Help me pick?

[Ryansknives]

I want to buy a small fix blade knife to wear on my belt. I’ve got a few Parameters.

1. Classic knife blade type. Clip point / drop point/ spear point. No daggers curvy knives. I want to keep it easy to sharpen.

2. Two and a half to three inch blade.

3. I have relatively large hands not huge. This is not a “weapon” I’m looking for something that can be used as a utility knife so no skeleton or super thin handles. I’m not concealing it.

4. No serrations

5. Under $100. I may go a touch higher but not much.

So any suggestions. I’m intending this to be an EDC utility knife that’s gonna see everything from yard work to out in the boat fishing to hunting. So durability is very important. I’m intending to carry this knife as well as my Cold Steel Recon 1 I’ve carried for about 10-12 years now.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[gazz98]

Hi Ryan, a belated welcome to the forum.

My first thought was an ESEE Izula I or II with added micarta handles. I'd probably go S35VN but nothing wrong with 1095 either. The Izula II might have more handle length.
Linked from BHq for easy reference.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--ESEE-Izula-II-Black-Oxide-Survival--87234
https://www.bladehq.com/item--ESEE-RAT-Knives-Black--7191
https://www.bladehq.com/item--ESEE-Knives-Izula-S35VN-Neck-Knife--131603
https://www.bladehq.com/?search=IZULA+SCALES+CANVAS

If you really want something unique, you can get a custom for a few $ more. Many of duckchildress knives are around the $100-120 range.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...hunter-edc-d-2-stabilized-birch-burl.1795917/

 

[DocT]

The Esee Izula is a good place to start. You can get the base 1095, a tough as nails knife, or the new S35VN stainless. You will have to order some scales for it, but it will still be well under your budget. Also, Cold Steel has the dandy Mini Pendleton Hunter and either steel choice will be under your budget.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I get a lot of practical use from the TOPS Puukko. It is robust without being a poor cutting tool. It’s neutral grip fits my large hands, and the sheath is a nice leather drop in style.

Sharpens easy, and not very expensive.

 

[Rupestris]

A Buck 113 Ranger might fit the bill and they're not hard to find. They're listed at 3 1/8" but I believe the cutting edge is just under 3".

 

[Bastler]

Brisa Necker 70.

 

[The Zieg]

One of my favorite topics, so this should be fun to read. A lot of praise for the Bradford Guardian series on Bladeforums, so you might look there for a start. And of course, the Exchange here usually has good offerings.

 

[Ryansknives]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I’m gonna look into one of the ESEE knives. I like the one with the extras kit.

 

[Dergyll]

Oh man I love small fixed blades! I think everyone already recommended good ones!

White river knives definitely is my top recommendation, they are simply the best money can buy right now around your price point.

Bark River has some great small fixed blades. If you can still find them, Ambush Knives have very well done small fixed blades for around 70-120, I have a Sentry in Elmax and it's got a great long handle for such a small fixed blade. I also have a BR featherweight fox river and it's one of my favorite small fixed blades...beautiful!

I have a CRKT minimalist and a folts minimalist and both are perfect neck/small carries, their handles are surprisingly large-hand friendly though the blade might be a tad shorter than you'd like.

Alot of off norm recommendations too, like the ferrum forge lackey, lionsteel M1...Condor makes some great small fixed blade too.

Hope you find your perfect one! Knife that is...

 

[eveled]

Buck 212

anyone use this for a hunting knife? It seems she would make a dandy big game hunting knife. I’m gonna swing for one next season as I have a few new ones I need to try out this year. Do any one use there’s and how did ya like it.

www.bladeforums.com

The Buck 212 is a great knife. Lots of handle and steel choices. So the prices vary accordingly.