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Fixed blade knife: what the steel, grind and numbers mean

By the Plain Prepper editors. Updated 2026-10-15.

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Quick answer

A fixed blade knife has no hinge to fail, which is why it suits camp chores, food prep and emergency kits. Choose by three things: steel (stainless resists rust; carbon is easier to sharpen but needs drying and oil), grind (a Scandi grind is simple to sharpen in the field) and a cutting edge length you can control. Morakniv's Companion and Kansbol use 12C27 stainless with a Scandi grind; the ESEE-3 uses 1095 carbon steel with a powder coat.

Stainless or carbon steel

Morakniv's steel guide lays out the trade-off clearly:

Steel	Strengths	Care needed
12C27 stainless	Very high hardness, excellent corrosion resistance, easy to resharpen in the field with a whetstone	Low
14C28N stainless	Harder, longer-lasting sharpness, resists small edge damage	Low, but slightly more brittle and more effort to resharpen
Carbon steel (C100S, about 1% carbon)	Extremely sharp and easier to resharpen than stainless; develops a protective patina	Dry and oil after use; rusts in humid conditions

For a kit that may sit in a damp garage, a truck or a go-bag for months, stainless is the lower-effort choice. Carbon steel rewards someone who will wipe and oil the blade after every use. Coatings help too: Morakniv says the DLC coating on its BlackBlade models covers the whole blade and adds corrosion protection, and ESEE finishes the ESEE-3 in a textured powder coat.

Grind and edge angle

Morakniv's Scandi grind has one wide, flat bevel down to the edge, finished with a small micro bevel that makes the edge less fragile. Morakniv lists:

• Total edge angle of 23° (11.5° per side) on blades up to 2.5 mm thick, and 27° on thicker blades.
• A micro bevel of about 35 to 45° total, 0.05 to 0.5 mm high.
• Best uses: outdoor and bushcraft work, carving and all-round tasks.

The product pages for the Companion and Kansbol match that: a 22 to 24° grind angle and a 37 to 39° edge angle. Morakniv notes its micro bevel differs from an American-style secondary bevel, so sharpen to the maker's angles rather than adding a new bevel.

Three fixed blades side by side

Spec	Morakniv Companion (S)	Morakniv Kansbol (S)	ESEE-3
Steel	12C27 stainless, 56.5 HRC	12C27 stainless, 56.5 HRC	1095 high carbon, 55 to 57 Rc
Blade	104 mm (4.1 in), 2.5 mm thick	108 mm, 2.5 mm thick	3.88 in overall, 3.38 in cutting edge, 0.125 in thick
Grind	Scandi	Scandi, profile ground	Not stated on spec list
Weight	118.4 g (4.18 oz)	134 g (4.73 oz)	5.2 oz knife; 9.3 oz with sheath
Handle	TPE rubber	TPE	Micarta and G10
Sheath	Polymer	Polymer, leather belt loop, ambidextrous	Molded, with clip plate
Made in	Sweden	Sweden	USA

Note the ESEE's two lengths: the blade is 3.88 inches, but only 3.38 inches is sharpened, so about half an inch near the handle does not cut. Compare cutting edge lengths, not just blade lengths. Both Morakniv knives use Morakniv's standard tang; ESEE's list does not state tang construction.

Sheath, carry and the law

Morakniv's safety manual says to always use a sheath or blade cover when transporting a knife and never to leave one loose in a backpack among other gear. Check that the sheath holds the knife firmly and fits the way you carry: the Kansbol's sheath works for left or right hand and Morakniv lists it as ferro rod compatible; ESEE sells optional sheaths, clip plates and MOLLE backs for the ESEE-3.

Morakniv also states that you are responsible for complying with knife laws where you live. Blade length and carry rules differ by state and city, so check yours before carrying a fixed blade anywhere beyond your property or campsite. Morakniv describes its products as tools, not weapons.

Care and safe use

• Cut away from your body and keep the edge sharp; Morakniv notes a dull blade needs more force and causes accidents.
• Clean and dry after use. Wipe the blade dry, store it dry, and add a thin coat of oil for storage or humid places. This matters most on carbon steel.
• Store sheathed and out of reach of children.
• First aid: Morakniv advises keeping a first-aid kit nearby; rinse cuts, apply pressure and seek medical help for severe injuries.
• Warranty: ESEE says it will repair or replace a broken ESEE knife for its whole life, anywhere, with no receipt or registration.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

Is stainless or carbon steel better for a fixed blade knife?

Morakniv says carbon steel is sharper and easier to resharpen but rusts more and needs drying and oil; 12C27 stainless resists corrosion and is still easy to sharpen in the field.

What is a Scandi grind?

A single flat bevel down to the edge. Morakniv's version has a 23° total edge angle on thin blades and a small micro bevel for durability.

How long should a fixed blade knife be?

Long enough for your tasks, short enough to control, and legal to carry where you live. The examples here run from a 3.38 inch cutting edge (ESEE-3) to a 108 mm, about 4.3 inch, blade (Kansbol).

How do I keep a fixed blade from rusting?

Morakniv says to wipe it dry after cleaning, store it dry and apply a thin layer of oil for storage or humid conditions.

Sources

• Companion (S): specifications, Morakniv
• Kansbol (S): specifications, Morakniv
• ESEE-3: specifications and warranty, ESEE Knives
• Our steels and coatings, Morakniv
• Our grinds and edge angles, Morakniv
• User manual and safety information, Morakniv

Sources checked 2026-10-15.