Recommendation for good 4" fixed blade

Another vote for the Bradford Guardian series. They're just awesome. I use my Guardian 3 (cpm3v) for tasks that a normal 6 walmart fixed blade would be rendered absolutely useless after
 
Since you're familiar with the RMD, you might check out the Son of Swat (SOS) that Jerry ran during operation two weeks. They're just starting to ship, so there'll be some hitting the exchange. They were produced in SR101 (Battle Grade version) and also in INFI. They look just like a smaller RMD. You might even hit them up to see if they have a blank left at the shop, especially since you're military. Thank you for your service.

ETA: Picture from the site:

Son_Of_SWAT_SOS_le__94267.1459981443.1280.1280.jpg
 
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Hard Knocks said:
Since you're familiar with the RMD, you might check out the Son of Swat (SOS) that Jerry ran during operation two weeks. They're just starting to ship, so there'll be some hitting the exchange. They were produced in SR101 (Battle Grade version) and also in INFI. They look just like a smaller RMD. You might even hit them up to see if they have a blank left at the shop, especially since you're military. Thank you for your service.

ETA: Picture from the site:

Son_Of_SWAT_SOS_le__94267.1459981443.1280.1280.jpg
Click to expand...

+1 for the SOS. Here it is next to a RMD variant so you can get a sense of the size. Still a lot of cutting length in a small, narrow and light package.



I think it's still 3/16" so it's built tough. Here's the tip next to the RMD...



I'm in the Army Guard and wouldn't hesitate to carry this. That being said, my small fixed blade choices are the Swamp Rat Bandicoot and Winkler Belt knife...
 
Bradford knives recently did a run of the Guardian 4 in CPM3V. The 3D handles are the way to go, imo.
The Son of Swat was on my mind as I was reading this, especially since you like the RMD.
The Bark River Bravo 1-LT is worth a look, as well.

You could also go with something from one of the maker's here.
ANM1eal.jpg

Top to bottom: Son of Swat, one by Malanika (find him in knifemaker section), Guardian 4, Bravo 1-LT.

As I was adding this, I saw you mentioned Nathan Carothers - the field knife, if you can find one available, is another great option. (So is the EDC, but it's a little smaller than your stated range)
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I'm also thinking of maybe trying to snag one of Nathan the machinists knives. Heard they can really take a beating and are amazing at edge durability as well
 
There are plenty of 4 inch flixed blades. Most of us here own more than one. I have a Chris Reeve, Arno Bernard, and Busse. All are great fixed blade knives. I even bought my friend a Spyderco Salt with a kydex sheath for his diving and fishing and he really enjoys and uses it. I would recommend going to a knife show and handling a few. All three above will run nearly $400 and the Spyderco is still on sale for about $100. The kydex over leather sheath at least for me are easier to maintain.
 
erhodes said:
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
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Fällkniven F1 D + the open dangler sheath in black leather!
The F1 D comes with a Zytelsheath and the F1 dangler is offered as a separate product.


Regards
Mikael
 
erhodes said:
Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I'm also thinking of maybe trying to snag one of Nathan the machinists knives. Heard they can really take a beating and are amazing at edge durability as well
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If You can get one, I think this is a very interesting choice!
If they becomes more availible, I will certainly get one.


Regards
Mikael
 
erhodes said:
Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I'm also thinking of maybe trying to snag one of Nathan the machinists knives. Heard they can really take a beating and are amazing at edge durability as well
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Aren't his blades ground thinner behind the edge for better cutting performance? For a service member, I would lean towards durability of the blade.

Jim Bensinger makes great knives, practices edge weapons arts and is prior service. I have his Street Barong which is just awesome.
 
Ya the field knives are definitely ground thinner than saber-ground RMDs. They are tougher than heck though, I can't imagine what it'd take to break one. But then you're not really saving anything size wise either because they're roughly the same dimensions as an RMD.

For comparison:

 
I just got my Ratmandu delivered today. The actual cutting edge of the Ratmandu is about the same as my 4" blades: Guardian 4 3D (CPM3v), ESEE 4, Phil Rose PSK2, and LT Wright Genesis (CPM3V). So any of those wouild be much smaller than your RMD, with the same size cutting edge.

My favorite "woods/camp" blade is the Genesis. My favorite blade for EDC like tasks is the Guardian 4. My favorite blade to do everything is my Phil Rose PSK2 (although not as good of a bushcraft knife as the Genesis).

The handle for me is a huge consideration into what I like. The ESEE 4 and Guardian 4 both have choils (the Guardian has a huge one), if you don't like a choil you may like those. The Genesis and Phil Rose have broomstick style handles which I find very comfortable.
 
Emre said:
What about the Lionsteel M4 in M390 steel?
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A stainless steel wouldn't be my choice for a hard use knife. Cpm3v, Vanadis 4 extra have same edge retention that m390, but are much tougher.
 
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Well I ended up snagging a bark river bravo 1 in CPM 3v from a very nice guy here on the forum. I think it checks off every item in my checklist for durability, edge retention, size, and weight. It also comes with a sheath that looks like it will keep the knife lower than my kit which is perfect
 
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