There is more to buying a good fixed blade knife than just choosing something that looks cool, and here we show you how to choose the best and also review 5 of them to help you make a great choice.
Comparison
If you were to list the essential things that you need for outdoor excursions or for survival, a knife would probably top the list.
Knives will be handy for everything from self-defense to helping you hunt and prepare food and can even help you start a fire if you have the right skills. Although there are several types of knives out there, the fixed blade knife is one of the most popular options given its high versatility.
But, as you shop for a fixed blade knife you will be astounded by the number of options available in the market.
These knives come in various styles and sizes and are also available in varying price ranges. The many options are a great thing given that they increase the likelihood of getting something that suits your particular needs.
Because we understand how hectic choosing a knife can be, and this is more so for the first timers and inexperienced individuals, below we provide a handy buying guide and review 5 top rated ones to make the choice easier for you.
Benchmade Nimravus 141 Knife by Benchmade
Pros
- Tough and rust-resistant blade
- Holds a sharp edge well and for long
- Stronger and more reliable full-tang construction
- Comfortable and easy-to-hold handle
- Great for tactical use
- Backed by a limited lifetime warranty
Cons
Benchmade makes their Nimravus 141 specifically for tactical applications, and so you can be confident that you can apply the maximum force of the tip when piercing.
However, this is still a multipurpose knife that will be ideal for a variety of applications thanks to a high-quality stainless steel blade that is tough and rust-resistant and designed to maintain the sharp edge for long.
Many users will also love that it has a stronger full-tang construction that makes it more reliable, and it uses a more comfortable and easy to hold handle.
With a limited lifetime warranty, you can also be confident that it has been designed to give you many years of great service.
This is a well-built and multipurpose knife that is easy to wield and will provide top-notch performance.
For more about Benchmade Nimravus 141 Knife, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon
SOG SE38-N Force Fixed Blade Knife by SOG
Pros
- Tough full-tang construction
- High-strength nylon handle
- Comes with a durable nylon sheath
- Half-serrated edge for increased versatility
- Ergonomic and lightweight construction
- Limited lifetime warranty backing
Cons
With the 6-inch straight edge on this SOG knife, it can easily slice through anything that one would expect a fixed blade knife to cut.
The knife also has a full-tang construction designed to make it almost indestructible and this should explain the confidence of the manufacturer with its quality given that it has a limited lifetime warranty.
And the handle also does not disappoint as it is an abrasion and impact resistant nylon that will be very comfortable on the hand. A nylon sheath is also included for easy transportation, and there is also a highly useful lanyard hole.
This is an ergonomically designed and lightweight knife that will be perfect for the outdoors.
You know what’s the most important feature of SOG SE38-N Force Fixed Blade Knife? One customer wrote details about this on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon
Benchmade 555HG Mini Griptilian by Benchmade
Pros
- Durable, rust-resistant blade
- Tough, attractive and comfortable nylon handle
- Compact and easy to conceal
- Reversible pocket clip for easy accessibility
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
There are different elements that combine to make this an amazing knife, but the tough and rust-resistant stainless steel blade is by far the main one given that it is what does the actual cutting.
Also, the knife comes with an attractive handle that has also been designed to be tough and super comfortable to allow you to hold the knife for extended periods.
Given that it is a compact and lightweight knife, it is also easy to wield and has been designed to be easily concealable for simple transporting.
And like most other Benchmade knives, it comes with a lifetime guarantee to give you some assurances that it will last.
This is the ideal knife for anyone looking for something compact and more easily concealable.
For more about Benchmade 555HG Mini Griptilian, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon
SOG 7-Inch Fixed Blade Knife by SOG
Pros
- Great grip and zero maintenance handle
- Almost indestructible full-tang construction
- Tough and molle-compatible sheath
- Partially serrated edge for increased versatility
- Does not dull or wear easily
- Relatively longer cutting edge
Cons
- Knife finish is not very uniform
- Not very sharp when you get it
Stainless steel blades are known for not only being highly durable but also for holding a sharp edge longer given that they do not have as much carbon as carbon steel ones.
Besides the durability of the stainless steel blade, this SOG knife also has a full-tang construction to make it almost indestructible and a tough handle with a great grip and requires no maintenance.
The 7-inch blade also provides a longer cutting edge and is also partially serrated for increased versatility. With this knife, you also get a tough and molle-compatible sheath for convenient carrying.
