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.

@YTsux24-7

2 ай бұрын

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.

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

@adods9824

7 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@ralphhinkle1874

5 ай бұрын

Tops beats them all with Esee second

@danreardon505

5 ай бұрын

What's the name of the outdoor place he said makes leather sheaths?

@StoningXStephen

2 ай бұрын

No Bark River?

@Puffinstuff316

13 күн бұрын

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!😆

I'm glad you included a Bowie.....one of our Country's original edc's. Good job!!

@6030jdr

11 ай бұрын

Def not an EDC.

@yankee23a

11 ай бұрын

MERICA BRO YEAH !!! 🇺🇸🇺🇲

@Laurarium

11 ай бұрын

sure！！！

@Phaminator525

11 ай бұрын

​@6030jdr it was Def an edc like 150 years ago lol

@arctodussimus6198

10 ай бұрын

I edc the Prather War Bowie now, but I carried the Marine Raider Bowie for about two years about 13 years ago.

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.

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.

@delav83

11 ай бұрын

Mine is definitely my favorite!

@Im_With_Stupid

8 ай бұрын

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!

@daveclark8726

5 ай бұрын

I have an ESSE 5.

LT Wright has been making THE BEST scandi-grind bushcraft knives for nearly two decades.

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.

@gideonstactical

9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for being apart of the GT crew. Means so much

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.

@gideonstactical

11 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you so much

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.

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!

Super happy the strongarm made it! Have a couple of them.

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!

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 .

@paulstone1912

9 ай бұрын

I've wrapped my RAIDER BOWIE handle in black silicone tape. Several knives that I have done this to. It's great 👍 👌 ☺️

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.

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.

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.

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!

@bullridermusic2054

10 ай бұрын

That thing just gives off top quality vibes. I would love to own that.

@jaredswabby3560

5 ай бұрын

Sheath is absolute trash

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.

@theman21030

11 ай бұрын

👍 Winkler Recon here she will pry a manhole cover up

@axeguy3856

8 ай бұрын

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.

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’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.

@davefletch3063

11 ай бұрын

Bk9 is the best production knife ever conceived

@Ruger44Redhawk

11 ай бұрын

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 SP-10 is unbeatable. I absolutely love mine in 1095.

@axeguy3856

8 ай бұрын

SP53(?) Bolo is nice too

Love number 7. Got one because of your review video on it. Thinking about get a couple more for I'll my kits!

Great collection! One of my favorite outdoor knives is a Becker BK9. It chops and cuts like a beast! 👍

@Ruger44Redhawk

11 ай бұрын

They are awesome. But because of the skeltonized handles of the BK series, I switched to the OKC RD9.

@knives2my497

11 ай бұрын

@ruger44redhawk88 those are great too. I have a RD tanto.

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

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.)

My favorites are Bucks, and both are discontinued. The Nighthawk and the GCK. I've got a custom Boltaron sheath for the Nighthawk.

@Ruger44Redhawk

11 ай бұрын

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.

A Gerber Patriot that I bought at the PX in the early 90s is still my go to.

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

2 ай бұрын

better than junglas for shtf?

@cj_m2477

Ай бұрын

@@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.

@NikosKatsikanis

Ай бұрын

@@cj_m2477 thx

@Metalholic7of8

Ай бұрын

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

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…

I’ve got a ton of knives but my modded out BK7 just fits so well!

Thanks for the awesome Holiday content. Also Great information.

@gideonstactical

11 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

“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

@EnderPearlRs

11 ай бұрын

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out…”

@adods9824

7 ай бұрын

​@@EnderPearlRsJust what I was thinking !!

@primafacie5029

3 ай бұрын

That is the forgotten lesson. Because of that we are here.

@nworbcaz

6 күн бұрын

“I’m on a boat!” - also T. Pain

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.

Great line up! I've got the SP-10, the Harsey and the Gerber, all of which I love. I have the Turoc camp but that Junglas has been catching my attention. But tell you what, that Harsey is in my top 10, maybe 5 favorite knives I have AND, it didn't cost me an arm and a leg either... Win, WIN!!! GREAT VIDEO...

