Search for the perfect EDC fixed blade

[Krav]

Look at bark river knives, take time to look over the specs of each knife and pick one.

 

[tdkfm]

Look at bark river knives, take time to look over the specs of each knife and pick one.

Ageeed, I love my trail buddy, but there are a ton of options that would fit the OP request.

 

[EChoil]

Chiller, I have been on the same hunt for an edc fixed blade. After doing too much research, reading comparative review threads and lots of YouTube.. I decided on the Swamp Rat Rodent Solution.
I wanted a hard use edc, I could do anything with.........

Good choice. It's one of the top 3 or 4 I'd buy these days. It'd be between that and the Ratmandu.

 

[rustyrazor]

is there a "-1" just to counter Echoil's +1. Sorry guys but I politely disagree that this knife is in the running for any edc... unless you just like a whole lot of gimmics. I really think these are overrated.

 

[evanPGH]

is there a "-1" just to counter Echoil's +1. Sorry guys but I politely disagree that this knife is in the running for any edc... unless you just like a whole lot of gimmics. I really think these are overrated.

Agreed.

 

[Velitrius]

Jump over to A.G. Russell's site and pick up a Dozier Personal Utility. $205, and Bob does D2 justice.

 

[jfk1110]

Give me the gimmick with the pry bar on the end or any other dpx for that matter

 

[rustyrazor]

Give me the gimmick with the pry bar on the end or any other dpx for that matter

don't ever expect i'll buy one, but if I win one, it's yours

I'll edit to explain why I think these are gimmicky tools so you don't think I'm a hater for no reason. I can understand making a thick blade for a bit of prying at the expense of slicing. I can also understand incorporating a bit of thought into the design of a knife so it can be used for more than just slicing if it's done well... what I don't understand is trying to put so many features on a knife that you take more away from the design than you could ever add in utility and make so many notches and holes in a blade that you have a knife no stronger than a thinner blade of the same steel and heat treat without that pesky slicing ability. Lastly, how many of these tools are actually practical enough to require on a knife? especially when in extremis, you can already pry and cut wire with a knife as is with a little practice... and if you can't get a bottle opened with a fixed blade knife, you really have to hang around a different crowd.

not directed at anyone in particular... just think most of this stuff is a huge waste of real-estate on what would otherwise be a decent knife.

 

[Jeru]

Don't know if you want/need stainless, but you can consider:

Fällkniven F1 in laminated VG10
Bark River Gunny in CPM 3V or S35VN
Chris Reeve Nyala in CPM S35VN
Chris Reeve Professional Soldier Knife in CPM S35VN
ZT 0180 in Uddeholm Vanadis 4
ZT 0121 in CPM S30V
SYKCO 311 in SR101
SYKCO 411 in SR101
Swamp Rat Rodent 4 in SR101
Busse Anniversary Mean Street CG in INFI

 

[Xytras]

don't ever expect i'll buy one, but if I win one, it's yours

I'll edit to explain why I think these are gimmicky tools so you don't think I'm a hater for no reason. I can understand making a thick blade for a bit of prying at the expense of slicing. I can also understand incorporating a bit of thought into the design of a knife so it can be used for more than just slicing if it's done well... what I don't understand is trying to put so many features on a knife that you take more away from the design than you could ever add in utility and make so many notches and holes in a blade that you have a knife no stronger than a thinner blade of the same steel and heat treat without that pesky slicing ability. Lastly, how many of these tools are actually practical enough to require on a knife? especially when in extremis, you can already pry and cut wire with a knife as is with a little practice... and if you can't get a bottle opened with a fixed blade knife, you really have to hang around a different crowd.

not directed at anyone in particular... just think most of this stuff is a huge waste of real-estate on what would otherwise be a decent knife.

Well, didn't expect this, but here we go...
i think you should first use the knife before dismissing it as a gimmick, i've only started using it since the last few weeks, as i now plan on trying to use all my knives i have, allthough that will remain in the proximity of my house and certainly not as an edc.
I have to say that i really like the DPX, comfy handle that is big enough and personally i really don't think the 'gimmicks' are that obvious^^. the electrical wirecutter is disguised as jimping btw, not really mall ninja stuff if you ask me.
The lenght of the blade is perfect in my opinion, i don't need a dragon slayer to cut stuff and the 'prying bar' at the end of the handle doesn't bother and actually makes sense, unless you like to pry with your blade...
The blade itself is rather thick, but again, it doesn't seem to bother the cutting action, don't really now what to say more about it, except i really don't find this blade to be a gimmick.

 

[sideways]

Mora HD

 

[abey67]

Fallkniven F1 would be choice. Tough knife and the perfect size.

