SHTF Fixed Blade Suggestions

jeremy1517

jeremy1517

Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
1,036
I'm in the mood for a new type of knife and would like suggestions. I have a $500 budget but don't feel the need to spend that much unless it's a great knife.

I would like suggestions for a large fixed blade. Something designed for hard use, abuse, SHTF, get home, combat type blade.

I know there are tons of great custom makers out there that I know nothing about.

Any Suggestions? Thanks All!!


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Nathan Carothers makes a neato and ultra-unicornian chopper that I wouldn't mind having for SHTF applications. Check that out, or also look at Dan Keffeler for more overbuilt goodness with built-in air of superiority and a virtual guarantee of wood-choppy fun times.
 
You'll likely get a variety of answers here from various collectors, users and armchair warriors/pundits. Some brands to check out might be Busse, Miller Blades, Fallkniven (A1 Pro), Fehrman not to mention a host of others. All these mentioned will give superb performance. I realize that these are not custom makers, but I would check out what these companies have to offer.

Dan Keffeler makes some very nice tools. Price range might be a bit elevated, but the top shelf quality is evident in his blades. On the other end of the spectrum, check out Crowell-Barker's take on a bowie knife by Browning. Sure, the knife is made in Taiwan, however, the price is very reasonable and the knife is comfortable to use and cuts well.

Others prefer Mission knives. To some, the appeal of Beta Titanium makes them unable to resist some of their well known cutlery. At any rate, have fun chasing down your personal favorite. It is all about the journey and the beauty of the collecting!
 
Nathan Carothers is on the Custom side of the coin with his Delta Heat Treatment of 3V.

Busse is on the production side.
With Busse you have three alloys to choose from (SR77, SR101, and INFI).
-SR77 has the most impact resistance but isn't as keen of an edge and is not stainless.
-SR101 takes the Keenest edge of the 3, is surprisingly easy to sharpen for th toughness and edge holding capabilities, is the middle of the road for Busse stain resistance (but is still not stainless).
-INFI, this is what Busse is known for. It doesn't hold an edge like SR101, but most will agree that it holds an edge just fine. It is not stainless but nearly so. It is VERY tough and more likely to roll than chip.

Busse has an unintentional damage lifetime warranty. Regardless of how it happened, if it was unintended, you are covered.
Check this thread for Busse durability examples.
 
Svord%20Deluxe%20Hunter%20Knife%20-%20Model%20280H%20copy.1.jpg

Svord Hunter 7, combo pig-sticker & skinnner
Length of Blade (inches) 7"
Over All Length (inches) 12"
Blade Shape Hunter
Handle Material Mahogony and Brass
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 3mm
Sheath Leather
http://www.svord.com/index.php?id_product=16&controller=product
Spend the other $300 on a good kukri.
 
I've made a few...
 
Check the makers around the forum, you can get something made exactly how you'd like.

The member above, Charlie Mike is one hell of a craftsman, you might consider contacting him.
 
Condor makes some good big blades. I have several and like them all. Tops has one called the Power Eagle that you may want to look at. I got one a couple of weeks ago and have been very impressed with it.
 
As a true survival knife it would be hard to beat the Buck Knoghthawk. Incredibly well thought out and mine has taken terrific abuse. It was my beater knife on the ranch for many years. A true do it all knife.
 
seber06 said:
As a true survival knife it would be hard to beat the Buck Knoghthawk. Incredibly well thought out and mine has taken terrific abuse. It was my beater knife on the ranch for many years. A true do it all knife.
Click to expand...

I owned a few buck knighthawks and while decent knives, there is so much better these days at their price range. I got mine very cheap(sub $40) but at $80-$100, there is tons of better choices.

My choices in manufacturers are as follows:
Busse- the top of the heap. No one does HT better
GSO - Great 3V knives
Cold Steel - I love their San Mai stuff and their low carbon steel stuff. Also love their variety.
Condor- tough low carbon steel

Forgot to add that there are a ton of great knife makers on this site than can make a top quality SHTF knife and for under $500. And you are supporting american small business when you do. I have purchased many excellent custom knives from makers on this forum. Nathan Carothers is the current flavor of the year and he may be back logged, but if you want the ultimate in toughness Gossman's big boar tusker in S7 is hard to beat.
 
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Check in the thread "New .500" A2 GT-1!!!". Still available and well within budget. J-siah will fix you up!
 
I am not a huge fan of using big knives, but off the top of my head.... the Kabar Becker BK-9. My personal choice for such an event is the Blackjack 1-7. But I am not going to be doing a lot of pounding or prying with it. The BK-7 would also be a consideration and I own that one. I would have a trustworthy machete with me and I could hold off the hoards of zombies for at least a moment or two for my wife to hopefully get out of danger.

Busse's come to mind as well as I think the larger models are made for such a fantasy event.

Added: Just remember, warranties don't mean squat as many of these companies will no longer exist. Chose a knife that you believe will provide the utilitarian service you seek, not something that necessarily has a great warranty. However, the warranty typically demonstrates what the manufacturer believes to be a good bet for them and a good marketing tool. People mention warranty so much as a reason to buy something. Never used a warranty.
 
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