Looking to add a fixed blade to Bug-out/Bug-in bag

[dannyp]

looking for something to carry , preferably sideways mounted sheath , any suggestions ?

 

[Garet Jax]

Custom makers have grown far more sophisticated in the last few decades. Most use controlled ovens and specifically rated oils or cooling blocks and follow very specific recipes. They also meticulously check their work, and if they mess up, they go back as far as necessary to fix the mistake, including scrapping and starting over.

Many makers also send out to professional dedicated shops. Mine go out, with a list of my specifications, and they come back with written and color coded result, and the test marks all clearly visible on the surface.

You can in fact get what you pay for.

This is fair and is a little like the discussion about Honda vs a Porsche. They are both made using similar processes, similar metals and similar designs, but one is much more expensive. For some, the extra cost is worth it - for some not so much.

Buying a Porsche doesn't preclude you from getting a lemon nor does buying a Honda make it more likely to get a lemon.

 

[Speed3]

looking for something to carry , preferably sideways mounted sheath , any suggestions ?

Esse izula

This sheath

Kydex Sheath - ESEE Izula / Izula II

Custom Kydex Sheath for the ESEE Izula / Izula II

www.armatuscarry.com

 

[jrumann59]

Any purpose you are looking for? Big difference between a knife to skin/process game vs shelter/bushcraft vs urban survival. You can buy several moraknives and stash them around, and keep a hatchet/sawback machete/prybar depending on where you are. That might be a better option than a really nice kukri that kinda sucks for small tasks, doesn't chop as well as a hatchet, and doesn't clear brush as well as a machete, and will snap if trying to pry open a door.

No general purpose, trying to keep the bag "light" overall. Something that can be easily stowed and does not look a hobo with everything under the sun hanging from it. Sort of a jack of all trades a master of none, clearing brush is not huge on the list, MD for the most part is not a overly thick foliage state. Also the bag would most likely stay in the trunk of the car.

 

[Idaho]

So looking to add a fixed blade to a Bug-out/Bug-in bag, I was thinking a Kukri but do not know enough about what is a good steel that holds edges well and is low maintenance, IE rust while in the sheath in between inspections.

Maybe this one. White River Backpacker. Has sheath

 

[4g64loser]

I do. You can grind (some) before HT. There are a number of guidelines for order of operations. Most stainless is ground after HT. If you grind before, you have to leave enough meat on there to clean off any decarb or surface oxides.

I only do this as a hobby, but I get most of my info from bladeforums.com and knifesteelnerds.com

I own two blades from justiw and either I got two lucky flukes or this is all accurate info. I'm too dumb to make my own knives but smart enough to know that I need to find someone who knows what he is doing.

Both blades do their jobs well and I follow justiw's exact instructions on upkeep. His chefs blade cuts chicken liver right out of the tub (very soft due to water content) like a razor without a hint of drag. Firmer meats are even easier. That knife would NOT work for utility purposes, nor is it "rust proof". If you guys are looking for better than factory (not that factory tools can't do work), justiw is worth talking to.

 

[joppaj]

I'd be looking at the Spyderco Salt knives. High quality all the way around and heavily corrosion resistant. Available in high visibility yellow and stainless or all black. These are just a few of the options.

Aqua Salt™ FRN Black/Black Blade - Spyderco, Inc.

Spyderco’s original Aqua Salt was an amazingly versatile, do-everything fixed-blade knife that was also incredibly corrosion resistant. Its legions of die-hard fans ranged from commercial fishermen all the way to military special operations personnel...

www.spyderco.com

Fish Hunter™ - Spyderco, Inc.

Since the introduction of our remarkable Salt Series™ of knives, Spyderco has received numerous requests for a fixed-blade knife specifically designed to meet the demanding needs of free divers and spear fisherman. These daring sportsmen do not use S...

www.spyderco.com

 

[BFMIN]

Backup SCUBA knife, small, light, slim & indestructible, easy to wear horizontally with 2 loops round belt. Retained by spring loaded push button catch.
Wally World usually has them.

 

[308Scout]

I'd be looking at the Spyderco Salt knives. High quality all the way around and heavily corrosion resistant. Available in high visibility yellow and stainless or all black. These are just a few of the options.

Aqua Salt™ FRN Black/Black Blade - Spyderco, Inc.

Spyderco’s original Aqua Salt was an amazingly versatile, do-everything fixed-blade knife that was also incredibly corrosion resistant. Its legions of die-hard fans ranged from commercial fishermen all the way to military special operations personnel...

www.spyderco.com

Fish Hunter™ - Spyderco, Inc.

