EDC fixed blade in the 9in range

DarkPatriot

DarkPatriot

Joined
Aug 12, 2011
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I was wondering how many of you edc a fix blade in the 9 inch range (esee 4, ZT 0180, benchmade 162, etc). I have smaller fixed blades, but all my favorites seem to be in that size range. Also how do you carry the knife for edc? I'm just toying with the idea and would like to hear from others, since most of the ideas I've had don't seem particularly practical.
 
That seems a little large for EDC depending on how you will carry it. I think normal belt sheath carry is what most people would have to do, larger guys might be able to do horizontal carry to the left or right of the belt buckle.

I have been interested in EDC of a fixed blade. I thought 6.75", maybe 7" total length would work for me with the knife and sheath in my right front pocket, but knives of that size don't quite have enough handle for my satisfaction. I do have a Bark River Necker 2, right at 7" length, and it barely has enough handle. I looked through my collection and found a fixed blade of the Fisk pattern that was small but felt good to me, and it is right at 8" total length. I can carry it in my right front pocket but it is a bit long for that. The Bark River Fox River or Gunny are close to this size range. At 9" the Bark River Bravo 1 seems like a good choice.
 
Besides pocket carry you could probably stick to the same methods as smaller fixed blades.
The two fixed blades I've been carry lately are 8.6"(Lum Tanto) and 9.3"(street bowie) overall length. The Lum I've been carrying in the belt sheath on my right hip. The Bowie either horizontal at my 11 open carry or canted, concealed at the small of my back, left hand draw. They both have been working for me.
 
This has been my daily carry for several years now. It's a Wilson Tactical model 25, overall length of 10".

I think it takes a certain mindset to openly carry a "large" fixed-blade in public. You have to not care what other people think. And I couldn't care less what other people think.

I started carrying my knife for work, got accustomed to wearing it around all day, so I started carrying it all the time away from work. It's proven quite useful outside of work. And I just like knowing that I have a very sharp and strong cutting/prying tool with me (I've done a lot of prying with it, and with a blade thickness of almost 1/4", it just laughs at the word "abuse").

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Nine inches oversll seems a little bit big for an edc, but if that what you like, experiment with how you would carry it. I say look at Joe Calton knives, his hunter models have an awesome handle feel, hidden tang. And if you ever decide to go to 6-7 inches, he makes a great necker with a good 4 finger handle. Also check, in the 9 inch range, a AA forge knife when they come up on the forums exchange, Adam has a great selection.
 
8" oal, shorter then you are looking for but its mt EDC
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I also swap it out for a BK2, 10" OAL, just a tad larger then you wanted
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I would recommend a BK16 its 9 1/4 oal and one hell of an awesome knife :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the input everyone. I realize 9in is a little large. I have smaller fixed blades like an izula II, bark river Northstar and a Koster scout, it just seems all my favorite fixed blades fall in that 9in range. TBL love that ZT 121, may have to try and track one down. I too have been using my fixed blade at work a lot, Killgar. ZT 180 for a contract labour job for the summer. I have been just carrying it in my pack and taking my pack around the job site with me. Using at work is actually what prompted this thread. I don't think I'm ready to open carry on belt though. Jkwithawave how do you like the street bowie?
 
I really dig the street bowie. It's really light with plenty of blade length. It's not full tang so do not pry with it. But for a 9 in edc it is fantastic.

I'll second TBL's suggestion on the ZT 0121 as well. It's shorter but stout compared to the street bowie. I'll get some comparison pics of them when I get home from work tonight.
 
Street Bowie and ZT 0121. The second pic is both lined up along the back of the handle.



 
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