Let’s Dive into Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife
The Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife is a no-frills, budget-friendly option for those seeking a basic fixed blade. Manufactured by Rite Edge, this knife features a spear point blade, cord-wrapped handle, and comes with an olive drab nylon sheath. Its low price point makes it attractive to budget-conscious buyers, but does its performance live up to even modest expectations?
I was looking for an inexpensive, fixed-blade knife to keep in my bug-out bag as a backup. I didn’t need top-of-the-line steel or fancy features, just something reliable enough for basic tasks in a survival situation. Upon unboxing, the knife felt surprisingly lightweight, almost too light. The black-coated stainless steel looked decent, but the cord-wrapped handle felt a bit thin and potentially uncomfortable for extended use.
Compared to my Gerber StrongArm (a much more expensive and robust knife) and a Mora Companion (known for its excellent value), the Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife felt significantly less substantial. I chose it primarily for its low cost, hoping it would be a reasonable compromise for a rarely-used backup tool. My first impression was cautiously optimistic; it looked like a knife, but I had serious doubts about its long-term durability.
Real-World Testing: Putting Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife to the Test
First Use Experience
I took the Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife on a weekend camping trip to test its capabilities. The primary tasks were cutting rope for setting up the tent, preparing kindling for a fire, and some basic food preparation. The knife struggled with even moderately thick rope, requiring multiple passes to cut through cleanly.
The blade’s thinness made it less effective at splitting small pieces of wood for kindling. I also noticed the black coating started to chip after only a few uses. The cord-wrapped handle, while providing some grip, started to feel uncomfortable after about 15 minutes of continuous use.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of occasional use, the Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife showed noticeable signs of wear. The blade coating continued to chip, exposing the stainless steel underneath, and the edge dulled quickly. Maintaining the edge required frequent sharpening. The olive drab nylon sheath is already showing signs of wear.
The cord-wrapped handle remained functional, but its thinness and lack of contouring made it uncomfortable for any extended work. Compared to my experiences with other fixed blade knives, like the Mora which maintains a sharp edge for far longer and the Gerber which can withstand much more abuse, the Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife was a significant disappointment.
Breaking Down the Features of Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife
Specifications
One-piece black coated stainless steel construction: This suggests decent corrosion resistance but raises concerns about the steel’s overall quality and edge retention. The “one-piece” construction should theoretically enhance strength, but the thinness of the steel undermines this potential advantage.
Cord wrapped handle with lanyard: Offers a basic grip but is unlikely to provide optimal comfort or security during demanding tasks. The lanyard provides an attachment point, but a more ergonomic handle would be preferable.
5-7/8″ Blade: A reasonable blade length for general utility tasks. However, its performance hinges on the quality of the steel and the blade geometry.
Blade Thickness: 7/64″: A very thin blade, which translates to poor durability for heavier tasks like batoning or prying. Such a thin blade can make the knife useful for slicing tasks only.
Blade Width: 1-1/2″: A standard blade width that contributes to the spear point design. This width provides decent slicing ability, but again, the blade thickness is limiting.
10-11/16″ overall: A decent overall length for a fixed blade knife designed for general use.
Olive drab nylon sheath: Provides basic protection and carry, but nylon sheaths are generally less durable and secure than Kydex or leather sheaths.
Made in China: This typically indicates a lower manufacturing cost and potentially lower quality control standards.
Performance & Functionality
The Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife performs adequately for very light-duty tasks. Its thin blade can slice reasonably well, but its overall lack of robustness limits its utility in more demanding situations. The blade dulls quickly, requiring frequent sharpening, and the handle becomes uncomfortable during prolonged use.
Its strengths are its low price and lightweight design. Its weaknesses are its poor edge retention, limited durability, and uncomfortable handle. The knife meets the bare minimum expectations for a budget fixed blade, but it doesn’t exceed them in any significant way.
Design & Ergonomics
The Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife features a basic, utilitarian design. The cord-wrapped handle provides some grip, but the lack of contouring and thinness makes it uncomfortable for extended use. The knife is lightweight, which can be an advantage for carrying, but it also contributes to the overall feeling of flimsiness.
The knife is not particularly user-friendly. The cord-wrapped handle can unravel over time, and the sheath provides minimal retention. There’s a slight learning curve in getting used to the thin blade and adjusting cutting techniques accordingly, but nothing significant.
Durability & Maintenance
The Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife is not built for heavy use. The blade coating chips easily, the edge dulls quickly, and the cord-wrapped handle can unravel. With proper care and light use, it might last a while, but it’s unlikely to withstand significant abuse.
Maintaining the knife requires frequent sharpening and occasional re-wrapping of the handle. The blade coating cannot be easily repaired, and the nylon sheath is prone to wear and tear.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife comes with only the olive drab nylon sheath. There are no additional accessories included, and customization options are limited due to the knife’s basic design and low cost.
The cord-wrapped handle could be replaced with a custom paracord wrap, but that’s about the extent of readily available modifications. The sheath could potentially be replaced with a third-party Kydex or leather sheath, but the cost might not be justified given the knife’s overall value.
Pros and Cons of Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife
Pros
- Extremely low price point: Makes it an accessible option for budget-conscious buyers.
- Lightweight design: Easy to carry and pack.
- Simple, utilitarian design: Appeals to those seeking a basic, no-frills tool.
- Adequate for light-duty tasks: Can handle basic cutting and slicing.
- Spear point blade: A versatile blade shape suitable for general utility.
Cons
- Poor edge retention: Requires frequent sharpening.
- Limited durability: Not suitable for heavy use or demanding tasks.
- Uncomfortable handle: Cord wrap is thin and lacks contouring.
Who Should Buy Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife?
The Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife is perfect for those who need a very inexpensive backup knife for light tasks. It’s also acceptable for casual campers on a very tight budget, or someone just getting started with knives to learn basic sharpening skills.
Those needing a reliable, durable knife for serious outdoor activities, tactical applications, or survival situations should skip this product. Instead, invest in a higher-quality knife with better steel and a more comfortable handle. A must-have modification would be a higher quality sheath, although that would add to the overall cost of the knife.
Conclusion on Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife
The Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife is a basic, budget-friendly option with significant limitations. While its low price and lightweight design might appeal to some, its poor edge retention, limited durability, and uncomfortable handle make it a less-than-ideal choice for serious use. The Rite Edge Military Spear Fixed Blade Knife’s value proposition is questionable.
The price is justified only if you absolutely cannot afford anything better. I personally would not recommend it as a primary knife for any serious outdoor activity. Instead, I recommend saving up for a more reliable and durable option. Don’t compromise on quality when it comes to essential gear.