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Can you recommend a knife? Fixie, ~7", stabby & chopper

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 10:53 pm
by Teninch
I am looking for a fixed blade knife. I apologize in advance if I am posting in the wrong sub-forum (hopefully not). Moderator, please feel free to move this topic accordingly, if necessary. Thank you.

It is amazing how many friendly and knowledgeable people are here offering their advice. Can you recommend something? Here is my wish list:
  • Total length ~12 inches
  • Blade ~7 inches
  • Good chopper (by the way, my favourite chopper is Terävä Skrama 240)
  • Good at stabbing (but I don't expect it to be as stabby as a dagger of course)
  • Plastic sheath -- Kydex or similar (not leather or nylon, I want it to be fixed securely in a sheath, when it "clicks" closed)
Budget about US$ 100[/list]

Steel, weight, manufacturer etc. don't matter (as long as some minimal quality requirements are met).

I currently own only one knife that meets those requirements, my good old Cold Steel GI Tanto. To be honest, I didn't like it at first, but gradually it earned my love and respect, it is a real work horse! And it has gone through a lot of abuse. The handle was probably the worst part of this knife: slippery, no rear quillon... but I solved this problem easily, just wrapped about 1/2 inch of electrical tape around the butt + added a lanyard I can wrap around my palm for extra grip). It's pretty good at chopping (as much as a 7-inch, not so heavy blade can be), but not particularly good at stabbing (although not terrible, by no means no).

And the reason why I want it to be 12 inches max in total length is because I just don't want it to stick out too much from under my t-shirt when I go hiking.

Thank you! 😀

Re: Can you recommend a knife? Fixie, ~7", stabby & chopper

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 11:49 pm
by C-WADE7
Ontario Rat 7 is a bit over your price but not much.
https://www.knifecountryusa.com/store/p ... 80QAvD_BwE

Re: Can you recommend a knife? Fixie, ~7", stabby & chopper

Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 1:04 pm
by 1967redrider
They make a nylon sheath for the Rat-7 too- https://www.knifecountryusa.com/store/p ... knife.html

Hope this helps. ::tu::

Re: Can you recommend a knife? Fixie, ~7", stabby & chopper

Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 2:36 pm
by Gtrclktr-351
Not really into "fixies". but a quick Google search turned this one up, Allegedly Made in USA with D2 blade steel. Those facts are not quickly verifiable. A little under your price point, but it only has a 6.5-inch blade.

https://kovablades.com/products/titan-ridge-elite

Maybe some of the more knowledgeable members here can shed some light on the Kova brand.

Re: Can you recommend a knife? Fixie, ~7", stabby & chopper

Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 2:08 am
by Lars0729
I totally get your specifications and preferred requirements. I was a search & rescue (SAR) officer in Arizona from 1987 through 1994, and my main pack knife then and still is the Muela Mirage 20. Still in production, you can find these in a price ranging from $85.00 - $135, depending on your source.

From your tic list:
- It will come with a leather sheath - bummer.
- Overall Length is 32.5cm (12 1/2 inches) - add to that the external length of the sheath, and..welll...buy extra long T-shirts I guess.
- Blade steel - Mine is 440C, but I believe they are made with 420H steel these days. I don't know if that's good or bad - just different.
- Drop point blade with swedge, Excellent at stabbing - Bonus!
- Not a chopper in the classic sense, but it will chop, and very well I might add.
- 75mm saw back (better than serrated edge)
- Can be within your price point
- Easy maintenance, keeps it edge, not afraid to get dirty

The Mirage series comes in several sizes, such as the Mirage 12, 18, 20, 21, and 23 (numbers being the blade cm length). I can typically find new ones on Ebay for $90 + shipping...just not today when you are asking for suggections.

If the Mirage does not tickle your fancy, I would still recommend you look at other models of the Muela brand. They have a solid rep for mid to high end knives.

The Muela Mirage 20 (stock photo)
Muela Mirage 20 - 2.jpg