 

[rustyrazor]

Well, didn't expect this, but here we go...
i think you should first use the knife before dismissing it as a gimmick, i've only started using it since the last few weeks, as i now plan on trying to use all my knives i have, allthough that will remain in the proximity of my house and certainly not as an edc.
I have to say that i really like the DPX, comfy handle that is big enough and personally i really don't think the 'gimmicks' are that obvious^^. the electrical wirecutter is disguised as jimping btw, not really mall ninja stuff if you ask me.
The lenght of the blade is perfect in my opinion, i don't need a dragon slayer to cut stuff and the 'prying bar' at the end of the handle doesn't bother and actually makes sense, unless you like to pry with your blade...
The blade itself is rather thick, but again, it doesn't seem to bother the cutting action, don't really now what to say more about it, except i really don't find this blade to be a gimmick.

nobody on this thread is discussing dragon slayers... it's about smaller knives. I have handled it. not a bad knife... not saying that. just doesn't need all that crap on it. I'd agree the wire cutter is pretty tame, but that's about as far as i'd concede on that one. a hex hole cut into the blade for a "just in case there is a hex nut in this particular size" is a bit much, as is the huge cut out for a bottle opener right in the spine of the blade, i mean is it more important to have a strong spine than to scratch your spine prying off a bottle top? both of these take away more from the structural strength of a thick knife, than they do to add utility in 99% of real situations. why not make it thinner and just as strong so it's a better cutter and do away with the trinkets? Lastly that pry bar seems like it would do more to be intrusive to the user than be required as a pry bar. if it were shorter... meh, but it puts me in mind of the V-42. a lot more of those "skull crusher" pommels ended filed down or covered in tape so they wouldn't hurt the user in the end than were ever used to crush skulls. I think it's an ok knife... just think it would be better without all the crap.

 

[jfk1110]

Initially I wasn't to enamored with the hest, but after just giving it a shot it grew on me. Not a fan or wire strippers, actually their worse to strip wire than just a blade and as a.thumb ramp their quite uncomfortable. I find the bottle opener the best place for my thumb in that grip and as a cap lifter it's just convenient as opposed to maybe having a bic lighter popping in my hand or chipping the bottle mouth on my buck 110 however infrequently that may occur. Could do without the hex driver, since I'm not stuffing bits in the handle to use but it could at some point be.handy. I just think it's a solid tool/knife that slices surprisingly well given its specs and the pry is phenomenal and will save the tip that we've all broken at least once.

Fallkniven Kolt is an awesome knife for edc as well as the Juni model. There are so many options available these days that there is something out there to make everyone happy. Use em in good health fellas

 

[Sonnydaze]

Several of these are shorter than you wish, or perhaps a thinner blade. But great for EDC; not so much for batonning or prying.
Any of them can be purchased for about your max, and some are only half that much.
I've also included my favorite way of carrying a fixed, or several ways, if you wish. Most of these are 3-3.5" of blade, but the methods shown would easily accommodate a 4" bladed fixed.
All are comfortable and reasonably secure, and don't advertise to the public. Note that I always wear a t-shirt OUTSIDE of my Levis.

I use a sheath in all cases of course, but sometimes will hang it off my belt, or use a D-ring attachment on the sheath for greater "stealth." I do not carry a fixed blade in "horizontal" carry....because I cannot conceal the obvious "printing" through the shirt. Some folks prefer that method, however.

BlindHorseKnives is no longer in business, but now has split into two excellent custom knife companies...BattleHorseKnives and L.T. Wright Knives. They are of excellent quality and construction, and very economical. My Bushbabies are in O1 carbon steel.

Most of the knives shown were made by our excellent group of custom knife-makers in the "FIXED" section of the forum. You can get some idea of their experience-level by studying their "feedback" ratings... Prices are very reasonable; quality is generally very high. Steels of your choice are available: carbon or stainless...or damascus... Have fun. Here is the link to that section:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades

Below the BlindHorseKnives Bushbay (I have an additional pics of two of these) are the following:

Wilson (damascus) gorgeous
Bailey (very nice hamon)
Dave Ferry of HorseWright Clothing and Tack (sterling silver bolster)
Alan Davis...an artist in fixed blades and folders



BlindHorseKnive Bushbaby (x2) 3-inch sharpened edged blade. One of my favorite fixed blades.

 

[RX-79G]

Enzo sells a flat ground N690 and S30V version of their well regarded Trapper. Since you are DIY, the kits are under $100, and bare blades well less than that.

 

[KingMC]

4in blade seems like overkill for a general EDC fixed blade, most folders that are considered good for EDC have much shorter blades, and the folders that do have a 4in blade are widely considered as too large for normal EDC. I'd say 2.5-3.5in is the optimal for EDC in the general realm of everyday life. Now, if you work in the woods (of which you made no mention) then a 4in+ blade might come in more handy.

 

[mwally]

Contact Jeff at J.A. Baker knives, and inquire about his S-Tac. I'm sure he can make you something out of thicker stock, like what you want. He was super patient with me, answering any question that I had in great detail, until I eventually decided on my desired specifications. The S-Tac starts at $170 with ATS34 and G10 scales, and prices go up from there depending on what you want. Mine ended up at $220 with a kydex sheath.

I just ordered one in S30V, and black micarta handles w/ off-white liners. Should look something like this: