Help me find a 3" fixed blade

[eisman]

Why don't you just sketch out what you're looking for and drop Tim Harmann or Matt Bailey (both on this forum) a line. I have knives from both and they're far and away better than any mass produced blades I've found. Plus they were built to my specs. Price was not expensive @ $250/ea.

 

[filedog]

You can't go wrong with the ESEE Izula lineup, and they will be available in 440C stainless by XMAS....

Hmmm, Izual II in 440C? Sounds good.

 

[filedog]

The S90V run sells for fairly high prices on the secondary market but the others aren't real bad. The flat grind with basic leaf shaped blade makes it a really nice performer.More versatile than a lot of people think. No question it's more a slicer than a wood splitter but within reason it does what is required. They are run pretty hard though, fairly thin beveled and edged and are easy to sharpen because of this. Even the high wear stainless and tool steels.

There is a company I can't name here as they aren't a contributing member that makes ready to go grips with all hardware in various colors, and options. Most definitely not expensive.

Cruwear I didn't list as it's not stainless but I found it to be an excellent performer. It is an upgrade to D2 in wear and toughness, though D2 has better corrosion resistance. I haven't heard and real complaints about that run of mules. It was the one that had to be sent back for a re heat treating. Maybe this is what you are thinking of.

CTS B75 is powder BG42. CTS-XHP is powder 440XH , which is stainless D2 so it's just powder process stainless D2. CTS BD 1 is the same composition as the Japanese Gin 1/G2 steel Spyderco used on it's first knives. It was a premium steel known as "silver paper #1 ( steels were wrapped in paper color coded at the foundry like ours are color coated with paint on the end). It is in the 8C/440B/C/Aus 8 class of steels and has a decent grain structure and performance. It was the first stainless I really felt like I could get along with back when stainless knives were lousy performers in most cases.

The Cobalt special is a Japanese steel that has been used lately on the Fallknives knives in addition to the SPGS. It is laminated like the other steels Fallknives uses. You can research peoples opinions and experiences with them.

I always liked BG42 so it was a natural I'd take to the CTS B75. S90V, M390, Elmax, S35VN round out my list of favorite stainless mules with CoS being acceptable too. It is probably the one I've had the least experience with. They are not listed in any order of preference.

The non stainless alloy, high speed and tool steels are my favorites though. Cruwear, 52100, CPM M4, and Super Blue are excellent performers. The K390 is about as good a performer as any production knife ever made by any company has been. It's a monster yet it has a great grain structure ( for a high carbide vanadium super steel), and has better toughness than it's parent steel , the A11 class. Performance wise it's a tough act to follow.

Future releases haven't been named yet other than Sal stating that he ordered some 4V steel for a mule run. It's not known if it, or another unnamed steel will be the next release.

Regards,

Joe

Wow, great post, thanks for all the steel info. The prices I have seen for nearly all the steels is around $140.
Some include scales and sheath, making them a good deal, for just a blade, it's a bit steep. I am still keeping
an eye out for one on the secondary market.

 

[filedog]

Why don't you just sketch out what you're looking for and drop Tim Harmann or Matt Bailey (both on this forum) a line. I have knives from both and they're far and away better than any mass produced blades I've found. Plus they were built to my specs. Price was not expensive @ $250/ea.

Thanks, that's just what I was looking for!

 

[1066vik]

I have big hands and the Izula 2 is pretty comfortable to use. I'm looking forward to the stainless releases, too.
BK24 in D2 is a comfortable 3 finger grip - especially with the aftermarket zytel scales.
What's your price range?
James Terrio (Terrio Handmade Knives subforum just opened) does good work and works with a lot of the newer "supersteels".
His "sidekick" model with a shortened blade might not be a bad fit.
If you're willing to go with carbon steel, TM Hunt and JK both do nice stuff with O1 tool steel - and JK has 3 or 4 models that should meet your needs. (he and James also do full up custom, not just their patterns)

 

[jstn]

Yeah, I may post this question in the custom forum, and see if anyone can help me narrow down my search.
I've been looking in knifemakers market for a while now, not finding quite what I want.

I had two small fixed blades made last winter that fit our criteria, one in Elmax and one in S90V. Both were less expensive than many production knives. Look at James Terrio of Big Chris. They both do top notch work and seem like really nice guys. Both very friendly and professional and can make prety much anything you can think up. Probably your best option IMO.

