When Push Comes To Shove - A Fixed Blade You Can Trust In.

Spyderco Muleteam. Not because it does anything exceptionally well, but because it is what I carry everyday, so it will be what I have when and if everything goes south.
 
My goto blade; Went to the Amazon jungle with me (the black one on bottom);

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Scrapper 5

Doc
 
I know this thread is about knives, but honestly if I could only have one edged tool to rely on it would be my axe. It's a regional thing. I wont get into that.

On topic, though: either my BRKT Liten Bror, or my ESEE-4. Hard to choose one over the other based solely on performance; they're quite similar in use.

The BRKT is probably "better" -- the steel (CPM 3V) is some serious sh!t, the grind is convex which is significantly tougher and easier to maintain (although I will say it does NOT bite the same way a good ol' V grind does), and the handle is more comfortable. Is this enough to make me choose it over the ESEE? Naw. Those are just minor details, when push comes to shove they're both ~4 inch cutting edges that do the same thing.

Some days I prefer the more tactical stuff, other days I prefer a more old fashioned approach. So whatever mood I'm in will decide the knife :)

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This one is coming with me tomorrow.
 
esee-6, given the blade limit. the 5's a good choice too. the bowdrill divot is a nice touch.

i'd grab my junglas first though.
 
Its slightly outside your size range, but only by a couple 10ths of an in., I love and trust my izula. I would trust it for both self defense and survival. I love this blade and will continue to do so. After 2 years of use, I couldn't ask for a better knife in this size range.
 
Another vote for the Scrapyard Regulator Bowie.
I have a lot of the other knives that people have recommended here, as well as higher dollar Busse and SwampRat knives, but the one fixed blade that I would take if I could only have one is my Regulator. I really didn't think I would like it as much as I do but it is one of the BEST buys out there at the moment.
 
My fallkniven F1. Tough as nails, excellent design, easy to maintain. AND IT'S STAINLESS! It will never to too heavy to pack and often it comes along even when I have other blades of similar size.

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No contest.

A Rat Cutlery (Now ESEE Knives) #5 with Window Breaker on back.

The cutting edge that those knives have is surreal. I have accidentally, barely bumped my finger on the blade several times, just barely, and it cut me at least 1/6-inch deep. They are razor sharp. More than razor sharp. The sheaths are very high quality as well.

a 5-inch, almost scalpel-sharp, partially serrated fixed-blade, with a handle that you could have a firm grip on in almost any condition should fit what you are looking for. Rat Cutlery, ESEE Knives should do the trick ;)

Rat Cutlery, ESEE #5 Fixed Blade

However, if I had to really choose a non-propelling weapon, it would be my Benchmade Tactical Tomahawk:

Benchmade Tactical Tomahawk

Really, the Rat Cutlery/ESEE #4 or #5 knife would be perfect... but the Tomahawk would be better!

Oh yeah, these recommendations are based on personal experiences with the knife and the tomahawk somewhat. Not hand to hand combat, but use that would definitely qualify for what you are looking for.

You mentioned cutting, and the edge on that RC #5 is absolutely no joke...
 
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Straight factory-- Kabar Potbelly. Mine is my favorite knife by far.

After being on here, honestly, I won't spend more than $100 or so on a factory fixed blade from any of the "big" name brands. If I'm spending more than that, I'll buy from a custom or semi-custom maker on bladeforums.
 
My vote goes to the Swamp Rat RMD. Without the use of the choil, the handle feels small, but when you choke up on it and use a thumb-forward grip, it becomes a completely different breed of knife. Awesome.
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At this moment, Super Blue. When the next one comes out, it will be that one. I firmly believe that the skill of the user is far more important than the knife being used. A skilled person can cut firewood and build a shelter with a fillet knife. An unskilled person may or may not manage the same tasks with an ESEE Junglas without hurting himself. Get something you can and will carry all the time and learn how to do everything with it. If emergencies conformed to schedules, they wouldn't be emergencies. If you have time to go get your knife, you have time to go get your rifle, pistol and a pack containing spare ammo, food, tent, sleeping bag and a change of clothes.
 
Some good sugestions so far, My go to knife is the Swamp Rat HRLM, then the Fallkniven F1, and third the Busse Street Boss. But the knife I would probably have on me when it hits the fan is a ESEE H.E.S.T with victorinox cadet since thats my edc.
 
Assuming I can't have a Killa Zilla (my no. 1 choice)? ESEE 6. Baton, slice, stab, chop (not stunningly well, but it works), And it comes right back for more.
 
Right off the bat I'm with the busse fans you can't go wrong. Any man worth his salt will agree, but given your stipulations it has to be the K-Bar with kydex sheath I have found leather to be unreliable in the damp and humid climates. The K-Bar is tried and tested for almost 100 years. The clip point blade allows for a wide variety of tasks including but not limited to trap making and field dressing game. The carbon steel is easy to sharpen and in a survival situation with the right rock you can put a decent edge on it. Not recommended for any knife but this is the nitty gritty were talkin about. The pommel packs a decent punch for all your hammering or smashing needs. The stacked leather handle is very comfortable in hand and with time wears to an almost custom grip (granted you actually use it) and to top it all off you can score one for under 80 bucks even 20 percent cheaper in the right place (cutlery shoppe) mention nutnfancy in the dicount code and recieve an additional dicount. I have used this blade for as long as i can remember and every thing i said ive done ..............this is definitely a blade i trust my life with without a trace of doubt. hope i helped
 
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