Fixed blade knives or sometimes more commonly referred to as sheath knives are some of the oldest weapons on the planet. They appeared approximately 2.5 million years ago, as discovered from the Oldowan stone tool archaeological industry. Of course, they have certainly changed many times over since then in styles and technology used but at the end of the day they still are used in the same manner.
A fixed blade knife is a knife that does not fold or slide and is usually stronger due to it’s tang, the extension of the blade going into the handle and of course the lack of moving parts. They used to be a lot more common amongst the Everyday Carry (EDC) folks but have lost a popularity with the rise of economical folders for that and many other reasons. Primarily, folding knives are simply easier to carry and conceal. However, sometimes you just can’t beat a good fixed blade knife, even for everyday carry. Like I said, if you need a stronger knife than a fixed blade knife is definitely the way to go. In terms of prices, there are a lot of budget friendly fixed blade knives and here are our top 5.
Ka-Bar USMC – $90-$95
The Ka-Bar USMC is probably the most legendary fixed blade knife on the market. It certainly isn’t the cheapest on this list but everything about this knife is designed to make it dependable, durable, easy to carry and affordable. From the handle, which seems to be indestructible to the blade which is 1095 Crovansteel. The Ka-Bar USMC is a classic, and embodies what a true fixed blade knife should be so for that reason it will always make our list.
Morakniv Companion – $20-$25
You just can’t beat the quality of Swedish company, Morakniv, and their knives. The Companion is probably their best example of a quality knife, for a very very low price. The blade is 1095 carbon steel with a hardness of HRC58-60. The steel is 12c27 which is know for being corrosion resistant and being very durable. This is a knife that will not only last you a long time but you can depend on it with little maintenance as the steel holds it’s blade. It is by far one of the cheapest fixed blade knives on the market, without a doubt.
Schrade Frontier SCHF36 – $50-$60
The Schrade Frontier SCHF36 is a bit of an overlooked knife. It has a really simple design, and doesn’t necessarily scream “tactical” in any means really. However, it does come with 1095 high carbon steel that is powder-coated which makes it very durable and useful. The handle makes this knife, and you’ll find it fits your hand like a glove. This is very much a bushcraft knife, it is good for all around survival and regular chores.
Cold Steel SRK SK5 – $80-$90
The SRK in the name of this knife from Cold Steel stands for Survival Rescue Knife. That is of course just marketing, but Cold Steel really did a good job of making sure the name stands up to the knife. You should also know that this knife is standard issue for U.S. Navy Seal team members going through BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/Seal) training. You’re getting a 4.75mm thick piece of steel for a blade which means it’ll handle a large variety of jobs without a sweat including carving, batoning and chopping. It is pricier than some of the other knives on this list, but it is still very budget friendly compared to others and worth the extra dollars.
Morakniv Bushcraft – $45-$55
If you’ve read the list up to this point you’ll already know how great Morakniv knives are. The Morakniv Bushcraft is only lower on this list than the Companion because of the price point (it’s double the price). However, if you’re shopping for a bit of a bigger blade, and a knife that is more designed as a survival tool and knife all in one than this is your knife. Sure it’s not the “coolest” looking knife out there, but they are easy to sharpen and made of excellent quality steel. The handles are rugged, and the knives are inexpensive. You cannot go wrong.
Check them out and if you end up purchasing one of these let us know in the comments below! If we missed a fixed blade that you believe should be on this, also let us know below!
Ben