What would you suggest:Fixed blade

[Sparky415]

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.

        Oi!

[ironraven]

I've used Bushmen before, but I don't own one myself. I'd agree they aren't anything special, but they are low cost, the steel is decent (takes an edge, holds an edge well, and it can be sharpened by a noob on a pocket stone, or by someone with practice on some sand stone), and the ergonomics aren't horrible. It's priced right for someone who might want to tinker with it (change the blade shape with a file, jimp the spine, et al) and is afraid of ruining a better blade. Now, that being said, the sheath works and that is all I'll say about it, and I'd rather put a plug of wood into the handle to improve the balance. BUT, for a spare you toss in the truck or boat or keep up at the cabin, and is bigger than a Mora, it's hard to beat IMO.

OK, an Old Hickory Butcher would fill the same roll, but this is an alternative that comes with a sheath.

As an option to the Mora, I've recently become rather enamoured of the Buck Paklite Skinner. Again, the sheath is kinda weak, but wrap the handle and you've got something worth talking about for ultraslim small fixed blades (like it better than the Becker Necker in some ways).

[Gareth]

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.

        Oi!

errrr...Usual? Run-of -the-mill? Standard?  Errr...Popular, yes that's it; popular.

 

[kirk13]

This is rapidly turning into a very interesting thread!

I'll probably pull the trigger on a Mora next payday,but in the mean time,what do you think of these?

http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/Condor-Knives/Fixed-Blade/Condor-Bushcraft-4/p-92-130-979-4829/
http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/Condor-Knives/Fixed-Blade/Condor-Bushcraft-2/p-92-130-979-4830/

[Gareth]

Of the Condor knives I'd probably go for one of these:
http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?strParents=92,130,979&CAT_ID=979&P_ID=4941

Of the two you listed I'd go for the 4" one.

[jekostas]

This is rapidly turning into a very interesting thread!

I'll probably pull the trigger on a Mora next payday,but in the mean time,what do you think of these?

http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/Condor-Knives/Fixed-Blade/Condor-Bushcraft-4/p-92-130-979-4829/
http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/Condor-Knives/Fixed-Blade/Condor-Bushcraft-2/p-92-130-979-4830/

Condor makes some excellent knives, but they tend to be overlooked by a lot of people because they're not very "cool".  1075 is an extremely tough steel and Condor has an excellent heat treat.  Just make sure to oil or Tuff-Cloth it to keep it clean.

[dks]

Here are some unusual but still within (+-) your budget options.

From the Top:
Polish Bayonet (any bayonet would do)
Mora 748 (biiig)
Bahco 2444 (Mora clipper)
Squalo diving knife (mean)
CRKT Marine Utility Knife (Good for fish and salt-water)
and on the right, Steel Warrior Skinner (pretty)

[Sparky415]

@ Gareth   



Those condors look nice!
But Moras are so cheap it would be rude not to try one 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Here are some unusual but still within (+-) your budget options.

From the Top:
Polish Bayonet (any bayonet would do)
Mora 748 (biiig)
Bahco 2444 (Mora clipper)
Squalo diving knife (mean)
CRKT Marine Utility Knife (Good for fish and salt-water)
and on the right, Steel Warrior Skinner (pretty)
(Image removed from quote.)

I'll second the MUK- they are cheap and really nice to hold and use- heck, for your budget you could get a few of them! 

The only drawback to the MUK is that it comes with a plastic cover, not a sheath.  That's all well and good for the folks that want to throw it in a tackle box (which is what it's designed for) but for folks who may want to carry the thing, well, you'll have to make a sheath, or find someone to make you one.

Def