Fixed Blade Knife

[Steelej1976]

I having been thinking about getting a general purpose fixed blade knife and I was looking for suggestions.  Maybe a Buck or a Mora, nothing fancy and spending around $50. I would go up to $75 but that would be the absolute max.  I also would like it to come with a sheath.

Thanks in advance!

[Sea Monster]

Mora basics, classics or companions (I'm not good with their names) shouldn't run you more than $15.
Bucks are a premium here, but may be more reasonable locally for you.

For the money you are willing to spend, you should be able to pick up a decent general purpose fixed blade from any of the major manufacturers, I should think.

But, let me suggest an alternative - buy a handmade knife. Doesn't have to be a commissioned custom - jump on whatever the communication medium is of choice, and look for a maker near you.

I imagine local markets are on hold with The Plague(tm) getting around, but the back shed operators are probably still operating and have stock to move.
My two main general use fixed blades are both handmade, and they ran me around $50 AUD each.

using them is a pleasure, partly because they're nice knives - but partly because I know I'm the only one with them, and if anyone asks...well, they can get a knife from the same guy, but they can't get the same knife

plus you get to support "the little guy", which is always nice when faced with companies who (regardless of their fine history and stories of being started in whatever circumstances) are now faceless corporations.

[nate j]

I could start throwing out suggestions.  One that springs to mind is the Mora Garberg.  It is going to be at the upper end of your price range, probably $75 - $80, but is a lot of knife for the money IMO.  Personally, I'd recommend the version I own, which is the plain blade (no black coating) and the multi-mount (rather than leather) sheath.

In some parts of the world, a machete is the general purpose fixed blade knife that everyone owns, carries, and uses, but somehow I doubt that is what you have in mind.


If you spend a minute or two considering and answering the following questions, you'll probably get suggestions that will be much more in line with what you ultimately want:

• What will likely be your primary use(s) for this knife?  Opening packages and other miscellaneous urban/suburban tasks?  Bushcraft?  Hunting?  Fishing?  Food prep?  Boating?  Something else?
• Roughly how long of a blade are you looking for?  At least for me, it is helpful to think about this in terms of small (under 3"), medium (about 3" - 5"), large (about 5" - 8"), or very large (over 8").
• How would you prefer to carry the knife?  On your belt?  In a pocket?  In a neck sheath?  In or on a backpack?  Other?
• Do you need to revise your answers to #2 and or #3 based on any legal requirements where you live or will travel?  Knife must be carried concealed?  Knife cannot be carried concealed?  Blade length restrictions?
• Would you prefer stainless steel or carbon steel, or are you open to either?

[Aloha]

Great questions 

I'll field your query with my thoughts as well.  As a lover of all fixed blades its hard to narrow down a favorite of mine.  IF I was to start over with what I know now I'd likely go down the same path I did  .  Sorry that was no help. 

Ok lemme try again.  A general use fixed blade mean its adept at helping me around my yard, taking with me hiking, a good camp knife, food prep, and any task that comes up where I need to cut/slice/hack/poke/pierce/ something.  A good sheath is paramount as aa great knife is useless if you wont carry it. 

In no order.
 
Esee Izula.  Small easy to carry with a wonderful sheath.  You can carry it as a necker, in pocket, or clipped to whatever.  I modded mine so I can carry it horizontal.  You never have to worry about how hard you work this knife.  Esee has a no questions asked warranty thats cover the owner of the knife.  Beat the brakes off it as you please.  Mine is 1095 and is spectacular.  You can also get it in 440C if your preference is stainless.  I'd imagine they nailed the heat treat on that as well.  You can get a variety of colors as well.  If Made in the USA means anything to you then great.  I'd suggest the Esee 3 but I think thats a wee over your top end budget.  I have a similar knife in the RAT3.  Its a wonderful knife that would be closer to your budget.  I've had zero issues with mine and at one time the companies were partners ( long story ).   

Mora.  Pick your flavor and never look back.  We are massive fans of this legendary knife.  The Kansbol is $34 on Amzn.  The sheath is good so dont be dismayed by some who sneer at it.  Its does what any good sheath does, it retains the knife securely.  There are a lot of mods you can do easily to suit your sheath needs as well.  For about $20 for the basic Mora you CANNOT go wrong.  I gave a Companion to my daughter and my partner has a HD as well as a Eldris.  I personally own a Classic #2, a smaller one I forget the number, and a scout ( I believe thats the name ).  Amazing knives. 

Old Hickory.  Yes you heard that correctly.  I am a big fan of this brand as well.  There are 2 in particular that I like.  I have the butcher knife that is popular in the bushcraft community.  I modded mine into a Kephart style knife which is a popular mod.  OH saw what people were doing and came out with a their factory version with sheath which is what I recommend.  It a great all around blade.  It's 1095 with a darn good heat treat, you can get it stupid sharp while being tough, at least mine are.  I've got 2 of the butcher knives ( one modded as mentioned ) while the other is a kitchen favorite.  The Bird and Trout knife is the other I'd recommend.  It looks great at about a 3 inch blade with sheath.

CRKT Minimalist.  Yup this little knife is also wonderful.  Sure its a wee fella but its fully capable for quite a lot.  You wont be carving Turkey or watermelon tho for everyday chores its quite nice.  The sheath is good as a necker or you can use on your belt or place in pocket.  The steel is nothing to write about but its sufficient for what it is.  As a there finger knife its surprisingly comfortable.  I really tossed this one in because small knives can be incredibly handy as compared to folders if not more so.

So my thoughts are you can get a great outdoor knife and EDC knife for your budget.  I do have higher end knives that I really like.  My Benchmade Contigo is a huge favorite of mine.  My Dpx HEST is also a favorite.  I have a Spyderco Jumpmaster 2 that is my everyday work knife which is spectacular.  I enjoy my Bark Rivers and Helle Viking.  I have a Nimravus in 154 and its everything I thought it would be. 

I've realized tho that being a fixed blade enthusiast and over all knife junkie I'm always gonna have several options.  What I'm saying is the knives I suggested are some very good options.  They aren't cheap, they're inexpensive.  They will do everything you need and give you some options if you decide to pick up a couple.  My scandi edge blades are not the greatest in the kitchen.  My thicker RAT3 flat grind knife is good but the thinner Old Hickery is better slicer.  You can see I do like carbon but my H1 Spyderco is fabulous.  My S30V and 154CM fixed blades keep me from constant maintenance.  I also have a 440C fixed blade that is one heck of a sharp blade.  440C was and is IMO a super steel.  Its super at holding an edge and stainless as compared to my carbon while being one tough blade.

I don't think I helped  . 

[JK]

Depends what you want to do. I quite like the Mora 1 but the sheath is terrible. You might as well save yourself the hassle and get a Finnish puukko with a decent sheath (i.e., I've never had a puukko with a bad sheath). The Mora Robust is great - nice length, sturdy, good sheath, easy to sharpen, cheap. I like the Mora 2000 / Kansbol as they are versatile but I find them too long. Overall, if I had to choose a single fixed blade with no particular purpose and on a budget I'd go for a Wood Jewel or Eräpuu puukko with a blade between 75 and 95mm. That can do a mix of whittling, survival and food prep. Looks good, it's well built and is not expensive.