fixed blade challenge for ya...

[rowan]

I have been scouring the web for days without hitting on the knife that screams out "BUY ME, I AM PERFECT FOR YOU!", so I'd like to enlist the help of the knife loonies here on WB.

I'm looking for a fixed blade, quality steel, ~3inch blade, relatively lightweight (>4oz including sheath), half serrated, half straight blade, for under $40. It would also give it a real boost if it was made in the USA, or at least if the steel was. This may just be too much to ask, but I'm encouraged by finding blades that are ALMOST what I want, such as these:

http://www.knifeworks.com/crktcrawfo...dexsheath.aspx

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/KABK...eck-knife-with

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Ka-Bar-...ng-Fixed--9089

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/SWHRT4N/smith-

One other really important feature to me is the ability to mount the sheath/knife on my belt. I've found that a lot of the descriptions of the knife don't give a detailed over view of the sheath specs, which leaves me wondering.

This knife will be carried on my AT thru-hike, but I am not interested in having a discussion on why I should use a razor blade instead. Just wanna see if there is a standout fixed blade w/i my range, and if not - I'll consider some folders. Thanks a bunch ya'll,

Rowan

[JAK]

I also prefer fixed blades, though I also like opinel's cause they are cheap and purdy.
Not sure I like those type of handles but never tried them. What's the appeal? Just curious.

I like these, but not sure which one. Need to try them...
http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/outdoor.html

#2 probably, in carbon steel.

[Snowleopard]

Have you considered Swedish Mora knives? They made of high quality steels and are light and cheap ($10 to $15). Some models have partial serrations (e.g., #11392). If you can live without serrations, the classic Mora #1 is 2.75 oz with belt sheath and $10 + $6 shipping.
http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

[Brady]

go to smoky mountian knife works. Last time I was in TN I stopped there and got a couple KA-BARs. Id be very suprised if they didnt have what you're looking for.

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/main_front.jsp

[ljcsov]

I just got that Acheron knife by KaBar. I discussed it a bit in this thread and there are pics further down of what I did with it. I still need to get out and test it.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...-Project-Knife

[Mr. Clean]

I need to ask a question. Why do people want a knife with the serated blade? I own a couple with the partially serated blade, and I don't care for them. To me, it interferes with the function of the blade. What uses do you guys have for it?

[grayfox]

I ust got a Buck Knives® Jim Shockey Signature Series Fannin Knife. I really like it. It is on sale at Cabelas for about $23.

If you want a 'rescue' knife then the serrated edge is good for cutting things like lines on a boat, seatbelt webbing, small diameter branches--a fine edge just slides off these things but the rough edge takes a bite and rips through these fibers more easily. The edge is harder to maintain though and for daily use in camp a fine edge may be a better choice.

[Drybones]

I own many fixed blade knives, the best of which I made, but what I ended up using for hiking is a Kershaw RJ Martin Design clip knife. It clips in my pocket, light weight, and I always know where it is, not so with the fixed blade I started out with. Not expensive but has decent steel for what it's used for. I agree with a prior comment about serration, not usefull.

[slims]

I need to ask a question. Why do people want a knife with the serated blade? I own a couple with the partially serated blade, and I don't care for them. To me, it interferes with the function of the blade. What uses do you guys have for it?

Generally serrated blades are more suited to rough cutting tasks and slicing through fibrous material like rope and cord. If you've got a sharp plain edge knife you can still cut those things with it though. I've never been a fan of partially serrated blades, especially on small blades. On a larger fixed blade it can be useful but for a small 3" blade I find it better to go either full plain edge or full serrated edge.

[Tinker]

Serrations are necessary for a man to look really tough. .

[Grizhicks]

I know it's a little more money than you want to spend, but have you looked at the Izula by ESEE (knife only is 2 oz). I've had mine since early November and wear as a neck kinfe every day; don't even notice it.

[Winds]

I am very fond of your #2 above for a variety of reasons. Some mentioned here:

1. Overall length, not too short for a handled one piece blade.
2. Blade width and handle width.
3. Handle layout
4. Continuous straight edge blade
5. Plastic hard sheath that can be tied to a pack, person in unlimited fashions

You can do better in price, but not for all that knife offers in my opinion.

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/KABK...eck-knife-with

Cheers!

