Newbie to the idea of a small fixed blade for pocket carry - your thoughts please!

coyote711

coyote711

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Sep 19, 2009
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Until a few days ago the thought of a small fixed blade for pocket carry had never entered my mind. That changed when I saw this knife that Tom (Whetstone39) posted: Thanks Tom! :cool:



The clean lines and blade to handle proportions of the Bark River City Knife really caught my eye - not to mention the great photography! The seed had been planted and I proceeded to research and do my due diligence on this little knife. The only thing that scared me was the price - not necessarily in and of itself, but more so because I just don't know if I'll like pocket carrying a small fixed blade knife.

However, I also discovered and ordered this little fella yesterday: http://www.knivesshipfree.com/bark-...ark-river-knives-pro-scalpel-3v-black-canvas/. I figured the lower cost of admission would give me a chance to test out pocket carrying a small fixed blade knife. And if I like it, I reserve the right to upgrade to the City Knife! ;)

It doesn't seem like we get much discussion in the Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades forum about small fixed blade knives for pocket carry. Maybe there's a reason for that - you carry a (folding) pocket knife in the pocket, and a fixed blade on your belt. Period!

Anyway, if you pocket carry a small fixed blade, or have carried one in the past and decided it wasn't for you, I'd like to hear your thoughts, likes, dislikes, the advantages & disadvantages, etc. regarding them. Thanks! :thumbup:
 
I'd carry a small fixed blade in my pocket, but I've got too much in them lol. I would probably back pocket carry one in a sheath like the one pictured above if I could find the space. I like that it holds a folder too.
 
In that thread That Gary linked to, My Bark River Little Creek is posted. I like it a lot and it's very pocketable. I got it in 3V steel and micarta scales. Holds a great edge.
Here's another pic besides the ones in that thread.
 
Hi Keith.

I tried it for awhile myself. In fact, it was a Bark River City Knife that I used. Outstanding little fixed blade. I carried a Little Creek too but if I were to try it again I would definitely go with the City Knife. Just a great knife. My only concern with it was that it doesn't have much of a finger guard. Superb knife otherwise.

I tried the City Sheath which came with the City Knife at the time and I also tried a Pocono (I think it was called) sheath. I carried in my right rear pocket and for some reason as much as I loved the knife I just couldn't warm up to fixed blade carry.

I had two main reasons why fixed blade EDC wasn't for me. 1)I always had to find a place to set the sheath down while I used the knife. Either that or put it back in my pocket. Neither one appealed to me and I wasn't keen on a belt sheath either. 2)I missed the little thrill I get when I open and close a folder. Especially slip joints that have that reassuring snap.

That's just my own personal experience. I might like it better if I could find a practical way to adapt but I have no plans to try it again in the foreseeable future. If I did though, City Knife all way. I sincerely hope you have better luck than I did because I just can't say enough good things about the City Knife. You will almost certainly like the knife and I hope you like carrying it too.

Good luck.
 
Nice pic, Bob - thanks! That one and the other one showing the spine gives me a better idea of the overall knife size. The Little Creek was definitely on my short list of Bark River knives to consider. I ended up going with the lowest-cost option.

Rick, nice to hear from you my old friend - I appreciate your insight. I don't know if starting out with the smaller Pro Scalpel was a good idea or not - maybe it won't be a fair test, and I should have just gone with the City Knife to start. I'm glad to hear you liked the City Knife even though you don't carry it anymore. I guess part of the fun of this hobby, or addiction, or whatever you call it, is trying new knives and seeing how it goes. Take care!
 
jrtodd46 said:
I'd carry a small fixed blade in my pocket, but I've got too much in them lol. I would probably back pocket carry one in a sheath like the one pictured above if I could find the space. I like that it holds a folder too.
Click to expand...

Kyle, I can see that being a problem for me too - what to sacrifice in order to make room! I like the sheath shown above a lot, too.
 
I love the whole concept of the little pocket fixe blade. It has everything going for it, and not many things against it. No pulling out the blade, no danger of it folding over on you if you have to lean on it a bit in an emergency. No hidden areas for dirt and crud to accumulate. And since there are no springs and bolsters, usually lighter in weight than a similar size pocket knife.

I've tried it and loved it. I have carried a Buck Hartsook, Roselli grandmothers knife, and a few others. All worked out very well. The only rason I gave up on it was, any concealed fixed blade in Maryland is a no-no. In other words my Buck Hartsook with a 1 7/8th inch blade was illegal, yet a number 12 Opinel is not.

