Minimum viable fixed blade

[Shorttime]

At the moment, my folding knife selection seems to be well filled. I have a solid choice for work, and a couple of options for the weekend that I can rotate through. I have the "suit and tie" situation handled, too.

So, it's time to start looking at fixed blades. Never you mind the fact that I have the tools to make my own: I'm supporting the economy.

For those of you who everyday a fixed blade, what sizes, shapes, and materials do you consider the barest minimum that a knife should have? I mean, I know the answer is always "Smatchet", but there may be some more practical alternatives?

 

[dogstar]

At the moment, my folding knife selection seems to be well filled. I have a solid choice for work, and a couple of options for the weekend that I can rotate through. I have the "suit and tie" situation handled, too.

So, it's time to start looking at fixed blades. Never you mind the fact that I have the tools to make my own: I'm supporting the economy.

For those of you who everyday a fixed blade, what sizes, shapes, and materials do you consider the barest minimum that a knife should have? I mean, I know the answer is always "Smatchet", but there may be some more practical alternatives?

A good place to start is something in the 3"-4" blade length range. Most knives, with the exception of kitchen and combat knives, fall into this range.

 

[dirc]

if you really mean minimal, as in small... for me it's been a blade length of 2" to around 2.5" ... there are so many great little ones to try around there

check out the spydy ARK

mora eldris

kershaw brace

esee camp lore cr2.5

 

[Bob Denman]

Schrade's Sharpfinger is a great place to start.

 

[Neil3]

I find blade length of 2.5"-3.5" to be quiet useful for everyday tasks. The thing I look at closely on a fixed blade is handle length. I have size large hands and find a handle less than 4" to be to short. There is a tendency for knives with short blades to have short handles. While this may make sense for appearance, for real use I feel it is a mistake.
Steel wise I tend to like the toughness of steels like A2, 14C28n etc. Having said that if Spyderco brought out a Rex45 fixed blade, l would definitely take a look.
I currently carry a Bark River Brokk in A2 and like that a lot.

 

[Bob Denman]

Here's one from David Mary

 

[DocJD]

Small can be useful for some tasks .

Usable cutting edge down to ~2.5 to 3 inches .

But I still like to have a full grip handle .

These Cold Steel work for me :

 

[Dergyll]

I love small fixed blades and I cannot lie.

 

[killgar]

I'd say it depends on what you're going to use it for, or what you think you might use it for.

If all you're going to use it for is cut string or open the occasional package, then a short blade 2 or 3 inches is more than enough, and will likely draw less attention.

 

[BigKurtHaze]

5 1/4” to 6 1/2” OAL is a sweet spot for me. More handle than blade on the lower end of that, please. I find a 2” blade is plenty useful, I usually have a folder on me as well, though.

 

[AntDog]

Schrade's Sharpfinger is a great place to start.

They were, but the new ones are crap.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

The WoodsWalker is close to perfect for a tiny fixed blade.
All others must be compared to it.


I'm a fixed blade edc kind of guy, but I like more knife.....
I prefer 4-6" blades with comfortable , but discreet, and boring handles.

I'll occasionally carry 7+ inch blades, no problem......hidden

 

[Casefiji]

Love these small game knives for edc

 

[EatingSarma]

I had and lost Viper Berus 1.

I currently carry Cold Steel Mini Tac Tanto in custom Kydex.

I only bought it because it was cheap, had old logo and was only small model they had at a time... and was so impressed by it that I went to guy who makes gun sheaths and got a custom sheath for it.

 

[luethge]

Flat Rock Forge makes some nice edc fixed blades. He sells in the makers market here. The knives pictured have been my edc carry lately ( the folder for at least 6 months , the fixed for a few weeks). That particular Flat Rock has about 4 inch blade, 1/8 stock , plenty of handle. 80crv2 at about 62 HRC. I’ve butchered a lot of cardboard, tape, more tape, more boxes - a light strop brought it back to shaving sharp. Reasonable price for a custom, supports a members / makers business too. They may have smaller offerings on website ( mini Kephart ).

 

[RousingRabbles]

Most of my fixed blades have been fairly large but I just ordered a Basecamp from Rainier knives to serve as a my smaller fixed blade that will be good for backpacking, cleaning fish, and lighter wood processing. Their Fastpak also looks pretty awesome as well.

 

[DangerZone98]

At the moment, my folding knife selection seems to be well filled. I have a solid choice for work, and a couple of options for the weekend that I can rotate through. I have the "suit and tie" situation handled, too.

So, it's time to start looking at fixed blades. Never you mind the fact that I have the tools to make my own: I'm supporting the economy.

For those of you who everyday a fixed blade, what sizes, shapes, and materials do you consider the barest minimum that a knife should have? I mean, I know the answer is always "Smatchet", but there may be some more practical alternatives?

Minimum for me, in terms of both size and overall quality, would be the Izula and Eldris. Any smaller, I feel like I don’t have full control of the knife.

 

[knarfeng]

At the moment, my folding knife selection seems to be well filled. I have a solid choice for work, and a couple of options for the weekend that I can rotate through. I have the "suit and tie" situation handled, too.

So, it's time to start looking at fixed blades. Never you mind the fact that I have the tools to make my own: I'm supporting the economy.

For those of you who everyday a fixed blade, what sizes, shapes, and materials do you consider the barest minimum that a knife should have? I mean, I know the answer is always "Smatchet", but there may be some more practical alternatives?

Going to depend on what your usages entail as to how much of a knife you want.
Personally, I EDC'd a Mora ELdris in my front pocket for a spell. I found it easily adequate for my daily cutting chores around the house and in the back yard.

 

[EatingSarma]

Minimum for me, in terms of both size and overall quality, would be the Izula and Eldris. Any smaller, I feel like I don’t have full control of the knife.

My only exception would be Mini Tac, despite having 3 finger grip, the finger hilt and choil give me awesome control of the blade, and secure grip.

 

[Athos]

I've carried the Outdoor Edge Wedge, and found it to be perfectly adequate for city carry. Good design, good steel. The only issue is the sheath material, which is too brittle. I'll carry it again once I make a new one. I think I'll model it after the original, since it's a smart design. I wouldn't go for a much more minimal knife than this. I don't think they're available any longer, though.

If expected to do bushcrafting, I would want a more traditional, more substantial handle. Brisa Necker comes to mind, but it's quite heavy for it's size (with micarta handles, at least). A small Mora or any carving style puukko would be fine. I don't get the grind on the Mora Eldris, though, which would otherwise be an option.