Fixed EDC for a camp/woods knife?

[Shotgun]

I've been thinking for a while that I want my woods knife to be the same as the knife that I carry around town. My use doesn't really dictate that I need a large blade and sometimes I feel a large blade is counter productive. I usually carry a GB mini if I need to chop so I just need a knife to cut but still be strong, hence the idea for a fixed EDC/woods knife. I've been looking around at different models from wharncliffes to mini nessmuks and I really don't know what I want, in terms of blade geometry, so I need help.
What I want it to do:

Every day tasks. Cutting cardboard, twine, threads off clothes, etc.

Hunting. I don't hunt but I don't want a blade design that would make it difficult to dress game if I decided I wanted to pick it up or I was in a survival situation.

Food. One of the most important features and I have the belly to prove it. I want to use this knife to prep meals, quarter apples, etc.

Self defense. This knife isn't going to have much of a guard so it would be a slasher. This is really at the bottom of my list of needs for this knife but you never know when you might come across an agressive animal.

The only thing I know for sure is I want the blade to be around 3 inches in length and made out of 1/8th or possibly 3/32 stock. Here's a few pics at some models that have caught my eye and I apologize for "borrowing" them. So what kind of blade type should I go for?

 

[Wandering_About]

Don't forget the RC-3. Good knife and nice size. The Izula is smaller, maybe too small, but I carry mine EDC a lot and it works as good as any folder I own, and it fits in a front pocket just fine.

 

[wildmike]

ThatFfiddleback in the first picture would be a great choice. As would the Rat cutlery RC3 as mentioned above. For the blade length mentioned you really don't need more than the 1/8 th inch thick blade and could easily go thinner without any problems. The Rat cutlery Izula is also pretty popular with quite a few folks.

Personaly my RRC4 has become my EDC fixed blade due mainly to the sheath system, it is a very handy size as well.

 

[Shotgun]

Don't forget the RC-3. Good knife and nice size. The Izula is smaller, maybe too small, but I carry mine EDC a lot and it works as good as any folder I own, and it fits in a front pocket just fine.

I'm sure there's a bunch out there that I forgot but that's the problem. Any pattern under the sun can be had I just can't afford to buy them all. I guess I should clarify my question by asking, what would be the best blade shape/geometry for both EDC and the woods?

 

[John G]

For light camp/outdoor use, a short EDC should work just fine. My Landi PSK does well with food prep and fire starting tasks. I also use it to harvest wild edibles and in cutting fibers for making cordage. A bit small for batoning, sure, but I split wood with a hatchet anyway.

 

[dbltap45acp]

Here is my short list of knives that I have or have used and liked. I have not been around as long most here, and am by no means an expert, but here is the list I would offer. It is in no real order, and like I said, these are just the ones that have gone through my hands. I would also try and get together with some guys from your area and feel them for yourself, it will help a lot.

Landi PSK (great knife, but the blade is a bit short for some, I loved mine)
RAT Izula (great knife, but a bit small for my hands)
RAT RC3 or 4
NWA Stinger (been thinking about making this my EDC blade)
Laconico HWK or other smaller design
Fehrman Thru Hiker (check other models, great knivesall around)
Koster bushcrafter (its just a comfy knife)

 

[chopchop]

Is that last one a Murray Carter? Man, I would love to have one of his knives (just b/c I went to Japan & loved it and have always dreamed of doing something like he's done).

I would think any of those would be great for what you're wanting. Without actually trying them out yourself, it probably just comes down to aesthetics. I'm personally drawn to the handle shape of the fiddleback by eye, but I'd need to try them in hand to be sure. I would choose a different one of the WilderTools knives (he did a smaller bushcraft knife that was posted on this forum before, but I don't have a link/pic), but that's just my preference.

All are from makers with fantastic reputations. Solid heat treat, good working designs. Pick the one that floats your boat and go for it. I don't think you can go wrong.


/Man I wish I had more spending cash!

 

[markv]

i use a Koyote psk for in town carry. fits in my coat pocket. light weight but well designed for cutting stuff.
you can't go wrong
buzz

 

[J_Curd]

I carry my RAT-3 D2 every day now...it's the first fixed blade that I can do that with in normal clothes and conceal comfortably when I'm in public.

 

[michaelm466]

Look at the Bark River Lil Canadian in 3v, 3.25 inch blade I think, looks like a great fixed edc in super steel

 

[fishiker]

The JK would do everything you need!

 

[dipbait]

That wrapped one is nice. I like the acute point, and the entire edge is sharp. Looks like a good fishing knife. I would want a regular handle though. That wrap would be full of fish slime , blood , and a multitude of gooey, disgusting crud.

