Which fixed tactical/utility < $200
- Thread starter AB
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Maybe some of Greg Lightfoot's fixed blades? A little over $200 but every knife is worth the price.
There are so many good knifemakers out there that you really need to understand what you want in the knife and how you will use it to get an appropriate one for your use and needs if you are really going to use this knife. If it is a display piece or "closet queen", then practical use qualities are not an issue.
I USE my THR blades. They have met and exceeded my expectations. I have never used a tactical knife in any way remotely appropriate to that knife style. I have used a lot of knives in a more non-specific general utility role which I'll define here as yard work, kitchen duty, light camping and hiking use on the farm and, other similar activities.
Since you already have a large knife in the MD ATAK for heavy use and arguably the fighting knife role and, a CRK Sebenza for the light duty pocket knife role, it would appear you need something to fill the void in between the two.
For general everyday utility use, I like a broad blade that is thin. This gives it good cutting efficiency and a lighter weight so it tends to disappear on your belt or in your pocket. A good stainless steel that is easier to maintain then the "super steels" is appropriate as well. Personally, I have found BG-42 to be a very good blade steel in this role but, I will be giving CPM-30V a good work out in the future. It seems to offer the ease of sharpening and low maintanence qualities I like so much in BG-42. Next you need to consider the grip and overall profile of the knife. I have found a larger well rounded grip to be secure and less tiring with extended "normal" use. I do not want a seperate or specific guard but, I do want the blade to extend down from the grip so that when I place the cutting edge on hard surface (wood cutting board or similar not a granite counter top
) the handle should be high enough up so that my knuckles and fingers do not come in contact with the the hard surface. A single finger groove provides a good index point for the holding the knife and is more comfortable to me then a knife handle with multiple finger cutouts which is usually due to the finger cutouts being cut for a hand size larger then mine. A birds beak rear on the handle will provide additional security if the materials you cut "grab" the blade hard, requiring extra force to extract the knife.
Since you have a 7 inch fixed blade knife and a ~3.25 inch folder, I would tend think you want something a little larger then the classic Dozier knives. The Pro-Guide is worth consideration but, your prior mention of the "guardless" knife concern rule out a lot of the Dozier line in general in my mind. That then brings me back the Trace Rinaldi knives. In your case I would strongly suggest the TTKK or TUK for further consideration depending on which handle style you prefer. Both are in the 4 to 5 inch range which would provide a good fit in your current collection and would not overly duplicate what you already have (assuming of course these are real using knives ) There are other subjective things to consider too which are personal preference and not a functional distinction. Fit and Finish on THR blades are very high for their price point and, in my case I prefer it to the Dozier's in an overall general sense. This is not meant to be a negative against Dozier knives as they have a well deserved and well earned reputation for quality and value but, still if I had to choose between the two, I would go for a THR blade every time. I should note in all fairness though, that I currently own several Doziers as well as my THR blades so, I obviously value them highly as well 
.
I would suggest you avoid the tendancy to buy a knife because you "found a good price" on it. Buy the RIGHT knife. A cheaper knife that doesn't fit your needs is not cheap enough as it is a total waste of your money in my personal opinion.
If you want to consider something cheaper, please checkout Geno Denning's work @ Geno Denning - Caveman Engineering . He offers a lot of value for the money in a good using knife and, yes I have several for comparison to my others so, I am very familiar with his work. I should also note, that he makes some very good leather sheaths for his knives which is a nice change from all that Kydex .
I USE my THR blades. They have met and exceeded my expectations. I have never used a tactical knife in any way remotely appropriate to that knife style. I have used a lot of knives in a more non-specific general utility role which I'll define here as yard work, kitchen duty, light camping and hiking use on the farm and, other similar activities.
Since you already have a large knife in the MD ATAK for heavy use and arguably the fighting knife role and, a CRK Sebenza for the light duty pocket knife role, it would appear you need something to fill the void in between the two.
