What is the field knife I am looking for? PLEASE HELP!

D

DevL

Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
2
I know the specifications for the knife I want but not what knife has these. I have spent hours searching and cannot figure out what knife has what I want. Please help!

This is for a filed knife that will be mostly a backpacking/bushcrafting/survival/hunting knife in that order.

Blade material not rust prone (no coating on blade wanted or needed, no 1095 etc. but actual stainless not necessary)
High saber grind (want at least tiny flats to easily lock onto the jaws of my Wicked Edge so no full height grinds)
No thumb ramp and spine parallel to blade edge for at least a short distance (to easily align on the Wicked Edge)
Full tang
G10 handle
Blade length over 4" the closer to 5" the better
Weight under 6.5oz the lower the better
Blade thickness over .10" under .20"
Blade edge to spine distance long enough to allow me to not have to use the tip if cutting on a flat surface
Blade shape is otherwise open, I like drop points but not married to anything

Current have a Fallkniven F1 VG10 (blade too short, blade is a little chippy, does not get scary sharp, full convex too hard to hold in sharpener and had to re-profile for secondary bevel for Wicked Edge, great weight) and Bravo 1 rampless S35VN w/ G10 handles (too heavy, too thick of blade, otherwise great) so hope that gives an idea of what I like as far as style and aesthetics.

I just cant seem to find what I want... everything is either too thick and heavy, too short, wrong blade material or something else not what I want... please help me find my field knife! Closest I have found is a Bravo 1 LT, but still a lil heavy. I count grams backpacking.
 
Maybe a Buck 102?
You can get them for as little as $37. Blade length is 4", weight is 2.5oz. American made.


 
I would only say that maybe you put too much priority on sharpening system. If you were to use water stones (and thus free hand sharpening) it would open up your options. Since you are talking fixed blade I would see no reason not to use water stones. Of course - that might be a moot point as you obviously already have a sharpening system. Just a different point of view.
 
First, congrats on introducing yourself after 12 years :)
Second, keep an eye on the fixed blades section of the knife maker's for sale area here. There are often knives up there which meet your criteria.
 
The Bravo 1 LT is listed at being under 6.5 ounces. Similar in weight is the Ambush Brute. You will lose a little bit in blade length but it should fit the rest of your needs.
 
Bradford Guardian 5.. Not my picture but this is the next fixed blade I'm buying. Check out the different steels he offers. Heard nothing but good things.

 
Mora exclusive 345
Under 4.5 oz.

Knives of Alaska - Magnum Wolverine in D2
4.5" blade 0.125" thick 6oz.

5" Buck 119 pathfinder in 420hc
Just under 6 oz.

Mora Bushcraft
Under 4 oz.
 
Sounds like you're looking at either Survive! Knives or Bradford, as others have already mentioned. I have a Guardian3 in M390, their Guardian5 and Guardian 6 are in 3V and are good lightweight knives with features you're looking for.
 
Thanks guys, appreciate the ideas. Yes, I have lurked for the better part of 12 years lol. I have a larger version of that Buck, but I baton the hell out of wood for firewood when backpacking and feel like I would destroy the pretty Buck, which seems more show than go to me. It also has too little blade from spine to edge so cutting on flat surfaces the fingers get in the way a lot. Likewise, rat-tail tang is out for me, I am even scared battoning with the Fallkniven, though it has held up. The Bradford stuff looks great but I wonder about the scales being so flat... looks uncomfortable. Also digging the Survive! My budget? No real budget... though I have a friend into really, really, really, really, expensive full handmade knives that I do not want to get near, also, my cousin just ordered a straight handled Busse Battlemistress, which I find only slightly ridiculous. Under 300? The lower the better I guess but quality costs.
 
I think you should would be well served by any number of JK handmade knives, the Canadian Belt knife comes to mind, or a Nessmuk. +1 on checking out the exchange for a fixed blade. One of my favorite makers is ML knives, Matt Lesniewski. He makes a great kephart. Another maker that makes great bushcraft type knives is AA forge, Adam Gray.
 
Last edited:
strategy9 said:
Mora exclusive 345
Under 4.5 oz.

Knives of Alaska - Magnum Wolverine in D2
4.5" blade 0.125" thick 6oz.

5" Buck 119 pathfinder in 420hc
Just under 6 oz.

Mora Bushcraft
Under 4 oz.
Click to expand...

The 119 has a 6 inch blade
 
DocT said:
The 119 has a 6 inch blade
Click to expand...

You're right, the pathfinder is the 105... I went back and looked it up, and It says right in their sales review, "a smaller version of the 119", thats probably what kinda threw me off; but why I said a 5" 119, but none the less I stand corrected...

5" Buck 105 pathfinder it is.
 
J.P Peltonen Puukko M95,best buy for your criteria and biggest bang for your $$$.also very light in weight,check it out,you won't be dissapointed.good luck!
 
Al Mar SERE Operator.

VG-10 blade.

5" blade.

.15" thick blade.

Weighs 6 ounces.

Full tang.

Micarta handles.

Flat sides on the blade.

Also comes in a 4" model.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top