I like the Reef and the Spartan. Those 2 plus the S90V version of the Benchmade Hidden Canyon fills all my fixed blade needs.

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.

The best for me is Milwaukee utility knife on your table.😁 I use and carry it every day. Thanks for always perfect videos! 👍💪

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.

@M60gunner1971

Ай бұрын

Never trust a "friend" that states they know how to do skilled work.

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.

I've purchased two OKC MARINE RAIDER BOWIES recently

@paulstone1912

9 ай бұрын

The OKC MARINE RAIDER BOWIE I bought two of where $66.99. They are getting hard to find now. Mine came from Bass Pro

Wow! I didn't realize the Harsey is that affordable. Definitely gonna have to check into that one.

For me personally, The OKC Raider is almost magical. I bought mine 9 or 10 years ago and it's been my favorite big knife ever since. And definitely came with my favorite sheath. It's a sheath I've never seen anyone on youtube have with a Raider. It has a pivot point right at hip-joint level so when it's strapped to my thigh the 16" beast is barely noticeable. Again, for me personally it's like the stars aligned when I bought it. I generally prefer smaller knives (> 3" blades) but if I had to choose only 1 knife to own, it might be the Raider. The only negative would be the lack of EDC ability.

Gerber Strongarm, let’s gooooooooo!

Thank you for all the hours of entertainment. Keep up the good work and upgrading the videos! It really shows. God bless

@gideonstactical

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much my friend really means a lot 👍

@cliffg3979

11 ай бұрын

Mine is the esee 4 in the s34nv steel

@BOOSTEDLASER

11 ай бұрын

@@gideonstactical YOU NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED TOPS BASECAMP PARANG !

K-Bar. It’s a proven knife and cutco owned company. Excellent quality and great edge on it. Also love a Case hunting knife.

Great video! Was fortunate enough to buy my SP-10 & my Gerber Prodigy (Buck 119 too) several years ago before their prices went crazy! I also LOVE my Harsey fighter too...

Love your videos brother, on point as always. I'm new to youtube comments and it feels so nice to be able to complement all my favorite reviewers. You have made some of the best "real world" knife test videos I've seen (not destruction tests) and I have come to love and really trust your recommendations, you have never steered me wrong. All your rec's for this video are great, I own most of them. For anyone else reading this post, subscribe to the channel and watch his videos. You'll learn a lot about blades, gear, and an overall good dude that wears large-sized gloves (that's for you Aaron). Love what you do!

Another great video. Thanks so much.

LT Wright knives? Best scandi grind IMO. Overland machete and the Lagom will get you through anything.

Pretty proud of some of them there knifes at those prices

The blade is named after Carlson's Raiders, a detachment of U.S. Marines led by Lt. Col. Evens Carlson, that attacked Makin, an island held by the Japanese, on August 17, 1942.

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 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€.

Love the d-fly 4.5 also good save on that team America save

Very cool selection. Thank you

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!

Nice lineup. Looking forward to the vid on that Tops! My 7 are 1. Diablo prototype (my design) from Papa Bear Knives 2. Tops Mohawk Hunter 3. Becker BK-7 4. ESEE Junglas 5. Esee 6 6. Pathfinder Knife Shop Scorpion 7. KA-BAR 1211

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.

Excellent review. Thank you much..

Two knives that were my go too , while 23 yrs in the Army. Randall # 1 and Buck 110.

For anyone who likes the look and the sheath of the Dragonfly, I recommend the Baja 4.5, also from TOPS. Great all-around, all-American knife.

Great content! Surprised to see the Tops Dragonfly make the list! Underrated knife for sure.

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.

@jgz6989

11 ай бұрын

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.

Informative and useful observations, insights and commentary, as always. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and perspectives with us. Excellent selections and rationales. Happy Fourth of July, brother.

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 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.

@nirpy

9 ай бұрын

Yes the whole planet noticed a couple years ago

Cool historical reference! You are right We fought the Barbary Pirates ☠️ in the Mediterranean.

