• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Recommend me a small, cheap fixed blade.

Moras were practically made for this role. A knife that is completely capable, utterly boring, and incredibly priced for what you get compared to what you paid.

I have a couple of tool/go bag type set ups, and they all have a Mora Robust in them. For my foreseeable needs in any situation, it's about knifey as a knife gets when it comes to being purchased, thrown in a pack, and forgotten about indefinitely.
 
Moras were practically made for this role. A knife that is completely capable, utterly boring, and incredibly priced for what you get compared to what you paid.

I have a couple of tool/go bag type set ups, and they all have a Mora Robust in them. For my foreseeable needs in any situation, it's about knifey as a knife gets when it comes to being purchased, thrown in a pack, and forgotten about indefinitely.
Yeah as much as I love my upmarket stuff the Mora's can do 99% of what you practically need a small fixed blade for.

A mate of mine actually bought a case of 12 of them from the distributor. (I forget which model but one of the budget models)
He then proceeded to put them everywhere. His cars, truck, fishing kit, hunting kit, bedside table, garage........just everywhere he was.
A really inexpensive practical solution for years to come.
 
A few I like personally:
- Cold Steel mini leatherneck
- Morakniv Eldris
- ESEE Izula 2
- Maybe the Becker EsKabar BK14

If you can find the Izula for a good price, it’s a great lifetime knife.

Edit: I like the Ruike and Civivi knives too. Good experience with them. Real Steel too.

Quite frankly, I’m still debating an Izula… if I’m gonna go a little over my self imposed budget, it’s the one I’ll do it for. Especially since I know I can always wrap it in cord for now, and buy the scales later on down the line.

Morakniv eldris
Brisa necker 70
Brisa bobcat
Last two are amazing small knives in 12C27

Those two Brisas could really have some potential. Like the size and blade shape, and overall seem to have the right general proportions. I’m not anti-made in China, but the fact that they’re Finnish doesn’t hurt either.
A lot of guys on the forum seem to be enjoying the Kizer Mini Harpoon. You can get the 3v version for less than $60. Comes with kydex sheath and burlap micarta scales.

Funny enough, I’ve been eying up the full size Harpoon for just a regular EDC fixxie. Might consider the mini for this, but I think the Hare or Beaver have more of the blade shape I prefer for a more woods oriented knife.

Two Sun has some nice stuff in different flavors. Check their site for what’s available. Vosteed also has lower priced stuff in some quality steels and they well built.

I’ll check out TwoSun. I like the Volsteed Mink in a sheep’s foot, even if it is a bit bigger than I’m looking for

Buck Paklite. They come in a couple of different sizes/styles, and run about $50, or less.

This is another I could really get behind. Small, light, unobtrusive, and Buck’s excellent 420 heat treat… and made in the US is a nice bonus. Might have to give it some serious consideration.


For everyone recommending a Mora…. I know they’re great bang for the buck, I even have one that lives in a tool box, but it just doesn’t work for this application. At least not for me. A little clarification might help… whatever I get will ride directly on the shoulder strap for quick easy access, and get used just like a pocket knife. The big bulky handles on the Moras are great for getting a positive grip, but in a 2.5-3.25” knife, it’s just way too much handle to ride right on the front strap for me. I know it’s kinda blasphemous, but I just can’t seem to get with them like so many others can.
 
Quite frankly, I’m still debating an Izula… if I’m gonna go a little over my self imposed budget, it’s the one I’ll do it for. Especially since I know I can always wrap it in cord for now, and buy the scales later on down the line.



Those two Brisas could really have some potential. Like the size and blade shape, and overall seem to have the right general proportions. I’m not anti-made in China, but the fact that they’re Finnish doesn’t hurt either.


Funny enough, I’ve been eying up the full size Harpoon for just a regular EDC fixxie. Might consider the mini for this, but I think the Hare or Beaver have more of the blade shape I prefer for a more woods oriented knife.



I’ll check out TwoSun. I like the Volsteed Mink in a sheep’s foot, even if it is a bit bigger than I’m looking for



This is another I could really get behind. Small, light, unobtrusive, and Buck’s excellent 420 heat treat… and made in the US is a nice bonus. Might have to give it some serious consideration.


For everyone recommending a Mora…. I know they’re great bang for the buck, I even have one that lives in a tool box, but it just doesn’t work for this application. At least not for me. A little clarification might help… whatever I get will ride directly on the shoulder strap for quick easy access, and get used just like a pocket knife. The big bulky handles on the Moras are great for getting a positive grip, but in a 2.5-3.25” knife, it’s just way too much handle to ride right on the front strap for me. I know it’s kinda blasphemous, but I just can’t seem to get with them like so many others can.
Izula is a good knife. Its small "wallet sized"
Barely feel it's there no moving parts to fuss over. Expert HT, the izula knife is an easy win and sure to last years
 
If you are considering the Izula, you might take a look at the BK14; same handle, slightly larger blade with a shape I prefer. You might also consider one of the small Varusteleka knives: the mini Skrama or the Jaakkaripuuko 85.
 
Welp, ended up ordering the Kizer Beaver in D2. For what it’s worth, there were a few factors in play.

First, I found it for $45 all in, which really fits the purpose of my ‘budget bag build’ and leaves me extra to spend on other items for the build.

Second, as much as I like the Izula, at around $65, I’d still have to buy scales if I want them, and a molle attachment for the sheath - or spend the extra right up front. The Kizer already has both of these.

Third, I just liked the way the think looked… :D

So I figure I’ll give the Kizer a go. Thanks for all the suggestions though (almost ended up with the Buck Packlight but the sheath got a lot of negative reviews, and since I plan on carrying it inverted, was gonna take the chance)
 
Back
Top