I have go a lot of questions about the knife in the thumbnail. It was a random knife from an image generator that I liked. Sorry I don’t know more about it but it looks cool.
The thumbnail looks exactly like one of Holtzman's Gorilla Survival Knives. I've been eyeing the Warthog model. Their knives come with a ferro rod and striker built into the kydex sheath.
LMFAO you guys are no different to the North Koreans. America make some good knives but not the best. Independence from a tyrannical government, my god the delusion is deep. Your a complete nanny state and you all run around going on about freedom. Ever get the feeling you been lied to?
Really, really enjoyed this vid! I’m a first timer with your channel, and what a terrific presentation! Love your experience, and your demos of how they perform! I’ll be back and back! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise! I am an elderly, church going woman, and I love all things KNIVES! My fellow congregants don’t know, so don’t blow my cover!😆
Great blades are being made in almost every part of the World. The favorites will be a matter of personal preference. For me the top ones will always be Scandis in a leather sheat.
My ESEE 6 actually fits my hand perfectly and I can do just about anything I need to do around my campsite with it. I also have the ESEE 4, and my wife enjoys using it because of her smaller hand size. Thanks for the review of the knives. I enjoyed watching.
The Esee 6 is basically the perfect camp/survival knife. The only thing that would make it better would be to upgrade the steel to something like 52100, but even as it is it's more than enough to do anything you will ever need it to do. And if it gets dull? Just go find any halfway smooth rock to sharpen it back to a working edge. Hell, I've sharpened mine on the bottom of a coffee cup. Then there's the fact that you can hammer it into the end of a fallen tree and literally stomp on it and Esee will send you a new one if it breaks. You don't even have to lie to them about how you broke it. Try that with any other production knife company I can think of and they'll tell you to go get stuffed. I really do wish they would do some limited runs once in a while, though. 52100... 3V... M4... Just imagine a M4 Esee 6. FML!
@@Im_With_Stupid I know the knife you need: the Architect 6.5. It's Esee handles, similar size, shape, feel, but in 3V or magnacut. And the heat treat done by White River (or Peter's Heat Treat if you order from knife connection website instead of architect website. Also about $20 less that way) I got one and it's a beast.
The Ontario Raider bowie is from the WW2 Marine Corps 26th division Raiders bowie . If you want a more grippy handle , I read how they do the Chris Reeves handles and I now do it to all my knives . Use either Medium or Large Medias with a food compressor and Sandblast till you get the grip you are looking for, and let me tell u the quality is professional and second to none .
Don’t always get to watch and haven’t been a subscriber long but have watched your knife reviews for years. Thanks for taking the time to do these videos for all of us out here who love knives.
Kabar Turok, Tops Mohawk Hunter, Gerber Strongarm, Buck 119 and Ontario SP10. I love them all and they were all purchased after watching your video on each blade, thanks for everything you do GT!
If you like fixed blades then check out Tkell knives. Amazing fixed blades, veteran owned and operated. Small batch, high quality. NiB finish. I just can't say enough. My new favorite!
I've had my USMC Kabar in 1095 carbon steel for over 25 years as it is my main camp, fishing, hunting knife. I have beat the crap out of it and still use it. A friend of mine thought it would be a good idea to put it on a grinder to sharpen it and I thought he knew what he was doing but boy was I wrong. He damaged the black coating so bad almost half of it was gone. I used a razor blade, graffiti remover, and some elbow grease to completely take the coating off and then I blued it with gun bluing. It actually came out a dark grey color and actually looks really cool. That's one that Ill never get rid of.
Winkler Highland Hunter. Beautiful maple handles, great ergonomics, nice thick 80crv2 blade stock just shy of 5". Nicest sheath I've ever owned. Great for EDC on my belt and tough enough for camp chores.
I EDC a fixed blade - the Hogue Extrak. It is American-made and very light. Built for skinning, the M4 blade is extremely sharp and capable of cutting about anything.
Gerber Strongarm, that knife has so much potential to be the Halo fixed blade. Give us the option to choose steels for it. Make it s30v, call it $100-$120, done. This knife is already that damn good.
IFAIK, Gerber isn’t set up to work with any of those steels on their production floors. It would probably take another company to ape the design in a premium steel.
“He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." T. Paine, 1795
I love my strong arm. Ive beat it to hell but keeps on kicking. Gerber doesn’t always make the best stuff anymore but when they hit the mark with a good USA product the really do a incredible job
I love this channel and everything Gideonstactical stands for. As far as gear testing goes as well you are amongst the best if not the best. I trust you and your words on tools. I cant say it doesn't hurt to not see the Benchmade Pukko or leuku or the Bark River Aurora. Either way we love you man. Keep it up.
I’ve still got an Ontario SP-10 I got as a kid, 30 years ago! Nice list. Would’ve liked to see a Becker BK series blade on there as well. BK-9 is my go to camp knife.
BK9 is nice as well as the BK series. However, take the scales off and you will be disappointed. So, because of the skeletonized handle tang of the BK9, I switched to the Ontario RD9. Full handle tang, replaceable handle scales from TKC, 1/4" and 5160 mid-carbon spring steel. I have seen the BK series break at the skeletinized portion of the handle tang. When you are chopping and beating on steel like a chopper is designed, I don't know why you remove material from the handle. Just my two cents. BK9 is still an awesome blade.