Since the introduction of our remarkable Salt Series™ of knives, Spyderco has received numerous requests for a fixed-blade knife specifically designed to meet the demanding needs of free divers and spear fisherman. These daring sportsmen do not use S...

www.spyderco.com

I'm still mad at myself for not picking up a Schempp Rock a few years ago when they were still available.

Schempp Rock™ - Spyderco, Inc.

Designed by renowned custom knifemaker Ed Schempp, the Schempp Rock is a purpose-designed

www.spyderco.com

 

[joppaj]

I'm still mad at myself for not picking up a Schempp Rock a few years ago when they were still available.

Schempp Rock™ - Spyderco, Inc.

Designed by renowned custom knifemaker Ed Schempp, the Schempp Rock is a purpose-designed

www.spyderco.com

You too huh? That was a beautiful knife and I didn't get one either.

 

[wpage]

So many knives and soo little time.

Good thing there are also lots of good sharpening stones to keep them ALL sharp.

 

[Bob A]

Something to think about for SHTF bag is ease of sharpening. By way of example my Kbar can probably be sharpened with a rock.

 

[308Scout]

You too huh? That was a beautiful knife and I didn't get one either.

Yeah... finger hovered over the "buy" button more than a few times. I was looking more for a tool grade camp/outdoor knife at the time. Ended up settling for the old model Schrade Extreme Survival. Glad that I did though. Thick and relatively heavy blade, but ridiculously sharp grind out of the box. Excellent chopper. It's held up very well after fairly heavy use.

Amazon product ASIN B0033H7VI6

 

[Pale Ryder]

Yeah... finger hovered over the "buy" button more than a few times. I was looking more for a tool grade camp/outdoor knife at the time. Ended up settling for the old model Schrade Extreme Survival. Glad that I did though. Thick and relatively heavy blade, but ridiculously sharp grind out of the box. Excellent chopper. It's held up very well after fairly heavy use.

Amazon product ASIN B0033H7VI6

Be careful if you leave it in a vehicle for any length of time. Mine developed slight rust on the pins holding the grips on. Probably stayed in the car a couple of years. Replaced that roll with a Buck 119 or 120 not sure which ATM.

 

[Silverlax]

K-bars are 1095 steel. The knife I listed is CPM-3V steel. There is a world of difference between them:

Knives, EDC, and Outdoor Gear - Huge Selection | Blade HQ

Shop the newest knives to hit the knife industry. We have all the new customs, OTF knives, fixed blades, automatics, traditional pocket knives, and more.

www.bladehq.com

K-bars are generally $70-$80. For $30-$40 more you can get a much better knife. Don't get me wrong, I own a K-Bar, but if I'm getting one knife, I get the one with CPM-3V.

I agree with the recommendation for CPM-3v but I prefer Survive! Knives GSO 5.1-7/7 but they are much more expensive.

 

[Huckleberry]

Cold Steel SRK...good all around blade. A basic USMC K-Bar is a good choice as well. No need to overthink it and get something exotic when good quality basic will work just fine.

or Cammilus USMC Fighting Knife. Just a tad Bigger than a K-Bar.

I always carried my “BBMF“ on my TA50

Smaller USGI Survival Knife with my ALSE vest, helmet bag or field RON bag

 

[Huckleberry]

And before a Kuri, consider the more practical and Made in USA Woodsman’s Pal

More versatile than a kuri, hatchet or hawk

 

[jrumann59]

I decided to go USMC Kabar and damn was it sharp, and the kukri, my bugout bag all ready has Surplus Army E-Tool. The Kabar, I cut my self through a paper towel while oiling the blade before storing in in its leather sheath, did not cut the paper towel but cut my finger.

Now I have to find a home for my extra Bayonet...

 

[gwchem]

FYI, midway has a huge deal on the esee knives right now

 

[earlybirdnj]

Depends on price point, but the SOG seal pups are great for the money. Full tang, decent steel $50ish

SEAL Pup - Ballistic Nylon Sheath

4.75-inch partially serrated blade that is powder coated for corrosion resistance, textured GRN handle for secure grip, and carrys in a convenient ballistic nylon sheath.

sogknives.com

ESEE is the nest step up, here is an ESEE 4 $100ish

ESEE Knives ESEE-4P-MB Fixed Blade Knife + MOLLE Back (4.5" Black) - Blade HQ

Features: Black 1095 blade. Micarta handle. Injection-molded sheath with MOLLE back. The ESEE 4 is a dyed-in-the-wool survival knife. In fact, it might be the bar by which all survival knives are judged. Combining a stout blade stock and a tall flat grind, the knife can bust through your...

www.bladehq.com

Higher end is like a white ricer FC 4 or 5 $300ish

FIRECRAFT® FC5

White River Firecraft FC5 survival, camping, hiking knife is made in the USA and is 100% guaranteed for life

whiteriverknives.com

Esse for sure.