Recommendation for good 4" fixed blade

erhodes

erhodes

Joined
Jan 30, 2012
Messages
536
Hey everyone. Been a while since I've looked for a fixed blade but here I am craving a new one. I love my ratmandubut sometimes find it a bit large to carry with me in the field. So I'm looking for something a bit smaller to carry with me. I use a knife pretty regularly for things I guess you would call camping chores. I'm infantry in the 82nd and we go into the field fairly regularly. I use a knife mainly when setting up my sleep sites and other times when just passing some of the down time. My raandu has held up extremely well but gets to be a bit large when carrying it on my belt plus my kit. Looking for something in approximate 4" range with a drop leg sheath or something that keeps it lower than right on my belt. Hard to grab one with my iotv on. Been looking at more swamp rat, winkler, and bark river. Heard great things but anyone with first hand knowledge and advice please chime in. Thanks guys
 
NZ Stag 4

Model 1990NZ2S
Svord_1990NZ2S_Lge2.jpg

Length of Blade (inches) 4"
Over All Length (inches) 8 3/4"
Blade Shape Drop Point
Handle Material NZ Stag and Double Brass
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 2.2mm
Sheath Leather
http://www.svord.com/index.php?id_product=20&controller=product
 
Moras are nice and light and you can now get a blackened mora companion, I think there are a few options....

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs...w-mora-companion-black-and-companion-tactical

But I dunno about the sheaths. You're 82nd... I'm guessing you need very good sheath retention with straps. Drops and what not. Maybe a small ka-bar / Becker or cold steel srk or sog seal pup? These may have the sheaths you could use?

I have a ka bar 1211 with the plastic sheeth and retaining strap. The blade is not going anywhere. You can inverted carry it on your left. Downside is it's 7" blade though. I know there is a smaller one, but not sure on the size.
 
How about inverted carry?

 
If you can found it have a look at the Bradford guardian series
Good ergonomics and good stainless steel

Otherwise look at the ESEE4
I have one and it come with a good Lydwine sheath
 
Just saw the Bradford guardian. Looks like a very nice knife. The inverted carry looks good as well. I may just run into the same issue where it tucks under my iotv. I could still get the knife out but would still be uncomfortable to wear.
 
If you like the rat you should like one of the smaller models, IMO the bradford is a good choice.
 
I've really been looking at the rodent 4 . Really like the look of it just wasn't sure if I wanted to wait that long to get one
 
Really looking at the Bradford guardian 4 now with all the recommendations. Saw it comes in m390 and n690. Anyone have personal experience with both and how they hold up.

Looked at the rodent 4 and it says ships within 4-14 weeks
 
I like M390. Relatively easy to get really sharp, and it stays that way.

But I have no experience with N690 so I can't compare them for you.
 
erhodes said:
Really looking at the Bradford guardian 4 now with all the recommendations. Saw it comes in m390 and n690. Anyone have personal experience with both and how they hold up.

Looked at the rodent 4 and it says ships within 4-14 weeks
Click to expand...

If you go with Bradford I highly reccomend getting an armatus sheath. The horizontal carry makes it really comfortable on the belt.
 
If I was going to jump with it on I'd probably go with the Professional Soldier but I haven't jumped with gear in more than a few years.
 
My favorite in that size range is still the ZT 0180. Stout, simple handle ergonomics and blade geometry. Mine takes a screamin' edge and holds it well, so I'd say it's in a great steel also (Vanadis 4 Extra). Nothing fancy about it, just a good Hinderer designed knife.

I have been meaning to try out a Bradford one of these days soon. They have also captured my attention as simple and functional.

Here's a couple recycled shots of my ZT 0180.

f9mw4l.jpg


11mgl0l.jpg


2rylqf7.jpg



Edit to add: I built this sheath with Chicago Screw bases embedded in the leather layers, so the sheath could be more flexible. The retention strap can easily be changed out or replaced in seconds. Although there is enough tension when sheathed to retain under most conditions without the strap.

The belt clip that I am currently using for convenience, can be changed to a belt loop, or a dangler, or whatever. Flathead screws were chosen so pretty much anything could remove or tighten them in the field.

s5g2v4.jpg


The sheath that came with the knife is a well built (by Spec-Ops I think?) nylon with ambidextrous poly insert, leg strap cordage, and lots of loops and Velcro adjustments. Plus a good sized pouch for smaller or folding knife, sharpening stone, fire storage capsule, etc.

166b49z.jpg


oa93kg.jpg


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Sent from my mind....using Tap-a-Thought. (tm)
 
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