Which Fixed Blade to Get

L

Liquidm1980

Joined
Jun 26, 2005
Messages
555
Well, I am looking at getting my first fixed blade, i have a about 8 folders ranging from spyderco to microtech. I was oiling my knives the other day and I realized I didn't have any fixed blades. I dont have a purpose for it now other then wanting it. I do want something that's very strong and when I end up using it could withstand a lot of abuse. I am considering the SOG S37 SEAL 2000, Benchmade Offsider, KaBar Next Generation w/ Kydex Sheath 7" Blade, and Battle Rat. I want to keep the price around $100. I am not a fan of black blades but the finish on the swamprat caught my interest. I am more interested in strength (prying) rather then how great an edge it will hold. It would be great if the knife that held the best edge was also the strongest. So which would you pick and why? Also if there is something else I should look at feel free to let me know.

Thank You,


James
 
Do you need a large blade?? How about a Bark River? They have several in your price range and I believe in the size also. I personally have a couple of smaller ones. A2 steel and heated to 60 or so and convex grind. http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/
good luck.
 
Any knife from Swamp Rat or Ranger Knives.

It might be worth reading the thread on the Ratweiler and RD7 that was active yesterday.
 
I have a several fixed blades including some that you have mentioned.
Off of the top of my head some of fixed blades that I own and have used quite a bit are as follows:

KA-BAR Next Generation
KA-BAR USMC Full Size
KA-BAR USMC Short
KA-BAR Warthog
Cold Steel Recon Scout
Cold Steel UWK
Benchmade Offsider (First Production Run w/N690)
SOG SEAL Pup (M37)
SOG SEAL 2000 (S37)
SOG Tigershark (S5)
CRKT First Strike (2706 – 11.75”)

Out of these I would say that I use the SOG SEAL 2000, the Cold Steel Recon Scout and the CRKT First Strike (11.75”) the most. I really like the handles on of the SOG fixed blades as I find them to be hand filling and very comfortable to use if I have a lot of cutting or chopping to do. The blades on my SOG’s have held up very well and I’ve used (abused) them.

I have always enjoyed using the Cold Steel Recon Scout as it is very durable (takes a beating) and holds an edge very nicely. The only problem I have with the Recon Scout is for me the handle is a tad too thin (for my hands) to be used comfortably for long periods of time. I am aware that opinions differ on this knife but I can only speak to what I have experienced. I’ve never regretted the purchase.

The CRKT First Strike was a huge surprise for me has I never thought that I would use it as much as I do. This knife is a solid hunk of steel (I’m aware that it isn’t some exotic wonder steel) but it is strong as hell and I love the versatility of the sheath. The First Strike wasn’t very sharp out of the box but once it was touched up a bit it as turned out to be my workhorse. If I lost this knife I would have to replace it immediately.

There are so many great fixed blade knives out there that I’m sure that you will be happy with any of the knives that you mentioned. I’ve also heard great things about Ranger Knives, Entrek, Swamp Rat and Chris Reeve Knives. In fact, my next knife purchase will be the Chris Reeve Green Beret Knife as soon as I save up my pennies.

Best of luck to you,

Kevin
 
djolney said:
Any knife from Swamp Rat or Ranger Knives.

It might be worth reading the thread on the Ratweiler and RD7 that was active yesterday.
Click to expand...

Yep just what I was thinking. :thumbup:

TBG
 
Liquidm1980 said:
I am more interested in strength (prying) rather then how great an edge it will hold.
Click to expand...

The good news is that you don't have to choose one over the other. You can have it all in the Battle Rat.

I am unqualified to comment on the other knives mentioned, because I have never owned or used any of them. But I can comment on the Battle Rat.

I bought a used Battle Rat off the For Sale forum a couple of years ago. Someone had removed the black crinkle coat before I got it. I have used it extensively for yard work, limbing small trees and shrubs. I have limbed and sectioned a pickup truck full of small trees (in order to get more on one truckload.) I have stored it in my pickup coated with tree sap for an extended period of time. I have never sharpened it.

After all of this use and abuse, the darned thing will still shave arm hair fairly easily! I have never before been as pleased with a large blade in actual use as I am with this one.

A new one will cost you somewhat more than your $100 limit. IMO it is worth every penny. The only fly in the ointment is that, depending upon where they are in their production schedule when you order one, there may or may not be a fairly long wait for one. I bought the only used one I have ever seen up for sale, for about $90, by far the best knife bargain I have ever found.

Then there is the warranty. You the customer decide what the warranty is.
That's right. The only limit on the warranty on an unmodified blade is your own conscious.

Go to the Swamprat site and look around. Read the discussions on their forum. Am I a Swamprat true believer? Dang right. It was using their knife that made me that way.
 
Well, thank you for all the input I think I am going to go with a swamprat. Is the camp just a smaller size battlerat? Also I am a bit hesitant about the blackblade. If it ever comes out looking awful can I just remove it and have a silverish blade? Lastly what kinda of sheathes do hey come with?


Thanks
James
 
If you don't like the black, it come off easily enough with paint remover or acetone. It will not affect the warranty at all.

If you use the knife enough, the coating will come off on it's own.

Black or nekkid, you can't go wrong.

The Camp Tramp is a smaller version of the BR. I have both and prefer the CT except for out and out chopping. The CT is no slouch there either, but the BR is the clear winner in that area.

After having both for better than 3 yrs (along with a HR), I can say that you won't be disappointed by anything other than the wait if you hit the production cycle wrong.

Best knife money I've ever spent, including Busse's and Chris Reeves. With the Busse's and CRK you get what you pay for. With Swamp Rat, you get way more than you paid for.

Rob
 
...Bark River Northstar or Fox River.

These will handle any cutting you need to do, and prying as well. No matter who says what about prying strength, it's all pretty much beyond the range of normal use. You aren't going to be lifting a car off the ground with your knife, or prying open a bank vault, so don't worry about "this knife is a sharpened prybar."

Get a strong, stout cutting tool (Bark River) and you can't go wrong. :D

Peace.
 
just wanted to thank everyone for the input. i just ordered a camp tramp, now the wait starts up to 12 weeks. i will let everyone know what i think when i receive it.


thanks
james
 
Nice choice and a proven pry bar and it takes and holds an edge like nobody's business.

Skam
 
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