Edc ranch fixed blade knife

[Vacman]

If you're going to carry it then I would think you want a blade in the 3.5" range. A Bradford Guardian 3 can be found used within your price range, maybe you could find the 3.5" version. If you want to make your own sheath and use cordwrap or make your own handles a Spyderco Mule could work.

I've looked around the Bradford and it seems very nice. I like the size of it!

 

[Vacman]

Green River knives are great for the price; they easily take a keen edge and slice very well. But note that they are pretty basic in materials and construction. My only real gripe with them is that most of their designs do not accommodate a guard to keep your hand from slipping forward onto the edge. This is not uncommon, there are many traditional knife patterns that are well loved and still popular that do not have a guard, such as the puukko. Not difficult to learn how to use them properly, but it is something to think about.

The blades are also very thin which makes them excellent for slicing but not advisable if you are the type to use a knife for even light prying.

Finally, Green River knives are made from pretty basic carbon steel, meaning the blades will rust easily when wet or exposed to acid (like juices from meat, fruit, and vegetables). Again, that's normal for traditional knives and pretty much all knives made before the 1920s, but it requires a bit of care and maintenance (mainly keeping the blade dry and clean and occasionally wiping down with mineral oil).

I like Green River knives because they are nostalgic, maintenance is not too burdensome to me, and because they just work. That said, knife designs and materials have steadily improved over the nearly 200 years since Green River knives started up.

Thank you for explaining! I've been trying to get a grasp on what to think of these. I feel like it's both talked about a lot and not enough. I've been trying to learn as much about them as possible.

 

[Vacman]

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Looks like it's served you well!

 

[Vacman]

Right now, I don't need anything over 4" blade. My uses are utilitarian around the house. I'm pretty flexible on blade shape.

The 113 is a beautiful knife and a really great size

 

[Henry Beige]

Here’s another vote for a Dexter Green River 4215, a 4 1/2” blade that pairs up nicely with a sheath for the small Kabar. The Green River 4” sheath knife is another modest-sized working knife. I have been using mine in the kitchen lately. Both of these knives are easy to keep shaving sharp with a steel.

BPS Savage is a very useful knife, comes with a nice leather sheath.

Daado’s knives, mentioned above. This one is easy to drop into a pocket, so I carry it often.

 

[Vacman]

Here’s another vote for a Dexter Green River 4215, a 4 1/2” blade that pairs up nicely with a sheath for the small Kabar. The Green River 4” sheath knife is another modest-sized working knife. I have been using mine in the kitchen lately. Both of these knives are easy to keep shaving sharp with a steel.

BPS Savage is a very useful knife, comes with a nice leather sheath.

Daado’s knives, mentioned above. This one is easy to drop into a pocket, so I carry it often.

I really love the historical aspect of the green rivers but I wanted to make sure they were still that nice. My only problem with them is if I should try to find a "nicer" handle and where to do that. I might have to contact daado but I am. It sure how to go about that. Thanks for letting me know about the sheaths!

 

[Henry Beige]

I really love the historical aspect of the green rivers but I wanted to make sure they were still that nice. My only problem with them is if I should try to find a "nicer" handle and where to do that. I might have to contact daado but I am. It sure how to go about that. Thanks for letting me know about the sheaths!

You can find Daado, as well as many other fine makers here, on the Exchange. Fixed Blades For Sale.
I have several Green River knives with the same checkered handle. Never felt the need to replace the handles. I like to smooth them off a bit, and round the corners. I usually darken mine with a torch and treat them with Sno-Seal (beeswax). If you want a new handle, you can probably find somebody on this forum who can do it. There is a lot of talent here.

 

[cbach8tw]

Buck 117, I got one with a wood handle in 5160, the black handle with 420HC is well under 100.00. Good luck with your search and let us know what you get. We like pics!!

