Toughest fixed blade you know of

The Cold Steel Bushman can take alot of abuse. The one pictured below is new, but I used to have a Bowie Bushman that just refused to die. 0.10" thick SK-5 steel is would rather bend than break, and roll rather than chip.

Throw it, baton it, use it as a spear, it doesn't care.

Gz5jZqQ.jpg
 
Since I don't fell trees or split firewood with my knife (there are much better tools, like an axe, saw, and wedge for those activities) and since I won't be taking out any sentries, I'd probably go with one of the fixed blades I already have.

In no particular order, either a Western L66, Mora Classic Number 1 (with carbon steel blade), or a (USA made) Buck 877 with white handle.
These all hold a descent edge, and are easy to sharpen out in the field, even if I have to use a smooth river rock.
Any fixed blade would be paired with a large/jumbo 4 inch closed stockman, and a 4 blade Scout/camp knife, at a minimum.

My "normal" Woods/Boonies/Sticks/Trail knife is a Buck 110 or Old Timer 7OT and a 2 blade slipjoint Folding Hunter, paired with a large/jumbo stockman, and a 4 blade Scout/Camp knife or SAK "Huntsman".
I've never felt "under knifed" with these, nor wished I had something else instead.

On the other hand, I have wished I had something else when my blade was over 6 inches, or over a quarter inch (give or take) thick.

The long blade was not as maneuverable, or as handy for skinning a critter as a 3.75 to 5 inch blade, and the thick blade on the Mil Issue Ontario 499 "Jet Pilot Survival Knife" that my Uncle gave me when he got out of the Army in 1963, didn't cut or slice worth a daRn.
(Why the Army issued him an Air Force knife, I'll never know.)
Admittedly, the lack of cutting/slicing ability may have had more to do with the edge geometry, than anything else.
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If an axe is not an option, then the I'll be another vote for that Cold Steel Trailmaster. Mine is the San Mai version which is pretty tough. It's a chopping machine with the ability to be nimble as well with that clip point. Granted I've never tried a larger Carothers or Busse.
 
After looking at all of these fixed blades I feel under knifed with my
OKC Ranger Falcon.

Yes it is a .25 inch thick but only has about a 4 inch blade.

The handle is a little short and feels like you are holding a block of 2 by 4 scrap.
 
Knives are like cars. A Camry will do most of what you need, an Audi is better but more pricey, the you can go up to a Vette or a Porsche or a Ferrari - but which of those meets the personal driving (or knife abuse) limits that you are likely to, or even capable of, reaching? Your limit should (if we knife nuts had any sense, hypothetically) control your price ceiling.

Edited to add: CS knives are tough, but if you have ever done extended work with those checked-rubber handles without gloves, you have learned about blisters!
 
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Bah Humbug ! I just want "tough enough" at a great price . Don't want to pay for "the" toughest (or prettiest) . :rolleyes:

Hardest stuff I need to chop is seasoned hardwood . No metal , concrete , or rocks !

Never broke or chipped out any of the better Cold Steel products in nearly 40 years of hard use and even abusive testing .

Even my original old "Carbon V" Recon Tanto and SRK are still in excellent condition except for the black coatings being scratched up and some nicks in the rubbery handles from throwing .

Cut down whole medium sized hardwood trees with my O-1 Trail Master and Gurkha Kukri . No evident edge damage . Hurt me some , but the knives were fine . :p

Edit : P.S. With the the $$$$ saved with Cold Steel , got me some Husqvarna and Stihl for them trees . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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Of the knives I own, I’d be hard pressed to find one tougher than my (slightly modded) Bushman. It can take a lot of hard use, I’ve never gotten to the point where I felt it was near it’s limit. My CV SRK would be a close second.

An older pic of some faves, on the left.

 
Blue Sky said:
Of the knives I own, I’d be hard pressed to find one tougher than my (slightly modded) Bushman. It can take a lot of hard use, I’ve never gotten to the point where I felt it was near it’s limit. My CV SRK would be a close second.

An older pic of some faves, on the left.

Click to expand...

I’m a Cold Steel nut and I’ve yet to add a Bushman to my collection. :( How’s the ergonomics? That plain handle is my only concern really.
 
DangerZone98 said:
I’m a Cold Steel nut and I’ve yet to add a Bushman to my collection. :( How’s the ergonomics? That plain handle is my only concern really.
Click to expand...

The simple, plain handles are better for prolonged use IMO. All the finger grooves, cut outs, choils, etc. feel great at first but many of them develop hot spots pretty quickly long term. I will warn you that if you’re left handed, the hollow area on the seam side near the blade will sit right at the base of your forefinger when choked up, and will limit how tight you can make your grip. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to fill it in, just not there yet. Right handed you’re fine. At most it may want to turn a bit, being round, but the edge is not far off the center line so it’s not bad.
 
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