What are your recommendations?

The main application is general camping and survival, not fighting or self-defense. I've decided to upgrade. So far, these two knives look excellent:

Becker BK2
http://www.tomarskabars.com/BK-2_INFO.html

ESEE 5
http://www.eseeknives.com/rc-5.htm

The ESEE is twice as much but I'm not sure it's twice the knife.

Superior to the BK2, sure but their too similar to add that much value to the RC5.

I would certainly be happy myself with either of the knives you first mentioned. Below are a couple of alternatives. I don't have all of them (only the Mora and the SRK). But these are frequently mentioned, so they each must have some merit. If I had to pick one for myself, I would be mighty interested in that ESEE one. But I don't know how much it costs, nor do I really care for that skull and crossbones logo on it (I think that cheapens it - it looks like something you'd find in a Mall Ninja store).

http://newgraham.com/store/product/6020/Pilot-Survival-PE-Zytel-FNFK-F1EZ/

http://newgraham.com/store/product/2955/RAT-5--ONT-8627/

http://newgraham.com/store/product/3175/SOG-Seal-Pup-Elite,-PE-SOG-E37-N/

http://newgraham.com/store/product/2983/SRK,-Kraton-Handle-Black-CS38CK/

http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html
(scroll down the page a little over halfway to find the Frosts Mora #840, the "Clipper")

How about Doug's fixed blade? It'd certainly flash your support of the forums to those in the know.

Consider the Buck vanguard, or the SOG field pup. Both lower cost and very functional.

The BK 2 - there are lots of complaints about the handle slabs loosening easily - seems to be a universal complaint.

I have begun looking at my gear as serviceable and replaceable items and not niche/boutique. Meaning, if I break it, lose it or need to replace it, can I get the same almost anywhere quickly. Cost is important because I am more likely to practice skills and actually implement an item rather than store it, wait for a time to use it and hope it works. I am not going for the lowest common denominator, but a balance of weight, efficiency, ability to find on short notice and finally cost.

I've been looking for a new fixed and swayed towards the Kabar, merely for cost and ease of replacement, the ability of the blade is legendary, but I saw the Gerber Bear Grylls fixed blade coming out this fall for about $60 and I want to hold one before making a decision. Gerber is found in almost every outdoor store, so ability to replace is good. Cost is good. I think Gerber products are sturdy enough for me (YMMV), but I don't like the handle on their current fixed blade the, Big Rock Camp Knife.

Thanks, I'll check out those knives.

About the BK2, Lock Tight should fix that problem rather easily. By the way, the ESEE-5 doesn't make me motivated to pay twice as much.



Link please, I'm not familiar.

RSK Mk3

I have the Mk1, folder and its a great blade. I carry it on me for urban/rural adventuring. But for my urban EDC I carry a leatherman. I'd like a fixed for real adventuring and while I would love to own a Mk3, and don't believe its overpriced, its out of my range right now.

I only have a few fixed blade knives. Nothing even remotely considered "high end", but all are serviceable:

Cold Steel SRK and Recon Tanto (the Tanto is too long, the SRK is quite nice IMHO)
Buck <something_or_other> (I forgot it's model number - about a 4" blade)
Becker Necker (not comfortable in the hand - too short, too thin - good for a backup or a minimalist lightweight knife though)
Frosts Mora Clipper (several of these - I prefer the carbon over the stainless)

Of my meager collection of fixed blades the one I use the most, by far, is the least inexpensive of the bunch - the Mora. That is the "go to" knife around our house for the whole family. I also carry another one while hiking, and so does my daughter. IMHO you really don't need more than the Mora, unless you want to play lumberjack and split 8" diameter logs by hammering your knife into them. If you want easy replacements, you just can't get any better than buying half a dozen Moras for the same price as one of the other knifes you are looking at, and having all those spare Moras sitting around the house.

I use a Helle Odel. It is very lightweight and very very sharp!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXVzMYHrPeA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUNkXXiMvc8

It's more of a traditional Nordic bushcrafters knife than the tactical recon runaway runaway live to fight another day Super Army Soldier type knifes, which seem to be pretty popular today.

Fallkniven (F1, A1, S1 etc) have some nice knifes as well being very functional and reliable survival knifes.

http://www.fallkniven.com/en/shop/category/24/fixed-blades/survival-knives

Again these knifes are of a laminate construction.