Recommendation? Fixed blade EDC guys, list some smaller knives for my wish list

Cereal_killer

Cereal_killer

Joined
Apr 4, 2013
Messages
3,415
Hey guys, about to be a longer post, this is a forum for discussing knives after all so by all means DISCUSS KNIVES!

I'm an avid fixed blade EDC kind of guy, usually I daily carry a Med/Lg fixed blade (5-8") on my belt but recently I've been rotating in a few smaller blades and really [surprisingly] have yet to find a situation I feel under equipped (note I'm a blue collar dude and a farmer and really do HARD use my knives every day).

I have a pretty good collection of the 6-8" blades but the only two smaller knives I regularly carry are an Esee 3 and a Guardian 3 (the G3 is one that REALLY surprised me especially after first setting it aside cause it was "just to small").
What I'm hoping to do here is get a few new ideas to put on my wish list (a spread sheet I maintain on google) in the sm/med category, I'd prefer the 3.5-4ish range, maybe stretch it half an inch either way if you feel I'd really be missing out on something great with the above size requirements. I have a custom ready for payment and my next knife purchase after that is already decided (a Spartan Phrike) so this isnt a recommendation to fit an immediate need nor is there a specific intended use other than EDC. Probably also a little to do with the fact my 30th birthday is next week lol.

I like stainless and carbon super steels (M390 /Elmax and 3V) but also like time-tested carbon steels like 1095 and A2 and O1 so other than no Chinese alphabet steels I dont have any requirements there. I do want real handles, skeletonized are fine as long as scales are available, preference for micarta but anything low-maintenance is good.

Price cap @ $200 but please dont skip suggesting a budget / "low end" / "cheap" blade cause of that price cap, I dont have any problem carrying [and USING] a $15 Mora one day and a several hundred dollar custom the next!
Customs are fine to but I usually just add the maker to my list however the one thing I'd like to avoid more of are recommendations for knives like the Tupper JEN (which has been #1 on my list for a minute now) that at this point are secondary market only and very hard to come by.

Again you're not trying to come up for the perfect knife for me, that's something only I can decide after testing and forming my own opinion, all I'm wanting are suggestions to consider, knives you feel excel at the general task of EDC regardless of specifics! Just name a few is fine or write an essay why I absolutely must consider _______ (or any level of enthusiasm in between) and definitely feel free to ramble!
 
While they are very slightly above your price range, the Carothers Performance Knives EDC in D2 has become my absolute favorite shorter blade (3.23 inches). It is very thin behind the edge and rips through most materials I've tried like a laser. CPK however unfortunately only puts out small batch runs, which are very hard to get your hands on. But if you can? I can guarantee you'll fall in love like I have.
 
I've been thinking about a CPK EDC for a while now and actually had the chance to get in on the last run but held off cause all that was left by that time was black G10, had I gotten there in time to snag a maroon Micarta version I'd own it.
It's definitely on my list, thanks!
 
In line with the above, also consider the CPK field knife.
The Guardian 4 is a great option.
BRKT Bravo 1-LT or Fox River LT
Enzo Trapper
Swamp Rat Rodent Solution (discontinued, but pops up inn the Exchange)
Malanika (maker here) Hunter
bacustomknives personal utility (and others!)
 
A Mora #1 might be a good choice.
the very popular essee izula would as well.
The old western 48b is a nice looking little knife you can find second hand for a good price, and I'm pretty sure it's 6"-7" oal as it's smaller than my 8"oal 48a, and their chrovan 1095 is great stuff.
Then you've got bark river who makes a lot of popular small fixed blades that I believe fall within your budget.
 
All good suggestions so far. I just took a knife making class with John of JK knives. His element edc that is his personal carry was sitting out and it is the most impressive small knife I've ever held. I ordered one right away and look forward to it being my first daily carry fixed blade.
 
