I'm looking for opinions and suggestions for a good fixed blade knife.
I'm really hoping to get something that will act as kind of a survival knife. Not that I am in survival situations often... (ok ever...) or even go camping much anymore, but I used to go camping a lot, and still really enjoy it. Who knows... Maybe I'll get the chance to go back to the BWCA for a week long camping trip like I've done so many times in my past, so I'd like to get something of good quality and highly useful.
For now, I'll probably put it on my battle belt since I'll be using that more than my internal frame packs that have been collecting dust for so many years. I want something that has multiple uses and is versatile, not just a good blade. I'm looking for extra features that I may never use, but would be nice to have... Just in case.
I've been looking at the TOPS Tahoma field knife http://www.inner-bark.com/#!product/prd1/2417251521/tops-tahoma-field-knife and really like it, but it's a little bigger than I was hoping for. I like the hook on the back of the blade, the bow drill spindle socket, the bullet puller, the brybar, the backup edge, and the versatile ways to grip the knife for chopping, fine carving, etc... I'm just not sure I want something so big. I realize that one of the reasons I like this knife is that it will be a good chopping knife, and the large size makes that possible, but I'd like to hear some other options.
I already have a Gerber bear Grylls knife, (don't judge me... It was free) that I like... I'm just thinking about getting something else. I don't care that my Gerber is a sell out from Bear Grylls, and actually like the orange color since it would be harder to lose. So if I had my choice of the Bear Grylls or the LMF II, I'd choose the Bear Grylls, but I've heard that the steel of that knife isn't the best quality, and I don't want a serrated edge like it has.
I do like the Kabar TDI knife with its MOLLE Kydex sheath, and small size perfect for a battle belt, but I'm not sure I like the angled blade design. Plus it's really designed for a fighting blade which I feel is not of great importance to me. I'd rather have something more versatile.
Although in reality.... I'll probably be using it mostly to carve marshmallow roasting sticks, so I really don't need anything more than my Kershaw pocket folder which is my EDC. I just feel like I should get a higher quality knife than what I have now.
Any opinions on some type of a fixed blade, multi-use survival type knife, that is small enough to be put on a battle belt, but large enough to perform camping type tasks? Im looking to spend no more than 200.00 of this knife.