EricV
Basic Member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2008
- Messages
- 2,673
I'm a big fan of the Gerber Guardian Tanto (double edge is illegal here, but those are dandy too)
The handle shape is perfect for a small fixed blade. The handle material is a nice compromise between grippy and not shirt grabby. The blade is about 1/8" which is a good compromise of stoutness and cutting ability for the short grind it has. The Tanto tip is unfortunate but simple to sharpen. But the blade steel is complete and utter crap. For a rarely used stabby self defense knife it's fine since effectively a shiv but for any kind of use its garbage. It feels like the edge I get out of mild bar steel from Home Depot that I used to use for testing grind ideas when I had a small forge setup aka really bad. Oddly the sheath is really great for what it is.
The basic design has been around for a while but I haven't seen many good alternatives: sub 4", single edge, slim blade stock and width (about 1-1/4" spine to edge)
I've had a lot of knives and I think the Spydie Moran FB was the closest but the overall package was harder to carry for me. I loved my usual but it's too thick of a blade for what it is. My RC-3 is also a bit too large to carry easily. I'm just wondering if I missed something while searching that you guys might know of. If not I'll pick up another Northwoods slip joint for the money (sub $150).
Carbon steels preferred.

The handle shape is perfect for a small fixed blade. The handle material is a nice compromise between grippy and not shirt grabby. The blade is about 1/8" which is a good compromise of stoutness and cutting ability for the short grind it has. The Tanto tip is unfortunate but simple to sharpen. But the blade steel is complete and utter crap. For a rarely used stabby self defense knife it's fine since effectively a shiv but for any kind of use its garbage. It feels like the edge I get out of mild bar steel from Home Depot that I used to use for testing grind ideas when I had a small forge setup aka really bad. Oddly the sheath is really great for what it is.
The basic design has been around for a while but I haven't seen many good alternatives: sub 4", single edge, slim blade stock and width (about 1-1/4" spine to edge)
I've had a lot of knives and I think the Spydie Moran FB was the closest but the overall package was harder to carry for me. I loved my usual but it's too thick of a blade for what it is. My RC-3 is also a bit too large to carry easily. I'm just wondering if I missed something while searching that you guys might know of. If not I'll pick up another Northwoods slip joint for the money (sub $150).
Carbon steels preferred.

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