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    • Fixed Blade Knives

    Fixed Blade Knives: Purpose-Built Tools for Hunting, Survival & Tactical Use

    A fixed blade knife is the most reliable cutting tool ever made — no pivot to fail, no lock to give way under pressure. Whether you need a full-tang hunting knife that can break down a whitetail in the field, a bushcraft blade built for a week in the backcountry, or a tactical fixed blade trusted by professionals, Knifeworks carries the definitive selection. Every knife is sourced directly from the world's top manufacturers and backed by our authorized dealer guarantee.

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    Authorized Dealer Every fixed blade is 100% genuine, sourced direct from the manufacturer.
    Fast Shipping Most orders ship same or next business day.
    ️
    Field Experts On Staff Real hunters, anglers, and outdoor professionals. We know these tools firsthand.
    ⭐
    Full Warranty Support Lifetime warranties honored across every brand we carry.

    The Ultimate Fixed Blade Knife Buyer's Guide (2026)

    Everything you need to know before you buy — from tang construction and blade steel to grind geometry, sheath systems, and use-case recommendations. Click any topic below to expand.

    Why Choose a Fixed Blade Over a Folder? ﹢

    A fixed blade knife has one decisive advantage over any folding knife: there is nothing to fail. No pivot, no lock bar, no spring — just steel, handle, and your grip. For hunting, survival, and tactical applications where your knife is your last line of defense or your primary field tool, a fixed blade is the professional's choice.

    The tradeoff is carry convenience, which is why sheath design and blade length matter as much as the steel itself. Once you commit to a fixed blade, the other decisions — tang, steel, grind, and sheath — determine everything else.

    Full Tang vs. Partial Tang — Why It Matters ﹢

    The tang is the portion of the blade steel that extends into the handle. Construction type directly determines how much stress a knife can handle before failing.

    Construction Description Best For
    Full Tang Steel runs the full length and width of the handle Heavy-duty use, batoning, survival
    Hidden / Stick Tang Narrower steel extends into the handle scales Traditional hunting, lightweight carry
    Skeletonized Tang Full-length steel with material removed for weight savings Neck knives, minimalist carry
    Rat Tail Tang Very narrow tang threaded through the handle Traditional and decorative pieces
    Pro Tip: Always Go Full Tang for Hard Use For any survival, tactical, or heavy hunting application, always choose full tang. Partial tang constructions can fail under lateral stress — a critical point when batoning firewood or processing large game.
    Blade Steel for Fixed Blades: What the Pros Use ﹢

    Fixed blade steels are chosen differently than folder steels. Toughness matters more than raw hardness because fixed blades face lateral stress, prying, and batoning that folders never see.

    Steel Best For Toughness Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance
    CPM MagnaCut All-around field use ★★★★☆ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
    CPM-3V Hard use / survival ★★★★★ ★★★★☆ ★★★☆☆
    A2 Tool Steel Bushcraft & camp ★★★★★ ★★★★☆ ★★☆☆☆
    1095 Carbon Traditional hunting ★★★★★ ★★★☆☆ ★★☆☆☆
    D2 Tool Steel Hard use / tactical ★★★★☆ ★★★★★ ★★★☆☆
    X50CrMoV15 Hunting / field use ★★★★☆ ★★★★☆ ★★★★★
    VG-10 Fillet / marine use ★★★☆☆ ★★★★☆ ★★★★★
    ⚙️ A Note on Carbon Steels Carbon steels like 1095 and A2 will develop a natural patina with use. This is completely normal and actually adds a layer of corrosion protection over time. A light coat of food-safe mineral oil after field use keeps them performing for decades.
    Blade Grind Guide: The Geometry Behind the Cut ﹢

    The grind determines how a knife performs in the field — often more than the steel itself. Choosing the right geometry for your intended use is one of the most overlooked decisions in knife buying.

    Grind Type Description Best For Durability
    Flat Grind Thins evenly from spine to edge Hunting, general slicing ★★★★☆
    Hollow Grind Concave bevel creates an extremely thin edge Skinning, precision tasks ★★★☆☆
    Convex Grind Rounded bevel with no sharp transition Chopping, batoning, survival ★★★★★
    Scandi Grind Single wide bevel, no secondary edge bevel Bushcraft, field sharpening ★★★★☆
    Sabre / High Flat Grind Flat grind that begins higher on the blade Balanced tactical & field use ★★★★★
    Sheath Systems: Carry Matters as Much as the Knife ﹢

    A great knife in a poor sheath is a liability in the field. Retention, draw speed, weather resistance, and carry position all affect how your fixed blade performs when it counts.

    Sheath Type Material Best For
    Kydex Thermoplastic Tactical carry, positive retention, fast draw
    Leather Vegetable-tanned cowhide Traditional hunting, collector pieces
    Nylon / Cordura Woven synthetic Budget-friendly, lightweight field carry
    Leather + Kydex Hybrid Both Style and retention combined
    Muela Knives — The Sheath Standard Muela Knives (available at Knifeworks as an authorized Muela dealer) are renowned for their hand-stitched leather sheaths made entirely in-house in Argamasilla de Calatrava, Spain — a benchmark for traditional fixed blade carry quality.
    Choosing by Use Case: Quick Reference Guide ﹢

    Not sure where to start? Match your intended use to the right blade length, steel, and a top recommendation from our current catalog.