[juma]

1.3 ozs of easy to keep clean, rope cutting, cheese slicing, BLADE - - http://www.amazon.com/Joyce-Chen-Han...0088721&sr=1-4

[TNman]

Here is a site with a wide variety of high-quality full tang fixed blade knives. My favoraite is the Seal Pup II.

http://sogknives.com/store/fixed.html

[no direction home]

In my opinion Columbia river knife and tool has some of the best quality, affordable and lightest knives available. This one might suit you, doesn't have a serrated edge but the reviews say it cuts rope just fine.

http://www.crkt.com/Folts-Minimalist...zor-Edge-Knife <--buy on amazon, it's cheaper there

This is another good one but is just slightly over your budget

http://www.crkt.com/Bear-Claw-Blunt-...-Serrated-Edge <-- I don't think this one is available on amazon but you can check

Hope this helped

[HT1]

I need to ask a question. Why do people want a knife with the serated blade? I own a couple with the partially serated blade, and I don't care for them. To me, it interferes with the function of the blade. What uses do you guys have for it?

serrations are a gimmack that has stuck. the simple fact that they cannot be sharpened by the end user guarantees that MOST "professional" users of a knife will not use one. I consider serrations to be "built in breakage" to guarantee return customers.

with that said, any company that sales a serrated knife without offering lifetime sharpening service is IMO ripping you off.

of course in most cases people, and especially professionals cannot afford to be without their knives while they are being sharpened. so of course it never happens, and a progressively duller knife is used.


finally a wellmade non-serrated knife will cut rope and cardboard quite well. two of the most difficult and dulling cuts. and can be resharpened to do it perpetually, while a serrated knife might make the same cuts or even a few more, and then will be unable to be sharpened in the field leaving the user with no way to cut at all

so there is my two cents. aviod serrations when you can

V/r HT1

[bionicJ]

+1 for the mora. I cant say enough good things about it.

[Wise Old Owl]

No 2 carbon steel

[Winds]

1.3 ozs of easy to keep clean, rope cutting, cheese slicing, BLADE - - http://www.amazon.com/Joyce-Chen-Han...0088721&sr=1-4

No offense Juma, but the above knife is the only one I would highly recommend NOT purchasing do primarily to the sheath.

There is nothing holding that sheath to the knife which means it may or may not slip off, especially when pulling from gear that may snug part of the knife or the sheath. Because the sheath does not operate at all with a guide rail (or similar) you can certainly damage the sheath, or yourself. If the sheath comes off the knife even a half inch, you won't wind to dig for this in your pack! The amount of potential dangers with this sort of knife does not go well with backpacking.

The other knives above which have plastic or hard carbon fiber sheaths have some unique properties that you do want when purchasing a fixed blade for field / backpacking use.

1. The blade snaps into position and can't simply fall out without direct back pressure in a very specific direction. These styles will NOT somehow easily separate even if mixed among moving gear.
2. The sheath itself is virtually indestructible. On the trail, you couldn't cut through one of these sheaths with the knife it comes with.
3. Most of those hard sheaths may be tied down to a point on or in the pack, clothing, etc. so finding it isn't difficult.

My .02
~ Cheers!

[juma]

No offense Juma, but the above knife is the only one I would highly recommend NOT purchasing do primarily to the sheath.

There is nothing holding that sheath to the knife which means it may or may not slip off, especially when pulling from gear that may snug part of the knife or the sheath. Because the sheath does not operate at all with a guide rail (or similar) you can certainly damage the sheath, or yourself. If the sheath comes off the knife even a half inch, you won't wind to dig for this in your pack! The amount of potential dangers with this sort of knife does not go well with backpacking.

The other knives above which have plastic or hard carbon fiber sheaths have some unique properties that you do want when purchasing a fixed blade for field / backpacking use.

1. The blade snaps into position and can't simply fall out without direct back pressure in a very specific direction. These styles will NOT somehow easily separate even if mixed among moving gear.
2. The sheath itself is virtually indestructible. On the trail, you couldn't cut through one of these sheaths with the knife it comes with.
3. Most of those hard sheaths may be tied down to a point on or in the pack, clothing, etc. so finding it isn't difficult.

My .02
~ Cheers!

No offense taken and none intended. It don't slip. you must give it a serious tug to get it out for action. it is sharp, it cleans up easy, people will stand back when you take it out. I only had one serious episode with mine - an attack by a bull rabbit. I slit his throat. He died screaming out the hole. i had a little cognitive dissonance but got over it after a shower. joyce chen is a REAL badass!