This is a durable knife with a longer cutting edge and is designed to hold a sharp edge longer.
For more about SOG 7-Inch Fixed Blade Knife, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon
CIMA-1 Full-Tang Black Knife Fixed Blade by CIMA-1
Pros
- Soft and comfortable handle
- Full-tang construction for increased durability
- High-quality ABS sheath included
- Great for hunting
- Relatively more affordable
Cons
- Smaller cutting edge
- The metal belt clip is poor quality
For any seasoned hunter looking for a reliable hunting knife on a small budget, this one by CIMA will be a perfect buy as it will even outperform many others that cost way much more.
It has a durable steel blade that comes sharp enough and is designed to be highly durable and to maintain the edge for long. With this fixed knife, you also get a soft and comfortable handle that has also been designed to be both slip and wear resistant.
And with its full-tang construction, it will be almost indestructible. Many hunters will also love that it comes with a nice and high-quality ABS sheath to make storage and carrying easy.
This is a highly affordable but still well-built knife with a nice cutting edge.
You know what’s the most important feature of CIMA-1 Full-Tang Black Knife Fixed Blade? One customer wrote details about this on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon
What to look for when buying
Even if you already know how you will be using your fixed blade knife, it can still be hectic to choose one from the many options.
However, if you look out for the following things when shopping, you should have an easier time.
Size
Size should always be one of the first factors to consider when deciding the fixed blade knife to go for.
Although many people tend to assume that smaller knives are always the best given that they are easily concealable, this is not always the case.
The right knife size for you will depend on what you intend to use it for and how you want to carry it.
All in all, larger knives will be ideal for cutting larger things like trees and smaller ones will be ideal for self-defense.
Blade Material
The material used to make the knife's blade determines how strong and durable it will be, and so it is a crucial factor to take into account.
Although there are many materials used to make fixed knife blades, carbon steel is the best option for larger blades and stainless steel is often good enough for the smaller blade knives.
But, whether you go for a carbon or stainless steel blade the most important thing is to remember that the more the carbon in the blade the faster it will dull.
Handle
Given that the handle is the point where the knife will come into contact with your hand, it is always an important factor to consider as it will determine how easy and comfortable it will be to wield.
You can get blades with different kinds of handles from rubber to plastic and wood. How the handle is made determines the level of comfort.
Rubber is often more comfortable as it provides more cushioning, but nothing beats the authentic look of a wooden handle while plastic handles are more common on cheaper blades.
Other Considerations
When choosing a fixed blade knife, there are still a few other things that you need to watch out for, and they include its overall design and appearance.
A good knife should not only be functional but should also be able to stand out from the crowd.
Also, watch out for other things like a lanyard hole as it can be very useful, and only go for a full tang construction as it is more durable.
Conclusion
Fixed blade knives are the ultimate survival tools for any outdoor enthusiast, and there is a myriad of things that you can do with one when outdoors.
From self-defense to food preparation, this knife can be highly resourceful, and you will never want to live your behind.
However, all this is only true if you have a top-notch quality one which should now be super easy to find given the information in this piece.
Besides highlighting the key things to consider when shopping, we also provide some amazing recommendations with our top 5 reviews.
All you need to do now is pick one knife from our reviews and you will be good to go.
For those looking for a high-quality but more affordable fixed blade knife, the CIMA-1 Full-Tang Black Knife is our recommendation while the Benchmade Nimravus 141 is our best overall fixed blade knife.
Buy Now
01 |
Benchmade Nimravus 141 Knife
by Benchmade
|
This is a well-built and multipurpose knife that is easy to wield and will provide top-notch performance. | Buy now on Amazon |
02 |
SOG SE38-N Force Fixed Blade Knife
by SOG
|
This is an ergonomically designed and lightweight knife that will be perfect for the outdoors. | Buy now on Amazon |
03 |
Benchmade 555HG Mini Griptilian
by Benchmade
|
This is the ideal knife for anyone looking for something compact and more easily concealable. | Buy now on Amazon |
04 |
SOG 7-Inch Fixed Blade Knife
by SOG
|
This is a durable knife with a longer cutting edge and is designed to hold a sharp edge longer. | Buy now on Amazon |
05 |
CIMA-1 Full-Tang Black Knife Fixed Blade
by CIMA-1
|
This is a highly affordable but still well-built knife with a nice cutting edge. | Buy now on Amazon |
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