which one?

S

Scrubmonkey

Joined
Mar 16, 2014
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im new here but i guessed it was one of the better forums. it seems that the reviews i find on here when i google a knife this site seems to have the more nononsense ones. ive been in scouting since i was 8 yo and im now 16 and still in it and still camping and abseiling and hiking etc. ive carried a folder of some kind since before then. im looking at getting a fixed blade knife that wil hopefully last me my life and take anything i realiastically throw at it and come back for more. im wanting to get one of the better up there brands and quality. so ive browsed benchmade, muela, coldsteel. i want it to be fixed blade, over 4.5" blade, and be able to take a beating. we regularly run "lightweight" or survival style camps with the scouts and that so we basically walk into some scrub with minimal food and water, abit of rope, and a tarp for if it rains and camp for the night. so it will have to be able to take regular beating for cutting sticks etc. im more concerned for a good steel in the blade than looks. something that i can spend some time putting an edge on and then be able to be used a fairbit before needing another touch up. also looking to spend no more than mid 100's so the $150 to $180 range at tops if possible. so far ive got this list as possibles

coldsteel srk

kabar full size with leather handle

short kabar

muela ranger 12

gerber lmf II A.S.E.K

benchmade H&K conspiracy fixed


if anybody has any first hand experience with these knives for constant use not just a couple of camping trips then id like to hear your thoughts on that particular knife to.
 
Check out Becker. Just pick the size/shape that works for you (my favorites are the BK9, BK17, and BK14.) They are very strong, about the same price as the things you listed, and have a pretty much unlimited warranty.


Also, for a little more $$, look at ESEE, Scrapyard, and SwampRat. Stay away from Gerber.
 
My vote would be the Cold Steel SRK with the full size KaBar coming in a close second. I have experience with both of those and I really enjoy them, the short KaBar just will not give you the abilities the full size will.
 
I also recommend becker! The bk16 with the coating stripped will serve you well.

Good luck!

--The Kid
 
ESEE-4 or 5. Either will be perfect for your bushcraft needs. And, you'll have enough left over in your budget to buy a <Shift> key.
 
I'm sorry but I also agree with spydercobenchmadekai. Get a Becker. Or an ESEE or a Scrapyard or a Fällkniven if you live in the pissing rain or near salt water and you need a stainless knife. For 180 USD there are a lot better options than a Cold Steel or a Gerber.

A Fällkniven F1 and a Scrapyard 911, now that would be an awesome combo... :D
 
if the Beckers are in your price range....go for it. You wont be disappointed!
"Gerber should stick to baby food"
-Russ from Kutters Knives
 
He said $150 to $180, so he could get 2 or 3 Beckers! Or try out a BK and another brand. Because trust me, you won't have one knife. You'll soon have dozens! ;)
 
oh, i should have mentioned. i live in australia so that budget is in AUS dollars and preferably include postage
 
I'll put my vote in with Becker. Or, if you insist on the blade shape of the traditional KaBar, get the Kraton handled one (full size). The leather does not handle exposure to moisture well, and the leather sheath will lead to much greater rusting than the Kydex one.
 
i havent got a particular style im loking for. i carry a 3.5" folder. just a simple lebendwell one i picked up. is the best ive gotten so far. steel works but leaves a little to be desired. its nothing to go making a show about though. i find that this knife is just the right size for everydayand normal scouting. big enough to get the stuff done but not so small that it isnt usable for alot of things. is becker just a branch of kabar?
 
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Scrubmonkey said:
i havent got a particular style im loking for. i carry a 3.5" liner lock folder. just a simple lebendwell one i picked up. is the best ive gotten so far. steel works but leaves a little to be desired. its nothing to go making a show about though. i find that this knife is just the right size for everydayand normal scouting. big enough to get the stuff done but not so small that it isnt usable for alot of things. is becker just a branch of kabar?
Click to expand...

Becker (Becker Knife and Tool) is now owned by KaBar, which is owned by Cutco. (Confusing, huh?)

BK&T was also made by several other companies over the years, including Blackjack and Camillius. But the designs are the same--designed by Ethan Becker, who you can actually talk to over in the BK&T subforum.

From what I've heard, the BK quality is much better than regular KaBars in the same price range.
 
so is it just the name really that gets passed or does/has QC and materials changed also? i know often designs will stay the same once a company has been passed along but they might drop QC of either the fished product and/or the material before production.
 
Check out the Ontario Ranger series. Designed by Justin Gingrich and made from 5160 carbon steel.
 
Yea ESEE 4 or 6. Or if you want a premier knife that will hold an edge for a excellent duration of time, then drop the $$ on a Bark River Bravo 1, or Bravo 1.5. You really should research BARK RIVER if you want ONE REALLY GOOD KNIFE. But don't take my word for it ;)
 
Scrubmonkey said:
so is it just the name really that gets passed or does/has QC and materials changed also? i know often designs will stay the same once a company has been passed along but they might drop QC of either the fished product and/or the material before production.
Click to expand...

Different QC, different materials, same overarching company.

Becker has an unlimited warranty as well--Ethan has replaced blades that broke while batoning or chopping.

I have an ESEE 6, and it honestly doesn't come up to par with any of my Beckers. It just feels cheaper and the coating is weird. (Yes, this is even after the TKC scales. The TKC scales don't even come all the way to the edge of the spine, and they don't feel nearly as nice as the full-size Becker handles.)
 
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