 

[oldmanwilly]

You can find Daado, as well as many other fine makers here, on the Exchange. Fixed Blades For Sale.
I have several Green River knives with the same checkered handle. Never felt the need to replace the handles. I like to smooth them off a bit, and round the corners. I usually darken mine with a torch and treat them with Sno-Seal (beeswax). If you want a new handle, you can probably find somebody on this forum who can do it. There is a lot of talent here.

This is good advice. A little sandpaper and beeswax will make a Green River handle more comfortable, pretty, and durable.

As for how to contact @Daado you could pay for a membership here which would allow you to send him a private message. He might also respond to this thread, since he has been tagged a few times. If nothing else, you could use the search function and reply to one of his threads, asking to discuss the possibility of an order.

Thank you for explaining! I've been trying to get a grasp on what to think of these. I feel like it's both talked about a lot and not enough. I've been trying to learn as much about them as possible.

Make no mistake, I love Green River knives and happily recommend them. I just wanted to make sure you had all of the facts. I have bought, used, and discarded many knives of lesser quality that sold for a higher price. You could buy 5 of their knives for about $100 and modify them as you see fit, which is what many of us do.

Edit: you might also look up Brisa Knives and Kellam Knives for good quality knives of Scandinavian origin within your price range. Many of their models also come with a sheath. Both brands use good steel, with Kellam primarily using carbon steel.

 

[Daado]

@oldmanwilly, @Sharp & Fiery Thank you very much. I'm glad you like my knives.
@Vacman You can find my email address in my sale threads. I'm sure i can make something nice in your price range. Take a look at my previous sale threads and maybe you can find blade shape and dimensions you would like.
Thank you.

 

[Horsewright]

When you are working on this ranch are you ever horseback? If so, how and where you carry a fixie is probably more important than what knife. There are always those dang unexpected dismounts that happen on occasion to even the best of us. Even if you are not horseback certain carry style seem to work better on the ranch than others. For instance working ground crew at a branding where ya bending over a lot and kneeling etc. The sheaths that work well for that are the same ones that will keep ya safe horseback. I would also vote for something on the smaller size. If your knife is over 7" overall chances are it's gonna be in the way more than not. I highly recommend a horizontal crossdraw type sheath with a small fixie in the 5.5" to 6.5". That's me personally but other folks carry behind the hip and SOB etc whatever works for you. But the sheath needs to have enough retention that the knife isn't coming out by itself, even if you have some g forces exerted by a cold backed pony. I'm sorry that I have nothing to offer in your price range. Use too, but that was many years ago. When I first started making knives having something affordable for the working cowboy was part of my goal. I use to sell one of my Coyote models with a sheath for $85. That's been a while. I've been retired from ranching for about a year now. Miss it a lot. Went to a three day horse show last month. This was a different kind of deal and most involved were ranchers or working cowboys. Didn't have a booth as both my wife and I were competing. Still everyone was asking, "Did ya bring any knives?" Brought nine, sold nine. Couple friends shopping at our tailgate:

My wife warming up:

Already quite a few there:

 

[Vacman]

You can find Daado, as well as many other fine makers here, on the Exchange. Fixed Blades For Sale.
I have several Green River knives with the same checkered handle. Never felt the need to replace the handles. I like to smooth them off a bit, and round the corners. I usually darken mine with a torch and treat them with Sno-Seal (beeswax). If you want a new handle, you can probably find somebody on this forum who can do it. There is a lot of talent here.

Thanks for the ideas!

This is good advice. A little sandpaper and beeswax will make a Green River handle more comfortable, pretty, and durable.

As for how to contact @Daado you could pay for a membership here which would allow you to send him a private message. He might also respond to this thread, since he has been tagged a few times. If nothing else, you could use the search function and reply to one of his threads, asking to discuss the possibility of an order.



Make no mistake, I love Green River knives and happily recommend them. I just wanted to make sure you had all of the facts. I have bought, used, and discarded many knives of lesser quality that sold for a higher price. You could buy 5 of their knives for about $100 and modify them as you see fit, which is what many of us do.