 

[eisman]

Here's the Hartmann I commissioned 2-3 years ago. It was for a cousin who traps all winter long. Apparently he's pretty fond of it.

and here's the Bailey:

 

[filedog]

Thanks for the customs info guys. I'd like to be around $150, more if necessary.

 

[Mikael W]

Thanks for the customs info guys. I'd like to be around $150, more if necessary.

With a powdersteel it's probably more than $150.
This Rising Wolf start at $185, but it's CPM S35VN and a 4,125" handle.

Isn't this what You are looking for?

I don't have this one, but the BR Woodland Special in CPS-XHP.
It's a great little knife and if the RW is anything near the WS, it will be a great choice.

The above mentioned Fallkniven Cobaltsteel on the Koltknife, will also be in this region.
I rehandled mine as I didn't like the thermorun handle and now it's a fantastic knife.


Regards
Mikael

 

[filedog]

With a powdersteel it's probably more than $150.
This Rising Wolf start at $185, but it's CPM S35VN and a 4,125" handle.

Isn't this what You are looking for?

I don't have this one, but the BR Woodland Special in CPS-XHP.
It's a great little knife and if the RW is anything near the WS, it will be a great choice.

The above mentioned Fallkniven Cobaltsteel on the Koltknife, will also be in this region.
I rehandled mine as I didn't like the thermorun handle and now it's a fantastic knife.


Regards
Mikael

Had a look at this knife. I do like the steel. Decided against it due to lack of finger guard.
I know this is common on European knives, but I just can't get comfortable with my fingers so
close to razor sharp steel. That woodland you mentioned is out of production afaik, good steel
though, thanks.

 

[bluesmandan]

I just bought a Mule Team 17 (K390 steel) for $155. I may buy scales, or I may make my own. Same with the sheath... It should be about the right size for an EDC (3 inch blade, 4 inch handle).

 

[cbach8tw]

I have been impressed with the quality and price of NJJ's knives. He has a 3 inch EDC blade in G10 and spacer with a sheath for 70 or 75 on the fixed blade section of the exchange. I have one, very handy and sharp.

 

[filedog]

I have been impressed with the quality and price of NJJ's knives. He has a 3 inch EDC blade in G10 and spacer with a sheath for 70 or 75 on the fixed blade section of the exchange. I have one, very handy and sharp.

I've been looking at his stuff, how's the grind? Fairly thin edge?

 

[The Mastiff]

I just bought a Mule Team 17 (K390 steel) for $155. I may buy scales, or I may make my own. Same with the sheath... It should be about the right size for an EDC (3 inch blade, 4 inch handle).

Dan, that one should perform as well or better than any production knife ever made in cutting, slicing and wear resistance. It is run pretty hard. IIRC, over rc 61, so don't pry or use it to split wood and you should have a knife that will last you a lifetime, and your kids, and so on.

That stuff just cuts and cuts. Even when dull those vanadium carbides still retain cutting abilities.

Great score!

Joe

 

[cbach8tw]

Njj's edc I have has a flat grind with a secondary edge, not razor thin but more for utility. Let us know what you go for, been curious how it ends up.

 

[filedog]

What I am really looking for is something like this:

 

[155440]

I have been impressed with the quality and price of NJJ's knives. He has a 3 inch EDC blade in G10 and spacer with a sheath for 70 or 75 on the fixed blade section of the exchange. I have one, very handy and sharp.

I got one of his edc's coming in today, can't wait, I'll be sure to update the thread with what I think, It's my first custom.

 

[Blade Runner 7]

My vote is for contacting the Swamp Rat Custom Shop. Get yourself an R3 the way you want it. They will do drop point, custom scales, flat ground, liners, whatever. And very reasonably priced. Only issue I see is you want stainless. Although the SR101 they use is far from stainless, it's amazing steel. You can get it coated or just force a patina.

 

[filedog]

My vote is for contacting the Swamp Rat Custom Shop. Get yourself an R3 the way you want it. They will do drop point, custom scales, flat ground, liners, whatever. And very reasonably priced. Only issue I see is you want stainless. Although the SR101 they use is far from stainless, it's amazing steel. You can get it coated or just force a patina.

Thanks but that's too thick for a 3" knife, for what I have in mind. I like SR101 (52100) just fine.
Even customized, it's bigger and bulkier than what I'm looking for.

 

[filedog]

Njj's edc I have has a flat grind with a secondary edge, not razor thin but more for utility. Let us know what you go for, been curious how it ends up.

Leaning towards a Brumby Lite at this point. Not absolutely perfect,
but pretty damn close, and comes with a ready to go sheath.
I post what I end up getting.