Knives are important tools that will help you out in different situations. It doesn’t matter if you’re a camper or a survival freak, a good knife is always a handy tool to have at hand. Fixed blade knives are, in my opinion, the elite of these types of products. Folding knives are also very useful but they may not be the best choice for anyone.
Over the years I acquired what some would call a pretty nice collection of knives (over 20). It started out as a necessity, and turned into a hobby. I was always a very active person, since I can remember. I love challenges, especially those that involve a controlled amount of risk. Well, the control part of the risk comes from gearing up right and planning ahead for the challenge you’re about to dive in.
But, the fact that there are so many options to choose from when it comes to products like these, it’s not easy to discover which is the best fixed blade knife. To do this you would have to complete some thorough research and preferably test some of those that seem to offer the best value. The process takes some time and effort. But don’t worry, we did all the work for you presenting the results we came to in form of this guide, together with some guidelines that you should be aware about before deciding to buy a certain knife.
Best Fixed Blade Knife Comparison Chart
- Schrade SCHF9
- Rating: 4.5
- Overall Length: 12 inches
- Blade Length: 6.4 inches
- Weight: 15.9 ounces
- Blade Material: 1095 High Carbon Steel
- Free shipping:
- Zero Tolerance ZT0100
- Rating: 4.7
- Overall Length: 10.5 inches
- Blade Length: 5.75 inches
- Weight: 11.4
- Blade Material: CPM3V tool-steel with Tungsten DLC coating
- Free shipping:
- Buck 119BR
- Rating: 4.9
- Overall Length: 11.4 inches
- Blade Length: 6 inches
- Weight: 10.5 ounces
- Blade Material: 420HC stainless-steel blade
- Free shipping:
- Cold Steel Natchez Bowie
- Rating: 4.4
- Overall Length: 17.12 inches
- Blade Length: 11.75 inches
- Weight: 24 ounces
- Blade Material: SK-5 High Carbon Steel
- Free shipping:
- Gerber 31-001901 Bear-Grylls Ultimate Pro
- Rating: 4.6
- Overall Length: 10 inches
- Blade Length: 4.8 inches
- Weight: 13.8 ounces
- Blade Material: Premium Steel (9CR19MoV)
- Free shipping:
In the above table, we’ve included 8 different categories of information as follows:
- Knife Brand Name/Model
- Knife Pictures
- Overall Length – this is the total length of the blade and the handle taken together, in inches
- Blade Length – the actual length of the blade, in inches as well
- Weight – the weight of each individual knife in ounces
- Blade Material – the exact material used to manufacture the blade
- Price – These are approximate price ranges.
- Rating – a combination of individual consumer review ratings
The fixed blade knives which I included into this table are only some of the best knives that you can find. There are a series of different manufacturers who produce a wide range of excellent cutting edge knives. But, no matter what you need a knife for, you will surely find one that is a great value for money choice considering your needs.
How many purposes do fixed blade knives serve?
There are a ton of different circumstances where fixed blade knives are the exact right tool that you need. Gardening, camping, hunting, are just some of the activities where one of these products are a necessity. Your work environment may impose the necessity of a good knife as well.
Fixed blade knives fall under one of these categories, but are not limited in usability to:
- Survival Knives
- Hunting Knives
- Tactical Knives
- Combat Knives
- Military Knives
Of course, you can use a knife that falls under one of these categories in completely different areas than the primary purpose of the knife was intended to be. For example, a good military knife can be used in camping or hunting as well. But these are general guidelines by which fixed blade knives are categorized. It’s a good idea to prepare for the worst case scenario, but let’s be honest, there are little chances the majority of us will find ourselves in difficult survival situations. This is why I suggest you should choose a knife primarily based on the exact needs that you have.
How to find a knife that will meet your needs
Above you can find an interactive comparison guide on some of the best fixed blade knives that you can find on the market these days. There are many more knives that deserve your attention but any of those that won a place in our comparison chart are surely delivering to the promise. So, before diving straight in and making some brainless impulse buys that may not be quite the best suitable options for you, let’s take a look at what this guide contains. Also, rather than taking some guys opinion on Youtube or other platforms about the best knife, you may find it more helpful to look at more options and compare them to the point where you can establish what’s appropriate for your particular case. In this sense, above you can find the ultimate comparison guide about fixed blade knives.
Reviews of the Top 3 Fixed Blade Knives
All of the knives included in the comparison chart above are excellent options; but there are some which we feel obliged of shining a highlight on as our top picks of knives. Below you will find our top 3 picks for overall best fixed blade knives along with more detailed reviews of each pick. So, let’s take a look at those fixed blade knives that made it to our top 3!
1. Zero Tolerance Military All Black Fixed Blade Knife
Based on more characteristics such as: technology of production, quality of blade, overall rating, size and reputation, the Zero Tolerance Military Knife is one of the best fixed blade knifes anyone could own. It features a 5.75″ blade made of high-performance CPM3V tool-steel with Tungsten DLC coating. This makes the knife virtually unbreakable. The coating assures your knife has a high resistance to wear. It’s designed to resist tough impact and perform under the harshest of conditions. It’s not a big knife but it is very well sized to fit different actions and it proves itself very well balanced. The 3-D machined G-10 handle scales combined with an preeminent thumb rise and front guard feels nice in your hand and provides a very good grip while using it. You can use this knife from cutting branches to cutting thick rope and you will find that it will stay sharp about a week under extreme use. Zero Tolerance Military Knife is an all around great knife and a sure choice whichever your needs may be.
Specifications:
[table id=2 /]
2. Cold Steel Natchez Bowie SK-5
This is a very popular, time tested piece that still goes on to be one of the best fixed blade knives around. It’s suitable for just about any mission thanks to the combination of blade length, sharpness and a handle which offers a comfortable, stable grip in multiple hand positions. Its long blade is especially designed for strength, reach and leverage. It’s very sturdy, being made up of SK-5 High Carbon Steel, heat treated and mar tempered in Cold Steel’s factory in Taiwan. The knife is shaped to rival in fields such as strength, toughness and edge retention to Japanese swords. All of these qualities combined with a razor sharp edge lets you pierce, cut or chop with little to no effort at all. The handle plays a big role in performance as well. It is made out of polished wood and has a double guillon guard, pommel and bolster to serve multiple grips and protect your hand during usage. On top of everything, the Natchez Bowie comes with a Secure-Ex sheath.
Specifications:
[table id=3 /]
3. Fox Knives FX-132 MGT Trapper
This is a tactical fixed blade knife from Fox Knives. It has a unique blade made of N690Co steel with a recurve profile and a tanto style tip. It’s very sturdy and is designed to give you a power edge on impact on the primary and secondary tip. The steel of the blade is coated to make it last in many types of environment and prevent it from catching rust. It’s a heavy duty knife that will give you the edge if you find yourself in a survival situation or need a helpful tool while discovering the great outdoors. The knife comes with a nylon sheath with leg straps to fit comfortably and be easy to reach if the need arises. Overall, Fox Knives Trapper is a great knife that you can use in different ways.
Specifications:
[table id=4 /]
Your Turn
Now that you have seen our guide and reviewed the top fixed blade knifes on the market, it’s entirely up to you to pick the knife that meets your needs, is in your price range and satisfies the characteristics you’re looking for. We hope we could help you gear up for your outdoor adventure accordingly.
As new knifes always appear and manufacturers are always developing new technologies, we will be adding new knifes to our list. If you feel as if we left out a superior blade, please contact us and let us know.