 

[kgd]

A few others - Breeden kat and Breeden Cub knife, Koyote EDC blade (somebody put up a picture of that blue wenge one - I love that one! - Tony?). Brendan posted a nice mircata version of one of his scandi's on chat yesterday. Enzo. Falkniven F1 with custom scales (e.g. see KSF). Bark River - they a have a tonne of models but for me, their woodland special is the classic one that fits the bill. Gossman, has a couple of really nice ones a bit bigger than his PSK with slabs on them.

There are a pile of choices in this category!

 

[Todd A]

These are three I have tried.All three suit my EDC/Woods needs.

The BK11 got me hooked on EDC fixed blades.(It is now my sons).

The middle one is my favorite,and I think you have seen it before.

The bottom one is the knife that replaced my BK11. And I carry it from time to time.

Both JK's are 1/8" O1 with convex edges.The bottom one is 6" OAL with a 2 3/4" scale to tip. The middle one is 6 1/2" OAL with a 3" blade.

 

[MrCoffee]

As mentioned the RC-3. Izula and HEST are all great EDC fixed blades.
I think I would ad Scott Gossman's PSK/PSKsr and Mini Tusker to that list as well. Or even the WTK. The Tusker and the Kephart being a bit big for the EDC. Rick's blade from Wilderness tools is an amazing little knife. I didn't like the look of it when he first showed it to me, but when I got to use it, I fell in love with it.

 

[baldtaco-II]

Just to give you the odd answer -

As you have food as one of your most important priorities and have the GB I wonder at just how much strength you think you may need.

Dunno what fits as an ideal EDC form for your environment. Mine changes. When it's cold I can have something much bigger just because my carrying options are greater, but when it is summer something compact that offers a very low profile under linen is in order. On that, although mine would have to have a proper handle it would also have to be a very compact unobtrusive one.

All the cutting tasks you mention indicate nothing other than thinness and cutting power is required from the sectional geometry. Having the GB available only amplifies my tendency toward the lean.

That leaves me with profile, but which. I'd venture to suggest that anything too estranged from a kitchen knife shape is at least going to be waste and at worst an impediment. And for food prep having a handle that allows your fingers to grip it without having to work on the very edge of a cutting board is extremely desirable.

As far as traditional EDC blade profiles go I think ***foot blades take some beating. The attacking power is a lot greater on these sorts of blades than things with loads of belly. Consider why a Stanley blade is the shape it is.

Rolling all that into one I think a really good kitchen knife with an ***foot kinda blade shape is going to be a giant slayer over many of the traditional sports knives given your task parameters. I believe the below would be a great contender. There's a lot about it that evokes memories of the old Schrade Sharp Fingers – an enormously popular hunting pattern back when. Only in this instance rather than offering a bunch of belly to an upswept tip it has more of a ***foot utility nib. Add in that you have the clearance to work down on a cutting board without having to iron your fingers flat first the advantages are obvious.

In conclusion. I can understand reservations about a knife such as this if you do really tough EDC urban stuff 'cos you probably wont have the GB available to augment it. But other than that I'd be asking myself what a custom VG10 sports knife like this would cost me, and would it work any better. Then there's the flipside. How many $150 custom sports knives have you seen that are this immaculate and made from these sorts of materials. I believe the appropriate phrase mentions rocking horse dung. Options for a low profile sheath for it abound. I doubt this will prove a popular choice amongst the what if folk, or folk that can only conceive of kitchen knives as necessarily inferior from a time way back when, but we've all passed much water since those days and knives like this are a tough act to follow. What are you likely to cut that this wont do brilliantly.

 

[adaman04]

RAT RC-3 or Izula gets my vote.

 

[mtngoat]

I would have to say a RC-3 or Izula would fit your needs very well

goat
RP# 366

 

[texastonydobbs]

I would say the Izula or if you'd like a tad larger blade the Koster Bushcraft blade is awesome... but again that Fiddleback is hard to beat as well !

 

[mtwarden]

For light camp/outdoor use, a short EDC should work just fine. My Landi PSK does well with food prep and fire starting tasks. I also use it to harvest wild edibles and in cutting fibers for making cordage. A bit small for batoning, sure, but I split wood with a hatchet anyway.

that's the knife I chose as well- I wanted something light (this was big on my list as I'm a gram counting backpacker)- check; I wanted something small, but doesn't get lost in your hand-check; I wanted 1/8" w/ full tang- check; I wanted something that could be neck carried or belt carried- check; lastly I wanted something reasonably priced (especially for custom)- check again

John also makes a MPS (multi-purpose small) that might fit the bill- 3/14" blade, 1/8"