Edit: you might also look up Brisa Knives and Kellam Knives for good quality knives of Scandinavian origin within your price range. Many of their models also come with a sheath. Both brands use good steel, with Kellam primarily using carbon steel.

Thanks for letting me know! It seems like he commented on here so I may be able to get in contact with him! I'm glad green river is nice. Ill have something to look toward if the historical itch starts

 

[Vacman]

When you are working on this ranch are you ever horseback? If so, how and where you carry a fixie is probably more important than what knife. There are always those dang unexpected dismounts that happen on occasion to even the best of us. Even if you are not horseback certain carry style seem to work better on the ranch than others. For instance working ground crew at a branding where ya bending over a lot and kneeling etc. The sheaths that work well for that are the same ones that will keep ya safe horseback. I would also vote for something on the smaller size. If your knife is over 7" overall chances are it's gonna be in the way more than not. I highly recommend a horizontal crossdraw type sheath with a small fixie in the 5.5" to 6.5". That's me personally but other folks carry behind the hip and SOB etc whatever works for you. But the sheath needs to have enough retention that the knife isn't coming out by itself, even if you have some g forces exerted by a cold backed pony. I'm sorry that I have nothing to offer in your price range. Use too, but that was many years ago. When I first started making knives having something affordable for the working cowboy was part of my goal. I use to sell one of my Coyote models with a sheath for $85. That's been a while. I've been retired from ranching for about a year now. Miss it a lot. Went to a three day horse show last month. This was a different kind of deal and most involved were ranchers or working cowboys. Didn't have a booth as both my wife and I were competing. Still everyone was asking, "Did ya bring any knives?" Brought nine sold nine>. Couple friends shopping at our tailgate:

My wife warming up:

Already quite a few there:

I'll probably be on horseback some of the time. I was looking at sheaths similar to that and I'm glad you got into that aspect of the knife. I like the sheath in the picture of the man on a horse, I might have to look for one like that. Wish I could get a knife from you. Maybe at some point in the future if you're still making them, thanks!

 

[Horsewright]

I'll probably be on horseback some of the time. I was looking at sheaths similar to that and I'm glad you got into that aspect of the knife. I like the sheath in the picture of the man on a horse, I might have to look for one like that. Wish I could get a knife from you. Maybe at some point in the future if you're still making them, thanks!

Good deal. That sheath on the guy horseback is a Pancake sheath set up for right hand SOB draw. It's tooled in a Carlos Border stamp. Kinda a fun back story. I met Dave the night before at a meet and greet. He'd come all the way down from BC to Cali for this deal. Next morning I see him in the arena and he's got one of my knives and sheaths on the back of his chap belt. Here in the black vest:

I ride over and ask him about his knife. He says I love this knife etc etc. Got it from an ad in Western Horseman 15-20 years ago. I've been carrying it daily ever since. He pulls it out to show me and I told him I made it. My wife said from the look on his face she didn't think he believed me at first. Anyhoo it was great to meet Dave and he did real well at the show. Lots of loot headed north back home with him.

Where are you at?

Few gratuitous cowboyn' pics from one of our brandings a few years back.

 

[Vacman]

Good deal. That sheath on the guy horseback is a Pancake sheath set up for right hand SOB draw. It's tooled in a Carlos Border stamp. Kinda a fun back story. I met Dave the night before at a meet and greet. He'd come all the way down from BC to Cali for this deal. Next morning I see him in the arena and he's got one of my knives and sheaths on the back of his chap belt. Here in the black vest:

I ride over and ask him about his knife. He says I love this knife etc etc. Got it from an ad in Western Horseman 15-20 years ago. I've been carrying it daily ever since. He pulls it out to show me and I told him I made it. My wife said from the look on his face she didn't think he believed me at first. Anyhoo it was great to meet Dave and he did real well at the show. Lots of loot headed north back home with him.

Where are you at?

Few gratuitous cowboyn' pics from one of our brandings a few years back.

