Fixed blade advice

[indyg19]

It has been a while since I have posted, but I am looking for some advice on a fixed blade.
My ideal specs:
blade length of aprox 4"
molle compatible sheath
super durable/made to be abused
priced 100-150ish

I have looked at the ESEE 4 and I kind of like it, but I figured I would ask the experts.
Also, looking for advice on where to buy. They have to ship to an APO.

Thanks.

 

[tradertator]

I would say the ESEE 4 would serve you very well. The sheath is kydex and comes with polymer molle clips, or you can get a nylon molle back for a couple bucks more. The 1095 steel is really easy to sharpen too. I bought it from Knife Lady, who happens to be a site supporter.

 

[Bradsknives]

Knife Lady ships to APO addresses all of the time.....not a problem.

 

[Gator762]

ESEE 4, Knife Lady has them great price of course.

 

[DaKruiser]

I like the ESEE 4 too, and love the KnifeLady, hard to beat that combo.

I also like the Swamp Rat rodent 4, it does not come with a sheath, but GruntSoldier could hook you up with a nice Kydex molle compatible sheath. Worth looking at IMHO.

Swamp Rat Knives

 

[M67]

Scrap Yard, Ontario, Blind Horse, Swamp Rat.

Scrap Yard does have sheaths on their website, but I think it's for the bigger stuff. Been a while since I was on their website so I'm not totally sure.

But, there's local guys here who could make a molle capatible kydex sheath for the Scrp Yard, Swamp Rat, and the Blind Horse.

 

[Knife Lady]

OP please feel free to check out my website. Any ESEE knife will serve you well and they all come with a sheath and some with the molle back attachment. I appreciate the support from INGO members. If you do not see it on my website I might still be able to get it and save you some money. I sell many name brands besides ESEE. KaBar, Benchmade, Strider, Ontario, Becker and more .

 

[buckstopshere]

I'm gonna pile on here with the esee 4. It was my first esee and I'm officially a fan boy. You'll love it!

I'm also a fan boy of knife lady. She gets ALL of my fixed blade knife business.

 

[Hemingway]

ESEE for me. I've used their knives literally all over the 3rd world. They take a serious beating, they don't cost the $ of Busse's, Grayman and others (although they are good knives), so you don't cry that much if you lose it to some greasy border guard, and they are backed by some of the best guys and best warranty in the world.

While many knives probably CAN take abuse, ESEE knives are ACTUALLY taking abuse quite regularly and you can go on their site and see what their knives are doing in Peru and other places.

There are more good knives out there than any of us have money. (Personally, I'm a huge Randall and Grayman fan.) But, for the money, you'd be hard-pressed to get a better total package (quality, durability, comes complete with sheath and various attachment options--why buy a knife that doesn't come with a sheath?!--warranty, customer service, etc) for the money.

And Knife Lady is a great vendor with many, many satisfied customers right here on this board.



Here's an old review article I wrote on the ESEE Hest (Back when it was still manufactured by ESEE/Rowen, not Ontario or Lion Steel):

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/791398-RAT-Wilderness-Ops-Course-Review

The ESEE 3 or 4 would do the same.

 

[BlueDog]

ESEEs are excellent and can take hard work, like batoning, better than anything I've ever had. Another option maybe worth looking at would be a TOPS B.O.B. I have no first-hand experience with this one, but looks like it fits your criteria. Now that I think of it though, sort of looks like a ESEE anyway.

I don't know how set you are on blade length, but I would suggest looking at the ESEE 5 before deciding on the 4 - just my opinion.....

 

[Jeremiah]

Benchmade Nimravus 4.5" 154CM Steel Combo Blade, Coyote Aluminum Handles - Knifecenter.com If you use it as a kife, this will serve fine.


Fallkniven S1 Forest Knife 5.1" VG10 Satin Blade, Leather Sheath - Knifecenter.com Good all around blade.


KA-BAR BK2 Becker Companion Fixed 5.25" Carbon Steel Blade Hunting Knife - Knifecenter.com if you want to go cheaper.


Swamp Rat Knives rodent 4 would be a great knife, but You'll need to get a sheath made.

 

[Knife Lady]

Benchmade Nimravus 4.5" 154CM Steel Combo Blade, Coyote Aluminum Handles - Knifecenter.com If you use it as a kife, this will serve fine.


Fallkniven S1 Forest Knife 5.1" VG10 Satin Blade, Leather Sheath - Knifecenter.com Good all around blade.


KA-BAR BK2 Becker Companion Fixed 5.25" Carbon Steel Blade Hunting Knife - Knifecenter.com if you want to go cheaper.


Swamp Rat Knives rodent 4 would be a great knife, but You'll need to get a sheath made.

I can match and or even beat the prices that Knifecenter has on the Becker Companion price and the Benchmade Nimravus price.

 

[M67]

Another option would be a Bark River Bravo-1 with standard micarta scales. The come with leather sheaths but gruntsoldier could make you a kydex sheath.

 

[ISP 5353]

Get the ESEE 4 and get it from our very own Knife Lady. It will be easy and you will get a great knife! Then take it out and use it as hard as you want!

 

[indyg19]

Thanks for all of the advice.
Unfortunately, pretty much all of the "looking" I can do is online due to my location.
May be doing some shopping on the Knife Lady website soon...

 

[Gabriel]

Another option would be a Bark River Bravo-1 with standard micarta scales. The come with leather sheaths but gruntsoldier could make you a kydex sheath.

I second this or one of the Blind Horse knives. The ESEE knives are good, though. There are just so many options to limit yourself to something as common as an ESEE (although they're good quality and do come with a good sheath).

 

[tradertator]

Another option would be a Bark River Bravo-1 with standard micarta scales. The come with leather sheaths but gruntsoldier could make you a kydex sheath.

I picked up a Bravo 1 not that long ago, and absolutely love it