Recommendations: 3"ish fixed blade, 7" OAL, lt. to med. duty, pocketable perhaps?

ZDHart

ZDHart

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
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I've loved folders for quite a while, but only now coming around to really being drawn to fixed blades!

Just got a BK7, which is a great beast of a knife for heavy, rough outdoors use, but now I'm looking for a compact, perhaps pockable, fixed blade, full tang. I've narrowed it down to fairly specific dimensions... about 7" overall, with about a 3"-3.25" blade. I have a Tramontina Professional kitchen paring knife which fits this size about perfectly and I love it, but the blade is too thin for much other than food prep. Wonderful dimensions and feel in the hand, though.

The Buck Bucklite Small fits this size spec fairly well, but I'm still searching for something of this size that really zings me.

Any favorite suggestions for a really comfortable in the hand, medium to light duty fixed blade for general use and perhaps food prep with 3"ish blade and 7" overall? And I'd really like it if the knife and sheath were minimal enough to ride in the pants pocket.

Thanks...
 
How about a nice BK14 or BK11 to go with your BK7?

20110328_IMG_0110.jpg



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Beckerhead #42
 
Yes, absolutely, I do plan to pick up an Izula 2 when the kits become available again.

GKahn... yep! A mini Becker is a great choice... for some reason, though, I'm leaning toward the Izula 2, for that style of life.

Still interested in other options, though, I don't think one or two of these is going to totally scratch the itch ;) ... (kinda got a thing for fixed blades, all of a sudden. :eek: )

Some of the knives that have caught my eye are:

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Boker-PryMini-Fixed-Blade--5536
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Boker-Plus-Tom-Krein--7689
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Boker-VoxKnives-Gnome--5835
http://www.bladehq.com/item--CRKT-Kommer-2-Shot-Fixed-Blade--8776
http://www.bladehq.com/item--EnTrek-USA-Lynx-Fixed--4577
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Lion-Steel-M2-Hunting--7997
 
Brian... that Bushbaby looks great... just the kind of knife I'm thinking of.

One more aspect that I think would make for great convenience... a very lean, trim, minimalist kydex sheath that doesn't require any snaps or straps... allowing one handed pull and replace, and small enough to easily fit in a pants pocket. Suggestions on this?
 
ZDHart said:
Brian... that Bushbaby looks great... just the kind of knife I'm thinking of.

One more aspect that I think would make for great convenience... a very lean, trim, minimalist kydex sheath that doesn't require any snaps or straps... allowing one handed pull and replace, and small enough to easily fit in a pants pocket. Suggestions on this?
Click to expand...

BlindHorse will make you a custom Kydex sheath just about any way you want. If you don't mind a little wait and maybe a little more money. Call the # on the their website. It goes straight to the owner LT. LT is a great guy and always willing to help.

These are my BushBabies ...
IMG_2961.jpg
 
RevDevil said:
I really want one of those...That is like yours isn't it?
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It is like mine, but I like this one more (in a different way, my Wharnie will always be my favorite knife) because of the gentle slope of the spine towards the tip. This one is also 175mm, where as mine is 187, and this has a more dynamic hammer finish applied. The handle on this particular model is just simply amazing to hold.

ZDHart said:
somber... what is that knife?
Click to expand...

It's a Carter Modified Wharncliffe (175mm ~ 7") with blue G10 handles, red liners, and Hitachi Blue Super (Aogami YSS) laminated between SUS410, with a blade length of 3". Murray Carter is an ABS Mastersmith and the 17th Generation Yoshimoto Bladesmith, probably the only bladesmith in North America working with these materials and doing this type of bladesmithing.

Carter Cutlery - turn down your speakers before you click.

edit to add: I've been liking Wharncliffe models that have a slight belly to them, probably closer to a sheepsfoot. Murray cold forges the edge after heat treat to give it a slight belly and it makes the blade really usable for everyday tasks. Wharncliffe profiles are so functional to begin with, but adding a little belly just makes them a little bit more versatile.
 
Take a look at my Escort model. I use .156" steel. The blade on the one in the picture is 3.75" and the handle is 3.5". For the Escort model, I can adjust the size of the handle from 3.25-4" and the same for the blade. For easy pocket carry, I find 7" overal is the best length. The sheath I make for it is rectangular. This makes it ride in pockets very well. especially in pants that have pockets that taper a bit. I also make an attachment I call the "Pocket Paddle" that will keep the blade upright in the pocket no matter the size of the pocket. It will also assist with the draw. the paddle will catch the seam of the pocket permitting the knife to clear the sheath and pocket and the sheath stays in the pocket. The sheath is also set up for neck carry, belt carry(tek lock) or IWB

DSCN0718.jpg
 
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Thanks somber, I might look into something like that soon.


Dirk, that is a really nice knife. I'd be afraid of losing the first few mm of that bad boy though.
 
RevDevil said:
Thanks somber, I might look into something like that soon.


Dirk, that is a really nice knife. I'd be afraid of losing the first few mm of that bad boy though.
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Thank you! The tip is actually fairly stout. At just under an inch wide and with .156 thickness you can get a fairly high flat grind and still get an good strong tip.
 
Here's some:

2010-12-07103919.jpg



Izula 1 w/scales, TOPS Scalpel (really more of a neat knife than a user - no real shape to keep your hand from slipping onto the blade and a very thick spine), a Bill Coye Ridgeback (slightly longer blade and shorter handle), and a Busse Skeleton Warden.


Here's the spine of that scalpel:
2010-12-03211412.jpg





The Busse Game Warden (or Skeleton Warden) is one of my favorite knives in this category along with the Izula. I know there are a few Beckers in this category too, but I've yet to own one (I will soon though).

Seems like Tom Krein used to make a lot of customs in this size-range too - I can't seem to find anyone who will let go of one, but when I do, its going to be a keeper.
 
Dirk said:
Thank you! The tip is actually fairly stout. At just under an inch wide and with .156 thickness you can get a fairly high flat grind and still get an good strong tip.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dirk. You got my attention. I'll be looking more into this model, and that Carter Wharncliffe as well . :)
 
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