Fixed Blade

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February 16th, 2008 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Fixed Blade
what is the best fixed blade knife for a camping/survival knife?

i am willing to pay up to 70-85 dollars for it.

Hello,
This question is very personal in nature, as each person has a differet expectation for a knife, a different view of style ......etc.

I own close to 50 knives! not all fixed blade, not all are for everyday use, but I do know what I like and what I look for when I add a new one to the collection.

I do not have much spare cash for blades. I do carry one or two with me at all times though and I expect them to be functional. I carry a vitorinox pioneer model (swiss army knife) with me at all times, (when I'm camping and when I'm not) and then a few various fixed blades.

I expect my knives to be strong, hold an edge well and be reasonably easy to sharpen (trade offs are the rule....holds edge or easy to sharpen...I opt for holds edge). For camping and survival I'll carry a knife that can be used to split wood, prepare meals....basically do everything. I like a length of 3 5/8" to 5" with a good sheath.

High carbon or hand forged blades tend to be very sharp, and can be exceptionally strong if tempered/treated right.
But they also can stain and riust if not cared for right.

Army knives are great, Ka-Bar is a good knife and I have a great one in my stash, but the blade is just a bit too akward and long for me to use as a general camping/survival knife.

Before you buy one, check out Helle. A Norwegian knife company. They are sold by many dealers and the prices all tend to be low, whereas the quality is high. I own a good half dozen of their knives. They have a triple laminated blade (like a metal sandwich). They get wickedly sharp and do hold an edge very well. I had one old "scout" model given to me as a gag by a norweigen friend (because I was an eagle Scout). It became an almost daily use knife and ended up as a utility blade until I lost it. When I was looking for a replacement the very next day, I knew that I had found a good knife! This was their least expensive model too!
Hella is also known for selling kits. This way you can get the best blade you can afford and save a few bucks by putting it together yourself.

look here. They sell Helle, as well as other great blades,and have great prices.

http://www.ragweedforge.com (I have purchased from them)

check out this dealer (I have not purchased from them)
http://www.helleknives.com/CATALOG2.HTML
look at all the models but be sure to look at:
Hunting knife
Hovding
Helle Eggen
Pan

Good luck!
Oh, make sure to get a sharpening stone, sharpening sticks or whatever it is you are more familiar with. See If the dealer has any discounts on a sharpening system with the purchase of a knife. Some knives have space for a stone in the sheath.