Recommendation? Which Fixed Blade?

S

SixtyLion

Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
358
Greetings,

Hopefully you are all safe and healthy! I recently realized that in my small knife collection there is an unequal ratio of folders to fixed blades ;)
In order to bring some balance, I am planning to get a new fixed blade knife. The knife will be primarily used for light camping and hiking needs. I narrowed my choice to two knives:
- Bradford Guardian 5.5, Elmax steel
- White River Knives Ursus 45, S35VN
Both knives are made in the USA, similar in size and shape, prices are pretty much the same. So which one would you recommend?
Looking forward to hearing from you guys!
Thank you!!!
 
If you're processing wood, the Bradford Guardian in 3V might be a better option as it will be much tougher. Elmax is pretty tough for a stainless though. If its for food processing, I'd go for the one with the thinner stock (White River).
 
The handle on the White River Ursus feels Awesome in hand. It’s nicely rounded.
 
Thank you guys for your response! Bradford has a sale and Guardian 5.5 is 30% off, I just could not pass this deal! Placed an order a few minutes ago, total $174.30 can’t beat that!!!
 
I was going to post a vote for the Guardian but you could not have made a bad choice either way. Both are quality knives. Good luck with your new toy!
 
I am not familiar with either of your two final selections, so cannot recommend either, other than "The one you like best."
Not much help, I know.

From your stated anticipated useage, I would recommend a Mora Classic Number One or Two Puukko. (if you want a guard, get the 611. However, if you are not doing something stupid, a guard isn't needed.)

I'm pretty sure that at under $20 each one is within your budget.

The 1, 2, and 611 can be had in stainless steel or carbon steel. The Number 1 is also available with a laminated steel blade.

All three are light in weight, just a couple ounces.
The Finnish have been using them out in the woods for over a hundred years.

I'll be honest; the current sheaths suck. Cheap plastic things. They work, but better are available.
A aftermarket leather sheath is much better and don't cost much.
Heck, IMHO a waxed cardboard or heavy paper sheath would be better than that plastic thing they come with.
(YMMV)

Feel free to ignore my suggestion, of course. It won't be the first time, and is unlikely the last my opinion/suggestion has been ignored. :)
 
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I see you made a choice, hope it serves you well.

for the record I was going to recommend a Becker BK 62 Kephart.
 
SixtyLion said:
....I recently realized that in my small knife collection there is an unequal ratio of folders to fixed blades ;)
Click to expand...
What are you saying? You have knife imbalance because you have too many folders or the fixed blades are too small for your hiking/camping preference?

I think you did just fine on the choice. I lean toward a choice with thinner blade stock as the most versatile. If you go much longer in blade length, I think you are likely to find excuses to not take the knife with you. That has been my experience.
 
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hey op, figure alot are in the same
knife dilemma of unequal ratio.
lol! chances are that "most folks"
would more often than not,
be carrying and using their folders
more often than fixed blades.
especially seeing that not everyone
is lucky enough to be living on a farm
or actually work in the great outdoors.
so its no wonder the imbalance
of fixed blades vs folders arise :)
just beware of the idea of having
the notion of growing an amount
of fixed blades for recreational
use to address the need of
something even more substantial
for the stable.
hope your choice serves you well for now..
 
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I am the opposite, I carry a fixed blade every day, as well as a folder. But the folder is more of an afterthought, and a back-up to the fixed blade, which is my true EDC blade.

I've carried just a folder at times over the last 40+ years, but I always go back to a fixed blade. My current blade is a White River Sendero Classic. These folks know how to work S35VN.

Most cases, I would say that, since you already ordered the Bradford, recommending the White River would be a moot point. But since you're probably not done buying knives, you'll very likely end up with the Ursus 45 anyway....
 
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