Small fixed blades just may be the ultimate pocket knife for all things knife wise.
 
Keith,
allow me to add some personal thoughts to the argument :rolleyes:
I like fixed blades, and I do get your point. But...
To get the same amount of handle and blade of your average folder (let's say you carry a 3,5" slipjoint with a 2,5" blade) you would need a 6" overall fixed blade...which means quite a huge difference in bulk. Now...do your cutting needs justify such an increase of bulk (and possibly weight) to have a fixed blade instead of a folder in your everyday life?
I like FB's myself, and I've asked myself the same question more than once...and, in the end, I realized it wouldn't work for me. I pocket carry a FB only when I'm hiking, but that's when the advantages of having a FB overcome the ease of carry. Obviously, this is very personal; I'm just sharing my opinion and giving you some food for thought. A friend of mine once suggested carrying an Opinel locked open inside a sheath to have an idea of the bulk. Weird idea but not crazy at all.
Sidenote: I have seen plenty of small FB's in the knifemakers' sales forum...so I would either get the BRKT City knife (cause it caught your eye), or a custom :)
As always, these are all very personal thoughts and insights :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Carl, as usual I appreciate hearing your thoughts on all things knife related. You brought up a lot of good points to consider, and I'll take them into account. Your Maryland laws seem pretty strict. I had never thought to look up Iowa laws, so I just did and it appears (lawyer talk even though I'm not a lawyer) that a fixed blade knife with a blade length under 5" is legal for concealed carry in Iowa.

Fausto, also nice to hear from you my old friend! Very good points you brought up - I hadn't looked at it quite that way. I did pay attention to the blade:handle ratio, wanting a fair sized handle and a relatively shorter blade. You wrote, "A friend of mine once suggested carrying an Opinel locked open inside a sheath to have an idea of the bulk. Weird idea but not crazy at all". I actually tried something like that this weekend before I ordered the Pro Scalpel. I did it with a 5 1/4" flashlight I have - I think I can handle it, but time will tell. ;)
 
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Tom, Wow - what a stable of Bark Rivers! Thanks for posting. I see you're in the U.P., so Bark River must be almost in your backyard, so to speak. I was stationed at K.I. Sawyer AFB in Marquette in the early 70's - loved the U.P. :thumbup:

Quick question: Do you have a preferred sheath, or does it "just depend"?
 
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I carried a small fixed blade (2" blade, 5" overall) in a pancake sheath for a little while, but it just wasn't the same for me as a folder. Maybe it's because I can't carry a two blade fixed knife:)
 
It's always nice to have variety

I've experimented with small fixed knives but I don't actually like them for pocket carry. The sheath is always cumbersome and a nuisance in some ways, but I've found they are excellent carry in a small bag or day pack. I always have a PSK with me in my bag wherever I go and small fixed knives can be a boon for food prep on trips or stays in hotels, more hygienic, safer:D

Here's one of my BRs I like, a Blackwater Bootknife with a GEC 15 for size

IMG_0613.jpg


Here's another pairing: an inexpensive Böker Pocket Bowie with a GEC 85 SFO

IMG_2014.jpg


Thanks, Will
 
"Quick question: Do you have a preferred sheath, or does it "just depend"?

Depends on the knife. But I seem to like the sheath in the bottom picture, right hand side, rectangular shape for pocket carry. It fits many of my Barkies and rides nicely in a front or rear pocket when wearing jeans (95% of the time).

Tom
 
Ernie, Hmmmm …… two blade fixed knife. :D

Will, thanks for your insight. That's a nice Bark River you're showing - it reminds me of a GEC 73 in some ways. Love the bone on that 85, and I'll bet the 15 will age nicely, too! :thumbup:

Thanks Tom - in jeans here 95% of the time, too.
 
I love carrying a small FB; sometimes, it's just more convenient for me to reach in my back pocket and pull out the knife ready to cut. I like that they're different, but I don't particularly like them more or less than my other blades. I rotate all my knives which includes traditional slipjoints and the small FB's...Mini Fox River, City Knife, and I've also got an Essential in pre-order.

Here's my Maroon Linen City Knife...

image_40.jpg



...and the Mini Fox in Desert Ironwood and 3V...

image_21.jpg
 
Personally I much prefer the original Loveless version of the City Knife. The Bark River version is not as elegant or as easy to pocket. If I ever see a good repro of the true Loveless design, I am snatching it and if I win the lottery, it'll be the real deal :)
 
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