The OKC Raider Bowie is a copy of the knife that the legendary Carlson Raider Marines (2nd Marine Battalion) carried in WW2. Evans Carlson had the knives custom made for his men by the Imperial Knife Co in Providence, RI.
@@NikosKatsikanis I don’t have any experience with the Junglas. The Raider Bowie is about a $65 dollar knife. I think the Junglas is quite a bit more so I’m not sure if you can make a comparison. I have the Raider Bowie and it’s a beast of a knife and very heavy. I would not be afraid to take it into the woods.
Case and legitimaus collins also made the V 44 1944 marine Rider Bowie I own the case model would not let it go for less than $500 they are very hard to find these days
I like the collection! I've been a subscriber for around two or three years and I don't know what happened but you kicked this channel in gear big time!! Keep up the good work I appreciate it!
I own a ZT 0620.........excellent design, been used and abused for almost 15 years....only had ro replace the blade pivot as the fine threads stripped out too easily.....ZT sent me a replacement at no charge.
I just commented on the indestructible Buck 650 Nighthawk and how that is one of my favorites and I will never get rid of. The two I have are a 1994 and 1995. I have a new found respect for Buck's 420HC especially after seeing Larrin's toughness chart (designer of Magnacut) showing that 420HC is one of the toughest steels out there. In other words, you don't need a super duper steel $300+ knife. I sharpened my 650 Nighthawk the other night just with a Worksharp pocket sharpener and got it razor sharp from dull in about ten minutes. You can't beat that. My other go to is the 5160 Ontario RD6 (slicer) and RD9 (chopper). Nighthawk would be both a stabber and slicer. All of them 1/4" inch.
BK2 is no slouch but finish was rough. I took off the traction coat, refinished the spine to a sharp 90-degrees, (honestly, i redid the flats, too, because they were poorly finished under that coating), gun-blued it, swapped in micarta handles, and made up a nice scout carry sheath. Needless to say, my edgework was excessive but you never know when you’ll need to split mosquitos in mid-air…! (I like to hear their little screams as they flat-spin into the weeds.)
I have a LOT of USA made fixed blades that I love. Bark River Knives, LT Wright knives, I have an Adventure Sworn which is next level greatness, several TOPS knives, etc. I do really want that TOPS D fly. It's been on my radar for a long time. It's just that every time I'm knife shopping, for some reason that one never seems to enter my mind, but it's definitely my kind of knife. I like my Strongarm, so yeah, good pick. I have a couple Spartan Blades that are outstanding knives, and that Harsey Fighter in in my wish list too. Then there's always the Becker line. Even with the recent price increases, they're still worth every penny in my book. Picking a favorite is impossible for me. I guess it would have to be broken down into categories such as price, size, and blade grinds.
I have the ZT0006. Love the balance, handle ergonomics and the coated 3V blade. The sheath design is excellent, very lightweight and compact. The retention shoulders on my Kydex sheath DO NOT allow the knife to easily escape. I’d send your sheath back to ZT for a replacement. Great picks and reviews too on all your choices. Thanks!
With some sandpaper/files and enough time, you can fix the ergos of pretty much any fixed blade with G10, micarta, or wood scales that needs it. It just depends on the individual how much that time and effort is worth to you.
At present for me (of course these change through time): Bark River Bushcrafter II, ESEE Xancudo, Ka-Bar Becker BK7, Creely Blades Mako, White River Knives M1 Backpacker Pro
I am a filipino and being a knives collector , i like the bowie you can chop easily and point so deeply to any hard object such as woods or predators to attack you.thats why bowie is the best knife in woods or in home.
I have a - Walmart exclusive, of all things - Gerber Produgy. The Walmart exclusive part is that it doesn't have annoying/useless serrations in the blade so it is more or less a Steongarm, at least where the blade is concerned. I like it. I wish it had the sheath options the Strongarm has but I could rig the sheath to do any if the carry styles the Strongarm will do. I thought Walmart might have stopped selling them because I don't see them as much, anymore but I recently saw one in the knife case at a location I don't visit very often. I don't think they are still $60 (which is what I paid for mine) but are still probably a few bucks less than the Strongarm if someone is looking for an alternative with essentially the same blade. Also, I haven't used a Strongarm but I have a feeling the Prodigy handle is a little more comfortable and maybe better suited to camp tasks. One old/new American made knife I want to get is a Schrade Generations Sharpfinger (I think Generations is what they are calling them, anyhow). It is a special edition, U.S.A. made Sharpfinger with a 1095 blade and bine handle scales. When I found out that the real Schrade was closing its doors a couple of decades ago I immediately - and I mean immediately, as soon as I heard - went out and bought the only Sharpfinger I could find locally and would have bought three or four if I could have found them. The blade is just a little small for my liking in a fixed blade (I wish they would do the large Sharpfinger in that package) but is just so iconic that I have to have ine and I think they aren't all that pricey. I was also a big fan of their carbon steel Tracker and Stickman back in the day (honestly lijed them better than Case) and they are doing a few folders in that line, too.
