fixed blade edc

Q

Quy4n8

Joined
Nov 27, 2002
Messages
659
Does anyone use a fixed blade knife for edc? If you are an LEO or work outdoors (on a farm or ranch); I can see doing so, but if one works indoors or in town, is it practical to do so? I have a strong preference toward straight knives, but have not found a comfortable way to carry a small (3"-4" blade) straight knife daily, without getting the odd stares or comments. If anyone out there has found a knife or method of carry which is comfortable and inconspicuous, I am all ears. I am not looking for a self defense knife, simply a sturdy knife which is easy to clean (one of the drawbacks to a folder)and comfortable to use. Thanks.
 
I carried 2 fixed blades daily for a long time a Gryphon M10 with a 4" blade and a itty bitty TOPs with a 2.5" blade. No one knew I was carrying these mostly because of the sheaths. The M10 comes with an excellent sheath from survivalsheath and I carried it IWB SS with the loop. However On Scene and Rivercity can make one with a clip which I prefer since I'm sometimes caught with sweatpants and no belt. You can get used to carrying that size blade in no time.
 
i carry a CRKT companion IWB behind the hip. almost any knife of the size you're talking about can be easily concealed this way by untucking your shirt or wearing another shirt/jacket over it. it's also pretty comfortable.
 
I carry a Katz Vet's knife with a 2" blade in a clip-on sheath on my hip for work in the shop. It is a practical little knife with a good edge that does all the work I want it to - opening parcels, cutting string, slicing leather etc.
 
I live in a large city and work (well, worked) at a software company. I carry a fixed blade every day in plain view and have yet to get a comment or visible reaction from anyone. There seem to be a few simple factors that make this possible...

1) Horizontal Sheath: Even though my sheath is kydex, so it's quite obvious what's in it, the sideways profile just doesn't register with people the way a more traditional vertical sheath does. As a bonus, it also gets in the way far less. :)

2) Blending: The matte black sheath and dark ironwood grip don't stand out against my black belt and black or navy pants. Except for the full tang along the sides of the grip there is no shiny metal to attract attention.

3) Natural Materials: Leather would probably be an even lower-profile choice for a sheath, but I just like kydex too well. :p Ironwood and other natural grip materials seem to register as general decoration and don't scream knife. The more decorative an item is the less threatening it seems to be. :rolleyes:

I would think that carry location should be a factor, but I carry mine just to the weak side of my belt buckle, where it should be fairly conspicuous. Having it right up front doesn't seem to bother anyone.

Here's what my sheathed knife looks like:

It is 6.7" overall with a 3.3" blade and weighs 3.4 oz. If you click on the link you can see full specs and pictures of the unsheathed blade.

--Bob Q
 
I'm a university student and work at a bicycle shop. I often carry my Dozier Straight Personal in a horizontal kydex sheath on my belt. Small knife with a 3" blade, carries virtually unnoticed most of the time. Great cutter too. Usually I have a shirt untucked which covers it from view, but I've often worn it with a shirt tucked in, in plain view, without so much as a look from anybody.
 
I've carried a Dozier K-4 in a wilderness sheath for over 8 months. I don't feel dressed without it. The only place I don't carry it is in church. I have gotten very few bad remarks and a lot of good feedback.
I was with my son getting his drivers lic. and the guy behind the counter asked me what I was carrying. I asked if it was ok to take it out and show him. He told me to wait a minute and left the room. He returned with a very old/well used Marble's knife and we stood in the middle of the courthouse talking and showing off our knives.

I have found, in my area at least, that a fixed blade draws less attention than a folding tactical. Also, your behaviour has most to do with it.



Dean
 
I've been looking at some of their little blades, like the Prairie Fox and the Checkmate. Is it a good slicer or is it a little prybar? How's the factory sheath? Thanks.

Frank
 
I carry a Swamp Rat Bandicoot as EDC in a Okuden kydex sheath. It ride high and conceal extremely well! This fixed blade is scarry sharp and it's the best 88$ I've put in a knife! Everybody I know who have hold it in their hands have ordered one! :D
 
Currently carrying my spydie fb03 lumto, in a normark sheath, rear cant(45deg) [edge back, tip down]... shirt tucked in, jacket or not, I haven't gotten many comments about it. Black sheath, black linen micarta handle... not like I hide it at the 9 o'clock position(left hip, infront of belt loop). rigging point is mid knife, so it rides high and tight.

