Hunting fixed blade knives were first made of flint and were used for skinning and butchering game by our ancestors. Rome saw the beginning of bronze swords and large knives used in battle.  The first iron blades and knives could hold an edge, but were very brittle.  Modern steel came into production around 1879 in England.  This new innovation was tough, could stand a lot more punishment, and was easily formed into a very good hand weapon or frontiersman's companion.  Of course legend has it Jim Bowie had his knife made from a meteorite.

Today's fixed blade knife carriers are hunters, to assist with cleaning game or what ever other use that might be found in a hunting camp, and every other person who admires the workmanship and beauty of today's masterpieces of steel and bone or antler are admired and coveted as much as our forefathers  depended on their knives; of course only for available hunting seasons.