I picked up a Prodigy a few days ago at Walmart. I wanted a Strongarm, but they are running $80-$90. Prodigy was on sale for $55 reduced from $68. It is definitely a workhorse, I like it.
I really enjoyed your reviews and I am extremely envious of the freedoms you speak of, I am from Australia and the government control is out of hand and getting worse. It's comforting to hear that you are aware and fighting to keep your freedom. Wishing you every success and looking forward to future posts.
The Ontario Spec plus SP10 Raider Bowie is , I believe, an attempt to replicate of the mil-issue V-44 Bowie issued to Marine Raiders in the Pacific in WWII. I own one in 1095 and will keep it!
I have bought years ago a hand forged bushcraft knife 4.5in/0.25 in. With a nice lether sheet and a fire steel from spain. I love it.😊 In 2014 or 2015 for 130€.
I know you included an esee already but the esee 5 is a fantastic knife that can do almost anything, its also pretty feature rich with a glass breaker, a bow drill divet and the best feeling handle I've felt.
Would you still suggest the Steel Will Argonaut 800 in 2023? How would you say it compares to the Strongarm (they are both around the same price nowadays)?
I love the Argonaut. I’ll take aus-8 over the 420 HC in most scenarios except durability. The Strongarm is a better prybar but the argonaut is a better knife.
Thanks for another excellent video Aaron. I agree with most of your choices and own 3 of the knives you featured. My all time favorite knife is the Ontario Rat-6. Great knife so far.
My favorite US made fixed blade is definitely the White River backpacker M1, it's one of my most carried EDC knives. I also do like my Esee 6 quite a lot, but I don't carry it as much since I live in a big European city, and don't go to the woods as often as I want. For the Esee 6 I ordered a Armatus Carry Architect kydex sheath, which is easy and so enjoyable to use.
Your content is so enjoyable thanks to your easily understood knowledge through experience with everything you display. These videos ooze with genuine honesty and love that you possess which I feel is essential to connect with your viewers for their retention/understanding of these tools. I truly thank you for everything you do really well and God bless ya brotha.
I agree with everything you said about the Dragonfly. been using it for about 2 years. I often recommend it too others as a lightweight, more slicy version of the BOB.
I have all the Esse knives except the Junglass. It got a bad review & broke into 2 pieces. But i love my Esse 3, 4, 5,& 6. Tops are tops with me, love my Prather Wae Bowie.I have many Cold Steel knives & several OKC blades.
Bk9 is great too, but I like the Esee for a few reasons. 1. Esee comes stock with micarta and kydex. To get the bk9 running the same way it will be $50 more 2. The Junglas has one of the best warranty’s on the business 3. The higher grind and better edge makes it a little better for fine work.
Solid list. I’ve actually owned 4 Dragonfly’s (back when they still said Dragonfly not D-fly), and 4 times I’ve had a friend or family member fall so hard in love with it that I eventually caved and gave/sold/traded it to them. The last 2 I got from the designer himself, in a trade…maybe TOPS most underrated knife. I would definitely buy one again. The Reiff F4 I’ve only had for a week (waited for the micarta DLT exclusive) instant top 3 knives I’ve ever owned. Epic blade. Epic handles.
ESSE 3&4 in S35VN, I EDC the 3. BK 2, 16, and 18. Thanks for turning me on to Azwelke most of my fixed blades live in his Kydex ! Actually, there’s several more that belong on this list and I love em all…
Consider Reviewing a BUSSE INFI steel knife? Perhaps dog soldier 6/8? or other Resiprene-C handled models, for their more affordable price and better ergo. I know the avaliability is an issue, but I’m still hoping to see your point of view on Resiprene-C and INFI. THX
I heard the question, If you could have only one edc blade for the rest of your life, what would you chose? I thought about it for a couple of months and answered with a White River, Caper. Strong. Capable. Comfortable. Durable. CPM S35VN. Big enough for most all tasks. Small enough to forget that you have it on you. I wouldn’t call it a camping knife per se, but an excellent edc for daily tasks.
I did look at the Esee 4, but it was too long to legally carry here and heavier (by almost twice). It came down to the Bradford Guardian and the White River Caper. I still like that Bradford blade though. Perhaps a future acquisition?!?…
One of my favorites is a Benchmade 154bk jungle Bowie. 9" 1095 blade. Its my light heavy knife. Blaze orange overmold handle keeps me from loosing it outdoors.
Here is a tip when you are batoning wood next time. Start the knife into the wood you're batoning , then flip the knife over and lay it on the edge of whatever you're using as a base. Then take whatever you're beating the knife with and insted of hitting the knife you hit the wood and its way faster and cleaner split. Its also way easier.