I posted this "review" a week or so ago in a different thread. I NEED a knife that will slice an apple. Go figure. Yes, I'm older, my cutting needs are VERY casual.
My finding was that my large CRK Sebenza (folder, obviously) just cuts circles around any of these other blades that I tested...with...(yes) apples.
The Sebbie is hollow-ground and thus carries a very thin blade width much "further" up onto the blade. Yes, Geometry Wins... at least AFAIK.
I carry the Bradford Guardian3 in cross-draw belt carry every day since I bought it about 8 months ago. I've had four of these and sold or gifted the others. I do love this model, although it doesn't cut an apple well at all. I also carry a large Sebbie (sometimes a Zaan) as a pocket-clipped folder. I have found that I tend to use the Bradford more than the Sebbie, when I need a knife, as it's more easily and quickly employed.
The Bradford Guardian3 has a rather short grip, but when combined with a great choil and nice jimping, I can get a very secure grip on this knife, and it's really nice for "close" work. This is surprising, as my folder carry has generally been a CRK large Sebbie or Zaan.
As you might see by virtue of that referenced thread, it appears as though most folks like a thinner blade over a thicker blade, and they specify a thinner blade "in the middle"...which I found to be very interesting.. for their daily use.
http://bladeforums.com/threads/thick-vs-thin-knife.1507862/ post #19.
 
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jbarsquat said:
All good suggestions so far. I just took a knife making class with John of JK knives. His element edc that is his personal carry was sitting out and it is the most impressive small knife I've ever held. I ordered one right away and look forward to it being my first daily carry fixed blade.
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I would second this, I have an E01 EDC with a semi wharncliffe blade by JK as well. Super solid and punches way above its weight. Not only that, John is super nice guy to deal with. You should check out his subforum here.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/jk-handmade-knives.830/
 
Ironbut said:
View attachment 739572 In addition to my Guardian 3, I also have a Bark River Woodland that I like to carry. 3" blade & roughly the same overall size as the G3, but with a bit more room on the handle.
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And no gigantic finger choil! My one complaint about the G3, while I do love how it works out and the feel in hand (and can't use it without choking up in the choil) I in general despise a large finger choil eating up cutting edge. That's how much I like the G3 that it gets a pass!

greatscoot said:
I would second this, I have an E01 EDC with a semi wharncliffe blade by JK as well. Super solid and punches way above its weight. Not only that, John is super nice guy to deal with. You should check out his subforum here.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/jk-handmade-knives.830/
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Can I see your knife? Love me a wharny! I've heard lots about JK, is it in line with my price range?
 
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Cereal_killer Cereal_killer

The wharny is on top 6.5 OAL 1/8" 01 Steel. The bottom one is his Hikers Backup.

eWE70vK.jpg
 
Spyderco Street Beat is just such an amazing knife for the money. I love my Guardian 3 but even more comfortable to wear is my Spyderco Street Beat at about 3:00 in or out of waistband. The only downside is you have to be careful with it as the sheath wants to dull the blade. Poorly designed and I think it is a shame Spyderco hasn't fixed it. The Street Beat is better for self defense too.

The Guardian 3 is also one of my favourites. I just would worry about using it for guarding because I feel like my finger would slip onto the blade for sure. Matter of fact I am going to see if my Street B will fit into my Guardian sheath.

Oh and the Spartan Blades Enyo. That is another really cool knife. Supposedly designed for "operators" who wanted a usable knife they could hide under their civvie clothes.
 
Whetstone39 said:
Hey CK good to see you here again. I edc a fixed every day on the smaller side, but imo you can't go wrong with:

Bark River City Knife



Enzo Necker



A little on the small-ish side but great blades (at 2 WAY different price points lol).
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Thank you amigo, been back about 6 months now... I FINALLY finished paying my tools / box off and therefore had some tool spendin money each month and really felt like it was the right time to come back to the hobby and evolve my "collection" (I say it in quotes cause I don't actually have any collectors, only users here). Rest assure I hadn't been lacking on quality knives in my absence, bladeforums got me setup right to make it threw the hiatus lol!
I couldn't stay away forever, I love the history of tools and that all leads back to knives (and hammers). Starting with stone and learning how to knap flint then getting better at that then finally the bronze age then iron then steel then high tech space-age super steel and Ti and ceramics... What's next?

