Hello, I have several knives in my modest collection. My best knife is a TOPS rhino and I also have a "BBQ " dress knife that has a gorgeous damascus blade.
I am in the market for a fixed blade true fightin knife , my rhino is good, but heavy. I have a few hundred or so and I want something I can really hold on to.
It will be worn on my battle belt/SHTF belt and maybe see some OWB belt carry and the rare IWB carry
Suggestions??

I’m not a fighting knife expert. I’ve got multiple knives that are billed as fighting knives but I’ve got just enough knife fighting training to know that I’m probably going to get killed if I’m ever in a knife fight.

My EDC fixed blade is an ESEE-4. If I have to use it to defend myself it’s got pretty decent length for an EDC knife and I know it’s a high quality knife. When the cops come to document my murder at least I won’t look like a total putz carrying some gas station knife.

I keep an ESEE CM6 in my bugout bag along with a Gerber MkII, but if the Gerber is only there because I really like it. I also have a vest for SHTF but the only blades on it are a Ka-Bar TDI and a Leatherman.

Beyond someone coming at me with a giant blade, not sure what would scare me more than a karambit. Stabbed is bad, slashed is worse, just sayin'. Doug Marcaida has YouTube's on effective karambit fighting.

I wouldn't use a Karambit unless I actually know how to use one. I've seen more than a few people that have sliced themselves up (especially on the wrists) playing around with them.

The Cold Steel Recon Tanto was my favorite.
Durable, held an edge, good grip. Lasted me for a while in some bad places, my little brother snagged it from me when I got out, he's abused that thing for another 25+ years in the Grunts.

#2 would have to be the Gerber MkII.
I like the double edged, because you can cut coming and going. Not super durable for serious field work, but a damn good blade. Handle is a little thin.


If I was dumb enough to go back into combat, I'd snatch up a Mick Strider. They are $$, but worth every penny. Built like a tank, so you don't have to worry about prying or twisting and it breaking.

Kerambits are specialty pieces.

Maybe look at Bob Dozier's various fighters.

http://www.dozierknives.com/in...icle&id=7&Itemid=108

He will make to order, but they are pretty available on the secondary market, like Arizona Knives.

From factories: K-bar, ESEE.

For only defensive use, I would look at some of the more shank like Toor knives.

I gotta say I've heard ESEE tossed around here more than a few times.

Not one bad thing said about them yet... That's gotta mean something!
Not saying that the Sig Forum is the "be all, end all" of Internet Knowledge, but the Sig Forum ain't been wrong about anything yet.

ESEE 4 or Gerber Strongarm.

can't go wrong with buck 119 you can customize it the way you want it https://www.buckknives.com/cus...pecial-knife/CKS119/

#1 choice is Winkler. #2 is ESEE.

If you want to save a ton of $. Buy a light, quality knife you could use for many things. Including defending your life if need be. Look int the made in Sweden Mora knives. Very good quality. Price is outstanding. Several models to choose from. Very factory sharp. I could go on.
Maybe not the sexiest of choices. But that is open to debate as well.

Many good suggestions in this thread. But you should look into these knives. You will be pleasantly surprised.

quote:

Sweden Mora knives

Excellent, thanks guys !