Very Nice Review! I have them all, probably like most would... putting together a list much like this. I have always appreciated Ontario K&C! Especially for the money. That is until a new purchase yesterday. (Go into that another time) As well along somewhat of the same value lines: CRKT! I have purchased many high end blades, & many middle of the road as well Even a good number of very pretty high end Custom works. I find: there can be said something for most of the spectrum to be said for a resting place nearly no matter where you land on the spectrum! I am & have been navigating more so away from the high end & higher high end works. Finding myself really quite satisfied with a real worthy steel! This equates to a tough/tried & trued steel that can take a beating: strength/hold edging: without the luster, show, and fussy, also mentioning cost! Ergonomics, fastening, scale quality, primarily only full tang, grip, control Surely missing things... however, functionality with creativity usually catches my attention. Yet the basics, Tried & True Always ends up on my plate! Could run wild with close repetitiveness! Thank you for allowing me to share! BLESS ALL& AMEN! J
Great choices! I'd like to point out that the new RTAK IIs now have have perfectly fitted handles scales that have rounded edges and are very comfortable! And of course they have a choyle!
You are SPOT ON about handle designs and that to many makers neck down and narrow the front of the handle (Bark River). Most people use knives to open boxes, cut a piece of rope, maybe a feather stick, but have not done hardcore wood processing. That is where those necked down handles start to get uncomfortable.
In survival situation, the last thing I want to worry about is rust on my most important tool. If the ESEE jungle has a stainless steel version, it would be the ultimate perfect knife.
I have go a lot of questions about the knife in the thumbnail. It was a random knife from an image generator that I liked. Sorry I don’t know more about it but it looks cool.
The thumbnail looks exactly like one of Holtzman's Gorilla Survival Knives.
I've been eyeing the Warthog model. Their knives come with a ferro rod and striker built into the kydex sheath.
There was some bad management in the Ontario company. I don't trust them anymore⚠️
LMFAO you guys are no different to the North Koreans.
America make some good knives but not the best.
Independence from a tyrannical government, my god the delusion is deep.
Your a complete nanny state and you all run around going on about freedom.
Ever get the feeling you been lied to?
@@YTsux24-7I have two Holtzman's. They are exceptionally well built and very reasonably priced.
00:45 Esse Junglas
03:43 Zero Tolerance ZT 0006
06:13 TOPS Dragonfly (D FLY) 4.5
08:41 Ontario Spec Plus SP-10 Raider Bowie
11:10 Reiff Knives F4
13:46 Gerber StrongArm
16:10 Spartan Blades Harsey Fighter
Thanks!
Tops beats them all with Esee second
What's the name of the outdoor place he said makes leather sheaths?
No Bark River?
Really, really enjoyed this vid! I’m a first timer with your channel, and what a terrific presentation! Love your experience, and your demos of how they perform! I’ll be back and back! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise! I am an elderly, church going woman, and I love all things KNIVES! My fellow congregants don’t know, so don’t blow my cover!😆
Great blades are being made in almost every part of the World.
The favorites will be a matter of personal preference.
For me the top ones will always be Scandis in a leather sheat.
My ESEE 6 actually fits my hand perfectly and I can do just about anything I need to do around my campsite with it. I also have the ESEE 4, and my wife enjoys using it because of her smaller hand size. Thanks for the review of the knives. I enjoyed watching.
Mine is definitely my favorite!
The Esee 6 is basically the perfect camp/survival knife. The only thing that would make it better would be to upgrade the steel to something like 52100, but even as it is it's more than enough to do anything you will ever need it to do. And if it gets dull? Just go find any halfway smooth rock to sharpen it back to a working edge. Hell, I've sharpened mine on the bottom of a coffee cup.
Then there's the fact that you can hammer it into the end of a fallen tree and literally stomp on it and Esee will send you a new one if it breaks. You don't even have to lie to them about how you broke it. Try that with any other production knife company I can think of and they'll tell you to go get stuffed.
I really do wish they would do some limited runs once in a while, though. 52100... 3V... M4... Just imagine a M4 Esee 6. FML!
I have an ESSE 5.
@@Im_With_Stupid I know the knife you need: the Architect 6.5. It's Esee handles, similar size, shape, feel, but in 3V or magnacut. And the heat treat done by White River (or Peter's Heat Treat if you order from knife connection website instead of architect website. Also about $20 less that way) I got one and it's a beast.
I'm glad you included a Bowie.....one of our Country's original edc's. Good job!!
Def not an EDC.
MERICA BRO YEAH !!! 🇺🇸🇺🇲
sure！！！
@6030jdr it was Def an edc like 150 years ago lol
I edc the Prather War Bowie now, but I carried the Marine Raider Bowie for about two years about 13 years ago.
The Ontario Raider bowie is from the WW2 Marine Corps 26th division Raiders bowie . If you want a more grippy handle , I read how they do the Chris Reeves handles and I now do it to all my knives . Use either Medium or Large Medias with a food compressor and Sandblast till you get the grip you are looking for, and let me tell u the quality is professional and second to none .
I've wrapped my RAIDER BOWIE handle in black silicone tape. Several knives that I have done this to. It's great 👍 👌 ☺️
Don’t always get to watch and haven’t been a subscriber long but have watched your knife reviews for years. Thanks for taking the time to do these videos for all of us out here who love knives.
Thanks so much for being apart of the GT crew. Means so much
Kabar Turok, Tops Mohawk Hunter, Gerber Strongarm, Buck 119 and Ontario SP10.
