Multitool.org Forum
+-

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.


What would you suggest:Fixed blade

kirk13 · 39 · 3769

00 Offline kirk13

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • *
    • Posts: 15,516
What would you suggest:Fixed blade
on: November 20, 2011, 10:10:58 PM
Been thinking(yes I know thats a surprise).Having a good few slippies,SAKs aplenty,and tried most of the major MT brands,I got to thinking about a fixed blade.Its been years since I owned a fixed blade knife of any description.So,with a budget of up to £30,what would you sugest?
There is no beginning,or ending,and for this we are thankful,cos now is hard enough to understand!


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 13,000
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #1 on: November 20, 2011, 10:14:43 PM
What are you going to use it for Kirk?

Mora's are great knives for bushcraft or in a workshop and are really good VFM  :salute:
Everything’s adjustable


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 17,518
  • I'm not a pessimist, I'm an experienced optimist!
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #2 on: November 20, 2011, 10:20:43 PM
Mora - no question!

Even if you get a different style of knife because a Mora doesn't suit what you're after - get a Mora anyway. They're like opinels and victorinox classics - everyone should own at least one

For food use I also like some of Cold Steels offerings, particularly the Finn Bear and Canadian Belt Knife.

Also, it's not too late to get in on the Big Knife Passaround with a couple of Sheffield made items I've got circulatiing  :tu:


The cantankerous but occasionally useful member, formally known as 50ft-trad


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 13,000
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #3 on: November 20, 2011, 10:43:06 PM
Re Moras;

If you have an Axminsters near you it would give you a chance to fondle them before you buy (might be cheaper elsewhere)  :salute:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/page/find/?name=mora&page=1

 :cheers:
Everything’s adjustable


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 37,692
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #4 on: November 20, 2011, 11:01:53 PM
You can't go wrong with a Mora, it's true.  Just to be able to suggest something different that comes in under your budget how about a Marttiini Lynx?

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?58204-Marttiini-Lynx-%28pics%29
http://www.moonrakerknives.co.uk/marttiini.htm

A little rough around the edges perhaps but it takes a wicked edge. :tu:

Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


gb Offline Sparky415

  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 13,000
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #5 on: November 20, 2011, 11:19:55 PM
The Little Condor Ref: 186011 and Silver Carbinox Ref: 215012 both look very nice Gareth  :drool:
Everything’s adjustable


Offline Peter

  • Jr. Member
  • **
    • Posts: 83
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #6 on: November 21, 2011, 12:33:45 AM
I bought my son a 4 inch Condor Bushcraft Basic. That knife has had the sh*t beat out of it, and it keeps coming back for more. If it had been a Mora it would of been dead 10 times over by now. I think they are a great knife for the money.


Offline Peter

  • Jr. Member
  • **
    • Posts: 83
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #7 on: November 21, 2011, 08:12:32 AM
Today i just bought a 5 inch blade Imperial off Ebay for under US$10. If you are happy to buy 2nd hand you can get some good old knife very cheap.


us Offline Ashley

  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 5,241
  • AKA Knife Crazied
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #8 on: November 21, 2011, 08:37:38 AM
Esee 100% or Mora


cy Offline dks

  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *********
    • Posts: 21,804
  • Δοξα συ ο Θεός
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #9 on: November 21, 2011, 03:30:50 PM
Mora, again, or other Mora produced knives (e.g. Bahco) You should be able to find a style that suits you.

Also, check the ebay for unused Schrade USA fixed blades, with 440C steel. They look more upmarket than the Mora knives but are usually below $20.


Kelly: "Daddy, what makes men cheat on women?
Al : "Women!"