    Use Case Blade Length Steel Recommendation Our Top Pick
    Whitetail / Deer Hunting 3.5"–4.5" X50CrMoV15 or CPM MagnaCut Muela BW-16
    Big Game / Elk 4.5"–6" CPM-3V or D2 ESEE-5
    Bushcraft / Survival 4"–5" A2 or 1095 Carbon ESEE-4
    Tactical / Military 5"–7" CPM-3V or D2 Spyderco Street Beat
    Fillet / Fishing 6"–9" Flex VG-10 or Ti-Nitride Coated Bubba Ultra Flex
    Neck Carry / Backup 2"–3.5" CPM MagnaCut Boker Plus Subcom

    Fixed Blade Knives: Frequently Asked Questions

    Expert answers from the team at Knifeworks — your authorized dealer for the world's top fixed blade brands.

    What is a full tang fixed blade and why does it matter? ﹢

    A full tang knife has a single piece of steel that runs the entire length and width of the handle. This makes it the strongest construction possible — the handle cannot separate from the blade under hard use. For survival, hunting, and tactical applications, full tang is the professional standard. Partial tang knives are better suited for lightweight carry and traditional collecting where hard use is not a factor.

    What is the best fixed blade knife for hunting? ﹢

    For deer and general big game hunting, look for a blade between 3.5" and 4.5" with a drop point or clip point profile for controlled skinning and caping. Top picks in 2026 include the Muela BW-16 (stag handle, X50CrMoV15 steel), the Buck 119 (420HC, a classic American design with decades of field-proven performance), and the Boker Germany Hunting Series. Every one of these is available at Knifeworks with full manufacturer warranty support.

    What is the best steel for a survival fixed blade? ﹢

    For survival use, toughness trumps everything else. The top choices in 2026 are:

    • CPM-3V — The toughest powder steel on the market. Nearly impossible to chip or snap under hard use.
    • A2 Tool Steel — The bushcrafter's gold standard. Holds a working edge and sharpens easily in the field with a flat stone.
    • 1095 Carbon Steel — Proven for decades in military and field use. Tough, easy to sharpen, and forgiving under abuse.
    • CPM MagnaCut — The modern all-rounder. Delivers toughness and rust resistance in one package — ideal for wet or coastal environments.
    What is the difference between a Scandi grind and a flat grind? ﹢

    A Scandi grind uses a single wide bevel that runs from roughly the midpoint of the blade to the edge with no secondary bevel. This makes it extremely easy to sharpen in the field — just lay the bevel flat on a stone. It is the preferred grind for bushcraft and wilderness use.

    A flat grind thins the blade evenly from the spine down to the edge, creating a thinner, more versatile geometry. It excels at slicing tasks like skinning and food prep but requires slightly more skill to sharpen correctly. Most hunting and general-use fixed blades use a flat or high flat grind.

    Are fixed blade knives legal to carry? ﹢

    Fixed blade carry laws vary significantly by state and municipality. Most states permit open carry of fixed blades for hunting and outdoor use, but concealed carry of a fixed blade is restricted or prohibited in many areas. Blade length limits also apply in certain jurisdictions. Always verify your local and state laws before carrying a fixed blade in public. Knifeworks recommends consulting your state's statutes for the most current regulations.

    What is the difference between a Kydex and a leather sheath? ﹢

    Kydex is a rigid thermoplastic that offers a precise, audible "click" retention fit, weather resistance, and fast draw speed. It is the tactical and field carry standard — virtually indestructible and easy to clean.

    Leather offers a classic aesthetic, quiet draw, and a natural feel that improves with age and use. High-quality vegetable-tanned leather — like the hand-stitched sheaths from Muela Knives — is a mark of craftsmanship. The tradeoff is that wet leather can transfer moisture to carbon steel blades, so always dry your sheath before storing.

    How do I care for a carbon steel fixed blade? ﹢

    Carbon steels like 1095 and A2 will develop a natural patina over time — this is completely normal and adds a protective layer against corrosion. For routine care:

    • Wipe clean and dry immediately after every use — especially after contact with acidic materials like game blood or citrus.
    • Apply a thin coat of food-safe mineral oil to the blade before storage to prevent rust.
    • Keep the leather sheath dry — never store a carbon steel blade in a wet or damp leather sheath for extended periods.
    • Sharpen regularly — carbon steels are easier to sharpen than stainless, so maintain the edge with a strop or flat stone after heavy use.
    What fixed blade knife brands does Knifeworks carry? ﹢

    We carry the industry's top fixed blade brands — all sourced directly from authorized channels and backed by full manufacturer warranties:

    Spyderco, ESEE Knives, Boker Germany, Muela Knives (Spain), Buck Knives, Benchmade, Bubba, CRKT, Kershaw, Zero Tolerance, Bark River, White River Knife & Tool, and many more.

    Not sure which blade is right for your next hunt or backcountry trip? Contact our team — we're real knife people and we're here to help.

    Shop Fixed Blade Knives with Confidence at Knifeworks Every fixed blade in our catalog is sourced directly from authorized manufacturer channels — guaranteed genuine, fully warranted, and backed by a team that actually uses these tools in the field. Fast shipping. Expert support. Real knife people.