The Unholy Search for the Perfect Fixed Blade (Reccomendation Thread)

DaDog · Dec 30, 2015

So... If anyone has the time, I'd love to hear some suggestions on a fixed blade. I'm looking for a utilitarian knife that can also come handy in a fight, if need be (before anyone asks, yes, I am trained in knife fighting. No safety concerns or 'is that really what you want', please). I should be able to beat the crap out of this knife, as I am quite clumsy sometimes and often drop my knifes on concrete... This will become by EDC knife so it must short(ish) and not be looked at as a dangerous weapon!

Some basic info:
Length (Blade): No longer than about 4.75 inches, preferably about 4.5-.25 ish.

Length (Overall): No restrictions here.

Appearance: Unfortunately, this matters. A lot. The goal of this is to have my gf not get PO at or scared of my knife. So: No tactical fixed blades. That's important enough to repeat. No tactical blades! This especially includes taticool blades and daggers!
An rough guidline on the appearance could be the Ka-Bar Leather Handled Marine Hunter.

Tang: Must be full tang!

Hilt: Nothing really required here. It must be noted that I have a dislike for black hilts and a liking towards leather or wooden hilts.

Sheath: Again, no taticool sheaths. I would prefer something with a clip on it as I occasionally do not wear belts.

Budget: Preferably sub-80, but willing to go as high as 120 if it is really that good.
EDIT: This should be in accord to what I can actually get it for, not the MSRP.

TLDR:
Looking for fixed blade; not scary looking; around 4.5in blade; 80$ preferred, 120 willing; able to beat the crap out of; leather/wood hilt; full tang.

Thank you all for your time. I am, unfortunately, a complete newbie here so I apologies if I don't quite grasp the complexities of etiquette or have posted this thread in the wrong subgroup.

strategy9 · Dec 30, 2015

Böker Arbolito:
Compadrito
or
Relincho Cuerno de Ciervo

Kwon Kwang · Dec 30, 2015

Get an ESEE 4. ESEE has a top tier warranty and makes a truly great knife. The handle slabs are micarta. No, they're not wood, but they'll stain over time with the natural oils from your skin and become uniquely yours.

DaDog · Dec 30, 2015

Thanks strategy9! The Bokers were exactly what I was looking for. Gonna order a Arbolito El Trampero tomorrow, unless anyone has better suggestions before I wake up.

Kwon Kwang- While the ESEE's look fantastic, they will freak my girlfriend the f*** out unless I order new handle slabs... Though... I may order one and keep it at my place... Although I do already have a Ka-Bar and Cold Steel... It looks so nice, though. Definitely going on wishlist.

strategy9 · Dec 30, 2015

Y/W the arbolito line is pretty nice for the price, and the n695 Steel they use is pretty much 440c with a little bit of added nickel, which in theory should aid in toughness. 440c is some generally tough stuff though, takes a beating, and I'm not one to torture test or even "test" knives outside of regular use, so I couldn't say definitively whether it is tougher or not... Even if right on par with, it'll serve you well.

gadgetgeek · Dec 30, 2015

ESEE. it would be simple enough to make wood scales for it if you wanted, the 3 has a bit of a thin handle, and guys with big hands like it filled a bit more, the 4 is thicker. or get orange G10, looks less threatening. and you can get them swedged if you want (I think)

You will catch some heat for the thread, but it seems you expected that. Its more thought out than a lot of similar starts.

A couple problems off the hop, a leather handle will get you a rat-tail or bar tang, not a full tang like you ask, unless its a leather wrap, which is not so common. (The hilt is just whats between the handle and the blade, not a big deal, but helps to know your terms)
Wood is less common in knife handles, but can be found. The harder part would be a clip sheath, and wood handle. since wood handles are more a traditional style, they tend to go with traditional sheaths, which won't work as well for you. That being said, almost any knife can get a kydex sheath made for it, but that will cut into your budget. However there are a few Condors that would fit your bill, cheap enough to beat on, pretty tough, and if you did get a sheath made up, even if you killed on knife, you can replace it and keep using the sheath.

trevitrace · Dec 30, 2015

Dropping your knifes on concrete is really to test for knive attributes.

