All Rounder Fixed Blade

A

AlexSchmidt

Joined
Sep 23, 2017
Messages
2
Hey everyone,

Fairly new here and I was looking to get an EDC knife that is kind of an all-rounder; that is, it can do a lot of things well. I'll list some stuff below that I would like the knife to have, but it doesn't necessarily need every little thing. I mostly want it for light cutting stuff, but also want it to be able to be used in a self-defense situation. I don't plan on having to use it for self-defense, but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Some general things I would like:
-Fairly sharp
-Fairly rust resistant
-Easy to sharpen
-Holds an edge well
-Not too big (smaller is better than larger for me in this case)
-Blade length 4 inches or less
-Not too heavy
-Variety of ways to carry (i.e. inside/outside the waist, neck; this is more about the sheath, and if there are aftermarket ones, then I'd be willing to get one of those)

Here's a list of some of the knives I was considering:
1. Spyderco ARK
2. Spyderco Street Beat Lightweight
3. ESEE Izula I or II
4. KA-BAR TDI
5. Boker Plus Tac-Neck

I hope I provided adequate information, and thank you for any help!
 
I have a great custom EDC fixed blade from Gollik knives. Elmax steel with a great HT and blade geometry. I asked for mine to have a pry tool at the end of the handle, which really comes in handy to pry and as a large flathead screwdriver. Great price for what you get too! Under 180(around there somewhere) including shipping, and a good kydex sheath. It is custom, so you can pick what you do or do not want, style of blade, etc.
I like mine so much I ordered another one that is just a hair longer blade, should be ready soon!

Another would be Bradford Guardian 3. Great little knife!
Austin Goldman makes some nice knives. I have one of his AEB L steel knives. Performs great, and the AEB L ones are priced good for customs
I have a few from Real steel and Ruike knives. The Real Steel Pointman is awesome for the price! 14C28N with a good HT. Performs like AEB L

There are lots of other custom at good prices, as well as great production blades. My favorite EDC is definitely my smaller Gollik knife!
 
Wharn said:
You should check out a Bradford Guardian.
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The Guardian puts your index finger way too close to the edge unprotected for self defense use.

Spyderco Street Beat is a great suggestion. It is super comfortable to wear all day and conceals well.

Also reccommend the Fred Perrin La Griffe for something the size of the ARK but imho the La Griffe is way better designed for fighting use.

Also check out the Brous Silent Soldier neck knives. They are somewhat like the La Griffe but have abit stouter blades that makes them ideal for utility as well as self defense.

Both the La Griffe and Silent Soldier can be gripped so they can be used as punch daggers. The Silent Soldier works better for punch dagger grip. The La Griffe works fine as a punch dagger as long as your hands are big enough.

If they are smaller and you like the La Griffe but want to be able to use it as a punch dagger then check out the Fred Perrin Le Shark which is a minimalized cousin of the La Griffe. The Le Shark has a shorter grip so works better for smaller hands.
 
OP these are good specs and a smaller fixed blade is a nice option. Several you listed are good options. Comments:

  • Spyderco Street Beat is fantastic for this role. I have the original with a sheath and paracord so I can carry it slung under an arm, tip up, for a handy cross-draw. Or G-clip on belt.
  • Becker BK14 "Eskabar" is another nice option, and affordable. Could add custom scales for it too at https://www.theknifeconnection.net/becker-bk14-24-g10-scales/.
  • Spyderco Mule Team is a nice setup for a carry, a little longer OAL at 7.63, but see my review.
  • Bradford Guardian as suggested, but here's a tip: they have a new-and-improved G3.5 with slightly larger handle coming in January. If you want to get these highly regarded Bradfords in a premo M390 steel, I'd consider waiting until you can get a look at this new size/profile.
  • Ruike Hornet. I recently got one of these, comes in a nice Sandvik 14c28n steel, which meets your "easy to sharpen" requirement, includes the sheath and everything you need for carry. I'm extremely impressed with the quality of this knife and sheath for $47.
 
bradford guardian 3 immediately comes to mind. another is lionsteel M2, and several bark river knives in that range
 
Once again guys, think about stabbing with the Guardian 3. Your finger will surely slide onto edge. Despite the name the guardian is no self defense knife.

I wanted to add you should check out the Spartan Enyo. It is a really great edc fixed blade. It is very comfortable to wear which is so often overlooked with fixed blades. It comes with the little rubber loop to attatch to your belt and the little Spartan helmet bead.
 
I like my esee II and bk14 for similar carry needs. The esee has a larger handle I like better and you don’t have to upgrade because the scales and sheath are great. I like the bk14 blade profile better and it’s cheaper but you’ll prove want to upgrade the sheath and scales eventually. You may want the bk14 in d2 (bk24).
 
Benchmade Adamas 375 is 4.2” but, IMO, manageable for what you’re tiring to do except as a necker.

Can’t argue with the Spyderco Street Beat or Mule.

I’ll also throw in a BRKT JX4 Bushbat.
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OP since other street beat fans, here's a couple pics of mine with the sheath setup and paracord. Currently I added a small tek lok on this one, which I plan to use for belt carry rather than the G-clip that came with it.

The paracord setup for slinging it under your off-side arm, tip-up. This actually works really nice for carry of this little blade.

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Here's the knife with sheath and tek lok. This is the original one, but the lightweight one you're looking at with the FRN handles looks good too.

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Charlie Mike said:
^
That's called a MercHarness. I used to run a ballpeen hammer that way.
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LOL, only guy I know to actually "run" a ball peen, Bruddah. Too cool.

Charlie Mike, you could probably whip this guy up something that fits the bill for an EDC. I'm betting he'd be impressed.

Don't know the budget here, but I also like the Southern Grind Jackal Pup, and the Ban Tang Mini Bowie.
 
Charlie Mike said:
^
That's called a MercHarness. I used to run a ballpeen hammer that way.
Click to expand...

Did you like this setup? It wasn't a big deal, my sheath maker did the knots for these paracord rigs at the time he made the sheath for my Mule Team and this one. I've carried this way quite a bit, never had issues since the sheaths have good retention. I actually ended up preferring it to IWB for a small fixed. One downside is I always have to wear a t-shirt underneath to keep the sheath off the skin.
 
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