Need a flatter blade. What fixed blades have thin handles?

S

soupah

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Dec 1, 2005
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I like short 2-4" fixed blades for EDC, but most I've encountered have pretty fat or "chunky" handles. Too much width. The Ontario TAK-1, for instance, feels good in the hand and has the right blade length, but that fat canvas handle is difficult for me with a waist rig- it's just too bulky. Same goes for small Swamp Rats. I need something with a slim handle. I have medium-size hands, so thin grips work better ergonomically too.

Amazingly, the only thin-handled blade I've found so far that fits is a Bear and Sons drop-point hunter that I picked up on ebay. The finish and quality leave a bit to be desired, but the micarta scales are ground very thin. It fits easily in a sheath in the pocket or IWB snugged up to the body.

There's got to be more out there. Any suggestions?
 
How about skeletonized styles? I have a Busse Skeleton Game Warden that I EDC and it is great. I also like the Busse Assault Shaker and Skeleton Key, as well as the Becker Necker.
Or the smaller Bark River knives, too.
 
Most 'neck knives' have no handle. Many others can have the handles replaced to your taste.
 
I'm not very big on skeletonized handles, though I have a Cuda Arclite that I enjoy. Most just aren't grippy enough to suit me, plus I like a lower blade guard or finger cutout (though this isn't a requirement).

I guess one other thing I should've mentioned is that I'm not a huge fan of the tactical "look", so I gravitate towards more natural-looking materials like micarta/canvas/stacked leather handles and satin blades.
 
The Busse TAC handles are quite thin, so maybe a Badger Attack could do the trick, assuming it is in your price range.
 
Thanks Rat- though I'd like to keep prices undes 100-150 USD if possible.

OHHHH, that Benchmade activator does look good. Thanks Ginshun.
 
Those Orion knives are new to me and look worthwhile.

How about something from the Bark River range? Sure to find something appealing there- Woodland, Highland, Bootknife, Classic Lite Hunter, ELK plus others.Big choice of scales and BRKT make lightweight knives but not lightweight finish or quality in my experience.
 
Have you looked at Scandinavian knives? www.ragweeforge.com has a nice selection. Look at Brusletto, Helle, and Mora.

Most handles aren't actually flat, but they aren't massive or wide, either, so a medium or small hand would find many of them comfortable.

Also, they tend towards natural materials for the handles, and are not tactical at all.
 
Orion does the majority of the blade grinding for Pro-Tech Knives and their blades are excellent.
 
The Rat-3 handles aren't too thick.

A cord-wrapped Becker Necker is thin, if you can find one.
 
Bark River knives are known for their modestly proportioned handles. I pocket carry a Mini Canadian, which has a handle about 1/2" wide at its widest point (the butt).
 
Keep those suggestions coming.

I've already bought a Benchmade Activator today thanks to this thread, but I'm still interested in acquiring some more EDCs along these lines (I can't be expected to wear the same knife every dang day ;) ).

Bark Rivers are nice and small- maybe TOO small (first I complain about too much, now I'm complaining about too little). I have a Mini-Canadian that I'll probably sell soon- it just isn't enough grip surface for my hand- it's thin in two dimensions (top/bottom, side-to-side).
 
It's no looker, but the Ontario Rat 3 sounds like it would fit the bill. Truly a great little knife.
 
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