Recommendation? Fixed blade EDC?

H

HolyRoller

Gold Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
669
I've recently decided to revamp my weekend (non-workplace) carry. I've been stuck in my ways and upon reflection I've realized I can do better.

So now I'm looking for a traditional fixed blade that can be carried inside the waistband. I've accepted I'll probably have to make a custom sheath to accomplish this, and that's fine. This will be paired with a scout/camp style slipjoint (on custom leash) for task flexibility.

I was looking at the Buck 113, and REALLY like it... But it's a hollow ground skinner and I'm afraid the edge will be far too fine for general purpose and unexpected situations.

For what it's worth, I carry a Kabar Wrench Knife iwb most days at work. I like the size, it carries well. With an UlticlipXL on the kydex "neck" sheath, it's surprisingly comfortable. It's simplicity and low cost makes it a solid choice for a utility knife.

I figure around 3 inch would be optimal, 4 at most. Flat grind. Not married to any particular blade style. Prefer natural grip materials, but not a must. A bolster would be nice to give a little *click* of retention in a custom, molded, leather, iwb sheath (like I said, I'll probably have to make that myself). Nothing custom or limited edition as I'd never bring myself to carry it, but also no cheap, Chinese junk.

And trying to keep it under $200.

Anyone have any suggestions? I know I'm asking a lot, but classics and traditional are really new territory for me.
 
I was unaware that anyone carries a fixed blade inside the waistband. I had to look that up. The Buck 113 does look like a good sized for EDC. It looks large enough to handle most anything and you might be be able to get all four fingers in the handle.

Did you see that Buck has a custom order program where you can select the blade steel, bolster color, and handle material?
 
Last edited:
For small traditional blade, I think a lot of European Puukko would fit your criteria nicely. Many of them do have flat grind carbon steel blade and wooden handle, but a custom sheath maybe needed to fit inside a waistband.

If you don't mind modern material and look, I would recommend Brisa Bobtail 80 as a small fixed blade carried horizontally. 12c27 blade is alright, and the kydex sheath is pretty versatile to carry.

vW9vO1S.jpg
 
The 113 ranger skinner is excellent, so is the 102 woodsman.
I don't know what you plan to use it for, but bucks grind is perfectly fine for general utility.
 
The Buck _(insert model number)_ has a sturdy edge. With the hollow grind, they are also good slicers.

Would something along the lines of a Puukko work for you?
Well under your budget, but if a Puukko would work, the Mora Number 1 (wood handle, you can sand off the red stain or paint if you don't like it,) or a 511 Basic (dual desity rubber handle) If you're handy, you can get the Number 1 blade only (stainess steel, carboon steel or laminated blade) and put on the handle of choice; stag tine, buffalo horn, wood of choice, or synthetic.
the Cold Steel FINN BEAR might also be an option.
I keep a Mora number 1 in the tote/shopping bag of my prmary rollator, and the FINN BEAR in my secondary rollator's tote/shopping bag, for when the Buck 110 or Old timer 7OT on my belt isn't up for the task at hand.
(No. I don't think a knife is good for SD without a heck of a lot of training, which I don't have, and constant practice.)

Bark River makes some nice looking knives I don't have one, (never seen or handled one, to be honest) but I've never heard anything bad about them.
Condor makes a rendition of the "Kephart" (spear point) blade, carried by Mr. Horace Kephart, and the "Nessmuk", carried by Mr. Geo .W. Sears, (AKA: "Nessmuk") two of the early "fathers" of modern bushcraft, based on the pictures and descriptions in each gentleman's books.
Both have a 4 inch or so blade. Nessmuk's blade is similar in profile to the Buck 103 Skinner. I'd be surpised if the Buck 103 was not based at least in part on the "Nessmuk" knife. Both are a flat grind. I beleive both come with a pouch sheath with no retainer strap, like a Puukko. At least 2/3 of the handle is in the sheath. They won't/don't fall out. Oh, you didn't specify Stainless or carbon steel. The condor''s are 1095(?) carbon steel.
There are others who make the Kephart in Stainless; maybe the Nessmuk, too. I just don't know who off the top of my head.

I don't know if a Bird and Trout knife would work for you.
They are about the size of a kitchen paring knife, maybe a little bigger. Case, vintage Western, Schrade/Imperial, Marbles, are good.
Then there is the Caping knife, sort of a leaf shaped blade, about the same size as the Bird and Trout.

