Bleg: Fixed Blade Work Knife
Need a decent fixed-blade knife for work. I cut everything from corrugated pipe to wood. The folder is nice but not as handy as a fixed blade would be. Thought about a Ka-Bar, but at that price I’d be annoyed if I damaged it. This Gerber also looks to fit the bill.
What say you?
September 10th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Mora of Sweden makes a good inexpensive work/camp knife. I have the “Frosts Carbon Clipper Utility Knife” ($15-$20) and it’s worked out very well.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Looks like it ought to work, though it has a little too much going on to suit my tastes. Looks like that contoured grip is more a fashion statement than a matter of function, and I’d worry about that slap handle fracturing at that single screw.
Beater knife I start my kids off on is a Blackjack Grunt. Can find ’em for around 25 bucks, strictly utilitarian design, uninspired but functional sheath. They’ve survived a lot of camping trips and sharpen up pretty easily:
http://www.knifecountryusa.com/store/product/113269.113299/blackjack-knives-020-grunt-fixed-blade-knife-with-black-composition-handle.html
September 10th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Uh, that should have been “slab handle.”
September 10th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
If you want a knife for work – a cheap, durable, user – there are tons of perfectly good chinese-made knives out there for surprisingly good prices:
Here’s a good place to look:
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/categories/Knives/1.html
Cheap knives are pretty good nowadays.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
I will go full fan-boy and say Cold Steel G.I. Tanto.
$27 on Amazon so I would not mind beating the crap out of it.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Wal-Board fixed blade utility knife. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100314525/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=utility+knife&storeId=10051
Don’t get hung up on the knife. Look at the job.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
nk, use something similar now but i keep breaking blades then realize I’m out of blades.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Ginsu!
It slices, it dices, it even minces!
What? Whyyoulookatmelikethat?
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
September 10th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
As mentioned… Cold Steel has introduced (reintroduced?) a line of less expensive knives. So the 6inch Tanto Lite is 30 bucks at Knife Outlet. http://knifeoutlet.com/shop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=CS20T
(As opposed to the San Mai Tanto which was 200 bucks the last time I looked.)
You didn’t say if you like partially serrated edges or not. Personally, I don’t care for serrations. I just keep the knives sharp.
I did like the Gerber I had (a bit more traditional than the one you link to.) Until I dropped it overboard.
Knife Outlet is a good place to shop, though not always the best place to buy. Prices are good, service is great.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
I was going to suggest a pull saw for heavier work.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100583623/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=pull+saw&storeId=10051
Premature commenting. Let me think.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
http://www.amazon.com/Frosts-Carbon-Clipper-Utility-Knife/dp/B000HAOTB4
September 10th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Oakenheart beat me to it. Carbon clipper looks good. Get yourself a 6″ mill file to maintain the bevel.
No offense to your choices, but you do not want a hollow ground blade. You want a flat/sabre ground blade.
September 10th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
This one is perfect, but sadly out of stock at the moment:
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/fixed+blade+knives/Mora+of+Sweden%C2%AE+Morakniv%26%23153%3B+Partially+Serrated+Companion+with+BlackOrange+Thermoplastic+Handle/FS11829.html
September 10th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
I’ll also suggest gi tanto. Those seem to be amazingly durable, and a good price to boot.
September 10th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
For a smaller fixed blade, you can’t go wrong with a Mora. For something bigger, the Condor Rodan is a nice utility knife. Or a Buck Omni Hunter.
September 10th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
I have this one for a GP fixed blade knife:
http://www.gerbergear.com/Outdoor/Knives/Epic-Knife_31-000368
The bottle opener is used more than anything. I have never been disappointed with a Gerber blade. Strong, stays sharp, and useful.
Your choice will work as well. But mine opens beer
September 10th, 2012 at 11:12 pm
If you want a Mora, I’d suggest one of their TriFlex blades. While Smoky Mtn Knife Works is good, the best place to find the full line of Mora knives is from Ragnar of Ragweed Forge.
http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html
You might really want to check out their #10315; The Craftline Robust. It is MoraKniv’s thickest carbon blade.
I probably have 10 or more Mora knives and they are all good.
September 10th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
I take back about the TriFlex. I meant their laminated carbon blades.
September 10th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
While I am sure the Mora blades are nice, Ihave no exp, so will refrain ffrom comment. I have never been burned by a gerber blade, though. They have lineage with fiskars, so you know the metallurgy is there. They take a very fine edge, but they do need sharpened regularly. I am a bit spastic about my blades, so not an issue for me. I’ll vote gerber.
