First foray into EDC fixed blades!

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
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I've shied away from it for a while now for varying reasons - chiefly, legality (more on that later) - but I think I want to start carrying a fixed blade.

I was under the (false) impression that there was a blade length restriction in Denver, but apparently it's only for concealed knives. Belt or any other variety of open carry is fine, I have learned.

My previous attempts failed due to lack of interest - Becker BK12, Boker MA-2, Sog Snarl - as they were just too damned small. Prior to that, in Oklahoma, I would occasionally carry a Cold Steel Kobun on my walks. That felt a lot more natural and worthwhile.

So I think I'm looking for:
- 5" or larger plain (non-serrated) blade
- Non-fabric sheath
- Clip, Tek-Lok, or G-Clip; Nothing that requires removal of the belt to attach.
- Not inherently weaponized (this is hard to define; it just can't look like it was designed to kill and kill alone.)
- Good tough wear-resistant steel (not Sandvik, alphabet steel)

Mora seems like an obvious choice, but I don't really like the handles on most of their models and they seem oriented towards bushcraft given the grinds and blade shapes.

I've been looking at the CS Warcraft Tanto, as I'm a sucker for PM steels and tantos. I know the sheath is compatible with the Tek-Lok and the G-Clip, so that shouldn't be an issue either. That is also representative of my price range: About $160 is the most I would drop on a fixed blade.

There are so many out there, and my knowledge about fixed blades is so limited, that I could really use some suggestions.
 
I just had this same dilemma, and I just ordered a GI Custom MiniHunter in O1 with a kydex sheath. Mine was $166, and O1 at a high hardness will hold it's edge for a long time from what I hear.
 
You don't want it to look like it's designed to kill and kill alone so you want to get the Warcraft Tanto?
 
Wanimator said:
You don't want it to look like it's designed to kill and kill alone so you want to get the Warcraft Tanto?
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Hey, at least it's not the XL version with a 12" blade.

I feel like it's pretty utilitarian, overall. Simple sheath, the blade has belly, it's DLC coated which is good given that 3V is not stainless, and tanto tips are very practical in my experience. Besides, it's way too damned heavy to be a fighting knife.
 
Spyderco Street Bowie. I have a street beat and its a fantastic edc. The Bowie is probably just as good but in your size range. Vg 10 steel
 
I edc'd an esee izula for several months. I know it's smaller than the size you're looking for, but the key was that I could carry it clipped to the inside of my belt with the handle side down, bite side facing towards my back. The cord wrapped handle just looked like a lanyard dangling next to my pocket. The other big plus is that it didn't take up any pocket space. If I were looking for something in your size range I would definitely get something with a horizontal carry option or have a sheath custom made to allow for it.
 
jkwithawave said:
Spyderco Street Bowie. I have a street beat and its a fantastic edc. The Bowie is probably just as good but in your size range. Vg 10 steel
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That's not a bad option - I noticed that the Schempp Rock is in that price range as well.

Man, I spent two years looking at basically only folders and consider(ed) myself a knife expert, and I still know freaking nothing about fixed blades. Oye.
 
How about and Esee 4 or 5? They would seem to fit the bill. Swamp Rat Ratmandu or Scrapyard 511 if you want to spend a little less.
 
I've no experience with either, but the Bowie probably carries a whole lot better being 5oz lighter and almost 3in shorter. Interestingly though, the Schemp Rock is a mm thinner.
 
What about the KA-BAR mark 1 utility knife . You can get it with a kraton g handle and kydex sheath . Or just stick to good old leather .
 
I've just started to get the fixed blade edc fever myself. But I'm going in the opposite direction and starting with a knife that is overall what you are looking for in blade length:eek::D. Anyway I have a Boker Plus Krein PSK coming next week and I am planning to try it out as an edc. If I find it is not for me, then I only have a few dollars invested, and I will still keep the knife. If it works out well then I will go up to 8" oal and try the Boker Plus Krein Bulldog.
 
Survive! knives might pique your interest. They offer a variety of sizes with currently either 3v or 20-cp. Welcome to your new addiction...good luck getting your fix. :)
 
Oh shoot, nevermind, I just checked out your price range...

Venier Forge has a couple kogatana in your price range, very simple look that could easily be mistaken for a steak knife.
 
R.c.s said:
What about the KA-BAR mark 1 utility knife . You can get it with a kraton g handle and kydex sheath . Or just stick to good old leather .
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I just got a best to hell one of these in leather. The sheath is not very good but the knife is actually pretty impressive. Got it used at a gun show (traded a couple X26 taser cartridges for it). It's to big to carry in the leather sheath and I don't know how it'll look with the leather handle in a kydex sheath but its a nice blade. I've already beat the crap out of it and had RichardJ sharpen it when I went to see his place last weekend.

My suggestion if you've never EDC'd a FB before is to start out with an Izula or ESEE 3 and go from there. Don't start to big, it might turn you off from EDC'ing them. That's what happened to me, started out with an ESEE 5 and didn't like it, thought I didn't like carrying FB's at all till I got a NJJ model 3 (izula size) and realized this size is perfect for me.
 
I EDC a RAT 3. You can get it in 1095 or D2. I own a RAT/ESEE4 it is too big to EDC if you ask me. 3/8 stock- not the lightest knife. It has some heft too it.
Another knife I carried for a long time is a DPX HEST. The pry bar hook at the butt end always seemed to get in the way.

I tried the Izula and Izula II and it wasn't quite enough.
 
+1 on the Street Bowie. I have one and they carry extremely well. Super lightweight.

Also, do some sheath first shopping. Look at sheathmaker's knife lists. Find a type of sheath you want, deduct the price from your max, and use their knife list as a short list to research. That way you will also consider knives like the excellent Becker BK14,16 and 17 and many other excellent mid-sized fixed blades.
 
The Boker Vox Rold seems to fit your need quite well.
>5", kydex sheath with clip, the uncoated version looks quite civil, great D2 steel, FFG, great handle /overall ergonomics
I'm not sure about the US price, I paid 140€ for mine, I guess around 140$ for you guys then ?
Oh yeah, and it really looks nice too IMHO
 
I think that I'd probably try an uncoated ESEE 4. The ESEE is a good stable knife.

I also really like the Blackjack classic knives if you like a hand filling handle. The 125 comes to mind and it is one of my favorites. But the sheath requires you to slide your belt through it.
 
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