Recommendation? Help choosing a small daily carry fixie

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Smaug

Smaug

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Jun 30, 2003
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I think for my next knife purchase, I will try for a nice weekend/vacation carry fixie.

I'm new to this, so I don't really know what I'm looking for, and I'm gonna lean on some of my buddies here to guide me.

I can only tell you what my life is like and what I have now:

  • I have a desk job at a big corporation. I probably would never carry it at work. A folder with < 3.25" blade or SAK is all I need there, so this would be for weekend and woods carry only.
  • I have a Mora Companion, (4.1" blade) a Glock field knife, (6.5" blade) an 80s Old Timer Sharpfinger, and a Cold Steel SRK (6" blade) as pretty much my only non-kitchen fixies. The Mora is too big for a daily carry type of knife, unless I'm in the woods. The Glock is way too big for what I'm looking for.
  • I'd like a horizontal and/or pocket carry option, so it could be kind of unobtrusive
  • I like a wood, bone or micarta handle material; Nothing plasticky. I'm not big on stag. Something that has a warm feeling in the hand
  • I'd like to spend around $100. I feel like that should be able to buy decent quality. I'd spend a bit more if that would make the difference, but would be happy to spend a bit less, too.
  • I'd like a drop point blade or similar. No clips or spears.
  • I'd like a good blade steel; something better than 420HC in terms of edge retention/hardness. I won't be batoning or prying or anything with it
  • I'd like a quality sheath. I've been reading about a lot of Bucks these days that are decent knives, but they include junk sheathes. That's unacceptable in a fixie to me. Leather would be nice, but isn't required.
  • The handle should fill a medium sized palm fairly well; something beefier than these tactical folders.

The only fixie I've had my eye on is the Buck 192 Vanguard with the wood grip scales, but it's as big as the Companion, so it's out.

What recommendations have you got?

Am I out of line that that budget for what I'm after? If so, how much do I need to shell out.

If you have something for sale that fits the bill, feel free to PM me with your offer, some info and a couple pix.

Thanks!
 
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Viper Berus 1

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Here are a few that I mostly like:

I like this one, but would like a bit more of a finger guard and some type of stainless steel:

I LOVE this one, but would like traditional handle and sheath materials:

I like this one period:

I don't know what that ↑ handle shape is, but I just love it.

I like this one, but can't stand 8Cr steel:
 
You might have a look at Buck's 102 Woodsman or 103 Skinner, both of which are available in S35vn (Pro line). I wouldn't dismiss either in 420HC, either -- that's a tough, highly stain resistant steel that takes a fine edge and is easily resharpened.
 
The Battle Horse Fox Hound is a solid little knife.
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LT Wright offers several nice little fixed blades too. The Bandit is a great small knife, I think it was $115.00. They sell out pretty quickly but it was worth waiting for. The Frontier First is a good quality small fixed blade (smaller than the Bandit) ... I think even in Magnacut they sell for $95.00. They have the Patriot which I've never handled also. They all come with decent leather sheaths.
 
Viper Berus
Civivi Elementum
Civivi mini Elementum
ESEE Izula
ESEE Candiru
Ka-Bar TDI
Ka-Bar TDI Ladyfinger
Spyderco ARK
Spyderco Subway Bowie
 
Alberta Ed said:
You might have a look at Buck's 102 Woodsman or 103 Skinner, both of which are available in S35vn (Pro line). I wouldn't dismiss either in 420HC, either -- that's a tough, highly stain resistant steel that takes a fine edge and is easily resharpened.
Click to expand...
I had a 102 Woodsman; it was OK, but the phenolic handle and 420HC left me cold. The exaggerated clip point wasn't great either; it was always accidentally poking stuff.
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
The Battle Horse Fox Hound is a solid little knife.
View attachment 2337557

LT Wright offers several nice little fixed blades too. The Bandit is a great small knife, I think it was $115.00. They sell out pretty quickly but it was worth waiting for. The Frontier First is a good quality small fixed blade (smaller than the Bandit) ... I think even in Magnacut they sell for $95.00. They have the Patriot which I've never handled also. They all come with decent leather sheaths.
Click to expand...
The Patriot is a small knife. The blade is only 2 1/4" or so. The leather sheath is a decently heavy deep pouch style.
Size comparison with the BK11 and the Patriot
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LT Wright’s Frontier Valley (larger) and Frontier First are each around $100. I couldn’t decide and bought both. I carry and use the larger of the two most. It’s comfortable for pocket and belt carry with the included sheath. No complaints at all - I love both of them.
10C378F7-4971-4195-93E4-FD0FCDCB99FC.jpeg
 
I'll tag David Mary David Mary but I think most of his work is above your price range (his prices are still perfectly reasonable).

Here's some more ideas:




There's also loads of small fixed blades in the knifemakers sale area. Take a look around for some inspiration.
 
Might want to scour the exchange for a JK. They usually go for good prices on secondary market and they’re damn nice knives. Uses a lot of wood for the handles too.
 
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