Recommendation? EDC Fixed blade.

O

OpKey

Joined
Jun 6, 2011
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600
Hello everyone. I'll start off by saying I've mostly carried a folding knife my entire life as EDC, though I'm partial to fixed blades and own many of them. I've been on a quest to find a good EDC fixed blade, and I've just recently found these forums, and you guys seem to be best to ask this question.

What I'm looking for. Something not too long, nor bulky. I would prefer the knife to include a kydex(preferably) sheath with clip for IWB carry. I also would like to keep the knife's price $60 and under, but if I'm shown something nice I'm willing to dish out more.

I've found many of nice fixed blades for EDC, but none seem to come with a ready-to-use IWB sheath. I don't really want to purchase a blade and have it shipped off to somebody so that they can make a custom kydex sheath. So, if you guys could help me out with some suggestions, that'd be awesome.

Forgot to add, I'll mostly be carrying it for self-defense, but it will more than likely also see some use for other tasks. Thanks ahead of time.
 
first welcome to the bladeforums OpKey!

You'll see a lot of guys here will offer you the ESEE Izula neck knife.
simply becuz it is a good knife. You can get one for about 45-55 bucks I think. plastic sheath, excellent 1095 steel 2.88" blade, not bulky and light weight too.

If you want something more affordable and bigger you can go for Becker BK11 or BK14, 3.25" blade in 1095 cro-van, good plastic sheath for $35. (I own one, and it's great)

there are also Blackjack necker in 154cm ss steel, which is good in edge holding, clip point blade with swedge edge doog for self-defense, Kydex sheath as you wish, %60 on knivesshipfree ;)

and there are some neck knives by coldsteel for utility/tactical use in AUS8A steel. price rang about $30-40 double agent or Mini Tac series those are quite adequate.
Let me know when you decide what to buy ;) Good luck
 
I forget that I even have my Izula on me most of the time it's so light. A couple loops of para-cord and you can carry it just about any way you can think of.
 
Yup. Izula round the neck and a Bark river mini northstar on the belt for me...for now ;). I moved away from folders recently. I just love fixed blades. The northstar comes with a leather sheath so that's out, but for the money IMO, u can't beat the izula. I've used it as one of my EDCs as a Border Patrol Agent for a year now without fail. Love it!
 
Izula II if you want to carry on your belt, awesome knife fits great in the Hand with the scales.
 
If you intend to carry it for self-deffence, than I guess the size will matter. The bigger the knife, the more false sense of security it provides. So something like ESEE - 6 would probably satisfy most self-defenders. A bit heavy and not that handy for some of the other daily tasks. But it is big enough and scares regular people around you all right. ;)
 
Personally, I love my EsKaBar for fixed blade EDC, however another great choice would be the Cold Steel Mini-Tac line. I have the Tanto, and absolutely love it. Extremely grippy/rough G-10 scales, an excellent handle design with a deep choil, and very useful jimping really lock this blade in the hand. Plus, there are 4 different blade styles to choose from. I rarely see these knives mentioned, but I think if you held one, you'd love it.. For around $30-$40, they're definately worth checking out.
 
osodavis said:
Personally, I love my EsKaBar for fixed blade EDC, however another great choice would be the Cold Steel Mini-Tac line. I have the Tanto, and absolutely love it. Extremely grippy/rough G-10 scales, an excellent handle design with a deep choil, and very useful jimping really lock this blade in the hand. Plus, there are 4 different blade styles to choose from. I rarely see these knives mentioned, but I think if you held one, you'd love it.. For around $30-$40, they're definately worth checking out.
Click to expand...

I have an Eskabar and I love it.
how does your BK14 hold up to everyday use?
once I cut a plastic bo\\water bottle into like 10 pieces and it loose the razor edge right away, is that normal or the heat treatment on my knife was ruin?
 
I don't think my Eskabar holds an edge all that well either. Another factor is the sheath, the edge can drag against the plastic sheath, which is dulling the edge.
The BK-2 I have has held an edge very well, maybe it's the size/thickness that makes the difference?
 