[ Knife threads ]  [ Country shopping guides ]  [ Battery-Charger-Light threads ]  [ Picture threads ]


00 Offline kirk13

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • *
    • Posts: 15,516
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #10 on: November 21, 2011, 05:07:47 PM
Thanks for all the good suggestions folks!I can see a Mora in the future,though the Marttiini Little Conder looks good too!
There is no beginning,or ending,and for this we are thankful,cos now is hard enough to understand!


ca Offline Syph007

  • Global Moderator
  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *
    • Posts: 9,842
  • SAK Surgeon
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #11 on: November 21, 2011, 05:44:13 PM
For that price... lets see.. mora 2000 if you want an all around stainless steel version its awesome. 



If you want carbon and dont care about stainless, the companions are the new version of the clippers.. so I'd take a carbon companion.



For a premium knife, Fallkniven all the way.  Ive owned ESEE and they are great, but i ended up selling them off after I fell in love with my Fallkniven A1.

PM me or email sakmodder [at] gmail . com if you are looking for custom SAK work.

Modding thread : Here
Website : WWW.SAKModder.com 
Facebook : SAKModder
Instagram : robertjlessard
Youtube : www.youtube.com/robertjlessard


cy Offline dks

  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *********
    • Posts: 21,804
  • Δοξα συ ο Θεός
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #12 on: November 21, 2011, 06:24:16 PM
sugestions, low cost
Kelly: "Daddy, what makes men cheat on women?
Al : "Women!"

[ Knife threads ]  [ Country shopping guides ]  [ Battery-Charger-Light threads ]  [ Picture threads ]


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 37,692
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #13 on: November 21, 2011, 07:02:57 PM
This is one heck of a good knife for the money.
http://www.knifeman.co.uk/ViewItem.php?ItemID=122

It was my first shot at getting a 'bushcraft' type knife and it was a pretty good shot in the dark. :D  It does have a deep hollow ground blade rather than a scandi grind that some folks might not like but it's never particularly bothered me. :)
« Last Edit: November 21, 2011, 07:07:22 PM by Gareth »
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


00 Offline kirk13

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • *
    • Posts: 15,516
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #14 on: November 21, 2011, 07:08:17 PM
This is one heck of a good knife for the money.
http://www.knifeman.co.uk/ViewItem.php?ItemID=122

It was my first shot at getting a 'bushcraft' type knife and it was a pretty good shot in the dark. :D  It does have a deep hollow ground blade rather than a scandi grind that some folks might not like but it's never particularly bothered me. :)

I think I'm in love! :drool: :drool: :drool:
There is no beginning,or ending,and for this we are thankful,cos now is hard enough to understand!


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 37,692
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #15 on: November 21, 2011, 07:14:42 PM
It's a knife I'd use a heck of a lot more but if I'm packing light I pick up something more Scandinavian, and if I'm happy with carrying a heavier knife I go for my handmade 'bushcraft' type knife.


cost more than £30 though. ;)


Here's my Cudeman.
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


ca Offline jekostas

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 2,549
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #16 on: November 21, 2011, 08:45:17 PM
Just to be completely different, Buck Hartsook.


us Offline turnsouth

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 2,538
  • There is no spoon
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #17 on: November 21, 2011, 10:00:06 PM
I've been thinking about one of these:

Cold Steel Bushman
Never underestimate the power of the fleece


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 17,518
  • I'm not a pessimist, I'm an experienced optimist!
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #18 on: November 21, 2011, 10:24:33 PM
I've been thinking about one of these:

Cold Steel Bushman


I've got that one and the bowie bushman ... they're OK but nothing special. The main advantages are they are cheap and lightweight. The main disadvantages is they are cheap and lightweight  :-\

Thin spine means almost as much damage to the baton as the workpiece, chopping needs a light ring grip and wrist flick to avoid transmitting shock up your arm, but this results in the knife nibbling instead of chopping as you would expect a heavier knife to do. Does sharpen easily though. If you carry a big knife or hatchet anyway it's not a bad choice as a back up (light enough not to be a major weight detriment - but not good enough to be a primary tool IMHO). I've never tried making a wooden handle though to see if moving the weight further forward helps  :think:

