Change my mind on a fixed EDC

R

RDog

Joined
Jul 28, 2011
Messages
366
I have been thinking of getting an Izula, talk me out of it.

I want a small fixed blade for EDC. Something that hides well on the belt or in pocket (not into hanging anything around the neck). With shorts and t-shirt weather around the corner all my moras are a little long.

Prospects include an izula w/scales, izula2, beckernecker, eskabar, or mini bushlore. Do you have one? would you buy it again knowing what you know now?



What I would like is something like a kabar tdi that was strightened out to normal shape...if that helps.

thanks for any thoughts.
 
Are you set on your price range?

Because this is prettttttttttty nifty. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/942864-Small-Tanto-neck-knife-for-sale

I've had tons of neck knives over the years. I never wore them around my neck. I always preferred belt carry or just in the pocket in its sheath. The Izula felt most comfortable in the hand out of the skeletonized neckers. This was back when the Izula didn't have micarta scales as an option. The Eskabar is basically a Becker Necker blade profile but with the handle of an Izula. I don't have experience with the Becker Necker. The Izula is great, and I would buy it again, but I already have a custom fixed blade knife, so I see no point in buying another. Out of that price range I'd go with an Izula unless you need the longer handle length of the Izula 2. If you need a longer blade length, I'd go with the Eskabar.

You might also check out the Blackjack neck knife and the Bark River necker, though the latter is more expensive, but not as much as the custom I linked above.

What I like about the custom I linked is the handle design. It appears well thought out despite being shorter in handle length. The finger groove provides added purchase. It reminds me of a custom I once had that I sold to a guy here. It was a Bill Coye Ridgeback. It had something like a 3 inch handle with a nice finger groove. Overall length was 6.5. The handle felt so secure in my hands because of the implementation of that finger groove, despite being so short in length.
 
Last edited:
harkamus said:
Are you set on your price range?

Because this is prettttttttttty nifty. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/942864-Small-Tanto-neck-knife-for-sale

Yes, this is nice, but I am almost at my $ limit with the Izula...If I pick up an izula it will be the most expensive blade I have had in yrs!

I really don't know what I want...between beckernecker (love the bottle opener) the izula, or eskabar or mini bushlore for that matter...without getting my hands on each one i just don't know what will feel right. The sheath/carry option is major as that will make or break it. thats why it looks like the izula may be best.

I'll look into the the blackjack neck knives as well.
Click to expand...
 
The Blackjack will cost more since it uses 154cm steel versus the 1095 from the others you listed, although a 440c stainless steel version of the Izula is in the works.

I hate how neck knives feel without either cord wrap or some kind of handle scale. YMMV though.
 
Strider Ed or BRKT neckerII in 3V, I don't have either of these but these are what I would be getting. I have a Boker+ Rambler and it's pretty cute for light edc, though the handle is super small. grip with lanyard helps. 440C is a nice retro steel I guess :) and it's about $50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBz1aqleQoA
 
Nothing at all wrong with the Izula - if you like that one, get it - you will eventually anyway. I prefer a very slightly larger blade on mine and love the Becker Necker...

20111216ac0002.jpg


... carry it lots in a pocket sheath. BK14 is another great choice...

20110604img0242.jpg


... but if you want someone to tell you that the Izula stinks, you might have a long wait. It's a great knife.


---

Beckerhead #42
 
Another vote for the Becker BK11, I carry mine with the factory micarta and a TDI clip. You can put it in a front or back pocket or slide it on a belt. I really like the bottle opener. The esee choices are all good knives as well.
 
I have a bunch of Izulas, a few Izula II's, a couple BK-11's, and a BK-14. If it weren't for the sheaths, the Beckers would get more carry time. They are great knives, but the stock sheaths really are that bad. I carry an Izula wrapped with Para-cord, and it's been great.
 
Izula sheaths have excellent retention. For pocket carry, I would go with the shorter-handled Izula over the Izula II, I've found the handles on my Izula II stick out a bit from shallower pockets.
 
Well I thank everyone for their thoughts...everytime I think I settle on one something makes me change my mind. I'm pretty sure its between the beckernecker and izula.

When I first saw the beckernecker, I was sure I would get it...nice price, has a bottle opener (I think thats a plus) seems to be a good size, just not crazy about the blade profile, and not sure about the sheath. plus some folks say the handle is uncomfortable?

I like the look of the izula, but the price for such a small blade always put me off. ...yet the sheath seems better?

I still have some thinking to do. The goal is to not end up with both!
 
The swamp rat swamp warden is my favorite small fixed blade however recently I've been edcing my ag russel woods walker I know that this fixed blade is made of aus-8 blade steel and while it leaves a bit to be desired as far as edge retention goes I'm realy surprised by how agressivly this steel cuts I mean I can put a down right scary edge on it in no time. All in all it's a cheap fixed blade but still I believe it offers a ton for the money once you figure in the realy cool and useful leather sheath
 
I got a BK-11 and liked it so much I got a second when it came up on an Exchange forum at a good price. I have one in micarta and the other in a paracord wrap and both are great in the factory sheath as a front pocket carry in my jeans. The bottle opener for the win.

Extra_Dry.jpg
 
I EDC an Izula around my neck. I use it all the time. Last week at the beach, I used it for all sorts of things, from cutting net and line to slicing up bait. I rinsed it off in saltwater and it didn't develop any rust or anything. I was just sure to dry it well after use. I love how easy it is to get sharp again and 1095 is nice and tough. I think they are well worth the price. They can be found pretty cheap if you shop around.

I like the deep belly of the Becker Necker but the handle ergonomics of the Izula are much better for my hands (very large hands).
 
Definitely love my fixed blade EDC. I do find myself going for my Bark River Bravo Necker 2 more often than I go for any of my other production ones, but the Becker Necker and the Eskabar are both great choices. I prefer a larger blade than the IZULA also, so I've never bothered to buy one, but it's certainly a good blade. I don't do the Necker thing though. On the belt or in the pocket tends to be much more comfortable and accessible in my experience.
 
Not me man. I hated the Becker Necker...LOVE the BK7...hate the Necker. The blade is just downright clumsy compared to the Izula and that bottle opener digs into the palm of the hand...gave mine away. Izula is my fixed EDC. Honest, I wanted to like the BK11...I just couldn't. The geometry was all wrong. Izula is just about perfect.

Right now, as it stands, ESEE is unbeatable in the small knife game (4" and below) in terms of combination of price and quality and geometry. Becker starts standing out at 5" and really hits their game at 7", 8", and 9" blade length...in my lonesome opinion.
 
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