Are small fixed blade useful ?

AntDog said:
I have a box full of "condoms". That's where I put all the sheaths that didn't cut the mustard and were replaced with customs.
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This takes repurposing to a whole new brutal level !:confused:
 
Here's another small FB. It doesn't get to much use anymore...perhaps I should change that?
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I only used machetes, choppers, and folders around the farm for years, since I was young basically. Until about 3 years ago when I bought a custom machete, which took a bit longer than expected to make, so the maker sent a 4 inch 3V fixed blade for free cause it took longer than they said it would. I can't believe how much I use small fixed blades now!! If I am just doing normal everyday stuff around the farm, I will always have one in my back pocket, or on belt if I'm gonna be very active.
I used to stab into the animals water troughs in winter to break up the ice, with a folder. Makes me cringe thinking about it now. Basically, I love the security of a fixed blade, knowing it won't break and take a finger with it. They are much easier to maintain, clean, trust in, etc.
If you get the right small fixed blade, you'll really appreciate it after some use. I have a good assortment of them now, and love them all. Even sold my favorite custom folders, some of them anyway...
 
Legendary_Jarl said:
Well what is your definition of "small"? 10 inches max? Maybe less? A lot of knives I see fitting to that category are meant to dress game on the field.
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Heh! Ten inches? Smaller than a machete or sword, I suppose! :p

When I think small fixed blade, I'm thinking in the 1-3 inch range. I've got a number of neck knives with blades like the Buck Hartsook (1.9 inches) or Perrin La Griffe (1.6 inches). I find them a great choice for the sort of urban EDC chores I require of a knife..
 
When I can do so legally, I carry a fixed blade. For over a year it was a Bradford Guardian 3:
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Recently, I added a Spyderco Street Beat I have been test driving (but don't have any pics yet).
I've also used an A.G. Russell Woodswalker a bit and found it very usable, but I want a belt sheath for it.
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All three fit in the small fixed blade category for me, and have been useful sooo many times it ain't even funny. I live in suburbia, so I don't see the sort of uses Horsewright sees every day, but I find a fixed blade a lot more user friendly than a folder, if and only if you have a good sheath for it. I carry my Guardian in a kydex belt sheath for the most part, so I don't need to worry about gunk getting into the sheath. I carry the Street Beat in a leather belt sheath made for the Guardian, because it rides better than the kydex sheaths I got with the Street Beat (and I have yet to get a custom sheath for it). The Woodswalker, when I carry it, goes in the leather hip pocket sheath that it came with, but I don't like needing to take the sheath out of my pocket to sheath the blade without cutting my clothes or myself. I don't carry the woodswalker very often as a result, and should probably get a belt sheath made for it.

Unfortunately, I live in an area where a day running errands 'around town' can put me in 4-6 (or more) different jurisdictions with different knife laws. On days like that, due to the laws in a few of the towns I usually end up in, I'll carry a folder like a Manix2 or a SAK Farmer, to stay legal. And as soon as I get home, I put a fixed blade on my belt.

So, to answer the OP's questions: Yes they are useful, and while a folder could work, I prefer the inherent toughness, usability, wearability, and cleanability of a fixed blade when a possible.

To answer another question I saw about batoning with a small fixed blade... Yes you can do it on smaller branches and such. I do so with my Guardian or a Mora to break down small branches and such into kindling and matchsticks, using my palm instead of a hunk of wood to hit the spine of the blade. It works well, and for me, is safer that a hatchet for fine work.

Enjoy.

P.S. One of Dave's (Horsewright's) knifes is near the top of my To Get list.
...........
Ok, 2 of them, as my wife may appreciate one too. :thumbsup:
................. and if she doesn't like it, I'll have 2 of them. :~)
 
Great topic! My collecting and EDC focus has switched over to fixed blades, for most of the reasons people have mentioned above. I carry them in pocket sheaths, neck sheaths, and horizontal belt carry. Even faster than an auto!

I used to collect folders, and was spending $600-$1300 for my customs. Seems like I can get good custom fixed blades for a lot less...
 
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mwhich50 said:
I really, really like my TDI. The sheath is so loose, that I don't feel it is safe. I heard they are all loose. Maybe I should spring for a custom sheath?
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I have a TDI also, and because I carry on both sides, the company was kind enough to send me a second sheath at no cost! That way I don’t have to reconfigure the sheath each time. When I was active duty LEO, I carried it on left side beneath my duty rig as it was designed for. But now retired..it just depends on which side I am carrying my firearm on. I’ve seen photos of the newer sheaths and they just look weird to me. I have the old style sheath. I find the sheaths extremely tight. Great retention. I even had to loose the screws a bit in order to draw the knife properly. And it does take a bit of practice to easily draw the knife and safely re sheath it. YMMV
Unkei
 
Here is my favorite small fixed blade - a JK Hurley Creek -
The best JK heat treated 3/16" thick O1 steel measuring 6-1/2" OA with a 2-1/2" blade.

I call mine - The Companion as it will accompany most any other knife and accomplish most of the usual daily knife tasks with ease. More often I pull this out before flipping my folder or drawing out a bigger fixed blade.

Here is mine with a nylon tape wrap.



Here is the original bare naked version. Of course you can wrap it or handle it with whatever you like.
I prefer the utilitarian & compact look & feel of the nylon wrap.



Here is the link to the JK subform discussing the Hurley Creek by it's designer - https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/hurley-creek.1567734/

Worth a look if you are looking for a sweet little fixed blade.

So - YES - my answer to the opening question! :thumbsup:

Ray
 
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There you go Dave - our knives know their purpose and they live up to their names. :)

The Hurley Creek, aka, Companion would look great as your Compadre with a solid & select handle. :thumbsup:

What I particularly like about the JK/HK Companion is that all the edges (except for the blade, of course)
have been rounded over so it really is a comfortable in hand little knife. With or without
the wrap it carries nice and flat. :cool:

Ray
 
Yeah I do one like that too, only without the wrap as its damascus. All edges are rounded. Just didn't share the name Compadre, Ray. This is the Vaquero Ultralite:

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Carried one as my primary EDC for about 3.5 years. 5.25" oal with a 2" blade. HT by Peters @59-60 RC.

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Don’t get me wrong, I love the bolsters, they look fantastic. No offense was meant, I was just thinking some cheaper models might be made without them. I told you I was broke and cheap. With that said, a bolstered model is on my short list, just got to save up first!
 
None taken my friend, none taken at all. Laughing over here, in fact when I was typing. I just don't use LOLs, btws, FFGs and definitely not little cartoon pics of happy faces, sad faces etc.. There's a couple of my models I won't do with out a bolster cause they just don't look right but most will roll either way.
 
In fact here's what I did with a Vaquero Ultralite when I didn't get the hole spacing quite right. With a handle it is just the Vaquero. jstrange jstrange
 
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