Good fixed blade knife for backcountry hunts

[Tpmahler1]

I would like to find a good fixed blade knife that holds an edge well and is durable. I have a couple Tyto knives but would like a fixed blade for cutting around joints etc. thinking argali or maybe an iron will. Open to others as well

 

[CoStick]

I have the argali serac, very happy with it.

 

[Blackdog317]

Benchmade Steep Country is a solid option and a little more budget friendly.

 

[Chad E]

I have the original Argali carbon. It's a great knife and has replaced all my other options including replaceable blade knifes.

 

[sndmn11]

For cutting in joints you probably want thin and narrow from spine to belly. A tough steel would be ideal in a fixed blade to avoid chipping against bone and any torquing motion.

This is a great read.

Knife Steels Rated by a Metallurgist - Toughness, Edge Retention, and Corrosion Resistance - Knife Steel Nerds

Steel Metallurgist Larrin Thomas uses tests of knife steels to rate the steels and explains the factors that control performance.

knifesteelnerds.com

3v would be the toughest, 4v, M4, Cruwear would be better cutters.

Bradford Guardian4 - Fixed Blade Knife | 3V/OD Green Micarta/Stonewash

This Guardian4 model features a stonewashed CPM-3V blade with a saber grind and an od green micarta handle.

www.bladehq.com

LionSteel M1 Fixed Blade Knife Tan Micarta SW M4 - Blade HQ

This LionSteel M1 has a Blade HQ exclusive CPM M4 steel blade! It has a stonewash finish and a natural tan micarta handle. Made in Italy!

www.bladehq.com

I do the opposite; my fixed blade does most of the work processing. My replaceable blade is used for the exterior cuts, blade swapped and then for any joints.

 

[PA Hunter]

My go to is a Bark River Gunny Hunter, used it on my diy moose hunt deboning 2 Alaskan moose in 3 days it outperformed all my replaceable blade knives and stayed sharp vey long time. I would never leave home without it. Different blade materials you can order for different purposes.

 

[prm]

Wonder what happened with the Benchmade Altitude. No longer available. I like mine and the S90V seems to hold an edge very well.

 

[sndmn11]

View attachment 423523
Boning blade in MagnaCut or CPM-M4 will break down a couple elk in the field with no touch up required. Shameless self plug of one of mine with G10 bolsters and compressed hemp handle. @brad.watkins.knives

That is rad, does the blade flex?

 

[BDWMT]

That is rad, does the blade flex?

Yes this blade flexes. It’s a progressive stiff flex. I find a blade that flexes too much such as a good fillet knife will float on cartridge and tendons around joints so I grind them with a low flex along the straight edge and a moderate flex tip.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Wonder what happened with the Benchmade Altitude. No longer available. I like mine and the S90V seems to hold an edge very well.

I love mine as well. That would stink if it is discontinued.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I will toss out a vote for ESEE. Not elegant or particularly expensive but solid knives For camp chores and the heavier aspects of butchery. I own a few from the izula to the junglas. My4 & 6 see the most use. The only one I don’t care for is the 5 survival version (thick and heavy due to a military spec).

my personal favorite belt knife is a Dan Winkler blade, but those start to get spendy and it’s a lot about preference beyond a point.

 

[TheViking]

I know @sndmn11 will beat me up over this, but I have been very happy with Argali knives.

I also carry a Tyto replaceable for skinning, and light cuts, and use the fixed blade for tough cuts.

 

[sndmn11]

I know @sndmn11 will beat me up over this, but I have been very happy with Argali knives.

We are about the same size so I don't know if I can take you better than 50% of the time.

Let me sharpen one and we can see how well the edge lasts.

 

[Orchemo]

Second the ESEE for general purpose knife. Decent edge, tough and life time warranty. I have a couple Bark Rivers and the are great knifes, but I "use" my ESEE's more

 

[bline]

Third for ESEE. I have a couple but the 4 is my go to camp and hunting knife. Easy to sharpen and holds an edge pretty well.

 

[Winternews]

Mentioned the Altitude above— another real lightweight one but more traditional is the L T Wright Bandit (4" AEBL). It's kind of a bird and trout / sodbuster pattern. have size XL hands and it's almost exactly proportional to my index finger— balance point is at your knuckle, blade tip is where your fingertip would be, and the butt of the handle tucks into your palm. Super fast handling while skinning and caping.

 

[Marbles]

For cutting in joints you probably want thin and narrow from spine to belly. A tough steel would be ideal in a fixed blade to avoid chipping against bone and any torquing motion.

This is a great read.

Knife Steels Rated by a Metallurgist - Toughness, Edge Retention, and Corrosion Resistance - Knife Steel Nerds

Steel Metallurgist Larrin Thomas uses tests of knife steels to rate the steels and explains the factors that control performance.

knifesteelnerds.com

3v would be the toughest, 4v, M4, Cruwear would be better cutters.

Bradford Guardian4 - Fixed Blade Knife | 3V/OD Green Micarta/Stonewash

This Guardian4 model features a stonewashed CPM-3V blade with a saber grind and an od green micarta handle.

www.bladehq.com

LionSteel M1 Fixed Blade Knife Tan Micarta SW M4 - Blade HQ

This LionSteel M1 has a Blade HQ exclusive CPM M4 steel blade! It has a stonewash finish and a natural tan micarta handle. Made in Italy!

www.bladehq.com

I do the opposite; my fixed blade does most of the work processing. My replaceable blade is used for the exterior cuts, blade swapped and then for any joints.

Very true. I found the S90V of the Altitude to chip out. Unfortunately I need stainless, so the carbon steels are off the table. Waiting for some MagnaCut options, like a CRK Inyoni (if I can ever find one).

 

[wapitibob]

Wonder what happened with the Benchmade Altitude. No longer available. I like mine and the S90V seems to hold an edge very well.

Ultralight Ridge Blade

The Ultralight Smoke Gray Ridge Blade is made out of CPM-S90V stainless steel. Ridge Blades have great edge retention along side extreme toughness. Drop point fixed blade, full tang knife for simple and easy cleaning. The ergonomic design makes it a great hunting knife. Disposable parachord...

ridgebelts.com

 

[sndmn11]

Very true. I found the S90V of the Altitude to chip out. Unfortunately I need stainless, so the carbon steels are off the table. Waiting for some MagnaCut options, like a CRK Inyoni (if I can ever find one).

I'd see if @feanor will cut you your own design, or maybe this guy, or it seems there's some etsy makers.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Morakniv Kansbol Fixed Blade Knife
&

Hultafors Outdoor Knife​

pretty awesome pack knives and hunting knives for the $