Been lurking a while and now, need a EDC fixed.

T

T-Dog

Joined
Nov 28, 2009
Messages
68
Hello all, this is my first post here but I have been browsing and reading for days, (nice site and very friendly community I might add) and I am in need of some guidance on a fixed blade EDC. Let me give you a little history and some pre-requisites. I am a commercial superintendent and use my everyday carhart side pocket knife (spyderco Native) for my nasty daily chores. I have been carrying this knife or other sypderco's for about four years now in that same pocket and seriously use and sometimes abuse them such as deburring pipe, prying items, stripping wire, etc. I know how to treat a knife and know that they are not designed for such use but I realize this is my beater and use it accordingly out of pure convenience (hey at least I am being honest with myself). What I would like now is a finer everyday carry fixed blade that will deliver when needed.

I have never carried a fixed everyday and don't know whether it is more comfortable and convenient to go around the neck or in the pocket. I really like the pocket style ones but can something like that work in the front pocket of something like a carhart work dungaree, or only in the rear pocket?
1. It must me American made, especially in this current economy.
2. I would like it to be under 250.00
3. Colorado says "NO" blades over 3.5" concealed
4. I would like it to be as much of a bush style as possible so if heavier use such as batonning was needed it could handle it. I know a 3.5 inch is not exactly the best chopper but it is as long as I can legally carry.

My top two in all my searching have been the RAT line and of course BARK RIVER.
Man I love the Barkie Porn. :D
 
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The RAT 3 or even the izula are always good choices, I have one of both. Both can be found for under 100 dollars.
 
I'm an electrical contractor and I've been carrying the Rat Izula for a year and doing the same things that you have done with it.

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I also wear the Carhart work dungerees and it'll fit fine in the side pocket with sheath.

However, Bark River just came out with the Bravo Necker, and it's awesome! A hair smaller than the Izula but almost identical with Bark River's convex grind. I've just switched over to it, and I've put it in a KSF Adironack Pocket Sheath in my back pocket. Rides great, but it would also work in a front pocket with the KSF sheath. Of course, you could put it in the carhartt pocket as well with the kydex sheath.

Here's a pic of my knife:

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when you keep it in your front pocket does it feel pretty cumbersome especially when sitting down in a chair for instance, and when carried in the back pocket do you have to take it out everytime you sit down?
 
T-Dog said:
when you keep it in your front pocket does it feel pretty cumbersome especially when sitting down in a chair for instance, and when carried in the back pocket do you have to take it out everytime you sit down?
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I have an RC-3 and an Izula. The Izula does not feel uncomfortable in any way when it is in the pocket. Mine is in my pocket as I type this coincidentally. The RC-3 can also ride in my pocket, but it would feel cumbersome sitting down.

I also like to carry my Izula horizontally on the left side of my belt. It almost disappears and does not bother me sitting down -another good carry option if concealment is semi-important.

There are tons of ways to carry an Izula and all are really comfortable. :thumbup:
 
You NEED an Izula!!
Another great knife you should look into is the BK&T BK-11. The blade is a bit bigger, but the handle is very specific, and some people don't feel it's comfortable enough, though I've had very good experiences with the BK-11. I actually think that though not too versatile, it's more comfortable for me in the saber grip than my Izula.

Can never go wrong with these two. The Izula has slightly better edge retention, not sure why.

You can also try finding a Spyderco Street Beat. Though these are usually more expensive. Made with VG-10 though, and fit an finish can rival custom knives.
 
I also like to carry my Izula horizontally on the left side of my belt. It almost disappears and does not bother me sitting down -another good carry option if concealment is semi-important.
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Which sheath do you use to carry it horizontal?
 
I was just looking at the RAT 3 spec and it seems as though the cutting length is 3-3/8 but the overall blade length is 3-7/8, and in colorado the concealed limit is 3.5 so which number do you go off of, I am assuming overall blade length correct?
 
T-Dog said:
Which sheath do you use to carry it horizontal?
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I just use the kydex sheath it comes with and use some zip ties to tie it to my belt. Works great. I keep mine on my right side, as I have a leatherman Charge TTi riding horizontal on my left side.

When you keep an Izula or Bravo-Necker in a KSF Pocket sheath and stick it in your back pocket, you don't even feel it, even when sitting down.:thumbup:
 
T-Dog said:
Which sheath do you use to carry it horizontal?
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I use the stock sheath. All you need is about a foot of 550 cord and a cord-lock -all of which comes with the Izula (you dont really need the cord lock if you know some good knots). The 550 cord becomes your belt loop when you lash it through the holes on the sheath -and you can then tighten it as tight as you want so that it does not move. Let me try and find a picture...
 
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Ah, makes sense now. when you wrap that handle with the paracord do you need to remove the seven strands or just use it standard?
 
When you keep an Izula or Bravo-Necker in a KSF Pocket sheath and stick it in your back pocket, you don't even feel it, even when sitting down.
Click to expand...

The handle does not protrude so far as to hang up on cushions or a split back chair. I like the back pocket carry idea for either but envision once I sit down that it would flare outward from the body and want to hang up. I was planning on taking my massive George Castanza wallet and trading it in for a money clip to free up my back right pocket anyways.
 
I also have the KSF pocket sheath (the two slot version) and I carry a Vic Spirit multitool in it and a Landi PSK for my pocket fixed blade.

Look into the Landi PSK. It is about 6.5" overall, American-made, and about $60 bucks.
 
T-Dog said:
I was planning on taking my massive George Castanza wallet and trading it in for a money clip to free up my back right pocket anyways.
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:pLOL. I remember that one.

About wrapping the Izula, there is an entire thread dedicated to all of the different ways of wraping it in the RAT Cutlery sub-forum. There are also a lot of youtube reviews on different wraps. I prefer to leave the guts of my paracord as they are because I like as much grip as I can get. Some people leave them plain w/ out cord, others like to take out the strands. It is a very customizable knife.

Here are some ideas:http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=650542

EDIT: This is my first time using one of my own pictures, I hope it works...

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For you KSF Adirondack sheath users How far does you Izula or Bravo necker stick out of the top of the sheath???

With what I was planning on spending I think Ill just order both knives (one can never have to many plus I have two boys) but I am still undecided on the Adirondack sheath.
 
T-Dog, take a look at the Makers forum. There are several knifemakers who will build exactly what you need for $75-$100.
 
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