September 10th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
For a working knife, I’ve found this ‘vessel working knife’ to be of real value. Lee Valley has gone to calling it a hacking knife. The belt attachment on the sheath is a bit awkward though.
I recommend against a point on a working knife. If you have an occasional need, it is better to have a separate tool. Lots going one, people around, easy to accidently stick someone.
September 10th, 2012 at 11:50 pm
Just get a real knife that lasts; izula 2 from EESE.
September 10th, 2012 at 11:55 pm
i work as a contractors helper, and this is my every day go to knife. cheap enough you wont cry if something happens, but its a damn near unbreakable knife.
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CR2012/Columbia-River-Graham-Series-Ringed-Razel-3-inch-Blade-Micarta-Handle
September 11th, 2012 at 12:27 am
I’ll chime back in here, on knife size. Dont take me wrong, Im not going Fudd, but some of these are rather large. In my experiance as a carpenter, anything over 3″ of blade is a waste for me- if I need more blade than that, I grab a sawzall. Much the same as holsters, the right sheath can make or break the knife, if it is uncomfortable, esp in and out of skid steers and equip, one will stop wearing it. My current blade is a stripped down model, with 2″ of blade and a twisted steel handle, but it is homemade. A 2″ fixed blade that can take the abuse is a knife you will continue to wear.
September 11th, 2012 at 12:35 am
While less flashy, check out the Gerber River Shorty.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:26 am
I agree with JKB. That “hacking knife” seems like just the ticket. Never having used that particular knife, I won’t say anything about quality, but the concept and design appear to fit your stated purpose quite well.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:56 am
I did a review of a couple of knives from wild bill wholesale on my blog
They are INNEXPENSIVE BUT NOT CHEAPLY MADE
I have a few $10 knives that are better than a few of my 50-60 knives
September 11th, 2012 at 2:40 am
On a tangent, if you ever want a really cheap folder, cheap enough to not worry about ruining it with filth or abuse, Wal-Mart has a locking blade folder (mostly serrated with a smooth, curving tip) that is only $1 (or was last time I checked).
I picked one up to use for opening boxes during a big move (didn’t want to clean tape gum off my Benchmade). The blade is low grade Chinese stainless steel. After the move, I went ahead and scrubbed the knife, and began using it for anything I was afraid would dull or damage my good knives. Eventually, I decided that at $1, I could afford a replacement and started using it for jobs that could be considered abusive.
Mind you I never tested the knife’s durability by trying to purposefully break it and see what that took, I simply used it if it was the closest tool to hand. Probably the most abusive task was using it to split small firewood into kindling to light a fire when some friends couldn’t find their hatchet. Spine is beat up, but the knife survived, and it didn’t break out of the handle.
I’ve seen $10-$30 dollar knives purchased at Boy Scout Camp break after a week of whittling and occasional dropping by butterfingered scouts, so needless to say, this knife far exceeded my expectations. It doesn’t keep a fine edge like better knives, but it makes a fine utility knife or travel knife if you are having to go to a locale or foreign country where you knife might be confiscated.
September 11th, 2012 at 3:03 am
On the proper topic, Martini of Finland makes some very nice sheath knives (and folders). The only thing that disappoints me about the Martinis so far is that I find the handles on some a bit uncomfortable in my gorilla paws. Other companies make strong knives in the same Scandinavian style shared by Mora and Martini–you can find varying sizes from skinning and utility to reindeer butchering, and different handles to suit your comfort.
September 11th, 2012 at 3:18 am
If you can find one, the Meyerco/Pinkerton Wharning, fixed blade is one of the best I’ve found for carry. The sheath is decent and it is a serious cutter. Pinkerton, the designer, said that a new improved version was due out at some point.
September 11th, 2012 at 7:13 am
I’d agree with Roadkill about the Wharning. It is a tough little blade. I have a couple of the straight blades and just got their folder. I think it would be great for cutting cardboard as well as for scoring things.
I had picked up a few for gifts at SMKW for about $9 each but they show being out of stock. I think it has been discontinued so you may have to search for it. I did see one on EBay for $21.
September 11th, 2012 at 7:43 am
Anything from Esee knives: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_hi?_encoding=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Esee%20Knives&node=228013
They are not cheap, but they will replace the knife regardless of what you did to damage it. Best life guarantee ever.
September 11th, 2012 at 8:15 am
Western Bowie.
September 11th, 2012 at 8:34 am
Kershaw
Had all of mine for thirty years !!
No problems, and if there were, instant replacement for life !
