Fixed Blade Knives

A fixed blade gives up the folding convenience of an EDC knife for something a folder can't match: a full-tang blade with no moving parts to fail under hard use. Extreme Reloading stocks fixed blade knives for hunting, camping, survival, and duty/tactical use, in stock and shipping in 24 hours from a veteran-owned shop.

Full tang vs. partial tang

Full-tang construction means the blade steel extends the complete length of the handle as one continuous piece, giving the knife maximum strength for batoning, prying, or other hard use. Partial-tang knives (where a narrower steel tang is inserted into the handle) can still be solid tools, but are generally less suited to abusive use than a true full-tang design. For hunting, camping, or any use where the knife might be leaned on hard, full tang is the safer choice.

Blade shape for the job

Drop-point blades are the most versatile all-around shape for hunting and general outdoor use. Clip-point blades offer a finer, more piercing tip, useful for detail work. Skinning-specific blades have a more pronounced belly, purpose-built for the skinning and field-dressing tasks their name implies. Tanto and modified-tanto points prioritize tip strength for harder tactical or utility use over fine control. Choose based on what the knife will primarily be used for rather than general appeal.

Sheath type and carry

Kydex sheaths are rigid, quiet, and hold the blade securely with a positive retention click on many designs, standard for tactical and duty-oriented fixed blades. Leather sheaths are traditional, quieter to draw in some designs, and age well with use, common on hunting and outdoor knives. Check whether the sheath supports your intended carry method (belt loop, MOLLE mount, drop-leg) before buying, since not every knife ships with a sheath compatible with every carry style.

Steel and edge geometry for field use

Same tradeoff as folding knives — premium steels hold an edge longer but take more effort to resharpen in the field, while more common steels are quicker to touch up with a basic stone or rod but need attention more often. For hunting and field-dressing use specifically, a knife that's easy to quickly resharpen mid-task often matters more than maximum edge retention, since you may need to touch it up between animals.

Brands we carry

Cold Steel and KA-BAR Knives for a wide range of hard-use fixed blades, SOG Knives & Tools, Stroup Knives, Outdoor Edge (with hunting- and skinning-focused designs), Kershaw, Spyderco, Camillus, Hogue, and Caliber Gourmet. Filter by manufacturer on this page to find the right fixed blade for your use case.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a full-tang knife, or is partial tang fine? For hard use — batoning wood, prying, heavy field tasks — full tang is the stronger, more reliable choice. For lighter tasks like general camp use or food prep, a well-made partial-tang knife can still perform fine.

What length fixed blade do I actually need? For hunting and field-dressing, a 3-5 inch blade is generally plenty and easier to control for detail work; longer blades (6+ inches) trade some control for more capability in chopping or heavier camp tasks.

Kydex or leather sheath — which should I choose? Kydex is more weather-resistant, holds an edge away from moisture, and offers consistent retention; leather is traditional, often quieter, and can be more comfortable against the body for all-day carry. Neither is wrong — it comes down to use case and personal preference.

Not sure which fixed blade fits your use case? Reach out — we're happy to help you find the right knife for the job.