Fixed Blade Reccomendation

In all honesty you may consider getting some custom scales and a kydex sheath for the Izula 2. You could also strip it if you wanted, you know as well as I do that in the summer most of Texas is dry as a bone so I don't think rust would be awful. If you do want a bigger blade, look at Ontario, look for some older Marbles knives, or look into the custom area. Do you have any preferred blade shapes or grinds?
For me, the izula just isn't enough of a blade. I can do a lot with it, but I seems like having a bigger cutting edge would be nice.
Blade shape doesn't really bother me much. I only have 2 that I really don't get excited about, Bowie and Tanto. I don't like tango fixed blades, I would like more of a belly. And bowies are a prohibited carry in Texas.
 
It's a good idea to look at the laws now. The state law that was recently enacted overrules any city laws they may try to throw at you. Also if you have a license to carry firearms the knife restrictions (46.02) doesn't apply (46.15) but only while you have your license and firearm on you.

You said Texas right?

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=322
Well you just made my life a lot easier.

It's not so much that I don't want to have to take my knife off, it's that I know at some point I will forget to.
 
I open carry my 9mm on my right hip and I'll have one of these on the left side. Nobody batted an eye but I haven't an encounter with a cop so I don't know if any seen me.

 
I honestly hadn't even thought about that. I guess that kind of throws the whole 5.5 thing out the window, but it still seems to be a good length for me.

So towns can have more restrictive rules? I never knew that.. Huh.
I am not aware of a single rural TX city that has such nonsense as a prohibition against shorter than 5.5 though San Antonio has something stupid on the books.
 
Sounds like you want a Becker BK 15, 16 or 17.
Let a patina can't the exposed edge to protect it if you like. For your budget you could get a Tweener (15,16 or 17) AND and BK-11 which you will never be sorry about owning; you'll even have money left over for a sheath. Jude's abounds on the Bay and Smoket Mountain Knife Works has very inexpensive leather sheaths for the Tweeners.
 
Thank god salty mentioned a becker! I was shouting out loud while reading this thread. Get a Becker for sure!
 
large_26013_CS14AKVG-Cold-Steel-AK-47-Field-Knife-01.jpg




AK-47 FIELD KNIFE
Specifications:
Weight: 11.1 oz.
Blade Thickness: 5 mm
Blade Length: 5 1/5"
Handle: 4 7/8" Long. OD Green G-10
Overall: 10 3/8"
Steel: U.S. CPM 3-V High Carbon with DLC Coating
Sheath: Secure-Ex® Sheath
Our AK47 series folding knives have set the standard for hard use tactical folders. A firm favorite with military personnel and special units, these rugged, dependable folding knives have seen use all over the world and in several conflict zones, and have been in our line up in various iterations for almost a decade.
When we decided to explore designs for a new multi-purpose fixed blade field knife that would be suitable for military use, we kept coming back to the AK47.
Our AK47 Field Knife is enormously sturdy and amazingly effective. With robust solid steel construction, full width tang and American G10 scales - it is function personified!
Expertly crafted from CPM 3v High Carbon super-steel, the AK47 Field Knife is then D.L.C (Diamond like Coated) from the tip of its beefy saber ground clip point blade to its oversized striking pommel; ensuring an unbelievably strong, razor sharp blade with a hard wearing virtually scratch resistant surface.
Supplied with our highly versatile Military standard Secure-Ex sheath, the AK47 Field Knife is ready to take on any challenge!
 
It may not meet all of your requests, but how about Hultafors GK. It is ugly as hell, built like a tank, and cheap!
 
If you are truly beating on the knife and using it for things not suggested for a knife, then stick with the Bark River Bravo or CS AK47. Realistically, though, I lived in Texas in the 80's and your typical ranch/cattle hand did everything he needed to with a Buck 102 style (or similar. There are a few different types in that size/style.). It's not huge, it's light, and will cut through whatever you need to. No need to remove handles for cleaning, either. Get the phenolic version instead of the Chocobolo and you will have a pretty resilient knife.

Ps, it won't fill one's need for a "Rambo" knife, but with the exception of the big Bowie, a medium fixed blade is what cowboys used for most everyday tasks.