Nuff said…
September 11th, 2012 at 9:36 am
It’s hard to fault Cold Steel….the SRK is my go-to fixed blade…..and as others have said, if the thing breaks (not likely) or I damage or lose it, replacement isn’t that big a deal.
September 11th, 2012 at 9:39 am
I’ve stopped buying expensive knives after my second child was born. I’ve had success with Bushmaster brand (no idea if they are related to the fireams manufacturer; no snake logo on any of them), which is avialible were I live at Meijer (regional chain) and Walmart stores. They have stainless steel blades, but only cost between $20-$30 and when hunting and camping seasons end they can usually be found on clearance for $10-$15. I’ve been getting two season out of their folders (usually around $10), but I use them at work for slicing open boxes and plastic wrap, and at home for virtually every cutting job. I’ve bought two of their fixed blade knives, which I really only use for hunting and camping, both of which are going on four years and holding up great.
September 11th, 2012 at 9:58 am
I own the Gerber you link to and keep thinking about writing up a review for it. It’s a good little knife, and it’s changed my thoughts on carrying a fixed blade as an EDC. It’s a nice balance between a functional size and being small enough to be able to carry around on your belt/pocket/etc without disturbing the general public. The one thing that has annoyed me is that the screws that hold on the clip like to come loose. Even after I applied blue lock-tite. Maybe I need to get some of the red stuff.
September 11th, 2012 at 10:16 am
Mora FTW. I use a regular box knife for cardboard at work but the Mora is perfect for closed cell rigid foam that I often cut for packaging. Much more convenient than a hot knife for occasional use.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Unc, I own a Gerber very similar to the one you linked to, and carried it every day for a couple of years. HARD stainless, I found it a bit difficult to get a really sharp edge on it, but that and the cheesy sheath are my only complaints. It certainly holds an edge well. It’s a good workable length, ugly enough you don’t care if it gets scraped up. A very good every-day utility knife.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Decide on required blade length first, tactical sizes are a pain for EDC. Have a look at a Bokker Cop Tool. I’d add, the sheath is more important than the steel (Blasphemy!)
September 11th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
The Becker Campanion is a very heavy knife, 1/4″ thick, I have one. You won’t break it, but it’s a lot of weight to carry every day. The mora knives are good working knives, the sheath is kinda meh, though (plastic).
As a firefighter, I carried a serrated Spyderco Endura and/or Rescue (both folders). They cut nearly anything; wires, fire hose, plastic car interiors, etc. But if you want a pretty cut, well…
For a fixed-blade, a solid camp-style knife like the Blackjack Grunt or Kershaw’s Antelope Hunter or Bear Hunter knives. Nice leather sheaths with the Kershaws.
http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Antelope-Hunting-Injection-Molded-Co-Polymer/dp/B001ANA88A/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1347389669&sr=1-1&keywords=kershaw+antelope+hunter
September 11th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Those Mora knives mentioned are very inexpensive,the gerber freeman is a good choice also.Esee3 is a very good knife that comes with a thermoplastic sheath.A small DMT hone with a coarse grit on one side and a medium on the other is a very handy item to have in a tool pouch,about 1 x 4 x 1/8 inches in size it takes very little space in a nail apron.The scandi grind on most of the moras will need a secondary bevel to stand up to the uses on a jobsite and the sheaths on most moras are made to hang off of a button and won’t fit a belt.Klein tools makes a small knife for stripping larger electric cable,it has a wharncliff blade with a fairly obtuse bevel that would also be a good choice.hope this helps and as a final word the Esee has a iron clad warranty,if it fails Jeff Randall will replace it.Esee 3 is your huckleberry.
September 11th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
For utility, I use a short blade folder. And yes, what they said. All that said, if you need to cut something more substantial than an envelope, use a saw. Push or pull, PP. Knives are a VERY good thing. But. They have their own faults. And no, they are NOT screwdrivers.
September 12th, 2012 at 9:56 am
Utility knife with replacable straight razors, a regular knife is just a pain, although I have seen a combo somewhere
September 12th, 2012 at 11:25 am
The Gerber Warrant is a good choice.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gerber-Warrant-Serrated-Edge-Knife/16523875
And the Gerber Profile. I have several of these because they’re cheap and strong, I keep them stashed in several bags and hiding places.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gerber-Warrant-Serrated-Edge-Knife/16523875
September 12th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
What #1 said….
And here’s a bit more choice in that line:
http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html
September 12th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
I’ll chime in w/those who favor the Moras. I would suggest going for one of the models that has the grip forming a slight guard, rather than one of the pure puukko styles. Take it from me,anything that can keep your hand from sliding onto the blade is a GOOD thing.