Fixed blade EDC?

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xtremepado

Joined
Jul 27, 2010
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I've recently gotten into knives and am looking for a fixed blade knife (under 3 inches) to use as my EDC knife. Do you prefer fixed blades or folders? What are the advantages of a fixed blade knife? Is the RAT Izula worth looking at?
My budget is around $50 but I'm willing to go a little higher if its worth it! :D
 
I don't carry a fixed blade for EDC. Also, I am far from an expert in my knowledge, but I don't think you will find much criticism of the Izula. From everything I have read it is the best in its price range.

I do have a Buck Paclite skinner that has been a good fixed blade and it was less than $20.

I am sure you will soon get some very good input from some very knowledgeable folks.

Just wait, it shouldn't be long.
 
FB pros - stronger, (sometimes) faster to bring into use, easier to clean.

Folder pros - (usually) easier to carry, legality

i prefer a FB, but have been carrying a folder lately.
 
Bobby Craig said:
I always carry a fixed blade. When I want my knife I want it now and I dont like to dig for it and then spend time trying to get it opened. It dont matter if I have gloves on or just bare hands I can grab it and put it to action.

Maybe you could hit the pawn shops and get a Schrade Sharpfinger. Try to fing the old American made knifes. There is a company now days called Taylor who has them made in China in stainless but those are junk. Just search the pawn shops for a old American made one and give about 10 or 15 bucks.

Sharpfingerknife.jpg
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+1 on the Sharpfinger US made....sweet knife even if its been used and has some light rust. It can be polished up nice.

Another suggestion which is more than $50.00, actually about $95.00 is the ESEE RC 3. Great knife and u won't be disappointed.
 
Folder will probably take care of you edc needs but I don't know what your needs are. The Izula is riduclously awesome and definitely worth it if you are looking for a small fb. You will hear dozens chiming in to collaborate that claim.
 
xtremepado said:
What are the advantages of a fixed blade knife? Is the RAT Izula worth looking at?
Click to expand...

No moving parts, strength, simple deployment.

Yes it is, I love my Izula. I think it's my favorite knife. If you shop around you can find them for <50 shipped. Though if you want the micarta scales that will be another 15'ish.

Here's a couple of the looks it's sported in the last year or two.

izzylog.jpg


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newfolders3.jpg

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The Buck Paklite Skinner looks like an amazing deal, I know it has a few fans around here, I'm gonna pick one up sometime.

The Becker Necker is another good option, same steal as the Izula, and a similar size, but a bit cheaper.

CRKT almost makes a number of small fixed blades. I personally carry their Minimalist as a neck knife almost every day.
 
Take a look at Arno Bernard knives there is a wide selection of fixed blades that will do for an EDC.www.knifeworks.com have a good range.
Around nearly double the your $50,but worth it.
I have a Meercat made from them and it is near to a custom made knife with a fine sheath for less than $100.
 
I think much of it depends on the legality & where you're going to carry it. If you're looking for pocket FB carry, than the Izula & similar sized knives are probably at the top end, sizewise, that you can go. If you'll carry it OWB, then it doesn't matter.

An EDC FB's advantage is strength & simplicity, but if pocket carried, the downside is it'll have a relatively small blade.

Personally, I EDC a HAK, along with a folder. The blade's only 1.5" of S30V, but many very concealable FBs don't provide much more.

Other small FBs of consideration:

Becker BK11: Handle's small & uncomfortable for larger hands.

Emerson La Griffe: One of the best for a concealable, SD type small knife.

HideAwayKnife: IMHO, the best of the small ones, but pricier.

Boker also makes several different models off of some known makers designs. I think most of them are in 440C, so they also have decent blade steel.

Michael Morris (Goes by "mykulmorriss" on here) makes some excellent, reasonably priced small FBs (Using files, I believe) & with well made & thought out sheaths, too (Kydex or leather, IIRC). He's definitely worth a look, too, although he'll be more than your $50 price point, but not much more. I think his knives start at $65 or so?
 
I find that the Buck Paklite Caper makes for a nice EDC blade, though the sheath could be improved upon. Besides that though, it sharpens easy and fits my hand nicely.
 
I work welding and I do a lot of grinding steel cutting so I always have metal filings and grinding wheel dust in my pockets. This makes locking folders not lock after a while and I get lazy about taking them apart to clean out the junk so I carry a variety of small fixed blades Most about 7 inches overall
 
Izula's a great knife but if your budget is $50, you should probably also look at the Becker Necker. It's an outstanding knife with outstanding steel and you can go home with both the knife and change in your pocket. As to a previous poster's comment about the handle being uncomfortable for larger hands - I disagree. I'm 6'4" and 250# and my hands are on the large side. The BK-11 fits me better than the Izula - think it's a matter of preference.

IMG00590-20100724-1129.jpg
 
You won't regret the Izula for $50...

Get yourself a pocket sheath for it....you be good to go!

Sharoeningjob001.jpg
 
Take a look at the Spyderco Street Beat.
Just got one and I'm very impressed with it. Reasonable size for EDC, well made, Kydex sheath with multiple positioning options.
 
+1 for the Izula. Later, when your budget allows, look into the KSF pocket sheaths and, perhaps, the micarta scales.
 
I think I'm going to go with an Izula. I really like the idea of a paracord wrap handle. How hard are these things to conceal? Most of the people I'm around are afraid of sharp things so I'd like to keep it inside my waistband and under my shirt. Is it comfortable to carry it this way?
 
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