I love them all and they were all purchased after watching your video on each blade, thanks for everything you do GT!
If you like fixed blades then check out Tkell knives. Amazing fixed blades, veteran owned and operated. Small batch, high quality. NiB finish. I just can't say enough. My new favorite!
The SP-10 is unbeatable. I absolutely love mine in 1095.
SP53(?) Bolo is nice too
I've had my USMC Kabar in 1095 carbon steel for over 25 years as it is my main camp, fishing, hunting knife. I have beat the crap out of it and still use it. A friend of mine thought it would be a good idea to put it on a grinder to sharpen it and I thought he knew what he was doing but boy was I wrong. He damaged the black coating so bad almost half of it was gone. I used a razor blade, graffiti remover, and some elbow grease to completely take the coating off and then I blued it with gun bluing. It actually came out a dark grey color and actually looks really cool. That's one that Ill never get rid of.
Never trust a "friend" that states they know how to do skilled work.
I've purchased two OKC MARINE RAIDER BOWIES recently
The OKC MARINE RAIDER BOWIE I bought two of where $66.99. They are getting hard to find now. Mine came from Bass Pro
Winkler Highland Hunter. Beautiful maple handles, great ergonomics, nice thick 80crv2 blade stock just shy of 5". Nicest sheath I've ever owned. Great for EDC on my belt and tough enough for camp chores.
👍 Winkler Recon here she will pry a manhole cover up
My 10” Winkler Camp knife in 1/4” 80CrV with the curved handle flare and Winkler SAR/Utility! Cheers guys!
I EDC a fixed blade - the Hogue Extrak. It is American-made and very light. Built for skinning, the M4 blade is extremely sharp and capable of cutting about anything.
Gerber Strongarm, that knife has so much potential to be the Halo fixed blade. Give us the option to choose steels for it. Make it s30v, call it $100-$120, done. This knife is already that damn good.
IFAIK, Gerber isn’t set up to work with any of those steels on their production floors. It would probably take another company to ape the design in a premium steel.
“He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." T. Paine, 1795
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out…”
@@EnderPearlRsJust what I was thinking !!
That is the forgotten lesson. Because of that we are here.
“I’m on a boat!” - also T. Pain
Perfect
I love my strong arm. Ive beat it to hell but keeps on kicking. Gerber doesn’t always make the best stuff anymore but when they hit the mark with a good USA product the really do a incredible job
I love this channel and everything Gideonstactical stands for. As far as gear testing goes as well you are amongst the best if not the best. I trust you and your words on tools. I cant say it doesn't hurt to not see the Benchmade Pukko or leuku or the Bark River Aurora. Either way we love you man. Keep it up.
I’ve still got an Ontario SP-10 I got as a kid, 30 years ago! Nice list. Would’ve liked to see a Becker BK series blade on there as well. BK-9 is my go to camp knife.
Bk9 is the best production knife ever conceived
BK9 is nice as well as the BK series. However, take the scales off and you will be disappointed. So, because of the skeletonized handle tang of the BK9, I switched to the Ontario RD9. Full handle tang, replaceable handle scales from TKC, 1/4" and 5160 mid-carbon spring steel. I have seen the BK series break at the skeletinized portion of the handle tang. When you are chopping and beating on steel like a chopper is designed, I don't know why you remove material from the handle. Just my two cents. BK9 is still an awesome blade.
Super happy the strongarm made it! Have a couple of them.
The OKC Raider Bowie is a copy of the knife that the legendary Carlson Raider Marines (2nd Marine Battalion) carried in WW2. Evans Carlson had the knives custom made for his men by the Imperial Knife Co in Providence, RI.
better than junglas for shtf?
@@NikosKatsikanis I don’t have any experience with the Junglas. The Raider Bowie is about a $65 dollar knife. I think the Junglas is quite a bit more so I’m not sure if you can make a comparison. I have the Raider Bowie and it’s a beast of a knife and very heavy. I would not be afraid to take it into the woods.
@@cj_m2477 thx
Case and legitimaus collins also made the V 44 1944 marine Rider Bowie I own the case model would not let it go for less than $500 they are very hard to find these days
I like the collection! I've been a subscriber for around two or three years and I don't know what happened but you kicked this channel in gear big time!! Keep up the good work I appreciate it!
I own a ZT 0620.........excellent design, been used and abused for almost 15 years....only had ro replace the blade pivot as the fine threads stripped out too easily.....ZT sent me a replacement at no charge.
Great collection! One of my favorite outdoor knives is a Becker BK9. It chops and cuts like a beast! 👍
They are awesome. But because of the skeltonized handles of the BK series, I switched to the OKC RD9.
@ruger44redhawk88 those are great too. I have a RD tanto.
My favorites are Bucks, and both are discontinued. The Nighthawk and the GCK. I've got a custom Boltaron sheath for the Nighthawk.
