Looking for EDC fixed blade

G

gillmanjr

Joined
Jul 27, 2017
Messages
39
Hello everyone. I am new to the forum but not to knives. I decided to sign up because I wanted to get some opinions and options for an EDC fixed blade. To give you a little background about myself:

I currently have a Benchmade Barrage 580 (an original one that I bought in 2009) that I have carried every day for the past 8 years. I love it to say the least. But there are some tasks that I hesitate with it just because of the general limitations of folding knives. I am not a hunter but work on construction sites and use my knives for general purposes a lot and tend to beat them up (I don't baby them) so I prefer a chunky drop point blade, not something with a tip that could break easily. I am also on the skinny side (about 6'2", 180 lbs) so I don't want something I can't conceal. I plan to carry horizontal on my back via belt clip.

Aside from my Barrage I also own a Ka-Bar BK2 (which is much too heavy for EDC, at least for me) and a Gerber LHR which is for home self defense only (I sleep with it right next to my bed just in case I couldn't get to my shot gun).

For options I have been considering an ESEE-4 but I'm wondering if it also might be a little too big. Would an ESEE-3 be a good choice? I also really like the Fallkniven F1 but the sheath doesn't seem like its really made for EDC. Any other recommendations? FYI price is not really a consideration thought I would prefer to keep it under $250. Thanks!
 
Start small and work your way up is my advice. Start with a Candiru/Izula with micarta scales or if you want something a little fancier look at Wilmonts EDC. Get a good sheath and give it a whirl. I suspect you'll find that you don't need as much blade as you think you do.
 
Welcome to the forums!

What would you be using the knife for mostly? You say you're not going to baby them, but does that mean lots of prying, stabbing, etc. or just rough slicing or chopping? It does sound like you don't want anything much bigger than 4" blade if you're carrying horizontally on your back and want to keep it concealed. One thing I can recommend is going with a steel that will be forgiving and easily sharpened, like maybe aus-8.

I'm sure others with much more knowledge of fixed blades will give you some great advice. ;)
 
Bradford Guardian 3 with a saber ground 3V blade. It comes with a cross draw sheath, so you may need to look into something else if that won't do it for ya.
 
BTGuy said:
Welcome to the forums!

What would you be using the knife for mostly? You say you're not going to baby them, but does that mean lots of prying, stabbing, etc. or just rough slicing or chopping? It does sound like you don't want anything much bigger than 4" blade if you're carrying horizontally on your back and want to keep it concealed. One thing I can recommend is going with a steel that will be forgiving and easily sharpened, like maybe aus-8.

I'm sure others with much more knowledge of fixed blades will give you some great advice. ;)
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A lot of prying, yes. Slicing and chopping, yes. Not much stabbing, but once in a while. I cut and strip a lot of insulation (fiberglass, rubber, wiring insulation), etc. I cut plastic, cardboard, etc. My EDC is also for personal self defense, too, obviously. Like I said I love my BM 580, its great for everything. I'm just really wanting that warm and fuzzy feeling that a full tang gives you.
 
McFeeli said:
Bradford Guardian 3 with a saber ground 3V blade. It comes with a cross draw sheath, so you may need to look into something else if that won't do it for ya.
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I just took a quick look at that and I liked what I saw! I've never heard of N690 steel but I'll do my research, I'm going to look more closely into this as an option. Thanks!
 
Bradford Guardian 3 (which comes in m390 and 3v steel as well as N690)

Or

Spyderco Street Beat. That's another amazing fixed blade EDC
 
There are literally a ton of knives that you could choose from. My advice if you plan to pry is to stick with something relatively stubby and not too pointy. Boker Coye Ridgeback another good one that should come in under a hundred bucks even with a decent aftermarket sheath.
 
If you're wanting a smaller EDC knife but one that will handle some abuse ... I would look at the Bradford Guardian 3 since they offer it in 3V ... or the Esee 3HM the new handles are very comfortable ... or a little lighter and small the Izula II ... one other I would look at is the LT Wright Patriot they are offering it in 3V now if you're wanting a small blade that can handle some abuse ... I just got one and had a kydex neck sheath made for it and I am liking it alot.
 
