What are good budget fixed blades for general use.

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Armenate

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Oct 1, 2014
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I have a fair collection of folding knives and carry them all the time. However, the only fixed blades I have are a mora companion and some old cheapo knife. I was wondering, what is a good budget hiking fixed blade? I am not looking to spend lots of money.

I am not positive but I think these are the general specks I want.

- Less than 5 inches long (or less, just needs to be a usable and decent sized edge)
- Handle material not sure but I want it to be grippy and look nice (not like the plastic on the moras). I only have g10, frn and some various rubber grips. I see a lot of micarta and like the look of that.
- Straight edge
- drop point or spear point (not sure if this is the best but it seems to me it should be.
- Would like it to be less than $70 but the cheaper the better as long as I am not sacrificing too much quality

Let me know if there are any important specs I didn't include!
 
You didn't mention your budget, but I'd take a look at Becker and Esee.
 
Look at the mid-range Scandinavian brands and their wood handle models. Ahti, Marttiini, Lapin Puuko, Järvenpää, and others.

Condor knives. Perhaps the most steel for the money.
If you can get a Becker, like a BK16, they are hard to beat.
American made, check out the Buck fixed blades with phenolic handles. The 119 is a classic, and the smaller Woodsman and Pathfinder are excellent as well.
Vintage Old Timer fixed blades can be found in your price range, especially if you're looking for a User-grade knife. 1095 steel, made in the USA, and true outdoor classics. Look for "USA" on the tang stamp to ensure you're getting an original.
Anza!
 
Ka-Bar, especially the budget-priced hunting knives with stacked leather handles. Not the fanciest steel, but very well made. The sheathes are especially nice, very thick genuine leather and made in Mexico. The knives are from overseas (forget where).
 
Kabar stacked leather MK1 ticks all of those boxes. 5in blade, comfortable handle(non plastic), straight edge, drop point, under $70. They also make a cheaper kraton handled one.

IMG_39262.jpg


Becker BK15 is on sale nowadays for ~$40. The extra $30 or so in your budget can go towards new handle scales if you find the stock ones to be your liking. It ticks all your boxes other than "drop point". If thats a deal breaker though, check out the BK16.

IMG_2780.jpg


Condor bushlore. The wood handled version comes in at about ~$35, while the micarta version costs closer to ~$60 last time I checked.

CIMG9046.jpg


I'd feel just great walking around in the woods/hiking with any of those on me (although, I like my Mora as well).

Anyway, let us know what you're thinking of the recommendations, and maybe we can steer them more towards whatever it is that you're most interested in.
 
KaBar bk15; 5.5" of proven design and materials, currently on sale at Knifecenter for under $50

Can't beat that deal.
 
Despite beng a tad bigger than what you specified and not of the exact blade shape mentioned - the discounted Becker BK-15 is a winner here but either of its slightly more expensive cousins, the BK16 and BK17 would serve you very well also.

I like the stock handle scales but some have moified them with a soldering iron, tape or simply replaced them with wood or micarta.
 
SALTY said:
Despite beIng a tad bigger than what you specified and not of the exact blade shape mentioned - the discounted Becker BK-15 is a winner here but either of its slightly more expensive cousins, the BK16 and BK17 would serve you very well also.
Click to expand...

Hard to beat a BK-15, BK-16, or BK-17 for value. I really like the BK-15 blade shape for general use in the woods and so forth. It is a slim knife and the 5.5" blade is very handy.
 
ocnLogan said:
Kabar stacked leather MK1 ticks all of those boxes. 5in blade, comfortable handle(non plastic), straight edge, drop point, under $70. They also make a cheaper kraton handled one.

IMG_39262.jpg


Becker BK15 is on sale nowadays for ~$40. The extra $30 or so in your budget can go towards new handle scales if you find the stock ones to be your liking. It ticks all your boxes other than "drop point". If thats a deal breaker though, check out the BK16.

IMG_2780.jpg


Condor bushlore. The wood handled version comes in at about ~$35, while the micarta version costs closer to ~$60 last time I checked.

CIMG9046.jpg


I'd feel just great walking around in the woods/hiking with any of those on me (although, I like my Mora as well).

Anyway, let us know what you're thinking of the recommendations, and maybe we can steer them more towards whatever it is that you're most interested in.
Click to expand...

I think the condor bushlore with micarta has the look and style I like. I don't know what other options are comparable. The bk15 looks nice as well and at that price I will consider it
 
My vote would be for the green river 5" hunter knife. That would run you about $20 for a kit and put the scales on yourself or buy a assembled one for about the same and purchase a sheath
 
Armenate said:
I think the condor bushlore with micarta has the look and style I like. I don't know what other options are comparable. The bk15 looks nice as well and at that price I will consider it
Click to expand...

Good to know.

To be fair, that BK15 has a stripped blade, and some nice wood handle scales. A stock one looks a fair bit different. Check out this link to see more photos of them done in different ways. Stock they come with a black coated blade, and black handle scales installed. They also come with a "peanut butter/coyote brown" color set of scales that you can install. Kabar makes micarta for them as well, that runs ~$30 or so (which plus the ~$40 knife), thus getting you close to your $70 budget.

Here is a thread full of photos of them in all sorts of different configurations.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1219032-BK15-Dedicated-Picture-Thread

If you liked the Micarta version of the Bushlore, you may also like their Woodlaw (same type of micarta handle scales, different blade profile).

Unfortunately, I don't know of tons of other blades that are like that (micarta, leather sheath, and that size/price), but now that others know more what you're thinking of, maybe they can find some that will appeal to you more.

Good luck :).
 
ocnLogan said:
Good to know.

To be fair, that BK15 has a stripped blade, and some nice wood handle scales. A stock one looks a fair bit different. Check out this link to see more photos of them done in different ways. Stock they come with a black coated blade, and black handle scales installed. They also come with a "peanut butter/coyote brown" color set of scales that you can install. Kabar makes micarta for them as well, that runs ~$30 or so (which plus the ~$40 knife), thus getting you close to your $70 budget.

Here is a thread full of photos of them in all sorts of different configurations.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1219032-BK15-Dedicated-Picture-Thread

If you liked the Micarta version of the Bushlore, you may also like their Woodlaw (same type of micarta handle scales, different blade profile).

Unfortunately, I don't know of tons of other blades that are like that (micarta, leather sheath, and that size/price), but now that others know more what you're thinking of, maybe they can find some that will appeal to you more.

Good luck :).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info
 
Becker 14/15/16/17. I am completely comfortable in the woods (mid Atlantic/appalachian region) with just a bk14. It's light and sturdy. Paracord wrap mine or you can get scales. The 16 is my favorite fixed blade but it's at the top of your price range. The 15 is excellent from what I hear. I love the Becker line.
 
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