Fixed Blade for Outdoor EDC

[ringzero]

Am looking to buy a fixed blade for camping/outdoor EDC to replace one that was stolen.

Want a knife heavy enough, and tough enough, to do light chopping and lopping. I know better than to use a knife in place of an ax, but usually don't have access to an axe when away from vehicle or base camp.

Am considering the KERSHAW OUTCAST 1079:
http://www.tadgear.com/edged tools/outcast.htm

This is more than I'd like to spend for a working knife likely to be abused, but I'm impressed by the D2 blade and hefty weight.

D2 should be very good for this purpose right?

Anyone had one of these, or have an opinion on this knife?

Better knives to consider for this purpose, that are cheaper or at least no more expensive?

 

[benchmade_boy]

i know it out of your price but i think the best fixed blade i have ever had/used would be the benchmade nimravus. it is a great knife i have had a nimravus cub for about four years and it has been the best knife i have ever had even better than my 9050 afo. if you have a local benchmade dealer than you can pick one up for around 115.00 and if ytou ask me you will never buy another fixed blade again its that great. and my freind has had his for about 6 six years and while by kno the paint has pretty well rubbed of the nife is still in great condotion and every one in a while you send it to benchmade to get it sharpend.

 

[ringzero]

i know it out of your price but i think the best fixed blade i have ever had/used would be the benchmade nimravus.

Thanks benchmade_boy but that's way out of my price range.

Originally I wasn't going to spend more than about 50 bucks, then decided to go up to around 75 bucks.

That's as much as I'm going to spend for a knife to be regularly abused chopping wood,etc. - or stolen, like my last big fixed blade was.

 

[gorn]

That's to bad the nimravus is out of your price range. I have had one for a lot of years. It used to live on my raid vest until I retired. My son is an Airborne Scout sniper. He has one on his vest. It has seen action on 3 continents and never failed him.

I own a ton of knives but the nimravus is the most useful one I own.

 

[straightblast]

If there is a better fixed blade knife made, than those designed by my friend Rob (RIP), I don't own them. I highly recommend his designs.

http://www.simonichknives.com/midtech.htm

 

[benchmade_boy]

That's to bad the nimravus is out of your price range. I have had one for a lot of years. It used to live on my raid vest until I retired. My son is an Airborne Scout sniper. He has one on his vest. It has seen action on 3 continents and never failed him.

I own a ton of knives but the nimravus is the most useful one I own.

glad to see someone that apprecieats it as much as i do.

 

[ringzero]

If there is a better fixed blade knife made, than those designed by my friend Rob (RIP), I don't own them. I highly recommend his designs.

Nice plug for your friend and they look to be wonderful knives, but start at 200 bucks. I said in my first post that I'd like to spend no more than 70 to 80 bucks.

 

[justsomeguy]

Becker has a good reputation and several models. Look at the Camillus forum at bladeforums.com for comments

http://www.thebladeshop.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3504

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=695

 

[Kyle.Crawford]

Nivy is awesome I take it whenever I go hiking....

Just bought a fixed snoody activator (210TK) and it is a sweet little toy too...


Still love my sebbies and mnandi tho...

 

[ringzero]

Becker has a good reputation and several models.

Thanks justsomeguy.

I was already considering the CAM-BK9 Becker Knife & Tool Combat Bowie: http://www.1sks.com/store/becker-knife-and-tool-combat-bowie.html

I've always heard good things about Becker, and it's 20 bucks cheaper than the Kershaw Outcast.

Do you think it'd be worth the extra 20 bucks to get the Kershaw for the D2 steel?

 

[Lit Up]

What about a Ka-Bar?

 

[oregonshooter]

The Becker is a great knife. Only comlaint is a slick grip, but that is easily fixed with some flexwrap. I have the BK7 and consider it the perfect camp knife for one on a budget.

 

[ringzero]

The Becker is a great knife. Only comlaint is a slick grip, but that is easily fixed with some flexwrap. I have the BK7 and consider it the perfect camp knife for one on a budget.

Thanks oregonshooter.

The BK7 looks like a good buy for less than 50 bucks.

I'll probably get either the BK9 or the Kershaw. Both look to be decent, heavy duty camp knives at a reasonable price.

 

[highorder]

this is easy. I have been using a Cold Steel SRK for 13 years and I have never needed more. it does everything that my Gerber Camp axe won't, all for around $50.00

 

[Malpaso]

SOG SealPup

 

[leukos]

ringzero,

The Kershaw Outcast looks like a nice knife with a lot of positive features, I don't think you could go wrong with it. Other options though besides those already made:
You might want to take a look at Ontario's RTAK and RAT-7 before you buy: http://www.ontarioknife.com/adventure.html
Also, a lot of folks over at bladeforums.com like the Scrapper 6 (which is made by part of the Busse knife company): http://www.scrapyardknives.com/knives.htm
Finally, Ranger knives have a great reputation and are pretty much bullet-proof: http://www.rangerknives.com/Knives/index.html

 

[justsomeguy]

Thanks justsomeguy.

I was already considering the CAM-BK9 Becker Knife & Tool Combat Bowie: http://www.1sks.com/store/becker-knife-and-tool-combat-bowie.html

I've always heard good things about Becker, and it's 20 bucks cheaper than the Kershaw Outcast.

Do you think it'd be worth the extra 20 bucks to get the Kershaw for the D2 steel?

As a practical matter, I don't think most people would ever notice a difference in the steel, in use. There are technical differences, but for each slight advantage one has there is a drawback. Which one is more comfortable is more important. Consider the whole package, including weight, the sheath and how it will be carried.

In looking at the Kershaw handle, I would wonder how my hand would fit the finger grooves and how they would affect changing grips during use. In general, I don't like finger grooves, they always seem to be designed for somebody else's hand. I do like a palm swell.

I am not a fan of rough coatings. Smooth polished blades cut better. I remove the coatings and polish the steel myself.

Steve

 

[ringzero]

You might want to take a look at Ontario's RTAK and RAT-7 before you buy: http://www.ontarioknife.com/adventure.html
Also, a lot of folks over at bladeforums.com like the Scrapper 6 (which is made by part of the Busse knife company): http://www.scrapyardknives.com/knives.htm
Finally, Ranger knives have a great reputation and are pretty much bullet-proof: http://www.rangerknives.com/Knives/index.html

Thanks leukos, those all look to be great knives. Ranger and Ontario I was aware of, but had never heard of Scrapper.

Maybe a little too pricey for me at the moment. There are so many excellent knives out there these days, it's hard to narrow down a buying decision.

 

[ringzero]

this is easy. I have been using a Cold Steel SRK for 13 years and I have never needed more. it does everything that my Gerber Camp axe won't, all for around $50.00

Thanks highorder, I'll check that one out.

Used to have a Cold Steel folding Tanto that I really liked, but it was stolen, along with my Cold Steel Bowie. Really rugged knives that I used a lot outdoors without fear of breaking them.

 

[straightblast]

Nice plug for your friend and they look to be wonderful knives, but start at 200 bucks. I said in my first post that I'd like to spend no more than 70 to 80 bucks.

My friend Rob passed away a couple years ago. He needed no "plug" then or now.

Sorry, I missed the 70-80 dollar limit in your first post. At that price I would look to find one of the Becker camp knives, on the secondary market. Nice knives.