Looking for a new small fixed blade EDC

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knives4days

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Mar 1, 2022
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Hey guys, looking to get a new smaller fixed blade for EDC. Blade needs to be around 3" or so and sheath needs to have good retention. I also prefer a stainless steel and a knife I can get a good grip on. This will be worn as a neck knife and on the belt too, hence why the sheath needs to have good retention. I have my choices narrowed down to the following but would entertain others too.

ESEE Izulu in S35VN
ESEE Xancudo
White River Backpacker Pro

I have no experience with any of these knives and am wondering if others can chime in on them and their sheath's. I've heard the ESEE's have really good sheath retention. How about the WR? Also, has anyone ever dealt with WR in regards to their warranty? I emailed them about a month or so ago with some basic questions and never got a response. Is this normal? It's not that I am going to be abusing this knife but it's nice to know ahead of time how warranty claims are should one ever have the need to use it.

Also, if anyone has any combination of these knives could you post comparison size photos? I've looked at specs and some videos on Youtube but it's always nice to see photos comparing sizes.
 
The Cold Steel Pendleton has impressed me lately and is right in your size range, 3 inch blade, stainless and good kraton grip. The secure-ex sheath it comes with is serviceable, at best, but not great so I ordered a custom kydex sheath (went to google and found a maker) and have carried it horizontally on my belt for about a month. The whole package (knife and kydex sheath) cost me less than $60 and is light, nimble and easily tucked into a pocket if needs must.
 
Small EDC? There are so many amazing customs and makers here; you can get exactly what you want.

Choose your steel, your handle material, your size and shape.

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I have heard good things about white river knives but I dont have one yet so I cant speak to the sheath retention. I can throw another few knives in the ring.

While not exactly intended for neck carry, take a look at the Bradford Guardian 3 and the 3.5. They have a wide range of steel available and there are very high retention kydex sheaths available from Bradford's site that I am sure you could use in a neck knife configuration. Specifically the bradford 3 with the flat g10 scales would work rather well and be pretty flat under a shirt if need be.
 
I love ESEE, I have three Candiru’s and four Izula’s, one of which being the s35vn Izula. I do not wear neck knives as such, I pocket carry them, but if I did I would probably stick to the candiru with scales. Of the ones you listed I would choose the s35vn without scales for neck carry, just because it’s the smallest of the three. With that said, if I had it to do over again I wouldn’t have bought the stainless Izula and instead opted for the Xancudo. I like s35vn, but I don’t much care for that version of the Izula, I much prefer the 1095 Izulas. I know a few people who neck carry the Xancudo, but personally that seems a little above the neck carry threshold IMO. But it all boils down to personal preference and comfort levels. I have no experience with the White River, but I really like the looks of it and have almost bought one many times. Good luck with your choice, definitely interested in which one you end up choosing.
 
The WRK backpacker is very flat but a little heavy to neck carry. The sheath retains the knife very very well. If you ditch the neck carry requirement, you can open yourself to alot more knives such as small bark river knives, enzo knives, etc. I recently got the hoback goliath and its great for small hands.

The two knives that I can neck carry and not feel much are the minimalist and Mikros.

Tell you what, the bastinelli/mercaida/fox collab small fixed blades are very light and good carry as well, such as the Pika.

Good luck!
 
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It seems pretty secure. I won't carry a neck knife if I think there's any danger of it falling out.
 
Love that backpacker been looking at the one with the orange handles. The ATK also looks like it may work also.
 
Thanks for all the responses guys. I really love the looks of the backpacker and a couple youtube video reviewers point out how great the ergonomics are.

However, as I mentioned in my OP I sent an email, actually a form submission, to them about a month ago and have never received a response. So I thought maybe it's broken or something. I sent a direct email to them last monday and as of today, still no response. Friday, I looked at WR social media accounts and noticed they are not active on any of them, except maybe Facebook, which they had some posts from December. So I sent them a messgae through Facebook because you can see if the other person looks at your message through the messenger app. Well they indeed looked at my message and yet again, never responded. This just seems really odd they won't respond to anything. I am not here to bash WR at all, just sharing my experience or lack thereof. At this point I would unfortunately have to rule them out. I mean if, and probably a big If, I had an issue what could I expect in terms of service at this point?

I am really leaning towards the izulu with a set of tkc scales. Still open to here other options. Should go without saying but I would like for the knife to be available. I know at least one recommendation in the thread was nice and intriguing but you can't even get them anymore unless you stumble on one second hand.
 
I own one of his knives and it’s very good and these look equally as great and would carry as a neck knife easily

Stoil Manchev Stoil Manchev

Two bird and trout knives - K110 (61 HRC) and stabilized alder burl-sold

1. knife Steel – Bohler K110 – 61 HRC, cryo treatment with liquid nitrogen; hollow grind(20 inch wheel); Handle – stabilized alder burl; Sheath - Kydex Knife dimensions: Overall length –15 cm/5.9 inches; Blade length – 7,2 cm/2.83 inches; Spine Thickness – 3,3 mm/0.129 inches; Weight of the...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

G2

Edited to add a photo of my knife

https://flic.kr/p/2mUhqHp
 
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In spite of their lack of response to your email, I would (and did) get a white River backpacker and do the paracord wrap to save weight and cost. I have had several of their knives and been very happy with them. I have never heard of a CS problem
 
You might also want to consider the LionSteel M1 - 3" M390 with walnut handle. Works for me...
 
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