I see all your pictures in the EDC thread, makes me curious but I've always had reservations about BRK, Idk why but makes me hesitant to try one. Dont you also have a Northstar?
 
Cereal_killer said:
And no gigantic ginger choil! My one complaint about the G3, while I do love how it works out and the feel in hand (and can't use it without choking up in the choil) I in general despise a large finger choil eating up cutting edge. That's how much I like the G3 that it gets a pass!


Can I see your knife? Love me a wharny! I've heard lots about JK, is it in line with my price range?
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It's definitely in your price range. I just ordered one with a clip point, sharpening choil, green liners, micarta handles, and kydex sheath and it's $143 with shipping.

ETA he will make it however you want.
 
Cereal_killer said:
Thank you amigo, been back about 6 months now... I FINALLY finished paying my tools / box off and therefore had some tool spendin money each month and really felt like it was the right time to come back to the hobby and evolve my "collection" (I say it in quotes cause I don't actually have any collectors, only users here). Rest assure I hadn't been lacking on quality knives in my absence, bladeforums got me setup right to make it threw the hiatus lol!
I couldn't stay away forever, I love the history of tools and that all leads back to knives (and hammers). Starting with stone and learning how to knap flint then getting better at that then finally the bronze age then iron then steel then high tech space-age super steel and Ti and ceramics... What's next?

I see all your pictures in the EDC thread, makes me curious but I've always had reservations about BRK, Idk why but makes me hesitant to try one. Dont you also have a Northstar?
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Awesome, glad to have you back brother. No I don't have a Northstar, but they look like they are well made to me. I have a Bravo that I hunt with, but WAY too big for this discussion :). I have seen your Charlie Mike custom, great blade from an amazing maker. To further muddy these waters I just got this today. 6 3/4 inches long, 3 1/2 inch handle, Nitro V steel, chisel grind, rounded spine with an IWB sheath.

[URL=http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/ts39/media/6298367F-60A0-4218-BAC5-C108D7668F2D_zpsbbq7lcqu.jpg.html][/URL]
 
Svord
Drop Point 3 3/4
Model 350B
Svord%203.75%20Inch%20Drop-Point%20Knife%20-%20Mahogany%20Handle%20Model%20350%20B%20copy.jpg

Length of Blade (inches) 3 3/4"
Over All Length (inches) 8 1/2"
Blade Shape Drop Point
Handle Material Mahogony and Brass
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 2.2mm
Sheath Leather

NZ Stag 4
Model 1990NZ2S
140-thickbox_default_large.jpeg

Length of Blade (inches) 4"
Over All Length (inches) 8 3/4"

(370BB) Drop Point 4 3/4
Svord%20Deluxe%20Drop-Point%20Knife%20-%204.75%20Inch%20-%20Mahogany%20Handle%20Model%20370BB%20copy.jpg

Length of Blade (inches) 4 3/4"
Over All Length (inches) 9 3/4

Utility General Purpose 4 3/4
Model UGP2
Svord%20General%20Purpose%20Hunting%20Knife%20-%204.75%20Inch%20-%20Mahogany%20Hnadle%20Model%20UGP2%20copy.jpg

Length of Blade (inches) 4 3/4"
Over All Length (inches) 9 1/4"
Blade Shape General Purpose
http://www.svord.com/index.php?id_category=20&controller=category
 
Childress neck knives, also saw the Enzo mentioned, a Larry Withrow small belt knife when they do pop up, and finally Wilder Forge makes a cool little neck knife with 52100, very similar in shape to a Blind horse or Battle Horse Frontier Valley. One last idea that I like the look of, no experience with is a Hess bird and trout.
 
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