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My first EDC fixed blade

G

Grayhawk845

Joined
Jan 23, 2014
Messages
17
I have soapy questions. But I don't know where to start.
Ok here are my specs
~3" blade
Might as well be drop point with no serrations.
That's it lol
I don't know a lot about steel types for blades or much else.
I own a few fixed blades by their pretty big for my needs. I have a SOG seal pup, and a Gerber prodigy, as well as a timber wolf dagger. Nothing major. I like the seal pup feels well balanced and I can handle it well.
I usually carry a folder. But I've had one fail on me once. And I don't want that to happen twice.
I handled a kershaw today, the blade felt....thin and brittle... Am I incorrect? They don't have the BK series. I'm not sure how they feel in my hand.
It's for normal everyday tasks, a secondary purpose of defense.
I'm used to bigger knives and thicker ones.
You know as I write this I realize how stupid it sounds of me to think the kershaw won't handle what I'm asking it to do.
 
Fixed blades in the 3" range,

Tops Cougar Claw
Bark River Bravo Necker 2
ScrapYard 311
Swamp Rat Rodent Solution


Folders that won't quit on you when you need them most,

I will let you know if they ever make one...
 
What price range? The Bark River Mini Fox River is one of my favorites, carried in a KSF pocket sheath.
 
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(350B) Drop Point 3 3.4"
http://www.svord.com/

DFB110.jpg

DFB110 Drop Point Hunter $154.00
8cm 12C27 S/S 3.0 mm thick blade, brass bolster, Australian timber handle

DFB145W.jpg

DFB 145W Tilterweira Camp Knife

$152.00
8cm 12C27 S/S 3.0 mm thick blade, 3.5mm thick blade, brass bolster, full tang, wooden handle

For antler handles, add $30 unless otherwise specified

Sheaths for each of the above $56 (handle strap)
http://www.deweyknives.com.au/index.html

H-30a.jpg

H-30 Field Hunter Beautifull Mirror polished blade and bolsters with hand contoured Cocobolo wood handle. 4" Drop point V-grind VG-10 blade with forefinger recess on tang and long thumb notches on back for precise cutting control. 4-1/4" sure-grip hand contoured Cocobolo wood and solid stainless steel bolsters. Hidden tang with no seams. Comes with double stitched custom made brown Leather sheath

VG-10 blade in 3.8mm thick, 103mm blade, 215mm overall, Weight 150g

Retail $377.00
http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/Hattori.html
 
I'm very happy with the Cold Steel Secret Edge. Tried it for the fun and it so happens it's the blade I reach for instinctively whenever there's a quick cut to do. Although my pockets are full of (very) nice folders... Despite the agressive dagger look, it's a very capable little knife, light, handy, sturdy and insanely sharp. It's dang cheap to boot, so if you don't like it, the loss is minimal.
 
I like the smaller edc's by NJJ knives, Shaerk Mooks, and Bradshaw smaller blades. If want production, I like the ESEE 3, Becker 14, and the Izula 2. Let us know how it goes.
 
I don't know what your price range is.

The first two that come to my mind are the Izula and the BK-11, both are nice compact fixed blades that aren't expensive and work really well. My BK-11 was a bit thick behind the edge so I stripped the coating and convexed it. Since I have big hands I need to cord wrap or put handle scales on my Izula or BK-11, otherwise they aren't comfortable. The Becker has a slightly bigger blade, the Izula has a better factory grind (in my opinion). The BK-14 is a nice combination of both.

My favourite small fixed blade (non-custom, at least), however is the often overlooked Fallkniven WM-1. The convex VG-10 or 3G blade is great (if a little thick), but what I really like is the comfortable handle. It isn't cheap, but it's well worth it.

Bark River makes quite a few small fixed blades which are really nice, too. I've got one of their Mikro Canadians and like it very much. The Essential (without bolsters) might work for you.

Also, take a look at some of the Scandi knife brands out there. They've got some really cool small knives, and the handles are usually quite comfortable for their size. I've got a Woods Jewel knife with a 2 1/2" blade (I think they use Lauri blades), with a birch and reindeer antler handle that I paid around $30 for. Brusletto has the Hallingskarvet, Rypa and Fjord. Helle has the Bessegen (love mine, it's a little wide, though), Ny Fjording, Nying. Roselli has the Grandmother, Grandfather and Carpenter. Ahti offers the Korpi, Jänkä, Vouru and Kaira.
 
I think some type of "neck knfe" would suit you. Personally I have an Esee Izula 2. It can be worn on a belt, in a pocket or around the neck. Very solid knife made out of 1095 carbon steel and you can remove the handle scales if you prefer it lighter.

