Need suggestions on a good 5.5" single edge fixed blade?

[AKTexas]

Need a fixed blade knife.
Under $100 bucks.
US made.
Single plain edge.
5.5" or smaller.

[ubersoldate]

I own a few fixed blade knives...
The LMF II, rat3 and rat5 by ontario...

I would suggest taking a look at the rat 5, they are really nice knives, tough, and balanced great.
http://www.knivesplus.com/ontarioknifeqn-rat5s.html

[Richard Simmons]

You don't mention your intended use but here are a few I either have or would vouch for as being quality pieces. Some of these like the Buck Short Nighthawk can be found without the serrations if you like which is what I would prefer but the photo linked, like others will give you an idea of it's appearance and specs.

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

http://www.tomarskabars.com/1220_INFO.html

http://www.knifeworks.com/benchmade510rantbowied-2steelclip-pointplainedge.aspx

http://www.knifeworks.com/ratcutlerydpxgearhesthostileenvironmentsurvivaltoo l.aspx

http://newgraham.com/store/product/4888/Buck-Short-Nighthawk-BU655GRX/

http://www.gpknives.com/queen-amber-stag-bone-canoe-knife.html

[AKTexas]

I'm looking for a multi-use knife, defensive, utility cutting tool.

[old Grump]

Buck makes a 5" utility knife good for whittling, skinning, cleaning fish, opening boxes and won't break the bank. Not the best knife for any of those particular jobs but will do all of them well. Pathfinder is one that comes to mind. My particular Buck is no longer made and was specifically designed for deer but I have cleaned catfish and skinned squirrel with it. 4 1/2" blade but it does all of those jobs and has the same general shape. I keep it razor sharp and don't cut anything not organic with it so if it came to fighting it would do the job.

You really don't want a hunting knife for a utility tool because it requires a different edge on the blade and you will not be happy. Get a folding knife with two 3"-4" blades like a Case, Old Timer, KaBar something on that line and carry it on your belt for everything. I always kept one blade with a sharp edge and the other slimmer blade with a working edge and I cut wire, stripped wire, cut screen, did rope, boxes, whittling gouges out of doors sills or walls for a particular objective, opened oil cans scrapped grease, even cleaned a hoof or three with it. That one I didn't use on any game except as a handy general purpose fishing knife in the boat for rigging lines.

Maybe not what you want to hear but one knife does all does nothing good and two knives isn't a real handicap.

[AKTexas]

Buck makes a 5" utility knife good for whittling, skinning, cleaning fish, opening boxes and won't break the bank. Not the best knife for any of those particular jobs but will do all of them well. Pathfinder is one that comes to mind. My particular Buck is no longer made and was specifically designed for deer but I have cleaned catfish and skinned squirrel with it. 4 1/2" blade but it does all of those jobs and has the same general shape. I keep it razor sharp and don't cut anything not organic with it so if it came to fighting it would do the job.

You really don't want a hunting knife for a utility tool because it requires a different edge on the blade and you will not be happy. Get a folding knife with two 3"-4" blades like a Case, Old Timer, KaBar something on that line and carry it on your belt for everything. I always kept one blade with a sharp edge and the other slimmer blade with a working edge and I cut wire, stripped wire, cut screen, did rope, boxes, whittling gouges out of doors sills or walls for a particular objective, opened oil cans scrapped grease, even cleaned a hoof or three with it. That one I didn't use on any game except as a handy general purpose fishing knife in the boat for rigging lines.

Maybe not what you want to hear but one knife does all does nothing good and two knives isn't a real handicap.

I carry two knives almost all the time. A Gerber Evo and Gerber Multi-tool. The multi-tool gets a lot of use in the field, range, and any place I need a small hand tool. The Evo has been used for just about all small task. The fixed blade would be needed more for heavy use that the folder cannot be used for.

[old Grump]

Then scratch my recommendation on the Buck I made and let me suggest another folder but heavy duty, Buck 882 SBT. They go anywhere from 180 to 80 dollars, you have to look for a sale. Its as ugly as sin but tough as a tank. The blade isn't quite 4" long but that really isn't a handicap not even as a fighting blade, in fact to me it is an advantage. If I need something bigger I get a machete or brush knife.

[AKTexas]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[slamfire51]

I got this Buck 6 yrs ago and have loved it ever since.
Stays sharp and easy to get a fine edge if need be, and light.
I use it for every cutting need.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/buck2.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/buck1.jpg