My OoooOoohhh my...i think i'm getting into fixed blades!

M

mantzao

Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
1,534
Hello guys,

I've always been a folder guy but now i'm feelling drawn to fixed blades.
The interest began suddenly, probably due to the fact that i can't see anything now in the folder realm that attracts me.
I tried lots of folders in the past few years so i know most of what's out there.
Nothing seems new anymore.
So, i'm waiting on my first fixed to arrive, an Izula for the backpack but i'm already in love with this one:

[video=youtube_share;k18LExKQt-0]http://youtu.be/k18LExKQt-0[/video]

So, you fixed lovers, what do you suggest for future purchases? :D
 
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Izula 1 or 2?

So you're getting a 2.63" blade good for food, game, and small woods processing.
Many people find their sweet spot for "general" use somewhere between 4-6" blades. By "general" I mean it can do fine cutting and heavy duty tasks, just not to the extent that a paring knife or big chopper can.

There's also much consideration when choosing a big "chopper" or a hatchet/axe.
Search the forums a bit for fixed blade recommendations to see what people suggest for specific cases.
 
Some pics of my ESEE 3 😊

H7kS2by.jpg


y2xSeet.jpg


PTEsLyv.jpg
 
I know what the OP is feeling.

Folders are getting to be pretty much the same now. Look! Another ti-framelock!

I have been buying some fixed blades just to have some different handle materials, stacked leather, stag, woods, etc.


Besides, nothing says real knife like a mean looking fixed blade.
 
Whatever you do, do not start looking at BRKT. You will be hooked. Great knives.
 
I've always liked fixed blades, and I used to collect custom fixed blade hunting knives, but I have very little opportunity to actually use a fixed blade knife. Recently I've been buying folders because I can carry them every day and use them.

For many years I've owned a Cold Steel SRK and a smaller Kershaw that looks a bit like a boot knife or small dive knife. I carried them on camping trips but never really found a need for them, I always managed to do what I needed done with a small folder. I had bought a cheap Cold Steel Tanto to use in my garage and never used it, right now I have a Becker BK11 hanging in the garage but I use it very little. I've used my Spyderco Mule in the kitchen several times to cut up meat for chili.

OTOH even though I have a lot of EDC type folders, I manage to carry and use all of them. And even though I try to rationalize that they're similar it is difficult for me to pare down my EDC rotation to anything near a manageable size.

Nevertheless I look longingly at fixed blades in these forums. I've been interested in trying a fixed blade for EDC but that is tricky. I want it to fit in my pocket but that means about 7" max. length. A lot of the knives I find that meet the size limit seem to be almost toys and too small to really hold onto. I'm still trying to find one that I think I can use, and yes BRKT products are very interesting to me.
 
Nothing fancy but it's my favorite fixed blade. I only own three.

A little worn and beat up but my F1 has been going strong for 7 years.

6hp5q0.jpg
 
Nothing wrong with that there's a lot of great fixed blades out there. I'd honestly like to EDC one compared to a folder but it would attract way too much attention the days I'm not in the field.

I've found it's actually very difficult to find good fixed blades under the 5" blade length. Most with smaller blades shrink the handle size so much they feel like using a mini knife. Very few keep a 3-4" blade length with a full handle.
 
ToddM said:
Nothing wrong with that there's a lot of great fixed blades out there. I'd honestly like to EDC one compared to a folder but it would attract way too much attention the days I'm not in the field.

I've found it's actually very difficult to find good fixed blades under the 5" blade length. Most with smaller blades shrink the handle size so much they feel like using a mini knife. Very few keep a 3-4" blade length with a full handle.
Click to expand...

I open carry EDC dual short fixed blades down here in the Austin area. Either Kabar 125x shorties (5.25") or 1232 Finger Grip Hunters (4").

The 1232 has a 4" blade with an 8-1/8" OAL. I can pop them off my belt (self-made pancake sheaths w/ boot clips) and drop in a pocket no problem. Leave off the boot clip if you never open carry. The shorties will stick out of my pocket (khakis/dockers/dress pants) somewhat. Not the 1232s. Depends on the pocket.