If you went to a 5 inch blade, the Western L66 (leather washer handle), W66 (wood handle), and F66 "Black Beauty" (alternating aluminum and black fiber washer handle) and the Marbles Ideal (I think it had a 5 inch blade) are worth taking a look at. the Western's at least are fairly common on the used market. Back when I was young in the 1950's to 1970's the Western L/W/F66 was the number 1 sheath/ hunting and camping knife.
 
Last edited:
If you like the blade shape, here's 2 that I switch on and off. Boker Nessmi, and a Giant Mouse GMF1-F. Both have about 2.5" cutting edge. Nessmi is hollow ground cpm-s30v, Giant Mouse is 5mm flat ground m390. There's a Boker plus Nessmi that is D2 and is easy to find at a nice price.
unSZEW1.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys. A lot to consider.

Still haven't written off the 113, especially since I'm a huge Buck fan.

Really wish I had a decent brick and mortar store to handle some knives before purchase.

There's a local knife show next month. Maybe I just need to be patient and hope it's not just 15 tables of pakmascus...
 
HolyRoller said:
Thanks guys. A lot to consider.

Still haven't written off the 113, especially since I'm a huge Buck fan.

Really wish I had a decent brick and mortar store to handle some knives before purchase.

There's a local knife show next month. Maybe I just need to be patient and hope it's not just 15 tables of pakmascus...
Click to expand...
is there a Brass Pro shop or Cabela near by? Or a Gander Outdoors? Just a thought and they usually have a decent selection of knives to handle.
 
There is a cool little skinner by redsquid in the makers exchange, I have a a few of his, great working knives, maybe a cosmetic Imperfection, but good quality for a great price. Also, I really like the knives by Duck Childress.
 
my favorite fixed blade edc is my LTWK patriot or my Krein TK1. theyre a perfect size to carry easily and do a great job at basic tasks
 
The LTWK patriot is probably my absolute favorite. I have 3 of them. Its always my go to
 
cbach8tw said:
is there a Brass Pro shop or Cabela near by? Or a Gander Outdoors? Just a thought and they usually have a decent selection of knives to handle.
Click to expand...
No really good sporting goods shops around here. Gun stores out the wazoo, but no one with a decent knife selection that I've found.

At this point, some of the best knives I find are flea market and scrapyard finds.

Thankfully, I have too many knives already so I can wait for the upcoming knife show. If I can't find something there, I'll likely just order a 113 to experiment with the concept. Might not like iwb carry for day to day.

I did build my own leather pocket slip, allowing me to comfortably carry a 110 or 112, so that may solve my problem. At least for now.
 
I don’t know much about the buck model that has been mentioned, and I have limited experience with fixed blade knives.
My thoughts and recommendations are identify the blade shape and associated tasks you expect to use it for.
Size I think is important. Carry is one aspect, but use is another. I have found 7.5” overall length to be a great compromise for both.
I tried the LT Wright patriot, but it was too small for me to comfortably use. Additionally I was too concerned with an “EDC” blade shape. I now have a bark river JX6. It’s size is great and I identified I wanted a blade shape that excelled in food prep type tasks. I am in love with the knife, and it complements my carry as opposed to just adding to it.
Hopefully this input is of some value to you.
 
Peregrin said:
If you like the blade shape, here's 2 that I switch on and off. Boker Nessmi, and a Giant Mouse GMF1-F. Both have about 2.5" cutting edge. Nessmi is hollow ground cpm-s30v, Giant Mouse is 5mm flat ground m390. There's a Boker plus Nessmi that is D2 and is easy to find at a nice price.
unSZEW1.jpg
Click to expand...
I second the GMF1. Custom scales really make this knife shine, and still disappears in the pocket
 
Give this a try for unobtrusive and comfortable fixed blade carry - a hunting buddy showed me this method a decade ago and I love it. Even when you sit you don't even feel it (of course a bigger Buck 119 or 120 size would be hard to do this with). This is a Buck 102, their Bird & Trout style fixed blade knife and is very nice for small game and waterfowl as well as EDC use. With black pants & belt it would blend and most folks wouldn't even notice you were carrying it. I guess a natural suede leather sheath would blend with the khaki belt and pants too. OH
Buck-102-in-back-pocket.jpg
 
Travman said:
I was unaware that anyone carries a fixed blade inside the waistband. I had to look that up. The Buck 113 does look like a good sized for EDC. It looks large enough to handle most anything and you might be be able to get all four fingers in the handle.

Did you see that Buck has a custom order program where you can select the blade steel, bolster color, and handle material?
Click to expand...
I carry IWB appendix carry fixed, up to 8"blades pretty easily.
I usually make my own kydex sheath, as it's not as common.
For my uses and needs I've found Nothing better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top