Sonnydaze · Dec 30, 2015

Look at SurviveKnives website and their GSO series...from 3.5" blade on up...
The best...in my book. Have had five or six.

gadunz · Dec 30, 2015

Svord (370BB) DROP POINT 4 3/4

Length of Blade (inches) 4 3/4"
Over All Length (inches) 9 3/4
Blade Shape Drop Point
Handle Material Mahogony and Brass
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 2.2mm
Sheath Leather
http://www.svord.com/index.php?id_product=8&controller=product

bodog · Dec 30, 2015

Dressed up knives capable of what you ask for.

The esee 4 fits your description and can be had for about $80 if you look around. Most places sell them for closer to $100 but deals can be had. Buy some nice wood that you like and find someone with the right tools to make the wood into scales and put them on. Shouldn't cost much. I've been doing it for my buddies for cheap to get the practice. That esee 4 I sold for $130. The kydex sheath is pretty danged good. I don't care for the esee 6 sheath made of molded plastic.

Buy the one with a clip plate.

Catherine_Montana · Dec 30, 2015

BUCK makes some lovely or handsome fixed blade knives.

I can tell you about a few that I own.

The BUCK Ranger Skinner #113 is a very nice EDC knife. This can be carried in a male/female fanny pack or on your belt. Smaller blade - 3 1/8 inches long. I carry this knife on a daily basis.

Another size that would work would be the BUCK Woodsman #102. Smaller blade - 4 inches long.

They don't look 'tactical' to me if that is what concerns you when you mentioned that you are concerned about your girl friend's thoughts about 'scary knives'.

Your mileage may vary.

They have their own sheaths or you can have a nice one made.

I don't know what state or country that you live in when it comes to your knife laws and if you can conceal or open carry your knife without a CCW permit when it comes to the blade length.

I noticed that you mentioned the blade length and that is why I brought this up.

The price range would suit you and they usually run under the list price on the BUCK website. You can see them and handle them in most sporting goods stores.

Buck has a good warranty too.

I only own, use and carry fixed blade knives now.

Best wishes to you.

Cate

Shorttime · Dec 30, 2015

After reading the OP's specs, I started thinking about something along the lines of Ontario's OKC Bushcraft:

Something from Ontario's Old Hickory line might suit, since they are kitchen knives! Nice and friendly looking, with wood handles and brass pins. You'll look like an out-of-place mountain man, instead of an undercover ninja.

Catherine_Montana · Dec 30, 2015

Shorttime said:
After reading the OP's specs, I started thinking about something along the lines of Ontario's OKC Bushcraft:

Something from Ontario's Old Hickory line might suit, since they are kitchen knives! Nice and friendly looking, with wood handles and brass pins. You'll look like an out-of-place mountain man, instead of an undercover ninja.

I always thought that those were nice looking knives.

I don't own one.

Cate

jimmyd1982 · Dec 30, 2015

I'd avoid dropping them on concrete but check out anza and queen. They both put out fixed blades with natural handles in your price range.

craytab · Dec 30, 2015

DaDog said:
No tactical blades! This especially includes taticool blades and daggers!

Well, I'm out of suggestions then because I don't know what you mean by that. I will just leave some pictures of knives that get stuff done!

Oh, and you are going to want to remove that amazon link and take a loot at the rules you ignored yet agreed to follow.

ocnLogan · Dec 30, 2015

You might take a look at the Becker bk 16. It comes in a black epoxy coat and with black plastic handles installed. However, it also comes with tan handle scales, which greatly change the look of the knife (especially if you strip the coating off the knife).

Also, the boker bushcraft xl fits the requirements. Its a 440c blade with orange handle scales and a good sheath. It seems like ita hard to take anything with orange handles to be anything too tactical, so that might be what you're needing

.

Good luck finding something that fits your needs :thumbup:.

collim1 · Dec 30, 2015

Not full tang, but the Mora Bushcraft Black is an amazing knife. Great for the outdoors, but with a good grip, shape, and sleekness for a fighter as well.

If you want full tang I would go with the BK16 and strip the coating and buy a custom leather sheath. Would look much more utilitarian and less tactical while still being a great knife for either need.

Helleri · Dec 30, 2015

....What I win?

Shorttime · Dec 30, 2015

Helleri said:
....What I win?

Sorry, brother! The blade is too long for the OP's specs, and that Tanto tip is waaaay too tactical!

And with the pushbutton igniter, I believe it would count as a switchblade under most states' laws......

jfk1110 · Dec 30, 2015

Boker buffalo soul 42, Boker biker, boker tuf, Boker POG. Have a look at the boker site and you can download their catalog. Lots of options in there. I just listed ones I knew of.