Benchmade Steep Country vs Kestrel EDC or Short Ovis Hunter

[tyeager2964]

I'm looking for a use of christmas money.

I want a fixed blade knife with 3-4 inch blade in the $100 range. Obviously the weight difference is significant to some but not to me. I want s30vn steel or equivalent so that leaves out esee izula. Any other comparable knives that I should be looking at.

Which would you choose and why?

 

[hodgeman]

Spyderco's Bill Moran Featherweight

 

[fightthenoise]

I can’t comment on the others but I used a Steep Country to process a large Minnesota whitetail from the field to the freezer and it managed fine. 10-15 strokes on a stone and a quick strop and it was slicing paper again. Also the orange handle is great when it inevitably ends up on the ground in low light.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kevin Dill]

I've processed a couple bull moose using a Spyderco Bill Moran and can tell you it's about as good as any utility fixed blade knife (in its size) gets. The grip has a tacky insert for better gripping. Blade holds an edge under strenuous use, and touches up easily in the field.

The Benchmade Steep Country looks like a solid knife and who could doubt the quality? Grip is made of Santoprene and should have excellent grip feel.

 

[ShakeDown]

Really love my Bradford Gaurdian in M390.

It’s a bit above your $100 mark but comes with an awesome horizontal leather sheath, and you’re helping out a small company in the USA.

I have a Benchmade Steep Country and it is great as well. If you can find a fixed blade Griptillian, the Doug Ritter model is s30v and awesome. They have been discontinued however do pop on eBay.

Below is my Gaurdian processing a bull earlier this year in NM.

View attachment 63557

 

[doverpack12]

Nothing wrong with. Benchmade Steep Country except the weight. Look at the buck paklite Elite set. I really like the little caper and have two of the standard and the Elite that is S30V