For general everyday utility use, I like a broad blade that is thin. This gives it good cutting efficiency and a lighter weight so it tends to disappear on your belt or in your pocket. A good stainless steel that is easier to maintain then the "super steels" is appropriate as well. Personally, I have found BG-42 to be a very good blade steel in this role but, I will be giving CPM-30V a good work out in the future. It seems to offer the ease of sharpening and low maintanence qualities I like so much in BG-42. Next you need to consider the grip and overall profile of the knife. I have found a larger well rounded grip to be secure and less tiring with extended "normal" use. I do not want a seperate or specific guard but, I do want the blade to extend down from the grip so that when I place the cutting edge on hard surface (wood cutting board or similar not a granite counter top
) the handle should be high enough up so that my knuckles and fingers do not come in contact with the the hard surface. A single finger groove provides a good index point for the holding the knife and is more comfortable to me then a knife handle with multiple finger cutouts which is usually due to the finger cutouts being cut for a hand size larger then mine. A birds beak rear on the handle will provide additional security if the materials you cut "grab" the blade hard, requiring extra force to extract the knife.Since you have a 7 inch fixed blade knife and a ~3.25 inch folder, I would tend think you want something a little larger then the classic Dozier knives. The Pro-Guide is worth consideration but, your prior mention of the "guardless" knife concern rule out a lot of the Dozier line in general in my mind. That then brings me back the Trace Rinaldi knives. In your case I would strongly suggest the TTKK or TUK for further consideration depending on which handle style you prefer. Both are in the 4 to 5 inch range which would provide a good fit in your current collection and would not overly duplicate what you already have (assuming of course these are real using knives
) There are other subjective things to consider too which are personal preference and not a functional distinction. Fit and Finish on THR blades are very high for their price point and, in my case I prefer it to the Dozier's in an overall general sense. This is not meant to be a negative against Dozier knives as they have a well deserved and well earned reputation for quality and value but, still if I had to choose between the two, I would go for a THR blade every time. I should note in all fairness though, that I currently own several Doziers as well as my THR blades so, I obviously value them highly as well .I would suggest you avoid the tendancy to buy a knife because you "found a good price" on it. Buy the RIGHT knife. A cheaper knife that doesn't fit your needs is not cheap enough as it is a total waste of your money in my personal opinion.
If you want to consider something cheaper, please checkout Geno Denning's work @ Geno Denning - Caveman Engineering . He offers a lot of value for the money in a good using knife and, yes I have several for comparison to my others so, I am very familiar with his work. I should also note, that he makes some very good leather sheaths for his knives which is a nice change from all that Kydex
.
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- Jan 25, 2001
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- 1,639
Wow! Makes me want to buy another THR knife. Just sold my D2 TTKK.
The TUK looks very appealing. Especially in S30V.
Mike
The TUK looks very appealing. Especially in S30V.
Mike
Thanks for the thorough comments, Sid!
All my knives are indeed users (as Sid well knows, he's the one who now owns my old RJ Martin Kozuka, which had to go because it refused to leafe the safe), so I'm definitely looking for something functional. Your thoughts on what makes a good user ring true in my ears. Still looking for one with that "tactical" touch, though 
J-man, can you tell me anything about the Lightfoot Sierra Light?
All my knives are indeed users (as Sid well knows, he's the one who now owns my old RJ Martin Kozuka, which had to go because it refused to leafe the safe
), so I'm definitely looking for something functional. Your thoughts on what makes a good user ring true in my ears. Still looking for one with that "tactical" touch, though J-man, can you tell me anything about the Lightfoot Sierra Light?
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- Jun 10, 2001
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- 1,385
Thanks Dave!
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AB if you give me a better idea of what you will be using the knife for, that would help..
In your price range, a Gambit, Spook, or Matrix would come in under your limit.. All these blades excell in the utility dept. but each offer different performance characteristics that might fit your intended role better..
Its easier if I have an idea of what you need the knife to do, before I give a recomendation..
In your price range, a Gambit, Spook, or Matrix would come in under your limit.. All these blades excell in the utility dept. but each offer different performance characteristics that might fit your intended role better..
Its easier if I have an idea of what you need the knife to do, before I give a recomendation..