Also you might want to look at the Spyderco Street Beat, Benchmade Nim Cub and Bark River Bravo Necker. There are so many offerings good luck!!!
 
Time to throw out my canned response for threads like this :D

The Esee Izula or Izula 2, Esee 3
BK11/14/24

And Tops has a bunch of knives that fall in your specifications. On their website they have a tab for knives 3 inches and shorter so id give that a look. 1095 and micarta is a hard equation to mess up if your geometry and heat treat are good.
 
If you dont mind me asking, which Kershaw did you handle? I owned a fixed blade Skyline and aside from the leather sheath which I dont much care for it is a great knife. Dont get me wrong, the sheath is functional and it works but I am probably gonna use it as an opportunity to try my hand at working with Kydex

I also like the Becker BK14, and the ESEE 3.
 
Like many have said: a Becker BK24 (in D2) or a BK14 (1095cv) or BK11 (1095cv)...

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some custom sheath options:

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Well... Here are a few of my recommendations. Have already been mentioned but, hey... why not again.

SYKCO 311, 52100 steel, Takes a hair whittling edge even at its 3/16" thickness, and it keeps it almost freakishly well. Been EDC'ing mine since I got it and I have zero complaints besides the super obtuse/thick edge it had from the factory. Was really easy to fix to my spec, no sweat.


And you cannot go wrong with a KA-BAR Becker BK11 or BK14... The BK24 is the 14 just in a better edge retaining steel. D2.


BUT if you have the funds maybe just commission one of the custom makers on this forum to make you something. Or as always, look at the custom and handmade for sale forum. There are always makers, making and posting EDC type fixed blades. They are very popular and not all that expensive.
 
A lot of good suggestions here to consider, so I will not add any more to the mix. My opinion is that you have approached this very soundly by considering fixed blade EDC. I do not care what anyone says about any folding knife, a fixed blade with similar blade length, thickness, width and steel will be many times stronger and will exceedingly out perform the folder option under any scenario. Having sad this, conceal ability goes to the folder. So I will need more information about budget, carry scenarios, common cutting tasks, environment... etc., which all come into play regarding what might be best. I currently have in my front pocket, and completely concealed, a fixed blade knife with a four finger grip and a 3.375" blade in CPM 3V weighing in at 3.25 ounces that I will put up against any folder in any hard use scenario, and I am confident that my knife will come out on top. The only place where my knife will fall short is in blade length and defensive purposes, so I carry a larger fixed blade in my hip pocket that is not completely concealed for this purpose.
 
I like the Dozier Personal personally for an EDC fixed blade. The Kabar Becker BK-14 or BK-24 would work also, but you may not be comfortable with the factory sheath without modifications. Good knives though.
 
theres several folks on here that will make a darn nice knife to your specs at a working man's price
 
I'm sorry all. I just realized my original post had a few typos. I'm trying to type on a tablet and it doesn't have auto correct. couple that with my inexperience of typing on this stupid thing...@Lee D, I would appreciate their names my good sir. I don't mind dropping ~$100-$150 on a knife. If I have to go higher I will. I would prefer not to go crazy though as this will be my first EDC fixed so I have a lot to learn.
@McVeyMac I will try to answer your questions as they will help everyone help me.
Budget: $0-$100
Carry Scenarios : Everyday carry. This would constitute normal everyday things, grocery shopping, picking the kids up from school, going to the bank, etc. I live in suburbia with occasional trips to the Ghetto.
Common Tasks : opening mail, cutting rope and cordage, some whittling (not for anything in particular, just things that need burrs or splinters taken off.), It may also go with me into the woods hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, rock climbing, skiing, doing survival drills. So I might be feathering wood for fire starting, general small stuff that one would do, skin an otter lol, dig a hole in the dirt(That made someone cringe I'm sure lol ). I realize 3" isn't ideal for defense, but cold steel seems to have an effect no matter the size.
Weight not an issue.
Length : if I have to go bigger and mount it sideways on my hip on my belt I'm sure I could do that. I would need a good retention system that enables a quick draw as well. (note I ordered a Gerber Prodigy as I liked the way the sheath had good retention systems, I am still looking for the smaller blade and use the larger for the bigger task of defense.)
As I understand New York law ( I am in the state not the city, although I do make a trip there sometimes, which has restrictions on size 3.5"). we are allowed open carry of any size and even daggers. Although the police tend to frown upon daggers and open carry of something like a Bowie, or A Rambo knife. I'm a believer in concealed at the end of the day for numerous reasons.
I hope this helps. Any more information you would like I would be happy to answer them.
 
I carry a Scott Gossman PSK, it's a little shorter than the 3 inch your looking for, but you would be amazed at the things this short blade will do!! It's a small blade that feels large in your hand.
 
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