Knife recomendation fixed blade approx 4 inches

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nine4t4

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Apr 23, 2013
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Hi guys (and gals). I'm looking to switch to a smaller fixed blade. The BM Adamas 375 is high on the list because it's D2, heavy duty and hits a 4" blade and 9" total length. But it's a overkill for daily needs and a bit thick for slicing. I also have a ZT 450 for smaller tasks.


Other criteria. I prefer a kydex or similar sheath that can be carried at a slight angle or horizontal (a dangling sheath isn't going to work for reasons of optics)

Also looking at Tops knives in the same range, they appear to do good work with 1095. The Frog Market would be perfect if it were a bit more stout, but is still in consideration.

So, a fairly stout (but not a crowbar) knife. 4" blade, under 10" OA. good edge retention, with a kydex or similar sheath. Almost a bushcraft knife, but general purpose. (edit) Ideally around the same price 125-175 USD
 
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Bradford Guardian 4 3D (M390)
Benchmade Ritter MK3 (S30v -- discontinued about a year ago but can still find them around and warranted for life by BM. A great knife that's lighter and has great slicing performance, and btw, I have one with a custom sheath that will shortly go on sale in the Exchange :) )
Becker BK16
Mora Garberg (suggest doing what I did and have somebody regrind the edge to a convex for you)
Swamp Rat Rodent 4 (search on online auction sites and our own Exchange here, you can find them around)
Buck large or small Selkirk (they have 2 fixed models, both are close to your size specs and this is a fantastic fixed blade for < $50)
Bucklite Max 685 (420HC--this blade just came out and is fantastic in the lower price range)
ESEE 3 (length is closer to 4" despite the name) with custom handles/sheath from theknifeconnection.com (use their knife builder to build out a custom ESEE 3 if you like the design)
Cold Steel Master Hunter (3v version, they have a black coated one out now and a new uncoated version has just been released)
Lionsteel M4 (M390)
 
I really like my BK16. Perfect mix between slicey and crowbar for what I do. Its got a FFG, and 5/32in blade thickness. Also, the ergos are very comfortable, better than other knives in this size range that I've tried (caveat, I haven't tried everything, and my hands may be different shapes than yours).

Its under budget (~$65-70), but doesn't come with a kydex sheath. Once you add in a custom kydex,it should still be within your budget (even if you splurge for different scales/etc), and then you can make sure you've got just the sheath that you need to carry how you want. There are many different sheath makers for the BK16, and all I've seen have been good.

And, because photos are always good, here is how the BK 16 looks from the factory (comes with two colors of scales).

Ripped the image from GPknives.
BK16.jpg


Good luck with the decision.
 
Simple. Gollik knives! I EDC the ones I have quite a bit, solid knives! His knives are awesome and custom, so you can get exactly what you want. You can get any handle, grind, etc. Here is a 4 inch knife he just finished for me. It is in Elmax, which is surprisingly tough, but if you need more toughness, you should go for Sleipner, it is a great steel! I love the pry tool at the end of the handle! GREAT prices for what you get too, under 200, with the sheath and shipping included!
MNCru3p.jpg
 
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maximus83 said:
Bradford Guardian 4 3D (M390)....
Lionsteel M4 (M390)
Click to expand...

Nice list. I've checked out some of those but forgot about Swamp Rat. So far I've gone to sites like HQ where you can put in criteria and then sift through their list. So I know some stuff is missing.

The BK16 is out (almost). I had one, and just didn't care for it. It's a good functional knife, but the handle felt "phoned in". I also recall the sheath being a belt dangler. With Ka-Bars the handle makes a huge difference. By the time I get scales I like and replace the sheath I may as well pay more anyway. Gotta admit price wise it's much cheaper than the competition

Not looking for a dagger style but an FFG dagger would be the way to go.

Keep em coming, ESPECIALLY the lesser known blades that fit the criteria. Thanks for the mention of Manly, worth a thought. It's a personal thing for us, but I'm looking to you guys for the non-super-store options
 
Another vote for the Bradford guardian G4. It comes with leather sheath, if you want Kydex they will have it made up for you.
 
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If you want a knife to carry horizontal from the factory ... first one comes to mind and would be near the top of my list in that size range anyway is the Bradford Guardian 4 ... great knives ... some handle and steel choices to fit your personal preferences ...

I would ad LT Wrights knives several fit your bill of size and are definately well built and very useful bushcraft style knives ... but you would need to get an aftermarket sheath to carry horzonital ...

Esee 4 ... Becker BK16 or BK10 ... again youd need after maret sheaths for horizontal carry ...

now having suggested some good production knives ... depending on what you want and how much you want to spend I could recommend JK Knives custom knives by a forum member ... very nice well built for use knives at very resonable prices.
 
I have a bigger ESEE but it is built like a brick shithouse as are all of the 3-6 Series I have seen.

Not the prettiest knives ever made, but rock solid. Made in the USA and not insanely expensive.

ESEE 3 or 4 would be my choice. The only negative potentially is the plastic sheath. I like mine, but many don’t.
 
Planterz said:
Bradford Guardian 4?
Click to expand...

Definitely. I've had 7 or 8 Bradford Guardians. Wonderful knives; the G3's are carried in a
factory-provided leather cross-draw. I've carried mine for the last yr or more every day.
 
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My favorite all around fixed knife I carry is my Kizer Task II. Just under 4" and is s35vn steel. When I am camping, hunting or hiking it is with me. Usually accompanied by my manix 2 s110v LW. If camping my Esee 6 does the heavy work for both of them.
 
Landi EDC, not horizontal carry but a good basic kydex sheath for a good price. I also have been tempted by the Manly Patriot fixed blades in D2, or you can spend more for different steels.
 
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