What do you have to spend for a high performance SS field/utility fixed blade?

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maximus83

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Nov 7, 2011
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Interested to hear ideas on what is the MINIMUM price range you have to spend today to get a high performance SS field/utility fixed blade in the 3.5" to 5" size range. For this discussion I am focused on true stainless not carbon steel nor "semi-stainless" materials like D2. Also I am interested only in the more high performance stainless steels available, including but not limited to: s30v/s35v/s90v, VG10, 154cm/CPM154, Elmax, M390, Vanadis, etc. The bottom line of what I'm seeking: some production SS fixed blades made with high-end materials, yet available at lower-than-custom prices.

* The Ritter MK3 fixed blade. Made by Benchmade, a 4.5" s30v drop point blade, 0.140" thick stock, G10 handles, retail around $165.
Note: This knife has received many positive reviews by leading knife knuts including some on this forum, like Horn Dog's review.

* The Spyderco Southfork (s90v, 4.6", and about 0.118" thick stock). Prices in the $200 to $250 range. Knife is reputed to be brilliant at true knife tasks, and especially slicing.

* Entrek stainless field blades around 4" to 5". They have a variety, nearly all in 440c stainless with good heat treats, 3/16" thick stock, nicely sculpted micarta handles. Prices range $100 to $150 for these.

* The Chris Reeve Nyala. A 3.75" blade in S35v, about 0.180" thick stock, nice micarta handles, very compact. Prices around $230.

* Zero Tolerance Ranger. A 4.25" recurve super-wide blade in s30v, 0.25" thick stock, Prices around $200.

* Fallkniven F1/S1. Blades VG10, 3.8" to 5.1", stock is 0.187" to 0.2" thick. Prices range around $120 to $150.

* Knife Research (Lion Steel) Rasul knives. Blade is 4.14" Vanadis 23, 0.150" thick stock, drop point, nicely contoured handles. Prices around $305 shipped.
Note: This knife has some incredible videos here on BF showing it being basically batoned through bolts and other materials without blade damage. Very impressive steel and edge retention.


This list is just a sampling, I'm sure there are many more. But some questions I'm most interested in hearing feedback on are:

- What do you have to spend to get a quality stainless utility FB (production or mid-tech), with a high-end steel?
- What do you think are some of the best examples of really high value, high-end blades like this at value prices?
- What do you think of a production knife like the Rasul, available in a "super steel" at $300? Too much money for a 4" production FB? Or after seeing the video and the knife, is it potentially worth the extra markup?
- On the lower price end, what about the Ritter MK3? I own one of these, and while they're not sexy, they are an incredible cutting machine, VERY high value for the price, IMO, and underrated here on BF.
 
I've seen the ritter mk3 do some crazy stuff and i disagree that it's not sexy. i love the feel of it in my hand. I can't speak for you but i know that if i spent much more than $160 on a knife it would never get to be used to its full potential. i would spend all my time babying it. I think the ritter hits a sweet spot in length and overall blade size, it's stout enough to do most any task including being quite useful for cooking and such but it's not too heavy to throw in your bag on a backpacking trip. personally i wouldn't want one of the sub 4'' knives you listed as much, you would really notice a difference when you try to use it for food prep or something. I have to admit the spyderco is intriguing. it's not out yet, right? have you gotten a chance to handle it?
 
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Well, if you want a REALLY high quality knife that will do everything you asked for, you might have to spend upwards of $15 for a stainless Mora :D

I've bought the $100 fixed blades. Yeah, replaced them with Moras.
 
Haven't handled the Southfork yet, but with that s90v steel and the Wilson blade profile, it truly looks like an impressive knife. Wilson's own knives, including his Southfork model, get incredible reviews for being slicers as it is (see Cliff Stamp's site and review of the Wilson SouthFork). And this Spyderco model is in an even better steel than Wilson's own Southfork, so I think potentially this knife could be an amazing performer for a moderately spendy production blade.
 
I hear you goodeye, I have a Mora. They are nice, but I wanted something a little thicker that could handle a wider range of tasks. But you are right, as a utility blade that can do a lot of work for a little money, the Mora wins in value.
 