I just commented on the indestructible Buck 650 Nighthawk and how that is one of my favorites and I will never get rid of. The two I have are a 1994 and 1995. I have a new found respect for Buck's 420HC especially after seeing Larrin's toughness chart (designer of Magnacut) showing that 420HC is one of the toughest steels out there. In other words, you don't need a super duper steel $300+ knife. I sharpened my 650 Nighthawk the other night just with a Worksharp pocket sharpener and got it razor sharp from dull in about ten minutes. You can't beat that. My other go to is the 5160 Ontario RD6 (slicer) and RD9 (chopper). Nighthawk would be both a stabber and slicer. All of them 1/4" inch.
BK2 is no slouch but finish was rough. I took off the traction coat, refinished the spine to a sharp 90-degrees, (honestly, i redid the flats, too, because they were poorly finished under that coating), gun-blued it, swapped in micarta handles, and made up a nice scout carry sheath. Needless to say, my edgework was excessive but you never know when you’ll need to split mosquitos in mid-air…! (I like to hear their little screams as they flat-spin into the weeds.)
Could you please include a picture of this knife with your mod, sounds awesome. Thank you
I have a LOT of USA made fixed blades that I love. Bark River Knives, LT Wright knives, I have an Adventure Sworn which is next level greatness, several TOPS knives, etc. I do really want that TOPS D fly. It's been on my radar for a long time. It's just that every time I'm knife shopping, for some reason that one never seems to enter my mind, but it's definitely my kind of knife. I like my Strongarm, so yeah, good pick. I have a couple Spartan Blades that are outstanding knives, and that Harsey Fighter in in my wish list too. Then there's always the Becker line. Even with the recent price increases, they're still worth every penny in my book. Picking a favorite is impossible for me. I guess it would have to be broken down into categories such as price, size, and blade grinds.
The best for me is Milwaukee utility knife on your table.😁
I use and carry it every day.
Thanks for always perfect videos! 👍💪
I have the ZT0006. Love the balance, handle ergonomics and the coated 3V blade. The sheath design is excellent, very lightweight and compact. The retention shoulders on my Kydex sheath DO NOT allow the knife to easily escape. I’d send your sheath back to ZT for a replacement. Great picks and reviews too on all your choices. Thanks!
That thing just gives off top quality vibes. I would love to own that.
Sheath is absolute trash
I use the Dragonfly as my main bushcraft knife with my Almike as a combo. Love that blade and handle.
A Gerber Patriot that I bought at the PX in the early 90s is still my go to.
With some sandpaper/files and enough time, you can fix the ergos of pretty much any fixed blade with G10, micarta, or wood scales that needs it. It just depends on the individual how much that time and effort is worth to you.
At present for me (of course these change through time): Bark River Bushcrafter II, ESEE Xancudo, Ka-Bar Becker BK7, Creely Blades Mako, White River Knives M1 Backpacker Pro
I am a filipino and being a knives collector , i like the bowie you can chop easily and point so deeply to any hard object such as woods or predators to attack you.thats why bowie is the best knife in woods or in home.
anyone knows what that folding knife on the bottom-left is? looks loke a green linen micarta but cannot figure out what knife that is. looks nice!
It’s the buck saunter slip joint
I have a - Walmart exclusive, of all things - Gerber Produgy. The Walmart exclusive part is that it doesn't have annoying/useless serrations in the blade so it is more or less a Steongarm, at least where the blade is concerned. I like it. I wish it had the sheath options the Strongarm has but I could rig the sheath to do any if the carry styles the Strongarm will do. I thought Walmart might have stopped selling them because I don't see them as much, anymore but I recently saw one in the knife case at a location I don't visit very often. I don't think they are still $60 (which is what I paid for mine) but are still probably a few bucks less than the Strongarm if someone is looking for an alternative with essentially the same blade. Also, I haven't used a Strongarm but I have a feeling the Prodigy handle is a little more comfortable and maybe better suited to camp tasks.
One old/new American made knife I want to get is a Schrade Generations Sharpfinger (I think Generations is what they are calling them, anyhow). It is a special edition, U.S.A. made Sharpfinger with a 1095 blade and bine handle scales. When I found out that the real Schrade was closing its doors a couple of decades ago I immediately - and I mean immediately, as soon as I heard - went out and bought the only Sharpfinger I could find locally and would have bought three or four if I could have found them. The blade is just a little small for my liking in a fixed blade (I wish they would do the large Sharpfinger in that package) but is just so iconic that I have to have ine and I think they aren't all that pricey. I was also a big fan of their carbon steel Tracker and Stickman back in the day (honestly lijed them better than Case) and they are doing a few folders in that line, too.
I picked up a Prodigy a few days ago at Walmart. I wanted a Strongarm, but they are running $80-$90. Prodigy was on sale for $55 reduced from $68. It is definitely a workhorse, I like it.
I really enjoyed your reviews and I am extremely envious of the freedoms you speak of, I am from Australia and the government control is out of hand and getting worse. It's comforting to hear that you are aware and fighting to keep your freedom. Wishing you every success and looking forward to future posts.
Yes the whole planet noticed a couple years ago
The Ontario Spec plus SP10 Raider Bowie is , I believe, an attempt to replicate of the mil-issue V-44 Bowie issued to Marine Raiders in the Pacific in WWII. I own one in 1095 and will keep it!
K-Bar. It’s a proven knife and cutco owned company. Excellent quality and great edge on it. Also love a Case hunting knife.