I'm still waiting on eric to get my fb05 back to me, and I'll be carrying it instead of the tanto, same position.

been carrying a fixed for a long time(5-6yrs) as my daily carry(even though it had be taken off during school time). other carry position is a right side sheath, tucked into the back pocket.

Easy cleaning, quick access, no lock to worry about, and no laws to concern myself with up here(no limits at all on fixed carry, acceptable folder is 6" though there are no length bylaws in c68).
 
I work in an office environment and I switched to fixed blades for EDC carry quite a while ago. I have not looked back.

I have a Carson F4 in BG-42 IWB on my right front hip. (positioned right about the first belt loop)

I have a Simonich Bitteroot in my right front pocket.

Today I have a Modified Dozier Personal IWB just to the left of my belt buckle.

I don't have any problems carrying knives IWB in a horizontal pozition.
 
Originally posted by SilverFoxKnows
I've been looking at some of their little blades, like the Prairie Fox and the Checkmate. Is it a good slicer or is it a little prybar? How's the factory sheath? Thanks.

Frank
Click to expand...

Its the UTE01 It is absolutely NOT a slicer, a very stout thick blade. However it did come razor sharp out of the box and is very pointy. The particular sheath it came with was great, it had a clip that was very flush and was made out of thinner kydex absolutely perfect for concealment. It is different from the Strikar model sheath and others which have this big honkin metal clip that juts out from the side. However the UTE has a very short handle, so I just made a coil lanyard out of 550 (about 12-13 turns) and wore it belt buckle carry. I'd recommend it highly (my girlfriend has since appropriated it, oh well guess I have to get another one).
 
If you are looking for an EDC utility knife with an easy/ comfortable carry sheath, look no farther than a Dozier made. There are many models to choose from with a choice of his near horizontal or vertical kydex sheaths. Any of these small fix blades can be carried discreetly under a vest, sport jacket, coat, or untucked sweat/ tee shirt. They are not run of the mill production knives. But are well worth their relatively modest cost(s) for a handmade. Check them out.

www.dozierknives.com


N2
 
Check out my avatar picture. Its a little fixed blade made by Lynn Dawson, about 4 inches overall in length. It opens my packages and does all of the little chores that pop up in daily life. I just put it in a kydex sheath and slip it in my pocket.
 
My fixed blade may not be an EDC in the 'daily' sense of the word, but it's falling into my EDC rotation.

I have the little Buck mini-Alpha Hunter. It's ATS-34 from Paul Bos, and it acts more than its size. My wife has been using it to whack open UPS boxes and she has that sort of 'mine, mine' look in her eyes.

I'd like to get a horizontal kydex sheath, like Bquinlan's.
 
Don Cowles has the perfect solution for a small everyday carry fixed blade. He makes a William Henry type sheath that allows you to carry one of his small fixed blades inside your pocket. The system has the convienience of a folder, but the benefits of a fixed blade.

The knives are wonderful. Check out his web site www.cowlesknives.com.
 
I've carried a fixed blade for edc for a couple o years now.Mine is a custom from Graham Knives in Cleveland,Tn.They are amongthe strongest I have seen.Excelant finish as well.Check them out at grahamknives.com.I now own ten and have two on order.
 
I have 3 fixed blades that are in the EDC rotation. An Allen Blade Pack pal, a Simonich Bitterroot and a Simonich Crowfoot. The Bitterroot is always a neck carry. The Crowfoot switches around a bit, but is usually upside down belt carry with a mini tek-lok. The Allen Blade is either a belt carry or in my shoulder bag.

I pretty much carry one at a time and usually have a folder but I like fixed blades.

I'm tempted to put my Simonich knives up, but I think it honors Rob more to use them.

Mike
 
I've been carrying a WOO by Newt Livesay for about 3 years. It's sturdy, gets wicked sharp, stays that way for a long time, and the price was right.
 
I carry my kobun everywhere. No makes any comments especally the LEO. Made it clear with I can carry it, as long as its in the open. They don't care. They like knives...like seeing what new ones I have so they can pick one up of their own.
 
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