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gillmanjr said:
I just took a quick look at that and I liked what I saw! I've never heard of N690 steel but I'll do my research, I'm going to look more closely into this as an option. Thanks!
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N690 is a solid performer(VG-10 on steroids is a common expression). It's easy to touch up, but it's not super tough like 3V. I have no complaints so far with it, but it's not in my top 5 choices of steel. If you don't wanna worry about the abuse, go with 3V.
 
I have a question, does anyone know if there is a good aftermarket sheath for the Benchmade Hidden Canyon? That is a knife that I am also seriously considering but the sheath is terrible. I hate leather sheaths and that one in particular is useless for EDC.
 
not sure about any premade sold ... but you could find one of the craftsman on our forums that could probably make you exactly what you want for any knife you want ... check out the sheath makers on here.
 
Bradford Guardian 3 is about perfect. I like the 3D scales myself.

Southern Grind Jackal Pup is also pretty cool. Whitty has them over at USA Made Blade.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys, and putting me on to the Guardian 3. I've watched a bunch of youtube vids about it and its definitely the knife I'm getting. Its perfect for what I want. I'll just have to get a good Kydex sheath that I can use for horizontal back carry. Now the only problem is deciding on the steel, blade finish, and handle material/color. There are so many options I can't make up my mind.
 
Looks like you already decided, but I was gonna say, if you like your bk2 but want something lighter, how about a bk16? Less costly than the Bradford too, if you're looking for a rough and tumble kind of knife.
 
gillmanjr said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys, and putting me on to the Guardian 3. I've watched a bunch of youtube vids about it and its definitely the knife I'm getting. Its perfect for what I want. I'll just have to get a good Kydex sheath that I can use for horizontal back carry. Now the only problem is deciding on the steel, blade finish, and handle material/color. There are so many options I can't make up my mind.
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I'll stick with what I originally said, haha. Saber ground 3V blade. The Saber grind should add some extra strength to the blade. 3V is a well known super tool steel that's about as tough as you can get in the steel world currently.

The finish/scales is entirely up to you(well the whole knife is, haha). Lots of cool options. I liked his camo G10 personally.

I will warn you, it's small. My Benchmade Mini Grip is bigger I think, haha. But as an EDC fixed it's a perfect size. If I were you I'd bring out a ruler or tape measure and see if the 3 will fit your hands. If not maybe the 4 would be a better choice.
 
McFeeli said:
I'll stick with what I originally said, haha. Saber ground 3V blade. The Saber grind should add some extra strength to the blade. 3V is a well known super tool steel that's about as tough as you can get in the steel world currently.

The finish/scales is entirely up to you(well the whole knife is, haha). Lots of cool options. I liked his camo G10 personally.

I will warn you, it's small. My Benchmade Mini Grip is bigger I think, haha. But as an EDC fixed it's a perfect size. If I were you I'd bring out a ruler or tape measure and see if the 3 will fit your hands. If not maybe the 4 would be a better choice.
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Yea it is pretty small, 6.75". I just measured my BM Barrage 580 for comparison and it is just over 8.25". However, the blades themselves are the exact same length, roughly 3.5". So the Guardian is 1.5" shorter overall than my Barrage but has the same blade length, which I actually like. I saw a couple of youtube videos of guys that had large hands and had no problem with the Guardian because of the choil in the blade. If the choil wasn't there it would be a 3 finger grip, at most, and I wouldn't even consider it as an option.

I think I am actually going to go with an M390 version for two reasons. Number 1 they are significantly cheaper. Number 2, I think I might have a problem sharpening a 3V blade with the stone I have. I can get a pretty nice edge on my Benchmade, which is 154CM, but even there it takes me a while to do it. I think it would take me hours to sharpen a 3V blade, assuming I even could.
 
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Bark river city knife. Convex ground so will last for your harder uses. Won't slice as effective but anything that will live up to your uses will need a bit more meat on them.
 
I know you are about set, but I would actually suggest the CPK EDC in D3V for a tougher knife in abusive tasks or 4V for a better slicer.

I have a 4V and I Love it! So much so that I made a leather cross draw sheath for it.
20170729_153153.jpg

The one below is not mine. It is to show the blade profile.FW9jvOH.jpg

I wear an XL width glove, and it fits Very nicely.
 
Guardian 3 is my vote also. Awesome blade, get the newer 3D scales though. Tough as nails and made by someone who goes above and beyond for his customers and stands behind his product 101%
 
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