I have bought years ago a hand forged bushcraft knife 4.5in/0.25 in. With a nice lether sheet and a fire steel from spain. I love it.😊 In 2014 or 2015 for 130€.
What would be your preference between Ursus 45 and Reiff? Thank you in advance
What do you sharpen with?
LT Wright knives? Best scandi grind IMO. Overland machete and the Lagom will get you through anything.
Thank you for all the hours of entertainment. Keep up the good work and upgrading the videos! It really shows. God bless
Thanks so much my friend really means a lot 👍
Mine is the esee 4 in the s34nv steel
@@gideonstactical YOU NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED TOPS BASECAMP PARANG !
Great video thanks. I love my SP 10 and I also have the rtak2 . wondering how that compares to the junglas
I did a video a very long time ago, I hope we comparing the two.
I never noticed it until you pointed it out, but yeah, that ZT has some serious throwback vibes. Kind of EKish in a way too...
I know you included an esee already but the esee 5 is a fantastic knife that can do almost anything, its also pretty feature rich with a glass breaker, a bow drill divet and the best feeling handle I've felt.
Would you still suggest the Steel Will Argonaut 800 in 2023? How would you say it compares to the Strongarm (they are both around the same price nowadays)?
I love the Argonaut. I’ll take aus-8 over the 420 HC in most scenarios except durability. The Strongarm is a better prybar but the argonaut is a better knife.
I like the Reef and the Spartan. Those 2 plus the S90V version of the Benchmade Hidden Canyon fills all my fixed blade needs.
Thanks for another excellent video Aaron. I agree with most of your choices and own 3 of the knives you featured. My all time favorite knife is the Ontario Rat-6. Great knife so far.
Interesting that the TOPS D fly 4.5 was designed by a Canadian and has the maple leaf!
Pretty proud of some of them there knifes at those prices
My favorite US made fixed blade is definitely the White River backpacker M1, it's one of my most carried EDC knives. I also do like my Esee 6 quite a lot, but I don't carry it as much since I live in a big European city, and don't go to the woods as often as I want. For the Esee 6 I ordered a Armatus Carry Architect kydex sheath, which is easy and so enjoyable to use.
LT Wright has been making THE BEST scandi-grind bushcraft knives for nearly two decades.
Watching with huge satisfaction. See You next time.
I’ve got a ton of knives but my modded out BK7 just fits so well!
Your content is so enjoyable thanks to your easily understood knowledge through experience with everything you display. These videos ooze with genuine honesty and love that you possess which I feel is essential to connect with your viewers for their retention/understanding of these tools. I truly thank you for everything you do really well and God bless ya brotha.
Wow, thank you so much
I agree with everything you said about the Dragonfly. been using it for about 2 years. I often recommend it too others as a lightweight, more slicy version of the BOB.
Ontario sp 51 5160 steel my favorite fixed blade I own
What’s the name of the first knife on this video. 10in blade
Where can I buy one
All the blades have links in the video description.
how much of a beast would the junglas be in magnacut or cpm3v?
CPM 3V yes. Not so sure about magna Cut. Magnacut is great for smaller Knives, still haven’t seen how it would perform with a 10 inch machete.
What about the bravo1 compared to the gerber strongarm?
Yars! Such a great video and selection, happy independence day, God bless you all from a non tyrannical freedom loving British cousin!
Nice job on the video. Does the handle on the ZT 006 ever get loose while you was using it?
Nonsense I’ve owned it and I’ve been pretty rough with it.
@@gideonstactical Which do you think is better, the Lion Steel M7, or ZT 006
What is the small green folding knife on the bench mat?
I have all the Esse knives except the Junglass. It got a bad review & broke into 2 pieces. But i love my Esse 3, 4, 5,& 6. Tops are tops with me, love my Prather Wae Bowie.I have many Cold Steel knives & several OKC blades.
How would you compare a Becker BK9 to a esee junugulas. Those two damn knives are nearly the same size back to back.
Bk9 is great too, but I like the Esee for a few reasons.
1. Esee comes stock with micarta and kydex. To get the bk9 running the same way it will be $50 more
2. The Junglas has one of the best warranty’s on the business
3. The higher grind and better edge makes it a little better for fine work.
The Raider is one I almost wish I bought before it was discontinued. Such a beauty
Esee 6 vs Joker nomad XL with the 7 inch blade, which is the go to?
General survival Esee 6, camping joker
Solid list. I’ve actually owned 4 Dragonfly’s (back when they still said Dragonfly not D-fly), and 4 times I’ve had a friend or family member fall so hard in love with it that I eventually caved and gave/sold/traded it to them. The last 2 I got from the designer himself, in a trade…maybe TOPS most underrated knife. I would definitely buy one again. The Reiff F4 I’ve only had for a week (waited for the micarta DLT exclusive) instant top 3 knives I’ve ever owned. Epic blade. Epic handles.
Best buy of America. Still hurts the wallet in most cases. But if you can find under 100! You're golden.
Great review. Very entertaining. What is the knife shown on the thumbnail?
Haha I am not sure, looks good though.