I also like the 1226 "Little Finn Small Game". It will easily fit in a pocket. It just falls into your "shrunk down" knife category (although the 1226 has always been this size and not "reduced") at a 3-5/8" blade / 7" OAL. The blade is great for daily use opening stuff. I really wish they'd make it with a 4"-4.25" handle, though.

These are "hunting" or "small game" knives though, not some kind of be-all, do-all, chop down a redwood with one blow knives. They are well-made, utilitarian, day-to-day, "I gotta cut stuff" knives.
 

For practicality and general use I really BK&T, I spent a few very worth while hours modifying the above to be the perfect camp knife for me, and the whole package was just over $100. However the next fixed blade I'll buy is a Busse, I just can't argue with a knife you can pound through asphalt...not that the average person will ever need to, but it's cool to know you can. Enjoy the hunt for what you like, it's a whole new world, with a whole new set of steels.
 
I understand your pain, sir... but realize...you've created a monster...

Below the BlindHorseKnives Bushbaby are the following:

Wilson (damascus) gorgeous
Bailey (very nice hamon)
Dave Ferry of HorseWright Clothing and Tack (sterling silver bolster)
Alan Davis...an artist in fixed blades and folders

 
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On a lark, I've been using and modding this MX-8108:

ei2io4.jpg


It's a pretty cheap knife though, so it's good that I also have an ESEE-4 and F1 as back-ups.
 
n7titan said:
Izula 1 or 2?

So you're getting a 2.63" blade good for food, game, and small woods processing.
Many people find their sweet spot for "general" use somewhere between 4-6" blades. By "general" I mean it can do fine cutting and heavy duty tasks, just not to the extent that a paring knife or big chopper can.

There's also much consideration when choosing a big "chopper" or a hatchet/axe.
Search the forums a bit for fixed blade recommendations to see what people suggest for specific cases.
Click to expand...

Izula 1.
I know the 2 has a bigger handle but i don't have big hands so i believe it will do the job.
I found it a good price still with the RAT logo?
Don't know if that's good or not but it was cheaper than others.
I also bought the micarta scales so, i can't wait to get my hands on it :)

Shorttime said:
"Nighthaxan", and Josh Mason, custom makers who are frequently found in the fixed blade sales forum:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades

Mr. Mason makes some of the smallest, cleanest, kwaiken-style knives I've ever seen, and Nighthaxan has a distinct style of his own, with some Japanese flavor in it.
Click to expand...

Have been on the fixed blade sales forum and already found things i like :D
The problem is to import due to the custom laws F***********************CK!!

bearcut said:
I know what the OP is feeling.

Folders are getting to be pretty much the same now. Look! Another ti-framelock!
Click to expand...

Exactly brother!

cutchu said:
Whatever you do, do not start looking at BRKT. You will be hooked. Great knives.
Click to expand...

I bet they are.
The following's huge so i'll probably will have to try one :D

Todd21969 said:
Nothing fancy but it's my favorite fixed blade. I only own three.

A little worn and beat up but my F1 has been going strong for 7 years.

6hp5q0.jpg
Click to expand...

The F1 is a fixed blade i always wanted.
Had one in hand and really liked it so i see me buying one for sure.

Sonnydaze said:
I understand your pain, sir... but realize...you've created a monster...

Below the BlindHorseKnives Bushbaby are the following:

Wilson (damascus) gorgeous
Bailey (very nice hamon)
Dave Ferry of HorseWright Clothing and Tack (sterling silver bolster)
Alan Davis...an artist in fixed blades and folders

Click to expand...

Great looking knives Don:thumbup:

I've seen this one and i also really like it:

[video=youtube;jF1w5b1vqOU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1w5b1vqOU[/video]

It reminds me of a Busse SAR for some reason.
It looks like a winner but i wonder what that "jimping" on the top of handle does to your hand after some use.
Any experience with this one?
 
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