appeal to me and doesn't seem to be that great anyway...
Click to expand...


Not to flame you or anything meliaant, but there might be some reasons the LMF II was not mentionned.

@makey98: My suggestion:

Fallkniven Idun (NL5): nice traditional looks (leather handle), very functional. Seal the handle with Sno-Seal and you're good to go.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
Contact Christof (goes by koyote here). His blades fit everything you are looking for and they are top notch (I have 3 of them). Take a look at his website, www.koyoteknives.com. You won't regret it!
 
A skookum bush tool would fit the bill, but as I understand it Rod Garcia isn't taking any orders at this time. You woyld have to find one for sale by other means. A Fallkniven H1 in 3g is pretty similar and can be found around that 200 mark on the Internet, no wood handles but pretty classic and useful in design. You could always put an aftermarket handle on a H1, I think some can be found "barkified" by bark river knives on the Internet. JMO Good Luck!

Good Luck
 
Bark River has many offerings that would fit all of your criteria, if you don't mind the politics that is.

The Fallkniven F1 fits all of your criteria, except that it has stainless steel instead of tool steel (their laminated VG-10 blades are still probably tougher than Bark River's A2 blades, though), and it has a modern polymer handle instead of a classic material.

If you want a more classic-looking version of the F1, though, Fallkniven also makes the NL5, which is essentially an F1 with a stacked leather handle.

Fallkniven F1:
F1Z.jpg




Fallkniven NL5:
falnl5.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top