You might like the Kobun from Cold Steel for what you want. Good design of the knife and sheath for IWB carry and plenty good materials all the way around, for only $30.

Cold Steel has other models well suited and you can check out Ka-bar TDI knives also, $30-40

Think about where you want to carry it on your waist, if it's around 3 or 9 o'clock then the "love-handles" might require something like the TDI for comfort and concealment. If it's appendix or small of back carry the Kobun will disappear.

Picture using one and what seems more natural to your own body and whatever training you have.

These would be as good as anything even though only $30-40.
 
Thanks for all the replies and help guys. I had been looking at the ESEE knives and I really liked alot of them, but some are a little too big for me to use as EDC. I had been previously looking at the Izula, because I see it being recommended alot, but I just couldnt' get past the hollow frame and lack of grip so it knocked it out of the picture. I did not know of the Izula II, so I think I'm going to look into it a little more and see about a IWB sheath for it. I'd like for the knife to be a little longer, but I can settle aslong as its a great knife.

Thanks again guys. Anyone know someone who could make a great IWB kydex sheath? I saw that the Izula II comes with a sheath, but is it capable of IWB carry?
 
If you like Izula II I would just skip to the slightly bigger ESEE 3 that comes with the boot clip instead of getting an aftermarket sheath for the Izula.
 
I think the Izula is ideal as an EDC fixed blade because of the skeletonized handle, but anything under 6 inches of blade length is going to take a lot of skill to use for defensive purposes.

With knives, you cut or stab. Cutting, you attempt to cut something which holds your opponent upright and that takes a lot of skill and even more luck.

Stabbing, you better have that full 6 inches or more to reach the vitals and you better know where to stick the pointy end because the human body is designed fairly well to protect those vitals (mostly encased in bone).

If you plan on slashing someone up, you are going to be waiting a long time before they first, realize they've been cut, and second, bleed to death or go into shock from blood loss.

In other words, using a knife for self defense is mostly a pipe dream in my opinion.

So get a good fixed blade that works well for opening boxes, blister packs, you know, stuff we'll actually be using it for.

Again, just my opinion.
 
If you're looking for a defensive blade, check out the Ka-Bar TDI knives as they were designed specifically for this purpose and have several carry options.

I carry a Becker BK14 Eskabar every day and have been very happy with it. The belt clip for the TDI knives will also fit the Becker BK14/11 sheath and may be a good option for IWB carry. Also, the BK14/11 sheath can be easily set up for IWB carry with just some simple paracord loops. If you want a handle, the Izula scales sold by ESEE will fit the BK14 with slight modification.

The Izula is also a good choice, though I don't think the sheath will be as conducive to IWB carry, but with some creativity can surely be made to work.
 
Sulaco said:
I think the Izula is ideal as an EDC fixed blade because of the skeletonized handle, but anything under 6 inches of blade length is going to take a lot of skill to use for defensive purposes.

With knives, you cut or stab. Cutting, you attempt to cut something which holds your opponent upright and that takes a lot of skill and even more luck.

Stabbing, you better have that full 6 inches or more to reach the vitals and you better know where to stick the pointy end because the human body is designed fairly well to protect those vitals (mostly encased in bone).

If you plan on slashing someone up, you are going to be waiting a long time before they first, realize they've been cut, and second, bleed to death or go into shock from blood loss.

In other words, using a knife for self defense is mostly a pipe dream in my opinion.

So get a good fixed blade that works well for opening boxes, blister packs, you know, stuff we'll actually be using it for.

Again, just my opinion.
Click to expand...

I completely agree, but where or when I'm not allowed to conceal carry my pistol. A knife would be better than nothing.

I'm so undecisive now. I think I'm going the route of the TDI Large tanto or the TDI ankle knife. Since my kershaw folder, I've seemed to really like the tanto style blades.Thanks again guys.
 
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