Some people think they're fantastic - others think they're a disastrous waste of money. I think they'll get you out of a fix if you're stuck and haven't got anything better (or you've just bust/lost your primary), but if you've got to use one for any length of time you'll be wishing you'd got something beefier. I tried to use one to knock up some heavy stakes (or was it something else) for an improvised shelter at the UK meet earlier this year. I ditched it pretty quickly in favour of my GB Wildlife Hatchet. Sparky415's homemade parang "Lofty", did an absolutely superb job of them too  :tu:


The cantankerous but occasionally useful member, formally known as 50ft-trad


gb Offline Craig

  • *
  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 2,661
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #19 on: November 21, 2011, 11:12:00 PM
Prone to daydreaming.


us Offline turnsouth

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 2,538
  • There is no spoon
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #20 on: November 22, 2011, 02:26:43 AM
I've got that one and ...
This is just way too pragmatic Al. You are suppose to say "These are awesome! You got to get one!".
Now you got me thinking if I should even bother with it... :twak:   

Seriously though, you have pretty much answered the questions I had about it. :tu: :cheers:

The cheap side of me kept leaning toward the Bushman, but the sensible side of me has been leaning towards this:

Becker BK7


Three times the price, but seems to be ten times the knife...
Never underestimate the power of the fleece


us Offline turnsouth

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 2,538
  • There is no spoon
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #21 on: November 22, 2011, 02:35:27 AM
Back to the OP, I would go with a Mora.

The Kershaw is an excellent choice, I have a Kershaw Trout/Bird Knife that I've been abusing in my garage for years. Even snapped the tip off of it, and they sent me a new one, no questions asked.
 
Although, for all around utility, and in this price range, the Mora really has no equal :tu:

Never underestimate the power of the fleece


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 17,518
  • I'm not a pessimist, I'm an experienced optimist!
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #22 on: November 22, 2011, 09:09:22 AM
I've got that one and ...
This is just way too pragmatic Al. You are suppose to say "These are awesome! You got to get one!".
Now you got me thinking if I should even bother with it... :twak:   

Seriously though, you have pretty much answered the questions I had about it. :tu: :cheers:

 :D They're worth experiencing, and they do have a role ... just not a primary one


The cantankerous but occasionally useful member, formally known as 50ft-trad


us Offline WhichDawg

  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 7,527
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #23 on: November 25, 2011, 08:35:18 AM
I have a few fixed blades, been collecting them for a while now, been to a few shows and gotten together with a few online friends to share and show and tell.

I also say a Mora is a great place to start, for the price, for the durability, for the selection, for the quality you get for a really inexpensive yet tried and true blade.

They are nothing fancy, they even feel kinda cheap but they are not! they can take it and because they are so inexpensive you can buy several for the price you originally stated. (shipping is the same for several).

A lot of people have really put Mora's to the test over the years and they've really fared well. Get a few!

Now I also like Beckers and Rats, Rats have an excellent life time warranty (no questions asked) that many really like. I've had and handled a few.

good luck! :salute:
judge others by how they treat those they are allowed to mistreat


us Offline WhichDawg

  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 7,527
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #24 on: November 25, 2011, 08:48:55 AM
I've been thinking about one of these:

Cold Steel Bushman


now in theory and in dreamland this sounds like a good idea. but in practice it's really not, why because as a Javelin/throwing weapon (on a pole/stick) or even Spear/poking weapon it's not very practical if your untrained and training usually means damaging it! I've handled this and was disappointed in it's quality and strength.

Most of us have little training and skill with this and it's much easier and practical to have a regular blade on you that you can make many simple pointy-sticks that you can throw and poke with and not worry about losing or breaking/bending on rocks/hard surfaces. Just make yourself a few pointy-sticks.

when you make a pointy stick, remember to "harden" it in fire (not burn it nono) and you can still have your blade on you when you need it ;)

even keeping the Bushman on you as your main blade is not very comfy in your hand and in use compared to other more practical blades out there.
« Last Edit: November 25, 2011, 08:51:27 AM by WhichDawg »
judge others by how they treat those they are allowed to mistreat


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 17,518
  • I'm not a pessimist, I'm an experienced optimist!
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #25 on: November 25, 2011, 09:30:02 AM
I've handled this and was disappointed in it's quality and strength.

