The ultimate fixed blade knife

When I was considering what I wanted for a fixed-blade knife, researching, reading and participating in discussions here and elsewhere, etc., I came down to two finalists in the "large fixed-blade" class: The Swamp Rat Camp Tramp and the Fallkniven A1. Note that I wanted something that would work as a chopper. My thinking was I'd be carrying that, and a smaller, 3-1/2 to 4 inch folder for more delicate work. By the time I'd decided to buy, the Swamp Rat Camp Tramp was no longer commonly available, so that left the Fallkniven A1. I prefer less "tactical looking," uncoated blades, anyway.

You might check out reviews/tests of knives in the size range you're considering at Cliff Stamp's Reviews of knives, sharpening equipment and related products. He doesn't cover every knife that's in production, or been in production, but there are quite a few there and reading those might educate you on some of what you might wish to look for.

I don't know about an "ultimate fixed blade knife," but, with a bit of research, you should be able to come up with the best currently-available product that meets your projected needs.

Btw: Just before I pulled the trigger on my choice, I posted a question here to make sure I hadn't missed anything. You might find the thread helpful: My First Fixed-Blade. Good luck!
 
I am strongly recommend G-Sakai Samurai Bowie made from SRS15 steel (they have another variant of this model with 440C - with label HighSpeed Blade, right one has no labels). SRS15 is high Tungsten, high Carbon, high Chrom PM steel.

http://www.gsakai.co.jp/jp/english/shop/shop_gsaka6.html

It is bit more complicated to buy - you need to send international mney order to Japan, but it 1 week turn out.

So far I a very happy with my Samurai Bowie - edge retention way better then everything else and it is not only chopper but very good cutter, slicer...

G-Sakai-HSE-007.jpg


G-Sakai-HSE-003.jpg


Another one also very impressive, RosArms Taiga. Made with soviet BG42 which is better then BG42, due to additional processing like ESR and VAR. With this it is most comfortable in use I ever have - ergonomic is amaizing.And in addition to all this it is just beatiful:

RosArms-Taiga-07.jpg


Third I recomment is Ranger knives RD7. Wery powerful knife but bit heavy. RD6 on my opinion is bit small and this make it outbalanced for chopping a bit, RD7 has just perfect balance.

Thanks, Vassili.

P.S. Rusian one is here:
http://www.rosarmsusa.com/catalog/p...id=46&osCsid=aec899a76ef44830024abd21fdfcfcf7
mine is with stacked leather, but I recommend better stacked birch bark if possible.
 
I have a First Strike and I don't think you would ever go wrong with one of these. It's the kind of knife you know you can depend on to see you through just about anything that nature can throw at you. Actually I have 4 of the Fehrman knives and like all of them. I wear the Tru Hiker necker everyday and carry the others in rotations with other knives (Tridents too).

Go for the Fehrman!

Ciao 4now
Ron Cassel
:cool:
 
The Simonich Raven is the best all around knife I've ever used. For something a little shorter I would go with the Fallkniven A1 or the M6 from Swamprat.
Any Striders or something from Mission Knives (in A2) would also be a good bet. But if it all comes down to one, it would have to be the Simonich.
 
I'd also look at the Cold Steel Recon Scout, particularly in that Carbon V is soon to be a hard to find commodity.

Matador-
 
Xaero said:
hi, Vassili

I found a bowie on A.G.Russell's site which should be G-sakai bowie. http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_..._samurai_bowie_with_black_leather_sheath.html

Do you know which version it is? 440c or SRS15?
Click to expand...

I am not sure. I had same question before. A.G.Russel webpage states that this is HighSpeedStainless and same their operator sad me over phone. Hovewer, on G-Sakai website (and on sone other japanese sites I saw when did some investigations) knives with label High Speed Edge Knife are made from 440C (10706) and without label - SRS15 (10709). So I decided based on this information to cancel my order on A.G.Russel and bougt it directly from G-Sakai, to be absolutely sure that I get what I pay for.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Thanks for the info, David and Vassili.

Vassili, I went through many of your posts about G-sakai. You make me wanna give them a try. Gonna shoot them a email later. Thanks for the tips.
 
SOG BG-42 Field knife. .160" light, tough, ergonomic handle, and holds an edge. (you'll be extremely lucky to find a knife let alone a fixed blade in BG-42)
 
save the money on one knife and you can buy several others for the same price that meet your description such as bk-7, sog seal 2000, ka-bar fighter, buck nighthawk, ect.
 
make me an offer on this one. 1095 steel, differential triple Quench, double temper at 360, afzeal burl scales, 6.5 blade, 11.5 overall. balanced heavy in front to aid in chopping. I made it as a small prototype model for a much larger knife I intend to make soon.

Leon Pugh leon.pugh@comcast.net
 

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DNF2005 said:
It will be used for general camping and hunting chores.
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Perhaps being a little more specific about your uses would help. I notice that the perception of what makes a "camp knife" varies along with different people, their personal experience, and style of camping.
Aside from splitting wood for a fire(which doesn't always apply), I don't use a knife that size very often in the woods. I carry a BK7 as a "just in case" knife, wood splitter, and vine hacker. Most of my knife use can be done with the small blade on a SAK, since I've gotten all high tech and stuff.

I believe you can still get the micarta handles separately from Camillus without buying the S30V version. I'd rather have the BK7's 0170-6C in a knife this size, anyway.
I've owned a Fehrman Shadow Scout, but didn't really use it before trading it away. Very nice knife, with impeccable fit/finish, which makes me think well of Fehrman, but I have no real experience with their knives.
 
Blackjack knives are a great buy as well. I have a mod. 5 and I love it (scary sharp) cryo 1095 steel. The edge is kind of a hollow ground zero edge. I got a Blackhawk nylon sheath for it and carry my multi tool in the accessory pouch.
 
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