Help choosing fixed blade

ReservoirDog707

ReservoirDog707

Joined
Apr 26, 2018
Messages
47
Ive been lookinh for a new fixed blade for a few months, something i can carry at work and out and about. Right now im carrying a cheap 7 inch overall knife with a paracord wrapped handle. Its just not up to snuff and doesnt do what i nees it to. I need something thats smaller than 8 inches overall, as im in california and anything much bigger than that gets me looked at like im going to war. I cut straps rope boxes and other misc. Packaging as i work in shipping and receiving for a plumbing supply company that sells to contractors. Im looking to spend 200 or less and as i sont have a huge knowlesge of knives, just around average, i could use some help narrowing it down. Blade retention is a big deal for me as i cut so much plastic and nylon and cardboard. My zt 0450 is the sharpest knofe i have and would be thrilled if i can get something thats as sharp as that, that blade makes cutting a joy. Ive handled a couple benchmades and spydercos at my local blade store, but they dont have a huge selection so any suggestions and helpwould be greatly appreciated aa these forums have so muchaccumulated knowledge. Thanks!!
 
I'd go with a Spyderco Mule Team, plenty of steel choices there. Perhaps a 20CV, totally within your budget and a very utilitarian blade. Alternatively a Bradford Guardian 3 in M390.
 
b00n said:
I'd go with a Spyderco Mule Team, plenty of steel choices there. Perhaps a 20CV, totally within your budget and a very utilitarian blade. Alternatively a Bradford Guardian 3 in M390.
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I'd second the Guardian 3 (or 3.5, depending on how you feel about the choil...) in M390 with a full flat grind. Have a sabre ground guardian 3 in 3v and it is a fantastic little knife!
 
b00n said:
I'd go with a Spyderco Mule Team, plenty of steel choices there. Perhaps a 20CV, totally within your budget and a very utilitarian blade. Alternatively a Bradford Guardian 3 in M390.
Click to expand...

This is a good recommendation, given the OP's sub 8" size constraints, and price limit. Here's mine, 20cv with the Halpern Titanium handles. You can get the blade, plus an aftermarket sheath, plus these handles, for in the ballpark of $160 total.

y4mStPCOtRbThYDpWteANVC8KMI3lx6qn2u_wNlI1PjVb__lpwB5BTs-7iXNxRwNQmhn90qXyVaI_QWKShscwz9avXOtP2SAWcbyyk1q8vXQTd7YInjT6vaIkzFxtenSjfxrxRtyphr_PejSMA19HEvsU-dS_RWrtqzZUziQA1aCWEU8qfEGDWoVylzd-VbCQLhSDRdDIw__YJKaljvfvZpeg
 
maximus83 said:
This is a good recommendation, given the OP's sub 8" size constraints, and price limit. Here's mine, 20cv with the Halpern Titanium handles. You can get the blade, plus an aftermarket sheath, plus these handles, for in the ballpark of $160 total.

y4mStPCOtRbThYDpWteANVC8KMI3lx6qn2u_wNlI1PjVb__lpwB5BTs-7iXNxRwNQmhn90qXyVaI_QWKShscwz9avXOtP2SAWcbyyk1q8vXQTd7YInjT6vaIkzFxtenSjfxrxRtyphr_PejSMA19HEvsU-dS_RWrtqzZUziQA1aCWEU8qfEGDWoVylzd-VbCQLhSDRdDIw__YJKaljvfvZpeg
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Thats a beautiful blade, i like the shape of it too, looks perfect for slicing open boxes, decent belly on it.

The guardian 3 looks awsome too, just looked some up and they have a ton of options on it, i only know the bare minimum about blade steels however and dont have enough experience to choose one and trust in my own judgement on reliability.
 
All good suggestions so far.

I have to admit, given his list of tasks, would a serrated blade maybe be a good option here?

Reservoir Dog, do you know how to sharpen your own knives and serrations? Cutting plastic straps, card board, etc are hard on any knife. You will need to sharpen/touch up the blade quite a bit if used 40 hrs a week.

LionSteel M4, M2
Benchmade Steep County knife. If the handle is anything like a Mora, it would be comfortable for long use.

