What to consider in my first fixed blade?

NjHart

NjHart

Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Messages
715
Howdy yall,

My last knife purchase was over a month ago, and after lots of input from the community I bought my first good folder (a large Sebenza 21) and couldn't be happier. I'm so happy in fact, that I'm not really interested in any other folders at the moment! I still want to expand my knife collection and venture out, and since I'm satisfied with my folder I think it is time to venture into the world of fixed blades. The only fixed blade I've ever owned was the old Schrade super sharp Bowie that I'm pretty sure every guy in the Southern US was given by his folks at some point in his childhood. It got a fair amount of use when I was younger, but despite putting a new and decent edge on it I'm not crazy about it now. Without further ado, here is sort of what I'm looking for:

Blade length: Between 4 and 7 inches (anything smaller I have my folder and anything bigger isn't all that necessary for me)

Knife use: It will come with me camping, traveling, fishing, it will work in food prep, I'll use it BBQing, maybe some light to moderate wood cutting tasks associated with any of those things, but I don't need a baton really or anything super intense, and it may be used in and around salt water

Other factors: I would prefer for it to come with a good sheath (preferable not leather) but it isn't 100% required, I'm left handed so any sheath would need to accommodate that, and I prefer modern handle materials and style but no paracord since it'll be used in and around food.

So far I've looked at Busse, CRK fixed blades, and ESEE. I really like different aspects of all 3 and they probably sit as my top 3 manufactures right now, but I'm looking for input and suggestions as well as any comparisons between those 3 and any others yall might think of! Sorry for such a broad question, but I have to start somewhere!
 
You might want to consider one of the makers on these forums if you have the money to spend. That way you could have a knife that's unique to you.
 
Aye, if you can afford a Busse, you've also got the money for a very nice custom knife.

Another option to look at is Survive! knives. They're a lot like Esee, but made with higher end steels (including CPM-3V and M390 Stainless.) All of their offerings are actually 4-7 inches long, too.
 
I second Survive, there are several knives in your size at pre order pricing ending soon.
Really good bang for your buck, 3V steel with a great heat treat, choice of handle material and a nice kydex sheath.
 
So much of what makes a knife work for you will be your own personal preferences. Advice in a thread can take you only so far. You chose a great folder, but not everyone likes the design simplicity of the Sebenza.

For the uses you describe, I'd suggest that you don't go with a blade that is thicker than 1/8 of an inch, otherwise you lose too much performance. I like the balance point to be at my first finger. If you have good sharpening skills, the better steels like CPM-M4 or M390 or Elmax are tough to beat. If you don't sharpen so well and are not interested in learning, then you might do better with basic steels, such as 1095 or O1 or 1084, which are common with traditional makers. If you can sharpen, I'd go 60HRc or higher. If you're not so good, I'd go 60HRc or lower.

Handle eros are important, but your hands probably different than mine. I like the bottom of the handle near the back of the blade to sweep up to give me knuckle room while making cuts. I like my handles a little on the thick side. The handle erogs should allow you to hold the knife firmly, even when wet, without jimping. Handle material is mostly personal taste.

The blade's point is also important for many uses. I like a pointy point, with just a slight drop point and a strong distal taper, for detail work.

Only you can decide whether you need stainless or non-stainless steel.

My suggestion would be to browse the knifemakers fixed-blade market here. There are some great knives for sale at pretty good prices. The difficult part will be to determine how well they do the heat treat on the knife. I've had great luck with makers like Larry Withrow and Gillson and Big Chris, but less luck with one or two others.
 
tbh, main factor for a first fixed blade would be price, IMO. because it's really hard to say what you will like.

some guys love ridiculously thick, over built blades even though they only see light use. some guys take thin slicers and use the piss out of them with no problem. Some like thin handle slabs, some like round, some like thick contoured rubber, etc...

Personally, I'd get a Mora, use the hell out of it, them figure out what you do or don't like and it will be easier to narrow down.
 
I would go with a Custom, or a thinner Busse myself. Alot of great custom fixed blade makers out there.
The prices get pretty high on custom folders, but you can find their fixed blades at very good prices.
 
I really like the concept of a Busse, but the price is a bit of a turn off for me at the moment since I'm not really sure how consistently I'll get used. Also, the sizes available directly from them right now, meaning more manageable prices, are a bit too small or a bit too big. They have a huge desirability factor for me, but I can't pull the trigger the same way I would with a folder since its use is far more sporadic at the moment. Esee's I really like, love the warranty, love the price, and they seem very adept at being tough users even in less than ideal conditions for carbon steel, and they are probably my leader in the clubhouse so to speak at the moment, but I feel compelled to really give everything a good look. The CRK fixed blades seem like great knives and I'm a big fan of my Sebenza, but this is a prime opportunity to expanded the brands I own I'm not a huge fan of the serrations that seem to show up on many of their models. Going custom is always an option, as is building my own, but I haven't really ventured much into that realm.

I hadn't seen the SURVIVE! knives before! They actually have quite a lot of promise too. A little on the pricier end, but getting a big slab of M390 seems pretty awesome (and I'm a decent freehand sharpener, I'd probably have to add a bigger bench stone or two for any major work on it, but those are on my to buy list anyway).
 
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