5e6d4328122d054f7575b61193a0f53e.jpg
 
Becker BK16 or BK17 depending on your preference of styles, a good leather sheath and replace the handle bolts with stainless ones.... I've spent YEARS doing exactly what you are looking at doing, and that would be my choice currently. Of the 2 for general work like you are really looking at, I'd actually take the 17 over the 16....I prefer the option of a working tip on occasion.

I'd prefer a crossdraw style sheath... it keeps the handle accessable easily while standing or mounted... it keeps the blade from leg slapping you all day while you walk or ride.... easy in, easy out. hard to go wrong with a set up like this on a ranch. Should be able to get the knife, sheath and bolts well under your budget and I'll guarantee you, you'll use it the rest of your life.


Specifications Model: BK17 Short Becker Clip Point
Blade Length: 4-3/8"
Overall Length: 9-1/4"
Steel:: 1095 Cro-Van
Blade Stamp: BK&T/KA-BAR
Grind: Flat
HRC: 56-58
Handle: Zytel
Includes extra set of handles and fasteners
Sheath: Cordura
Made in USA




Older model Sharpfinger would be a close second....though the handles are not removable
 
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Ontario 499.
Buck 877.
Buck 110. (not a fixed blade, obviously, but it will do every task you ask of it.)
 
Counties, towns/localities, can all have their own regulations that supersede the state laws. These laws and rules are usually poorly written and can get very complicated and be a pain in the neck to read and understand. So be knowledgeable and be very careful. As they always say "ignorance of the law is not an excuse".

as of last year Texas passed a law that said state law surpasses all local ordinances so places that have knife laws MORE restrictive than state laws all got invalidated overnight.... pisses off a lot of politicians in San Antonio and Austin, but hell with em anyway..... as of now, any single edge blade under 5.5 inches other than butterfly knives are legal EVERYWHERE in Texas.


copy/paste

( sorry, didn't realize this was a double tap on the same information till I reread back thru the whole thread a second time.... my bad )

Sept. 1, 2015: Today is the effective date for Knife Rights' signature Knife Law Preemption bill in Texas. Several Texas cities will see their restrictive knife laws voided today. The new law invalidates all municipal and county knife ordinances more restrictive than state law, creating uniform knife laws throughout the Lone Star State. The new law also ensues that Knife Rights' repeal of the state's ban on switchblade (automatic) knives that was passed in 2013 will now have effect throughout the state. The two Texas cities that made Knife Rights' "10 Worst Anti-Knife Cities in America" list for 2014, San Antonio at number four and Corpus Christi at number nine, have now been removed. Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, "Removing two of the nation's worst anti-knife cities from our list in a single act is an example of what can be done when we all work together towards greater freedom in America." Knife Rights has sent letters notifying elected officials, prosecutors and law enforcement in twelve cities, towns and counties of the change to the Texas Local Government Code. In addition to San Antonio and Corpus Christi, letters were sent to Austin, Dallas County, El Paso, Houston, Magnolia, Melissa, Odessa, Richland Hills, Shenandoah and Texarkana, all of which have now-voided knife restrictions on the books. Knife Rights volunteers continue to comb through municipal and county codes, searching for any other jurisdictions that should be notified of their now-voided ordinances. Ritter said, "We bring this new law to these jurisdictions' attention in hopes of avoiding the illegal arrest and prosecution of knife owners who are in compliance with the new state law but, in conflict with now-voided local restrictions. We have also requested that these jurisdictions repeal their invalidated knife restrictions in order to ensure that citizens are not misled by having an unenforceable ordinance on the books." The new state law prohibits a city or county from passing or enforcing knife ordinances more restrictive than state law, thereby eliminating the old patchwork of knife laws that acted as a legal minefield for anyone carrying a knife in the state. Residents and travelers in Texas can now be assured that a single knife law applies statewide. Knife Law Preemption is Knife Rights' most important legislative effort and the foundation for ensuring all citizens enjoy any gains Knife Rights makes repealing knife bans. Restrictive local knife laws serve only to confuse and entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within a state. Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of knife laws throughout the state. Knife Rights' groundbreaking LegalBlade™ App - Knife Laws in America™ has been updated to reflect the change in Texas law. The LegalBlade™ App provides guidance at your fingertips to the knife laws in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 42 cities in the U.S. with restrictive knife laws. Knife Rights passed the nation's first Knife Law Preemption bill in Arizona in 2010 and has since passed preemption bills in Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. - See more at: http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=322#sthash.F2l7waZY.dpuf
 
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