Don't forget to check out the knife makers forum here at BF if you really want something more unique then a reg production knife. For example..
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/childress-hunter-154-cm-black-green-g-10.1581483/
 
Ive been working on my sharpening skills, i have a sharpening stone, a lansky rod system, and one of those quick sharpeners. But i havent tried them on anything other than cheap knives so far out of fear of screwing up my blades. Im not confodent in my abilities yet but im definately getting better. Ive heard for super steels you need a harder than normal sharpening stone. A partially serrated blade wouldnt be a bad idea i think.
 
Another vote for the Bradford Guardian 3 or 3.5. I have a Guardian 3 in M390 with 3D scales, and I love it. It is fairly easy to sharpen (I use a Sharpmaker and a strop most of the time), can get a very keen edge on it, and keeps it through a good bit of work. In my normal usage, I touch it up every few weeks.
View media item 3427Enjoy
 
Wow lools like the guardian is a well loved blade cant be bad if so many people love it! Thanks for the help everyone! Between the mule team and guardian i think one of the two will be the knife for me.
 
ReservoirDog707 said:
Ive been lookinh for a new fixed blade for a few months, something i can carry at work and out and about. Right now im carrying a cheap 7 inch overall knife with a paracord wrapped handle. Its just not up to snuff and doesnt do what i nees it to. I need something thats smaller than 8 inches overall, as im in california and anything much bigger than that gets me looked at like im going to war. I cut straps rope boxes and other misc. Packaging as i work in shipping and receiving for a plumbing supply company that sells to contractors. Im looking to spend 200 or less and as i sont have a huge knowlesge of knives, just around average, i could use some help narrowing it down. Blade retention is a big deal for me as i cut so much plastic and nylon and cardboard. My zt 0450 is the sharpest knofe i have and would be thrilled if i can get something thats as sharp as that, that blade makes cutting a joy. Ive handled a couple benchmades and spydercos at my local blade store, but they dont have a huge selection so any suggestions and helpwould be greatly appreciated aa these forums have so muchaccumulated knowledge. Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Please do yourself a favour and get a Spyderco Street Beat.

Imho this is the ideal “urban” sized fixed blade which is perfect for carrying everywhere. It is super comfortable to wear, to the point you forget it’s there.
 
ReservoirDog707 said:
Wow lools like the guardian is a well loved blade cant be bad if so many people love it! Thanks for the help everyone! Between the mule team and guardian i think one of the two will be the knife for me.
Click to expand...
I think if you want something really slicey then go for the spyderco because it has really thin stock at about 0.118
Whereas the guardian 3 has 0.15 thickness and should take more of a beating than the Spyderco.

Spyderco mule is available in a variety steels and the bradford in 3V (which offers great toughness, good edge retention and okay-semi good corrosion resistance) or M390 (adequate toughness, great edge retention and great corrosion resistance).

If edge retention and corrosion resistance is your main concern then M390 is more beneficial than 3V. But don't get me wrong, 3V will still hold a great edge for far longer than a lot of other steels. M390 is just even better at it.
3v has it beat in toughness by a long shot though. But again, M390 is no slouch.

Either way you will find M390 and 3V a common favourite among individuals. Not to say that you should automatically like it too, but it has a good reputation nonetheless. We all need to learn and experience things for ourselves because.....
Your miles may vary :D !

Hope that helps, goodluck.
 
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So many good suggestions, helps narrow the field down a lot though, thanks for the input! I really likw the lool of the spyderco, it looks comfortable to hold and the blade looks like it will make slicing much easier than the pos im using now.
 
Whats the knife you have now that you dont like?
Id recommend a whiteriver backpacker/caper.
 
Im using a no name knife that was 6 bucks. Its the smallest of the three. They are all cheap knives but only the smallest one is okay for carrying to work, the others are just to big and ridiculous to actually carry.
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hCuzg7
 
Im really liking the spyderco mule more and more as i look through the options. So many crazy steels, scales and sheaths. You just cant go wrong!
 
Dpx makes some nice edc in niolox and sleipner German steels. My Dpx hest folder is niolox, wouldn't trade for anything else.
 
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