That is a great back story. The world works in funny ways. I'm glad he loves that knife. I'm in Louisiana studying buisness but I hope my life allows me to things like the pictures you sent. I'm involved in the Ag department down here so I hope it does. I desperately want to find opportunities down here so I'm going to keep looking and asking. The place I've been doing things with is nice but I want to try out some other things. Have been trying hard to find things but haven't always known the right places to look.

 

[The True North]

Can't beat a custom shop Buck for this use-case.

 

[The Grendels]

When you are working on this ranch are you ever horseback? If so, how and where you carry a fixie is probably more important than what knife. There are always those dang unexpected dismounts that happen on occasion to even the best of us. Even if you are not horseback certain carry style seem to work better on the ranch than others. For instance working ground crew at a branding where ya bending over a lot and kneeling etc. The sheaths that work well for that are the same ones that will keep ya safe horseback. I would also vote for something on the smaller size. If your knife is over 7" overall chances are it's gonna be in the way more than not. I highly recommend a horizontal crossdraw type sheath with a small fixie in the 5.5" to 6.5". That's me personally but other folks carry behind the hip and SOB etc whatever works for you. But the sheath needs to have enough retention that the knife isn't coming out by itself, even if you have some g forces exerted by a cold backed pony. I'm sorry that I have nothing to offer in your price range. Use too, but that was many years ago. When I first started making knives having something affordable for the working cowboy was part of my goal. I use to sell one of my Coyote models with a sheath for $85. That's been a while. I've been retired from ranching for about a year now. Miss it a lot. Went to a three day horse show last month. This was a different kind of deal and most involved were ranchers or working cowboys. Didn't have a booth as both my wife and I were competing. Still everyone was asking, "Did ya bring any knives?" Brought nine, sold nine. Couple friends shopping at our tailgate:

After reading the first couple pages of this thread, I hopped on to post pretty much these points myself. You don't see a lot of ranchers carrying fixed blades when they're working and if they do they're usually carried scout style (parallel to the belt). Fixed blade knives are in the barn, the shed, or in the truck but not on the hip. People have long had a healthy aversion of falling from their horses and getting the hilt in the ribs. They're also uncomfortable if you're sitting in a tractor for hours. Smaller fixed blades are generally better, so they're not getting in your way, and definitely scout carried. I'd probably go with something like a Bradford Guardian 3 or for something less expensive a Boker Plus Pry Pro.

 

[Vacman]

After reading the first couple pages of this thread, I hopped on to post pretty much these points myself. You don't see a lot of ranchers carrying fixed blades when they're working and if they do they're usually carried scout style (parallel to the belt). Fixed blade knives are in the barn, the shed, or in the truck but not on the hip. People have long had a healthy aversion of falling from their horses and getting the hilt in the ribs. They're also uncomfortable if you're sitting in a tractor for hours. Smaller fixed blades are generally better, so they're not getting in your way, and definitely scout carried. I'd probably go with something like a Bradford Guardian 3 or for something less expensive a Boker Plus Pry Pro.

I kind of figured that. I wanted this more for just if I felt fancy or if I did something where a fixed blade would be handy. I figured I could edc it every once in a while but I wanted to get something that I could still find useful when I do other things. I appreciate your I sight though! Im glad my thought process wasn't too far off!

 

[The Grendels]

I kind of figured that. I wanted this more for just if I felt fancy or if I did something where a fixed blade would be handy. I figured I could edc it every once in a while but I wanted to get something that I could still find useful when I do other things. I appreciate your I sight though! Im glad my thought process wasn't too far off!

I think if it just comes down to having the knife you want that's best for the stuff you do ( whether that's cutting twine and sacks of food open, fishing, hunting, or take up whittling as a hobby), but making sure it just stays out of your way when you're not using it.

 

[Vacman]

I think if it just comes down to having the knife you want that's best for the stuff you do ( whether that's cutting twine and sacks of food open, fishing, hunting, or take up whittling as a hobby), but making sure it just stays out of your way when you're not using it.

Youre right! Keeping it simple is probably a good idea, thanks