Looking for a small fixed blade?

Sloop

Sloop

Joined
Sep 27, 2017
Messages
50
Consider this one

ESEE IZULA 3 1/4" sharp as the dickens blade. 1095 carbon steel. 6 1/2" overall. Macarta handle.

9R4UuLE.jpg
 
  • What typical kinds of cutting tasks do you expect to use the blade for?
  • Any size specs you can give? Examples: overall length not longer than X, or minimum handle length of Y to fit my hands, etc.
  • Do you care about blade steel attributes? Grind, thickness of stock, corrosion resistance, ease of sharpening.
 
I mostly keep it tucked away on my EDC backpack -- on the front pouch on the strap.

0Xm7P51.jpg


It is very quick accessible for anything that needs cutting and/or a SD encounter. Probably the sharpest blade I own.

As for your other questions, I think the company's link will best serve:

https://eseeknives.com/knives/esee-knives/izula/

As for corrosion -- not sure if the link discusses that, but the cutting edge will rust if not looked after. I periodically give it a wipe down with my Tuf Cloth that puts a micro thin bonding shield.
 
Sloop said:
I mostly keep it tucked away on my EDC backpack -- on the front pouch on the strap.

0Xm7P51.jpg


It is very quick accessible for anything that needs cutting and/or a SD encounter. Probably the sharpest blade I own.

As for your other questions, I think the company's link will best serve:

https://eseeknives.com/knives/esee-knives/izula/

As for corrosion -- not sure if the link discusses that, but the cutting edge will rust if not looked after. I periodically give it a wipe down with my Tuf Cloth that puts a micro thin bonding shield.
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Nice setup. Do you intend to use it? It is sooooo clean....
 
LMNOP said:
Nice setup. Do you intend to use it? It is sooooo clean....
Click to expand...

I use it all the time -- but I admit, I am very careful on what I cut with it. I certainly haven't gotten to the point where I will use it to dig rocks out of the ground. ;)
 
Arno Bernard makes some nice fixed blades. I have two of his smaller Bush Baby versions. The Meerkat and the Squirrel but his stable of products runs the full range on sizes and handle materials.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
I have an assortment small fixed blades, some are pretty common (ESEE being the most well known), and some I don't see on here very often (the Southern Grind Rat being one), but if you want a very well made and attractive little guy, the Falkniven Juni is a real winner.
 
Totally, 100% agree with that. I have one too for about 4 to 5 years, just love it. In fact, I just had Survival Sheath Systems put together for me an EDC rig that includes a small tek lok I can use for vertical OR horizontal belt carry, and a paracord loop with adjust slip knots so that I can hang the knife underneath my weak side arm, under a shirt with tip pointed up, and quickly draw cross body. I totally love the way of carrying this little knife. I should do a separate post showing pics of this carry rig for the Street Beat.

Things I like about the actual knife:
  • Blade stock is fairly thick for an EDC, about 0.160" at the spine, making it a little more robust than some other lightweight EDC options I've had.
  • Yet the full flat grind narrows it down to a very fine edge, it's actually a fantastic slicer with great cutting performance on a variety of tasks.
  • The grip. Omigosh, this is the best small-handled grip design I've found for my big hands on any small EDC-type knife of 7" or less. The grip alone makes this a really compelling option for me. And for folks wanting a more affordable knife than this micarta version, they now have a sub $100 model out with same specs but FRN handles.

ONLY thing I don't like about mine and wish they would change? There's an ever-so-slight recurve in the blade back near the heel, your pic shows it perfectly. Mine has that too, and for the life of me, no idea what possessed them to put a recurve in a small blade of this type, it's not even useful, and just makes sharpening a little harder to get a consistent bevel. Not a show-stopper issue though, and I still prefer this as my small EDC fixed.

Kels73 said:
I love my Spyderco Street Beat.

TFGBt2Y.png
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Many of the small fixed blades are over built in my opinion for the size. I like the BK-14 for "small", but generally have gravitated to Dozier fixed blades for "small". The Dozier K-6 Companion is one of my favorites.
 
M maximus83 Like a lot of knife enthusiasts, I'm also a sharpening enthusiast, so the slight recurve on the Street Beat doesn't bother me. I just reach for my rods or use the corner of the stone. But I agree that it doesn't really need to be there.

I also agree with your thoughts on the ergonomics. The handle feels amazing...and I wear an XL glove!!
 
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If you've got a bit of money the entire Bradford Guardian3 (G3) line-up is worth looking at. Best place to look is their site where you can "build your own". The Nimbus blades are sweet.

I'm also partial to my DPx HEST and White River Tracker. Tops also makes a lot of good ones.

Benchmade Hidden Canyon is also a very good knife. Coolest sheath ever.
 
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