ESSE 3&4 in S35VN, I EDC the 3. BK 2, 16, and 18. Thanks for turning me on to Azwelke most of my fixed blades live in his Kydex !
Actually, there’s several more that belong on this list and I love em all…
Wow! I didn't realize the Harsey is that affordable. Definitely gonna have to check into that one.
Consider Reviewing a BUSSE INFI steel knife? Perhaps dog soldier 6/8? or other Resiprene-C handled models, for their more affordable price and better ergo. I know the avaliability is an issue, but I’m still hoping to see your point of view on Resiprene-C and INFI. THX
What is the name of the knife you have pictured in your video cover ?
Not sure 🤔
@@gideonstactical dang ok no worries
I heard the question, If you could have only one edc blade for the rest of your life, what would you chose? I thought about it for a couple of months and answered with a White River, Caper. Strong. Capable. Comfortable. Durable. CPM S35VN. Big enough for most all tasks. Small enough to forget that you have it on you. I wouldn’t call it a camping knife per se, but an excellent edc for daily tasks.
Mine is the esee 4 in the s35vn
I did look at the Esee 4, but it was too long to legally carry here and heavier (by almost twice). It came down to the Bradford Guardian and the White River Caper. I still like that Bradford blade though. Perhaps a future acquisition?!?…
Can anyone tell me when they stopped making the Ontario Bowie in 1095?
I’ve had mine since about 2005.
I think 2019ish time frame. You should be good.
My favorite maker is LT Wright and my new favorite fixed blade is the tops El Pionero.
What was the knife that was shown on the prelude for this video?
Just ordered a strong-arm a few days ago. I think Amazon had it for 68 bucks or close to that down from 90 the last time I had checked
Gerber Strongarm, let’s gooooooooo!
Love the opening. Freedom under natural law! No to slavery of any kind.
Thanks for the awesome Holiday content. Also Great information.
My pleasure!
One of my favorites is a Benchmade 154bk jungle Bowie. 9" 1095 blade. Its my light heavy knife. Blaze orange overmold handle keeps me from loosing it outdoors.
losing*
Here is a tip when you are batoning wood next time. Start the knife into the wood you're batoning , then flip the knife over and lay it on the edge of whatever you're using as a base. Then take whatever you're beating the knife with and insted of hitting the knife you hit the wood and its way faster and cleaner split. Its also way easier.
Nice tip! First time hearing that and I never see knife guys doing that. Makes sense and I can’t wait to try it myself
Any videos of that technique? Wouldn’t that only get you the height of the blade into the wood? I must be picturing it wrong.
@@shamitoson yes. Let me find it and i will send you the link.
@@jamicanmonkey1919 thanks ! I appreciate it. Its so much easier.
Very Nice Review! I have them all, probably like most would... putting together a list much like this. I have always appreciated Ontario K&C! Especially for the money. That is until a new purchase yesterday. (Go into that another time) As well along somewhat of the same value lines: CRKT! I have purchased many high end blades, & many middle of the road as well
Even a good number of very pretty high end Custom works. I find: there can be said something for most of the spectrum to be said for a resting place nearly no matter where you land on the spectrum! I am & have been navigating more so away from the high end & higher high end works. Finding myself really quite satisfied with a real worthy steel! This equates to a tough/tried & trued steel that can take a beating: strength/hold edging: without the luster, show, and fussy, also mentioning cost! Ergonomics, fastening, scale quality, primarily only full tang, grip, control
Surely missing things... however, functionality with creativity usually catches my attention. Yet the basics, Tried & True Always ends up on my plate! Could run wild with close repetitiveness! Thank you for allowing me to share! BLESS ALL& AMEN! J
I agree. Wish the Junglas had a big finger choil and also wouldn’t hate more of a recurve shape to the blade. I like the blade length.
The best of the best and the bestest in the world.
Great choices!
I'd like to point out that the new RTAK IIs now have have perfectly fitted handles scales that have rounded edges and are very comfortable!
And of course they have a choyle!
I have an Esee Junglas 2 and I love it .
Two knives that were my go too , while 23 yrs in the Army. Randall # 1 and Buck 110.
You are SPOT ON about handle designs and that to many makers neck down and narrow the front of the handle (Bark River). Most people use knives to open boxes, cut a piece of rope, maybe a feather stick, but have not done hardcore wood processing. That is where those necked down handles start to get uncomfortable.
Hello! What is the knife in the video thumbnail? Thank you.
Not quite sure, to be honest with you.
@@gideonstacticalhad to try, it really looks nice! Thank you. Good videos!
Where do you get your sheaths made?
I have the Gerber strongman but I also have a KA-BAR BK2 Companion survival knife and I have a BUCK knife for hunting
Love your vids longtime fan, keep up the great work and God bless! Btw what’s that green folder on the bench?
Thanks so much and glad you enjoy the content. It is a buck slip joint saunter. Just recently did a video on it.
In survival situation, the last thing I want to worry about is rust on my most important tool. If the ESEE jungle has a stainless steel version, it would be the ultimate perfect knife.
who was the knife sheath maker you mentioned?
Houghton era outdoors check them out
@@gideonstactical thanks!
@gideonstactical , whats the knife in the thumbnail??