Best size for EDC fixed blade?

[Thomas Carey]

For those that carry a fixed blade knife on a daily basis. What size is best for EDC when it comes to a fixed blade? Is there a particular type of carry that you prefer?

 

[Noswad0208]

I EDC a Becker BK15 on my right hip, stock sheath, tucked into my right front pocket most days. Sometimes I add a BK14 scout carry in it's stock sheath wrapped with paracord to make it belt friendly. Been considering getting an Azwelke sheath for the 15 so I could scout carry it too.

 

[Ken44]

For the EDC type I carry them from 2 7/8 to 3 3/4" in blade length. Not counting smaller neck knives.
Usually kydex in front, or leather on side.
I have both leather and kydex for most all of my fixed blades.

 

[dalefuller]

I carry a small FB as my primary user most days. I prefer horizontal belt carry for RH crossdraw. First, I'm mostly right handed and that's an easy draw to accomplish even with limited mobility. Second, the knife is readily available with either hand whether I'm sitting or standing. Smaller Doziers like the Arkansas Traveler or the Personals work best for me. They have a 4-finger handle, plenty of blade, an outstanding kydex sheath that can be mounted without removing your belt, and they come in at just under 7" OAL.

 

[james terrio]

I really like the convenience and utility of carrying a good fixed-blade knife all the time.

My EDC has gotten smaller over the last few years. I started out carrying my SideKick with a just-under-4" blade (for legal reasons) and now I'm carrying a scaled-down but similar knife that seems to fit my day-to-day needs quite well. It's much slimmer and barely stretches 3" from handle to tip.

(FWIW by "daily needs" I mean stuff like opening mail and dog-food bags, cleaning my nails, having lunch, various tasks in the shop and garden, etc)

I carried the four-incher in a very standard vertical belt sheath; I'm currently testing the smaller blade in a horizontal belt sheath that pretty much disappears when I un-tuck my shirt and/or my beer-gut laps over it... but it's "legally not concealed" and still easy to grab.

 

[Noswad0208]

My EDC has gotten smaller over the last few years. I started out carrying my SideKick with a just-under-4" blade (for legal reasons) and now I'm carrying a scaled-down but similar knife that seems to fit my day-to-day needs quite well. It's much slimmer and barely stretches 3" from handle to tip.

(FWIW by "daily needs" I mean stuff like opening mail and dog-food bags, cleaning my nails, having lunch, various tasks in the shop and garden, etc)

I carried the four-incher in a very standard vertical belt sheath; I'm currently testing the smaller blade in a horizontal belt sheath that pretty much disappears when I un-tuck my shirt and/or my beer-gut laps over it... but it's "legally not concealed" and still easy to grab.

Any pics of the tiny one?

 

[james terrio]

Any pics of the tiny one?

Coming soon. It's a cutie

 

[deskil]

I find a 2 3/4" - 3 3/4" blade length (6 3/4" - 8" OAL) to be most useful and comfortable and prefer 1) LFP inverted carry (with a kydex sheath, only), and a static cord attached to a belt loop, or 2) a horizontal sheath carried cross draw at 10 o'clock (IWB loop, for kydex or on the belt, for leather) or 3) a vertical leather belt sheath at 9 o'clock, in that order. There's always something else on my right hip.

 

[brancron]

It probably doesn't get any better than a typical Murray Carter neck knife, coming in at a little over 3.5" in blade length, but very light do to the thin grind: http://www.knivesshipfree.com/neck-knives/

 

[Noswad0208]

Coming soon. It's a cutie

Be sure to post it on the snark so I'll see it.

 

[Nap]

Since openly carrying fixed blades is frowned upon where I live, I tend to stick with neck knives when I go that route, or at least something pocketable (loop neck cord around belt loop). So around 3" max, which is pretty much my rule of thumb for EDC folders as well. I'd maybe go as large as 4", but beyond that it gets cumbersome fast.

Bigger blades go in my bag or on my belt, as needed, but that's not EDC anymore.

 

[Whetstone39]

The Bark River City Knife is a great sized EDC for me, just over 6 inches long, 2.6 inch blade I believe. I carried them in a pocket sheath for a good while, but just received a custom sheath with a pocket clip I really like. From forum member Claude Scott.

 

[KnivesShipFree]

That's the ticket. I tend to EDC a fixed blade about half the time -- either a Bark River Little Creek, a Bark River Micro Drop Point (a 2009 custom) or a Koster Scout 3V. Always in a pocket sheath.

Tom @ KnivesShipFree

 

[Eric@DLT]

I went with a modified IMP. I pocket carry using a dangler attachment with a BRK mini northstar sheath. One of the small bushcraft sheaths would have also been a decent choice.

 

[payton206]

Check out the Bradford Guardian 3 in M390

 

[22-rimfire]

When I carry a fixed blade in-town which is not often, I carry a Dozier Personal with about a 2.5" wharncliffe blade, G-10 handles in CPM 154 (6.3" overall length) in one of Bob's horizontal sheaths in a cross draw position. People seldom notice unless they like knives or they're a cop used to looking for such things. I stopped carrying it because I always reach from my SAK when I need a knife regardless of whether the fixed blade is there or not. But I got it to EDC.

 

[dalefuller]

I went with a modified IMP. I pocket carry using a dangler attachment with a BRK mini northstar sheath. One of the small bushcraft sheaths would have also been a decent choice.

I sometimes do this with a Northstar EDC and a paracord loop. Occasionally I'll want a little longer blade than my Doziers have and the Northstar EDC is a great little FB, probably my fav everyday Bark River. I made a couple of paracord loops that can go through the sheath loop and around my belt or belt loop. The sheath drops down in my pocket out of sight. The paracord keeps it from going anywhere on its own.

 

[bdmicarta]

I think this depends on the circumstances of your carry. A lot of people seem to be able to carry on their belts, in which case I think an 8" overall length is a good size.

I'm trying pocket carry and Ive decided that weekdays at my office I would need something about 6.5" overall. On weekends I carry an 8" custom knife. Also in this photo is a 7" BRKT Bravo Necker II which I might be able to pocket carry if I had a very trim sheath.

 

[BMCGear]

I went with a modified IMP. I pocket carry using a dangler attachment with a BRK mini northstar sheath. One of the small bushcraft sheaths would have also been a decent choice.

I sometimes do this with a Northstar EDC and a paracord loop. Occasionally I'll want a little longer blade than my Doziers have and the Northstar EDC is a great little FB, probably my fav everyday Bark River. I made a couple of paracord loops that can go through the sheath loop and around my belt or belt loop. The sheath drops down in my pocket out of sight. The paracord keeps it from going anywhere on its own.

Pics?

 

[Ferahgo]

I have always liked these. Mine works perfect!