Did you actually break it WD? I think mine would do the job eventually, and yes there's BIG compromises in comfort, durability and heft - but for the weight (as a back up only) I think it's a fairly capable bit of metal. I don't think there's many other blades that size at that weight  :think: I also think a spear is a bad idea, but can see that a short handle to aid chopping might be a useful option


The cantankerous but occasionally useful member, formally known as 50ft-trad


us Offline WhichDawg

  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *******
    • Posts: 7,527
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #26 on: November 25, 2011, 10:46:41 AM
I've handled this and was disappointed in it's quality and strength.

Did you actually break it WD? I think mine would do the job eventually, and yes there's BIG compromises in comfort, durability and heft - but for the weight (as a back up only) I think it's a fairly capable bit of metal. I don't think there's many other blades that size at that weight  :think: I also think a spear is a bad idea, but can see that a short handle to aid chopping might be a useful option

no I never broke it (was too worried I would though!) but I have read about many others who have broken it. the metal is too soft.

that handle is not comfortable at all, not for most things, not made for "in your hand' work. but try it! I do know some said it was fine and worked.
judge others by how they treat those they are allowed to mistreat


ca Offline Syph007

  • Global Moderator
  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *
    • Posts: 9,842
  • SAK Surgeon
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #27 on: November 25, 2011, 01:30:47 PM
keep in mind too that the bushman is just folded around to form the handle.  Wouldn't be a comfy grip I would think.

PM me or email sakmodder [at] gmail . com if you are looking for custom SAK work.

Modding thread : Here
Website : WWW.SAKModder.com 
Facebook : SAKModder
Instagram : robertjlessard
Youtube : www.youtube.com/robertjlessard


scotland Offline Gareth

  • Admin Team
  • Point Of No Return
  • *
    • Posts: 37,692
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #28 on: November 25, 2011, 06:47:31 PM
I've handled this and was disappointed in it's quality and strength.

Did you actually break it WD? I think mine would do the job eventually, and yes there's BIG compromises in comfort, durability and heft - but for the weight (as a back up only) I think it's a fairly capable bit of metal. I don't think there's many other blades that size at that weight  :think: I also think a spear is a bad idea, but can see that a short handle to aid chopping might be a useful option

I hadn't thought about it that way before, but now you've said it, it puts me in mind of my billhook:




One of the reasons I particularly wanted a socketed billhook (as opposed to the more common rat tang) was that even if the wooded handle broke I'd still have something to grip on too.

IIRC the Bushman struck me as being a little light for big chopping jobs though, not that it couldn't I'm sure but it's not going to do half so well as something with a bit more heft.
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

  • *
  • Zombie Apprentice
  • ********
    • Posts: 17,518
  • I'm not a pessimist, I'm an experienced optimist!
Re: What would you suggest:Fixed blade
Reply #29 on: November 25, 2011, 06:59:25 PM
Good analogy Gareth. The weight is probably the biggest issue for me. I could easily knock up a handle extension like your billhook, but it would still be lightweight. Flipside is more heft means more weight to carry around, which is why I think it's OK as a secondary tool but pretty naff as a primary unless you're:
  • Not expecting to do "big knife tasks, but wanting to have something just in case, or
  • Aiming to keep weight to an absolute minimum and still have something


The cantankerous but occasionally useful member, formally known as 50ft-trad


 

Donations

Operational Funds

Help us keep the Unworkable working!
Donate with PayPal!
April Goal: $300.00
Due Date: Apr 30
Total Receipts: $90.65
PayPal Fees: $5.47
Net Balance: $85.18
Below Goal: $214.82
Site Currency: USD
28% 
April Donations

Community Links


Powered by EzPortal