Help finding the best 4 inch blade tactical edc

C

Colorado

Joined
Oct 2, 2010
Messages
43
Looking for good options and experienced opinions on a good 4 inch (or so) blade for work edc carry. My ideal knife would probably be a bud nealy cave bear in 154 with a little bit thicker blade than Bud makes and a great kydex IWB sheath. I am NOT familiar with a lot of custom or semi production knife makers. Price range is 400-450. Thank you for your input.
UPDATE- Someone suggested a Grayman Satu. I looked into it and ordered one. Could not be happier. Any first responder or back country fisherman/outdoorsman should take a look at this knife. Lock up is FIERCE and the edge comes razor sharp. For it's size it carries very well in the pocket. It was 375 dollars and worth every penny...in fact a Dua is now on the list. Thank you everyone for your input
 
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Google search "Zermeno Azrael" or "Bishamon"

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Thank you BEPrepared. I will research these makers. Fang, sorry about the misuse of tactical. It will be for work and carry. My work takes me out doors frequently and this would be the knife I would ALWAYS have on me not in vehicle or kit...but the knife I put on every time I put my pants on. Around 4 inches not too heavy but not too thin. I dont expect it to cut down trees but if it could perform on multiple levels to some degree that would be a plus. Cave Bear grips of G-10 with a slightly heavier/ thicker blade...but not 1/4 inch steel. The tops M1 midget is good but a little awkward and heavy for some tasks.
 
Big Chris (i think that's his username here) makes some outstanding EDC-sized fixed blades in 3V. Check him out. If you're looking for a stout folder, you might try looking at something like the ZT 30x series, or the 0200.
 
Colorado, both of the knives i mentioned are made by William Zermeno. The blades are made of CPM-154, and are very thick. They are VERY tough knives, and i carry mine with me everywhere i go. It's the best folder i own by a large margin

The ZT560/561 would be my second choice. Great steel, excellent build, and a top shelf warranty
 
What about something like the Spyderco Military or Microtech Socom Elite? Definitely cheaper than your price range but solid performers none the less.

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Darrel Ralph (AXD, Gun Hammer, Madd Maxx--who doesn't want a folding dagger) is my favorite knife designer.

You might also like Peter Rassenti (PeterR on here), Dalibor, Alan Davis, and Chuck Gedraitis. All have some pretty sweet designs, and may be able to make a blade for you in your price range, or fairly close.
 
If your looking for a fixed blade

David Sharp is awesome with Loveless designs

A bit more than you wanted to spend but not much

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Your use of tactical is VERY confusing. Nealy makes knives that ARE "tactical", if that means for offensive/defensive purposes, so that DOESN'T require thicker blade stock. Your request for thicker blade stock and such DIRECTLY contradicts the need of a "tactical" blade.

State your needs: open carry, concealed? WHAT would you do with it- fondle and enjoy it? Go camping and cut vegetables (which you don't need thick blade stock for)? Are you going to dig with it? Camp with it? Have other tools available? Seriously, WHAT will you use it for, specifically, influences a LOT of what to recommend. For instance, I have a spyderco police and a benchmade AFCK. The AFCK was the police model refined by (IIRC) a former SPECWARDEVGRU Seal Team 6 tactical operator ninja.

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If you notice, the police g10 (knife #2) is longer, but also has a choil formed by the end of the handle, and the beginning of the blade is NOT sharpened, and even has jimping, to faciliate fine point manipulation. In this way, it is more versatile as I can use the point for finer work like in wood carving or such detailed activities. The AFCK (Number 3) does have the slight indent in the end of the handle but NOT in the blade, and so the ability to choke up is compromised. However, the initial finger groove is MUCH deeper, making sliding forward on the blade in a "tactical" usage much harder, so it is more purpose built. The 710, the first knife, is a good all arounder that is different than either.

The two fixed blades I showed you are an Ontario Rat-5 and a Spydero Street beat. The size difference is incredible, and the sheaths are very different too. The Street beat is unobtrusive, handsome- and yet that finger groove means that using the belly is harder because there is no choil like on the ontario. However, the design of the street beat makes pointwork relatively easy even with that limitation, as it is small enough and the blade profile allows relatively easy work.

All of them are reliable, terrific knives that I would trust for use in a "tactical" scenario. Yet they all feel rather different to me. And given they're in used condition, you could almost get all of them for the same price that you're willing to pay for one blade. So more specificity is required if you want to get your money's worth.

Zero
 
So are you looking for a folder, a fixed blade, or either? The knife you gave as an example of what would be ideal was a fixed blade.

Zero_Time said:
Your use of tactical is VERY confusing.
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Also, this. A "tactical" knife is one meant to be used as a weapon. It doesn't sound like you're getting one for that purpose.

Whatever. Anyway, I'll suggest the ESEE 3 or 4, Busse Basic 4, and anything by Sean Kendrick. Entrek also makes a bunch that you might like. All below your price range, but to be honest, for 400-450$, I think you're better off commissioning a full blown custom. No sense in purchasing anything that's almost perfect when you have the means of getting something that's completely so.
 
JParanee and Dan57, rock solid tips. And thank you to the rest of you as well. I was unclear that I am looking for a fixed blade as my ZT0560 is usually with me.
JParanee what is that beautiful blade design called? What steel? Anybody know anything about Blade Art quality...made from D2 steel in Arkansas. I just found them on a search last night
 
JParanee and Dan57, rock solid tips. And thank you to the rest of you as well. I was unclear that I am looking for a fixed blade as my ZT0560 is usually with me.
JParanee what is that beautiful blade design called? What steel? Anybody know anything about Blade Art quality...made from D2 steel in Arkansas. I just found them on a search last night
 
A little bit on the heavy side 10oz but you will hardly notice it get yourself a grayman satu it's the last knife you will ever have to buy
 
Colorado said:
JParanee and Dan57, rock solid tips. And thank you to the rest of you as well. I was unclear that I am looking for a fixed blade as my ZT0560 is usually with me.
JParanee what is that beautiful blade design called? What steel? Anybody know anything about Blade Art quality...made from D2 steel in Arkansas. I just found them on a search last night
Click to expand...

The knife is called a Hide Out and it is a design that comes from the great Bob Loveless. This knife was made by David Sharp who is a very talented new maker that is doing incredible Loveless style work and is a rising star in this genre

Here is a WIP thread about this knife and his work

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...e-shop-Significantly-better-pics-added-(9-18)
 
The ESEE 4 is nice, and a bit more practical for every day use than the Cave Bear.

I rather like the looks of the newish SYKCO 411 though:http://shop.scrapyardknives.com/product.sc;jsessionid=F97D2AA9A236F8FB6D5938677E719571.qscstrfrnt05?productId=64&categoryId=4
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Edit: To Colorado, since you are new here, I should mention that I only linked to the SYKCO site because they are a paying member of Bladeforums. We are not allowed to link to the sales site of anyone who is not a paying member of Bladeforums. I got confused about that when I was newer to the rules here.
 
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