The ultimate fixed blade knife

D

DNF2005

Joined
Oct 13, 2006
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I am looking for a large fixed blade knife (6"-7") and I am considering the Fehrman First Strike and the Becker BK77. It will be used for general camping and hunting chores. Any insight on these knives or any others in there price range will be greatly appreciated.
thanks
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

Good choices, but be aware you don't need to go for expensive. A regular BK-7 is a fine choice in itself.

Most Scandinavian knives will also cost much less, and like my Jarvenpaa leuku, perform as well.

Definitely look to the Bark River line for quality and performance well within your budget.
 
Ultimate is a simple question with no answer. :)
It varies so much for everyone.

I would add another vote for the Becker CU 7. I feel it is the best "cheap" knife you can buy. My Becker has laughed off all abuse. Also consider Ranger Knives. I have only heard good things about them and am considering picking one up myself.

Welcome to the Forums.
 
I don't see what you gain with having a blade over about 6", 7" max. I don't want to use my knfie as a sword. I'm more into the convenience of using a slightly smaller knife that you don't have to be 6'5" to handle. Good basic trail knife is a SOG Seal Pup Elite or NW Ranger. Some of the earlier Tech models are okay too depending on the steel.
 
in the fehrman's price range i'd get a busse instead. but only if you can score in an extravaganza or buy a new model from the website. the secondary market prices are way too high IMO. fehrman's are nice but nothing beats INFI. it's not hype, just real world performance. fehrman's 3V is the next best thing.

for the mid price range swamp rat is the best bet. but they too are pricey on the secondary market. and right now only the M6 is available.

in the becker's price range, i'd suggest scrapyard knives or ranger knives instead. scrapyard only has the scrapper 6 right now. ranger knives is the best bang for the buck IMO. beckers are great but i don't like the "plastic" handles. ranger knives uses 5160 spring steel and micarta handles. Ontario RAT knives are also very nice but 1095 is kinda "plain" in steel grade and D2 is classically brittle for a fixed blade.

striders and tridents are also very nice but they're expensive (busse range) and they use S30V. in a fixed blade i'd rather use a carbon steel instead of stainless even if it's S30V.

if you can afford it busse, swamp rat, ranger knives in that order. IMO. if you want the best deal go with a ranger. if you want to test out the waters and want to spend as little as possible get a becker.
 
22-rimfire said:
I don't see what you gain with having a blade over about 6", 7" max. I don't want to use my knfie as a sword. I'm more into the convenience of using a slightly smaller knife that you don't have to be 6'5" to handle. Good basic trail knife is a SOG Seal Pup Elite or NW Ranger. Some of the earlier Tech models are okay too depending on the steel.
Click to expand...

what IS the advantage of larger blades? i have always been partial to a smaller knife.
 
shadowknives said:
what IS the advantage of larger blades? i have always been partial to a smaller knife.
Click to expand...

A larger blade is a better chopper. A shorter blade is a better all-around camp knife and hunter.

One factor to consider is the environment the knife will be used in. A machete is fine in tropical swamps and a heavier blade may be needed for northern hardwoods. Neither is much use as a bird & trout knife.

One knife for everything -- survival, camp, hunting -- shouldn't have to go much over 5". "The more you know, the less you need." (Thanks, Myakka! :D )
 
Now true, I do use a machete in brush areas around here, but in general just a 3-4" blade. I have seen a nice longer, maybe 6" blade that was triangle, wedge shaped that is useful for camping and such.
 
I like the standard Becker B-7 but I was not crazy about the smooth plastic handle. It seems the micarta handle on the BK-77 would offer more grip. Thanks for all the responses thus far and I will consider all the knives you have posted.
 
I Love The Srk Though I am thinking about replacing it with a Scrapper 6

There is also something to be said for the classics elegance of the KaBar it cuts like a champ and seems to last forever for considerably less money than almost any of the knives mentiones so far.
 
Ontario SP-6 is OK.
You can modify the handle on the Becker BK7 with a round file to immitate Ram's horn texture.
I'm with Esav..SOG NW Ranger is handy, use a hatchet for chopping & a knife for cutting.
 
Get Ranger :thumbup:

(btw from your original choice - Fehrman uses CPM3V (carbon steel) whereas Becker uses S30V (stainless) - SS are much less tough (disadvantage for big fixed blade))
 
I've had a 6" fixed blade Buck knife but I found that my Chris Reeve 4.25" blade length Shadow III is all I need in a fixed blade. Any larger is too bulky for my tastes.
 
Don't dismiss the plastic and rubber handles. They really function well. I am a traditionalist and I like a more traditional handle, but for using knives... those ugly plastic and rubber handles work really well.

I have been pushing the more economical knives to use. But I love my D2 Dozier blade and hope to get a couple more. Really like the Randalls too and they are very traditional.

If I had infinite resources, I'd buy one of each of the knives listed and try them out. I envy Cliff's experience with knives. I do check most of them out at big knife shows though. Problem is I don't have infinite resources, so when I buy a knife to use, it is most often something more economical that I have no qualms about scratching or banging around. Ruin it; I'll buy another. But that doesn't happen often.
 
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