Recommendation for a fixed 3.5”

[Peakbagger46]

I really like my White River Backpacker and would like a 3.5” to carry on occasion. Looking for something with removable scales, kydex sheath, and thinner blade stock.

Would prefer S35VN or better steel too. This will be for front pocket carry so a shorter handle would be preferable.

 

[JWright214]

I won’t be much help because I stick to a few favorite brands, designs, and steels. Bradford has all the different Guardian versions that people seem to love, admittedly I have no experience with them. I know you can get all the latest and greatest super steels in those. LT Wright has some models with micarta and a few different steels (A2, 3v, D2, aeb-l). And of course there are custom makers who can design exactly what you want. There are a lot of options these days, good luck on your hunt.

 

[sgt1372]

I think that a Spyderco Mule would meet your requirements.

The Spyderco Mule has been released in about 30 different steel types to date. See: Spyderco Mule Team Project. Cost and availability (for the blade alone) vary greatly from around $100-$400 with a current median price of around $175-200.

All of the blades are flat ground and very slicey. The blade length is exactly 3.5", OAL 7 5/8" and blade thickness 1/8".

Spyderco sells black G10 scales (others are available from Halpern Titanium) and a black Bolatron sheath for it, which have been out of stock for awhile but are both available right now. See: Spyderco Mule Team Accessories

Spyderco Mules are often sold as a package w/scales and sheath on the 2ndary market. One such package for a CTS-XHP Mule is still available on the Exchange for $275 here but another package recently sold for just $150 here.

I know that the 2nd Mule package w/a ZWear blade sold for $150 because I was thinking about buying it. The combined cost of the scales and sheath alone was about $100 and the net cost of the blade would have been "only" $50 which was about the original release price, which made it a GREAT deal!

So, it pays to keep looking and to be patient if you're looking for a "deal" on a Mule package. The price for the current Mule package still for sale is not unreasonable but at that price you could put your own package together.

 

[Sharpoholic]

Based your parameters you might like the the Bradford Guardian 3.5. They’re great knives, made in the u.s. and come in a wide variety of finishes and steels like m390, 3v, aebl, magnacut and a few others. You can buy them direct from their website or through dealers. They come with a leather sheath but you can get a kydex one pretty easy through Bradford or a third party maker.

 

[Alberta Ed]

I think that a Spyderco Mule would meet your requirements.

The Spyderco Mule has been released in about 30 different steel types to date. See: Spyderco Mule Team Project. Cost and availability (for the blade alone) vary greatly from around $100-$400 with a current median price of around $175-200.

All of the blades are flat ground and very slicey. The blade length is exactly 3.5", OAL 7 5/8" and blade thickness 1/8".

Spyderco sells black G10 scales (others are available from Halpern Titanium) and a black Bolatron sheath for it, which have been out of stock for awhile but are both available right now. See: Spyderco Mule Team Accessories

Spyderco Mules are often sold as a package w/scales and sheath on the 2ndary market. One such package for a CTS-XHP Mule is still available on the Exchange for $275 here but another package recently sold for just $150 here.

I know that the 2nd Mule package w/a ZWear blade sold for $150 because I was thinking about buying it. The combined cost of the scales and sheath alone was about $100 and the net cost of the blade would have been "only" $50 which was about the original release price, which made it a GREAT deal!

So, it pays to keep looking and to be patient if you're looking for a "deal" on a Mule package. The price for the current Mule package still for sale is not unreasonable but at that price you could put your own package together.

You could easily make a flat sheath out of leather or Kydex for the Mule.