Update “Help me Pick a Knife Thread”

[MeritedEdge]

I want to find a fixed blade knife to use as primary “go to” blade.
It would be used for hiking, camping and as an all around belt knife.
The blade length I’m looking for is between 4.5” to 4.75”.
I’m open to different types of blade steels and edge grinds but
I’m leaning more towards a Scandi grind. I’m looking to spend about $250.
I’ve been checking to exchange but haven’t found anything there.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Phil Indablanc]

Bradford Gaurdian 4, 4.5, or 5. Great knives and decent prices! I really like their full flat grinds.

 

[marcinek]

How about something nice from Helle?

 

[MeritedEdge]

Bradford Gaurdian 4, 4.5, or 5. Great knives and decent prices! I really like their full flat grinds.

Not a bad idea. I’ll give then a look see.

 

[MeritedEdge]

How about something nice from Helle?

Are they full tang? I guess I should add that I’d like th knife to be full tang as well.

 

[hhmoore]

Top to bottom:
SRKW Ratmandu (a little over your desired length @ 5.25", but 4.75" from choil to tip)
BRKT Bravo 1.25-LT (Mine came in right at 5", though I think they're listed at 5.25)
BRKT Bravo 1-LT 4.25"
CPK Field knife (in a word, awesome; but not currently in production)
Malanika "hunter" 4.25" - love this almost as much as the CPK, and carry/use it more
ESEE 4 - right at 4.75"; but only 4" choil to tip

ESEE 4
Becker BK16 (new, because I didn't want to use a modified one for this pic)
DPx HEFT4
Guardian4

 

[marcinek]

Are they full tang? I guess I should add that I’d like th knife to be full tang as well.

Some are. Check out the Temagami, Utvaer, and Didi Galgalu.

 

[Yorkshire Boy]

Enzo Trapper 115 in n690 or elmax both can be had in scandi, I have it in 12c27 in full flat grind.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Enzo makes nice fixed blades with Scandi grinds. Their fit and finish is quite good and well below your price cap.

Another option is LT Wright knives. They have a good reputation and I’ve been eyeballing them for a long time. Scandi grinds with nice steel options.

Good luck in your search!

 

[W. Anderson]

for 250.00 you might want to look at the exchange here for a custom blade. Some of the eastern European makers have what youre looking for in that price range often.

 

[MeritedEdge]

Some are. Check out the Temagami, Utvaer, and Didi Galgalu.

They do make some nice looking knives.

Some are. Check out the Temagami, Utvaer, and Didi Galgalu.

The Didi Galgalu is a petty good looking knife.

 

[MeritedEdge]

Top to bottom:
SRKW Ratmandu (a little over your desired length @ 5.25", but 4.75" from choil to tip)
BRKT Bravo 1.25-LT (Mine came in right at 5", though I think they're listed at 5.25)
BRKT Bravo 1-LT 4.25"
CPK Field knife (in a word, awesome; but not currently in production)
Malanika "hunter" 4.25" - love this almost as much as the CPK, and carry/use it more
ESEE 4 - right at 4.75"; but only 4" choil to tip

ESEE 4
Becker BK16 (new, because I didn't want to use a modified one for this pic)
DPx HEFT4
Guardian4

That CPK is pretty sweet.

 

[MeritedEdge]

for 250.00 you might want to look at the exchange here for a custom blade. Some of the eastern European makers have what youre looking for in that price range often.

Ive been checking the exchange daily for the past week and a half and havent
Found anything that I liked.

 

[MeritedEdge]

Enzo makes nice fixed blades with Scandi grinds. Their fit and finish is quite good and well below your price cap.

Another option is LT Wright knives. They have a good reputation and I’ve been eyeballing them for a long time. Scandi grinds with nice steel options.

Good luck in your search!

I’ve been giving LT Wright a good hard look. I’m liking the GNS in 3V and the
Outback in 3V.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I’ve been giving LT Wright a good hard look. I’m liking the GNS in 3V and the
Outback in 3V.

Interesting you mentioned that, as that would be the exact one I’d pop for too.

CPM-3V has done very well for me and I find it to have many properties I like for an all purpose field knife.

 

[ATJ999]

I have been using my Bradford Guardian 4.5 quite a bit and it performs very well. Good steel, heat treat, blade geometry, ergos, etc. Also, a great guy to deal with. Completely stands behind his products!

 

[MeritedEdge]

Interesting you mentioned that, as that would be the exact one I’d pop for too.

CPM-3V has done very well for me and I find it to have many properties I like for an all purpose field knife.

I’ve never had a blade with 3V. How hard is it to sharpen?

 

[MolokaiRider]

I’ve never had a blade with 3V. How hard is it to sharpen?

I suppose that depends on a each individual’s skillset. I haven’t had to yet, it’s still very sharp after processing many deer and I’ve only ran it over a strop once. It’s edge holding is fantastic. If you have diamond stones this steel will be no problem to sharpen up.

 

[MeritedEdge]

I suppose that depends on a each individual’s skillset. I haven’t had to yet, it’s still very sharp after processing many deer and I’ve only ran it over a strop once. It’s edge holding is fantastic. If you have diamond stones this steel will be no problem to sharpen up.

I've heard that 3V had great edge retention.
And I do have diamond stones so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[ATJ999]

It depends on the HT. It holds an edge very well, especially for how easy it is to touch up afterwards. It can take time to re-profile the edge, but once you get the edge angle you like, it is extremely easy to maintain. I rarely use diamond on mine, unless I don't touch up the edge for a while. For touching up I just use the medium grit Spyderco ceramic and a strop with one side coarse and one side finer.
You can do wood work all day and it will still cut. Like I said though, it all depends on the heat treat. And if it is a low temper HT protocol, 3V has good corrosion resistance.