Nothing against those knives, but you can find some pretty good SS blades in the knifemaker's marketplace on these forums in the same ballpark price range.
 
I've been eyeing the Rasul and Mk3 as well. I also like the specs of the DPX HEFT 4", although I'm not crazy about the pry-bar pommel. Another sweet knife with similar features is about to be released from Kevin Wilkins. When it comes to knives of this quality, I don't worry too much about the expense. Not only do these knives stand up to hard use, they look nice doing it. Life is short, buy an expensive tool if it makes you happy. I am fortunate enough to have some fixed blades from Lion Steel and Kevin Wilkins, they provide me with much joy.
 
Fallkniven F1 in VG10 for about $125.
VERY well regarded as an all-purpose survival knife in stainless.
 
I have the Fallkniven F1 and love it. It's my favorite all-around knife of that size. I have several Bark Rivers, ESEEs too.
 
This Buck Vanguard in S30V has been my "go-to" knife for years now. Still available for $100 (if you know where to look ;)).

RubberBucky.jpg
 
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You don't nearly have to spend that kind of money. The fixed blade in that size range that get the most work done for me is the nimravus. I use it often and pretty hard. And I never sit around thinking to myself, "Gee, wish it had better retention"

img4740p.jpg
 
Res1cu, believe it or not, I had actually had the BM Nimravus listed when I first typed up the post, and and then removed it before posting, thinking it wasn't really in the "high end" production category. But that's a subjective call on my part, really it does meet my criteria above, and you're right, they are very effective blades for cutting. I have seen review after review saying the Nimravus is an excellent production blade.

Samael: good point on the s30v Buck, I had seen those a while back at Cabelas and forgot about them. Never owned one, but that's a pretty good steel at a really good price. Do you know how thick the stock is on that blade, and also what's the grind, is it hollow?
 
maximus83 said:
Res1cu, believe it or not, I had actually had the BM Nimravus listed when I first typed up the post, and and then removed it before posting, thinking it wasn't really in the "high end" production category. But that's a subjective call on my part, really it does meet my criteria above, and you're right, they are very effective blades for cutting. I have seen review after review saying the Nimravus is an excellent production blade.
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At first I was a bit turned off by it, because it had a relatively thin blade. But it is a heck of a slicer. And I have used it hard without any problems for quite a few years now. It is my go to fixed blade for woodwork, food prep, and just about anything but chopping.

Also "high end" is purely subjective. Here on BF, certain people might consider only customs high end, or 500+ knives to be high end. Most people in the world would think putting down over a hundred dollars for a knife would be pure insanity! :p
 
res1cue said:
Here on BF, certain people might consider only customs high end, or 500+ knives to be high end. Most people in the world would think putting down over a hundred dollars for a knife would be pure insanity! :p
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True on the price aspect. For myself, I've never spent over $300 for any blade in my life. The Rasul FB's have caught my eye in that price range, as has the Spydero Lionspy, but I haven't taken the plunge quite yet. Thing is, when there are such excellent performing blades around in the $100 to $200 range (see above) with excellent stainless steels used, it's hard for me to want to shell out $300+ for a knife that I know will be batoned and used hard. But everybody has a different price threshold. I know plenty who are collectors have no remorse about shelling out $1000+ for a blade.
 
maximus83 said:
For myself, I've never spent over $300 for any blade in my life.
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I have, and if a person were to just use the knife, they probably couldn't tell the difference between the good $100-150 blades and $300+ blades.

I won't say I could either, I bought the ones I do own because of a name, or a special feature, or a collectibility status.

For ~150, you could get almost every steel out there and from respectable companies too
 
res1cue said:
I have, and if a person were to just use the knife, they probably couldn't tell the difference between the good $100-150 blades and $300+ blades.

I won't say I could either, I bought the ones I do own because of a name, or a special feature, or a collectibility status.

For ~150, you could get almost every steel out there and from respectable companies too
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Oh, some things are just worth paying a little "extra" for.:D

Randall12-8brass-stag.jpg


(That's an 8" blade — big knife.)
 
Samael said:
Oh, some things are just worth paying a little "extra" for.:D
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Oh I totally agree. But from a user standpoint, you start hitting a point of diminishing return at about the $150 mark.

Beautiful blade by the way!
 
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