Which "Hard Use" knife?

I am looking for a heavy duty fixed blade that will handle quite a bit of punishment without a lot of concern for care. My main use for the knife will be on hunting trips in the Rockies as well as south Texas. The knife will be used for food prep, small vegitation clearing, and possibly game prep (I carry a seperate hunting knife). On top of all this I like a knife with a tactical flare. I have been looking at the offerings from Strider as well as the TAC-11. I know Busse fits into this catagory as well, but I'm not interested in any of their offering. Blade length should be between 6" and 7". Basically I'm looking for the best compromise in cutting performance and strength.

Kevin
 
Crayola

Crayola

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
3,831
A non-tanto tip would be much better for food prep. I'd go with a strider if I were you over the Tac-11 and get one of the rounded tip Striders.

By the way, I like the way you think! I love the forumite's signature that says something to this effect "I love finding extremely peaceful uses for tactical knives." I have butchered the saying, but you get the point!

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"Come What May..."
 
Try a SOG Northwest Hunter. That would be a good choice for the description you gave. You could torture that knife, and it would come back for more.
 
Kevin,
You've given us some idea of your intended uses for this knife, but you haven't really touched yet on any potential usage which would really qualify as "punishing". There are a multitude of blades that would easily accomplish the tasks you've listed, so if you could provide a little more info on the more abusive tasks this knife will face, we could better narrow down your choices.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
Here is sort of a "new" maker for you to check out.

http://www.iccknives.com/

He is a retired Green Beret who makes working tacticals. You could make peanut butter and jam sandwiches with one of his knives just as easily as you can clear brush with them, from the looks of it!

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"Come What May..."
 
Perhaps some of the offerings from Lynn Griffith, such as The Drop Zone or The Spec-Ops Bowie would be of interest to you.
www.griffithknives.com I was just surfing over there before I ran across this thread, seemed worth suggesting.

Also look into the SOG line, I dont have any of their really big knives, but I do have a Seal Pup that I have abused the snot out of, I even used it the *shudder* spread tar once, and its still going strong. So their big knives should take just about anything you trow at them.

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Morgan Atwood
(formerly known as nim-wit)
If you deny someone the right to defend themselves you are guilty of nothing less than attempted murder.
 
The Chris Reeve's One Piece Range selection has served me well in uses not unlike those you describe.
 
My reason for wanting a tough knife has to do with some of the places I go. Every year I go on an Elk hunt in Colorado that requires us to take horses to get up into the mountains. We have to travel light. If something happened up there it could take some time before I could get back to civiliation. It just makes me feel warm and fuzzy knowing that I have equipment that can take serious punishment if necessary. As for the CR one piece line, the checkered round handle is not for me.

Thanks,
Kevin
 
I am with Nimrod on this one. If you take this route, get a concealex sheath from Normark. A Project I or Shadow I will be just the ticket.
 
With that in mind, Kevin, it sounds like a Busse Natural Outlaw or Steel Heart-E would provide the perfect balance of strength and cutting efficiency that you're looking for, but I note that you're not interested in a Busse at this stage of the game. Perhaps a nice 5160 Patrol Bowie from Allen Blade would fill the void nicely.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
It's a bit under 6", but reports are that the Becker Campanion is tough and is unusually effective a chopping for its size. See one of several reviews:

http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001562.html

If you want to go stainless (generally less tough) you could look at the Fallkniven A1. The VG-10 takes a great edge and is reasonably tough as a stainless.

http://www.fallkniven.com


[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 05-22-2001).]
 
Kevin,

You have told us why you would rather not go with the Chris Reeves stuff, but, you haven't told us what you dislike about the Busse line. There are literally thousands of knives that could fit your general requirements, if you tell what features you disliked in the Busse we can eliminate some of these.

Also, can you give us some idea of how much you want to spend?

N2S

 
I think you've answered your own question - Strider. They are able to handle anything that steel can take, and come up smiling for more. Nothing against Reeve, Busse, or some other very good knives, but the Strider is your choice if you're hanging your life onto it.
 
Perhaps you should take a look at the Cold Steel Carbon V fixed blades. The SRK and Bush Ranger come to mind. If you need a blade under 5" in length, try the Carbon V Master Hunter. These are great work knives that won't break the bank or your heart should they get lost in the bush.
I would have suggested Busse Basics, (I have the 5" and 7" model, and LOVE them), but you seem to have excluded them from your search. Oh well...
Happy Hunting!
biggrin.gif



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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu
 
I wish I could say what it is about Busse that I don't like, but I can't. I've owned a Basic 7 and a Steel Heart IIe that just did not do it for me. I am leaning strongely toward the Strider line, but I can't decide between the MT or MH.

Thanks,
Kevin
 
In the size range you mentioned, I would suggest cold steel's SRK, or step up to the Recon Scout. You can clear brush with the best of them, plus it's not un wieldly.
The shorter Grohmann Survival is also very tough.
On "reviews and knife testing", I asked a similar question, so it's worth a look, too.

Also, from what I've been hearing, Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works is worth a look.

Then just go buy a DOZIER.

JET
 
After meeting Mick Strider at the Eugene show, I have to say that I am very impressed with his attitude about knives.

I think you could do much worse than a Strider.

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Marion David Poff aka Eye mdpoff@hotmail.com

My website, guided links, talonite/cobalt alloy info, etc....
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff

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40K Space Marine Army, For Sale or Trade for Knives or Gear http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum13/HTML/002045.html
 
Get a Strider WB. Its money very well spent.
 
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