The Raider is one I almost wish I bought before it was discontinued. Such a beauty

My favorite maker is LT Wright and my new favorite fixed blade is the tops El Pionero.

I am a tier 2 operator for the US ARMY, Im an 18Bravo, we need a blade that is extremely reliable, very tough, a blade that can keep a perfect edge, and the right tool/weapon for the job. Every solider / man on my 12 man team relies on one brand: SOG TECH.. THE ABSOLUTE MOST ELITE FIXED BLADES, Hands down, nuff said.

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!

Another under the radar great Tops knife is the mohawk hunter. I bought it probably like 4 or 5 years ago when gideons tactical did a video on it lol. Ive used it to gut and process many deer and breast turkey's, along eith using it hiking and fishing alot as well its its always done a great job. These days i ha e more expensive and great knives but no matter what, when deer season comes around, for some reason i always grab my mohawk hunter. I'd def trust it eirh my life.

Watching with huge satisfaction. See You next time.

I have an Esee Junglas 2 and I love it .

Excellent review - Thank You 🙏

@gideonstactical

8 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I've been wanting the OKC Marine Raider for a long time, I just pulled the trigger on it. I already have the OKC SP1 combat knife Sweet!

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.

Great Video Gideon,, love all your choices,, the OKC Bowie,, very cool blade,, large hunk of steel,, enjoy your videos brother,, always look for your opinions before any knife purchase, thanks for what you do. 👍🏼👍🏼 New Year’s Day 2024

I’m surprised you didn’t include a Bark River. I have tried plenty of knives but my bravo in Cruwear and mini gunny in magnacut have become my main fixed blades.

Great video. Lots of knives I might be interested in. Good review.

I still love my Esee 5. It’s a beast, also have the aftermarket g10 scales

Half face blades crow jr has been my absolute favorite fixed blade. Would love to see it on the channel if you haven’t done it already! White river and survive knives would be some other contenders for the list!

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.

I love my Jungulus which is just a blast to play with. The Reiff in 3V I have debated and will likely eventually purchase. But my Bark River Bravo 1.5 in 3V is my go to. I also have Bark Rivers Bravo machete in 1V which in fairness is incredible. It takes a beating and stay sharp even through a forest of bamboo. The other knife that deserves a mention is Cold steel trail blazer in 3V. I dare say I.m a big fan of 3V.

Nice vídeo Aaron, awesome knives...

Ka-bar and Buck has been a staple of mine for years.

Interesting that the TOPS D fly 4.5 was designed by a Canadian and has the maple leaf!

Awesome video man!

Nice review...I have the Gerber Strongarm so much I own 2. I even bought my son one for his bug out bag. Don't own any of the others.

Papa Bear knives Essential is one of my all time favorite blades. Very sharp and slicey. Another one would be the Fobos Alaris

Love my Bark River knives

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.

For me, the two large knives you have are good, though I wouldn't choose the Bowie for Bushcraft, the Junglas would be it. The second would be the ZT 0006, the Junglas for batoning wood - to chop would be a machete or a hatchet. The ZT for fine woodwork and using the Ferrocerium rod. A fine collection of knives and showmanship. A very fine video for the 4th. Thank you for this and I hope your 4th was good.

Scandi grinds have such an easy sharpening process. That Dragonfly is sick

@MB-jg4tr

11 ай бұрын

This isn't a true Scandinavian grind, it has a micro bevel

Great work! sweet show, and men it’s sad to see you all go ❤

ZT 0006 $$$$...afterthought sheath!...gonna stay on many shelves. Great alternative options..thanks again👍

I agree the Junglas is up there. LT Wright makes fantastic knives, many scandi. Survive! GSO’s, Barkrivers, so many great knife makers in the US.

All great choices for sure. This list needs a Becker BK9 added, and any of several from Tops could live here. The BK-9 and Terava Skrama 240 have become my go-to camp knives, but the Skrama isnt US made- still amazing though