What Is A Good Knife Brand?

As far as I can tell you’re looking for a fixed blade knife, not for a folder, correct?
Requirements for hunting and camping knives also vary. Hunting knives are optimized more for light/medium cutting. Camping knives can be used for rougher jobs including chopping and prying.
Given your budget, you could get a very good medium size knife 5-7″ long.
As for the brands, as others mentioned Benchmade and Spyderco are very good choices. Becker also makes good field knives.
All three use modern steels and quality materials.
Benchmade and a few other fixed blade reviews here – http://www.zknives.com/knives/fixed/prod…
Alternatively you could consider Fallkniven – http://www.zknives.com/knives/fixed/prod…
If you really want high performance knives you should check out Swamp Rat Knives – http://www.zknives.com/knives/fixed/srkw…
Made from SR-101 steel, which is modified 52100 steel, they have exceptionally good edge holding and toughness.
Even better, but more expensive Busse Combat Knives – http://www.zknives.com/knives/fixed/buss…
Cold Steel, Gerber, CRKT are ok, but lower class compared to benchmade and Sypdies. SOG belongs to this group as well. They stick to AUS8 or AUS6 steel, donno why but they discontinued their field knives made of Latrobe BG-42 steel. I got two of those, they held much better edge than AUS8.
Chris Reeve Knives are quite expensive, made of A2 tool steel, which is one of the toughest steels, but there is an endless debate about them heat treating A2 steel below its optimal hardness, thus compromising toughness and edge holding ability.
And, finally if I were you,and looking for the high performance, non-custom blade I’d look for modern knives. As time goes on steels used by manufacturers improve (mostly) and metallurgy moves forward too. So, it’s very unlikely that 30-40 year old knife will be anywhere near today’s knives. Bakc then 50-54HRC was considered high. Today 58-60 is more or less a norm and better blades go higher. Hardness alone isn’t an indicator of knife quality, but better steels can be hardened higher.
You might want to check knife steel FAQ too. Link below.

buck has some very good knives that hold a edge.gerber is another well made knife.be prepared but most of all the knives are made in japan.i have hunted and used all kinds of knives for almost 50 years.a few years ago i found a knife that holds the edge for quiet a while. it is a kershaw.you can send it back to them and they will sharpen them for free.if they notice any damage to the blade they will just send you a new knife.the knife to stay away from is the knives of alaska. they break very easily and many times will break while just being handled.kershaw id very affordable. you can get them on ebay very cheaply.there is a kershaw hunter that has a guthook. 3 years ago i cleaned 2 deer before it started losing its edge.
————–retired texas deputy sheriff————–

I would go with a Chris Reeve fixed or folding knife.http://www.chrisreeve.com/pffixed.htm
I have owned/used just about every knife people are listing here for your price range or a little more I think Chris Reeve is the best. Even better than a hell of a lot of knives that are way more expensive too. Best metals, best craftsmanship.
I am in CA and I buy mine from Nordic Knives in Solvang, CAhttp://www.nordicknives.com/
good luck

For your price range of $150.00 i will go with a Benchmade or Spyderco. On the other hand for less money and the same quality i would go with a Kershaw. I have used my Kershaw for about 4 years now and i love it. It keeps a great edge and it is very reliable and strong. You can get one like i have with the assistant open for around $70.00. Plus it is made right here in the US.

I can’t believe that out of all of these posts, not a single person mentioned Case Cutlery of Bradford, Pennsylvania.
For the best value, I would recommend a vintage Case….something made between 1960 and 1990.
Another good modern knife are the Cold Steel series by Lynn Thompson out in California.

Contact my good friend and Brother Mason BJ Snot at Tipi Knifeworks in Columbus, GA.
Bill’s knives are true works of art and will skin an elephant as still give you a good shave.
Doc

Definately buck or Gerber they can hold an edge n last forever. But if u want the ultimate knife go w a usmc ka-bar knife tough rugged n extremely sharp just don’t use an electronic knife sharpener on it just spit stone is it.

Gerber, Buck, Spyderco
All are high quality and affordable.

* Schrade Brand *

cold steel, gerber, benchmade, kershaw, sog, so many good knives…

Benchmade, Spyderco, Microtech. If one of those doesn’t suit you you’re too picky.

benchmade, Gerber, SOG, Ka-bar, Cold steel, etc.
All made in this great nation

SOG, Smith and Wesson, Cold Steel, Gerber

I like S&W knives. I carry two of them on duty all the time

ka-bar is a good knife. I have a Kershaw pocket knife that is great too.

My best knife
Cold Steel folders should do the trick.
I dont understand why no sheath knives???