You've got $150 to buy a strong USA made 5160 lifetime warranty survival knife

Jerkov · Feb 12, 2012

I just got $150 for a new survival knife... I know I want Full tang, 5160, USA made w/lifetime warranty.... big is good but toughness is a must (I love the knifetests site)

I am looking at these:

1. Ontario Ranger RD7 or RD9

2. Ontario Night Stalker 9

3. Tops Hawk Hellion

Also considering
Tops anaconda and the Tops steel eagle in 1095....

WHAT WOULD YOU PICK??? and WHY??

rpn · Feb 12, 2012

None the above.

I would go Swamp Rat Ratmandu, Scrap Yard 711, SS5, 511, Dumpster Mutt (although not full tang), ESEE 4 or a custom like Koyote Knives.

All are great knives, makers, great warranty...don't know about Christof's warranty actually...but haven't needed to!

Jerkov · Feb 12, 2012

I do like the esee 5 or 6.... but they seem to be all 1095... and the swamp rat is SR101...

dericdesmond · Feb 12, 2012

rpn said:
None the above.

I would go Swamp Rat Ratmandu

mmm, rats

Sorry, for the off topic OP, but I just took the pic and wanted to show off

Misanthropia · Feb 12, 2012

If you love knifetests, I suggest you try and find an older Scrapyard knife made from SR-77, which is S7 steel with Busses heat treat. For all intensive purposes, that might be some of the strongest steel (especially shock resistant) you'll get on a production knife. I saw a Scrapyard Yard Hook on the exchange recently and it still may be there that fits your requirements, but it was about $35 more than you were looking for.

Jerkov · Feb 12, 2012

$150 is not set in stone... $150 ish is fine.

rivertamer · Feb 12, 2012

Holding yourself to the 5160 is tough.... With 1095 .... Your selection is awesome.... Really like my esee 6.

Fanglekai · Feb 12, 2012

I think the main question is what are you going to be using the knife for?

Some custom makers on here offer knives in 5160: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...dark-green-canvas-micarta-SOLD?highlight=5160
That one was more than $150, though.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...your-custom-camp-knife-chopper?highlight=5160
An old thread but it shows you can use quite a few steels for choppers, if that's what you're going for.

Knowing what you want to do with the knife will help.

gundude73 · Feb 12, 2012

Buck hoodlum?

Jerkov · Feb 12, 2012

I picture myself fighting off bears, lions, Hacking my way thru zombies, and hammering it through steel, wood, and the occasional T-Rex bone.....

Jerkov · Feb 12, 2012

gundude73 said:
Buck hoodlum?

my little brother actually just purchased that knife.... waiting to see what its like when it comes in for sure....

brewcitymike · Feb 12, 2012

Buck Hoodlum. I recently got mine and it is awesome!. Its got a 10-1/8" full tang 5160 blade and a nice choil so you can choak up on it and do the work of a small knife. I got mine BNIB on ebay for $127, though they generally will run you about $140-160. It the best to get one from ebay, Smokey Mountain knife works and Kennesaw Cutlery

Other than that there isn't alot of 5160 out ther for customs, mostly 1095 which is an awesome steel for hard use and edge retention. Like a few people have said the esee line is a good choice same goes for Ontario and they do make their Range series out of 5160 some of the models are the Afghan and TFI which are pictured and the smaller Falcon too, plus they have a few large models in the Gen II series like the SP42,48,51,etc which a are pictured here too.

Well I hope this helps you out. With the budget in that area you'll find a great knife for sure be it 5160, 1095 or something else. Good luck

Dorito Monk · Feb 12, 2012

Jerkov said:
I picture myself fighting off bears, lions, Hacking my way thru zombies, and hammering it through steel, wood, and the occasional T-Rex bone.....

So basically it's never going to leave the drawer save for those few times when you take it out to play with it in your back yard?

matt1987 · Feb 12, 2012

Jerkov said:
I picture myself fighting off bears, lions, Hacking my way thru zombies, and hammering it through steel, wood, and the occasional T-Rex bone.....

I tend to get the same visions when I hold my Case Peanut.

GSDNPWC · Feb 12, 2012

Scrap Yard 711. Like Misanthropia said, try to find one in SR-77, but I'm sure SR101 would be plenty tuff.

rpn · Feb 12, 2012

Could also look at some of the Condor stuff...like the boomslang, bolo or thai enep... google baryonx knife company and see if something looks good. You could get a chopper and bush knife there for way under $150.

here tis.....add: forgot the made in usa part...oooopppssss

http://www.baryonyxknife.com/

Shoki · Feb 12, 2012

The Tops Hellion is by far the best choice. I mean, just look at that thing. You could deanimate so many tangos with that if you were an operator. Not to mention, at a full 9 inches, the blade is almost as big as Myke Hawk's reputation.

Mr.OuiOui · Feb 12, 2012

I'm just curious, why are you set on 5160?
Also, if you are open to other steels, I love my esee 4 and I have heard nothing but good things about the ratmandu.
Hope you find the perfect knife,
Mr.OuiOui

edctac · Feb 12, 2012

Nobody has mentioned becker yet, any of them. Or maybe even 2 for the price

I do also love esee, and am waiting on my scrapyard 711

Jerkov · Feb 12, 2012

Dorito Monk said:
So basically it's never going to leave the drawer save for those few times when you take it out to play with it in your back yard?

actually no, I am out hunting lions/coyotes/bear/whichever season may be open almost every weekend.... so it will get a lot of carry time anyway... actual use may vary.