Which one?

Which knife for strength and BALANCE

  • Total voters
    6
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FoxHound21048

Joined
Aug 29, 2019
Messages
15
Hey guys, so I'm in the market for a tough yet balanced fixed blade. As a background, I used to have a buck hood punk, and later an ontario TFI.

I loved the TFI, and the punk, however I cannot find either of them available anywhere. My budget is about $100, and after the fact I plan on acquiring a leather sheath that chokes up half way up the handle instead of a strap. Personal preference.

I especially want it to be strong and balanced. I say balanced due to the martial arts I practice at home to music. It is a way of centering myself.

I'm in between 3, however if you know where to get another tfi, or know of a knife with a slightly sloping handle, like the tfi or a ken onion that is balanced well let me know.

So far I like the Kabar Turok
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KA...on-blade-brown-ultramid-handles-celcon-sheath

The buck ground combat knife / black spearpoint
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/BU...t-blade-black-g10-handles-molded-nylon-sheath

And a knife I've owned before, the Gerber Strongarm (serated or straight, idc, but would like opinions)
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/GB...combo-blade-coyote-glass-filled-nylon-handles
 
The first two (Kbar and Buck) have a false edge on top. Daggerish look if you want. Great for stabbing "things" but not so great as far as point strength and general utility. Anytime you put you thumb on the spine of the knife to exert any force... you will be blaming the maker.

Do you actually plan on cutting things or it is just attrezzo for your coreography? For general utility I would go with the Gerber in plain edge, even though the pointy pomel migh get in the way. If you just for dancing arround... well, anything goes.

Mikel
 
Well, I've had the Turok and the Strongarm. Both are pretty tough, the Turok being probably the most "balanced".

I don't have that Buck, I have an old Camillus CQB designed by Bob Terzuola that suffices. The Buck is in 5160, which is tough as nails.

I'm no knife fighter, but if I was to get one of these 3 for dancing around in the yard I'd probably get the Turok.

But if I were to grab one for myself for such a use, I'd go Ontario Ranger Series Night Stalker or Cold Steel OSI Subhilt.

Or just a standard KaBar USMC.
 
I'm no knife fighter, but if I was to get one of these 3 for dancing around in the yard I'd probably
I'm no knife fighter, but if I was to get one of these 3 for dancing around in the yard I'd probably get the Turok.

But if I were to grab one for myself for such a use, I'd go Ontario Ranger Series Night Stalker or Cold Steel OSI Subhilt

- I was looking at the Subhilt OSI. Looks cool, but I feel like it is too large to carry with me. I like carrying a knife for regular ass shit that a rat 2 could easily candle as far as practical application goes.

I channel music through fighting forms as it helps me feel more in tune and connected to myself and the world. So it's almost more meditative. That being said, I carry for last ditch self defense, as my primary option for dealing with such things should they arise has been to run. My knee has been hurting after coming off a ladder wrong, and being almost 34, so knowing that the blade is better than anything I am capable of doing with it makes me feel safer, even if it is a false sense of security. I just keep it on my left hip and do my regular work and shopping and hiking and feel more relaxed knowing it's there. Heavy bushcraft stuff is probably not its primary function, as I do have a hatchet, but it should be able to feather a stick, strike a fire steel, and cut rope well. Cutting rope is about the only thing I see where serrations could come in handy, but that would negate the knife's ability to feather wood close to the handle.
 
Thank you, but I'd rather not pay 50% more on a knife that I used to own. That knife was worth $90. Still is, being rare makes it a collector's piece.

I appreciate the thought though. If you know of a knife with similar ergonomics, I'd be interested in knowing. Ken onion and elishwitz have good handle designs. I like drop point, and spear point, though I do appreciate a good Americanzed tanto ( like the shape of the crkt m16 blade ) max length for me is 7 inches. Thank you, and if you have experience with the buck ground combat knife in any form I'd love to hear what you think!
 
Forget Gerber knife shaped objects.

At one time, back in the 1970's and early 1980's Gerber knives may have been worth getting.
Since the mid/late 1980's Gerber hasn't been "scraping the bottom of the barrel" as far as quality goes.
They've been under the barrel.
Gerber makes cheap no name made in Pakistan gas station/truck stop special's and made in Pakistan and India FROST knife shaped objects seem high end.

My first and last Gerber was a small 1990's lockback. Slicing tepid room temperature butter (without hitting the butter dish) dulled the edge. They either "forgot" to harden and temper the blade, or used a re-purposed automotive fender or other body part that can't be hardened and tempered for the blade.
(I sent it to the landfill in pieces, over a period of weeks, to ensure no one tried to "rescue" it.)

Having that "Bear ("You can drink your Piss!") Grylls" thing on the payroll as a "spokesman" and "designer" sure don't help their credibility or reputation in a positive manner, either.
 
I actually kind of like the Buck. 5160 is one of my favorite steels, I have a 110 and a 101 in Bos treated 5160. The GCK seems to have some Terzuola influence, never a bad thing. I like the handle treatment, tho I would prefer micarta of some flavor.

The Turok is a good choice, and Kabar does a really good heat-treat on their steel, as well. But, this one will be heavier in hand when practicing your forms, something to think about. This profile would likely do better in actual field work, tho.

I'm not the biggest Gerber fan these days. But the Strongarm is a good choice, and a decent knife. It has one advantage over the others, in that you are already familiar with it. Muscle memory is very important. But then, so the ability to adapt.

I'd probably go with the Buck.
 
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50-50 between Buck and KaBar. Woulda said KaBar with that 1095cv, until I saw Buck was a BOS heat treated 5160 steel. Fun. Flip a coin and GO WITH IT! Cool knives!

ETA Voted Buck
 
the 5160 is definitely tougher than 1095cv from kabar... but of course the kabar should hold an edge better, both are nice

ontario has a beauty of a 5160 blade only knife - the vulpine, it's a great project in case you want to fit your own wood or micarta to it :)
(on sale for only $50 right now... I need to get one myself;)
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