Searching for the right knife

M

mgdavis

Joined
Jul 23, 2005
Messages
14
Hi, my name's Mike. I'm new to this forum, but I have posted on The Firing Line for awhile. Down to business, I am trying to find a knife that is right for me. I want a fixed blade, under 4", about right for utility or as a last ditch weapon. I intend to carry it almost every day, in jeans and a t-shirt, so I would like it to be somewhat unobtrusive so as to not alarm the sheeple. I am also interested in horizontal carry in sob. I already have an edc folder, and am not interested in another at the moment. The knife that has caught my eye so far has been the BM Nimravus Cub with no serrations. If anybody has suggestions in the $100 or so price range I would be appreciative. Thanks.
 
Thanks djolney, not quite what I was thinking, but got me thinking. I'm also interested in the Spyderco Bill Moran drop point or maybe the CRKT Hawk K-AT. I am mostly concerned with being able to carry it in a variety of ways with the supplied sheath, and it being small enough to pull out and use without scaring people.
 
I really want a Spyderco Vagabond. It's a three inch fixed blade, AUS6 steel and has the sheath built into the hilt. So it's not the best in the world, but it IS less than 30 dollars making it a perfect beater for me. Can't wait till I get mine.

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I looked at that, but didn't like that it doesn't come with a clippable sheath of some kind.
 
Look into the Swamp Rat Bandicoot. About 4" blade, and great steel. Then just go to On Scene Tactical for a IWB sheath. I did and it is perfect for what you are looking for.
(pic from SRK)
bandicootsm.jpg
 
Looks like the Bill Moran has a convex edge that is complicated to sharpen, probably rules it out. Any other suggestions?
 
mgdavis said:
Looks like the Bill Moran has a convex edge that is complicated to sharpen, probably rules it out. Any other suggestions?
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Yeah www.swampratknives.com
All the knives above are under $100.00 and will run circles around knives 3 times thier price. The sheath won't cost you more than $35.00 and On Scene Tactical which is owned by Normark here on the BFC has all the knives already in his shop so you don't have to send him your knife for fitment. The one he made for my Bandicoot is amazing. It comes with a in the wastband clip.
 
I've cheked out the swamp rat site, and while I would love to have any and all of their knives, they don't have quite what I'm looking for at the moment. To reiterate, I have a folder that I edc. I plan to rely on this for any defensive type work. I am looking for the fixed blade as mostly a utility knife. Between three and four inches would be an ideal length. I would like a decent sheath to come with it, and of course, I want to be able to use it without scaring the sheeple.
-Mike
 
You know guys I'm a Swamp Rat fan but I can't see carrying one of those above as an everyday general utility. Just sitting down or getting in and out of your car with one of those hanging off of you would be, well, a pain.

He wants an EDC small utility. When I first read the original post knives like the Mini Pendelton Hunter with a 3.5" blade came to mind, or a Bark River Mini Canadian or Mikro C. but even those to me are not as good unless you have a custom sheath made that has a smaller footprint. Well the Cold Steel Pendelton has a prettty nice little sheath actually.

If you want the best knife in my opinion go for a Dozier Personal or Modified Personal with one of his great horizontal kydex belt sheaths but you'll have to spend about double your budget to get it.

If you want to get a good general utility and don't mind 420HC steel just get ya a Buck Woodsman for around $40 or a Buck Alpha Hunter in ATS34 for around $70 plus or minus

I picked up a Junglee tactical "Gurkha" for under $40 a while back and for the money that thing is IMO, pretty darn nice. It is AUS8 steel which didn't bother me at all and the sheath is pretty good but the blade is 5" not 4" as requested. I love the handle on this little knife. SmokeyMt Knife works had it for a great price. It is usually like $80 I think. The order number was GR2022 if you want to see it.
 
The Dozier Personal looks amazing, I wish it cost about half as much :) . I would prefer to stick with nicer steels if I can. I have a few knives in AUS8, and I like them. I would not mind going up from there, BUt don't know if it's possible at my price point.
 
MG, the Dozier Personal and the Whittler are two knives I have that are both great. The personal is a great knife that can be carried without noticing it until you need it. It can be pulled out in a half second so it is also a great knife in a pinch. Bob's sheaths are the best on the planet too.

You would love that little knife I can just tell you. You get what you pay for from Bob.
 
You know guys I'm a Swamp Rat fan but I can't see carrying one of those above as an everyday general utility. Just sitting down or getting in and out of your car with one of those hanging off of you would be, well, a pain.
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I agree. I'm a big Swamp Rat fan and they make some of the toughest knives around but they're a bit large for comfortable every day carry. I've been carrying a Bark River Mikro-Canadian II as an edc for about 6 mos. and I love the little knife. OAL is only 5" but it feels surpringly comfortable in the hand.
BRK1342W-AMB.jpg
 
Perhaps the Bark River Mini-Canadian would work for you.....its a supurb cutting tool, A2 steel fully convex ground, expertly by Mike Stewert and his gang.....the handle choices range from utilitarian to elegant....sheeple friendly appearance yet cuts like a knife twice its size. Search here for what people who carry the Mini-Canadian daily have to say:

http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=BarkRiverKnifeandTool (click on "Mini-Canadian" "sticky" on the top of the first page to see all the handle choices).

Buy 'em here at good prices:
http://www.dlttradingcompany.com/prodlist.asp?Manufacturer=Bark+River+Knife+&+Tool

Get a Kydex sheath and add a Tec-Lok for SOB carry here:
http://www.sagecreekoutfitters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SC&Category_Code=BK

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-regards
 
The Bark River knives do look interesting, however I don't think they're quite what I want at the moment. I'm also nevous about the convex grind, I have never had any experience in sharpening one. I might consider the Dozier Personal if I can raise the funds. What type of sheath comes with it? One of my requirements is that I must be able to attach it to a pack strap for backpacking. Also, what holds it in the sheath? Is it just a friction fit?
-Mike
 
A Dozier.....now that's worth saving for ! Yes....the knife snaps into the kydex sheath and is held in place by friction fit. I've always fancied his "Arkansas Toothpick"...but I would have no real use for it....yet it's a handsome blade.

http://www.dozierknives.com/

Incidentally a convex grind as well as holding its edge for a long time is perhaps the easiest of all grinds to bring back to snuff....you can do it on a piece of cardboard or even on your pant leg !......the trick is not to wait until you have completely dulled the edge.....it's called maintainence.

http://home.nycap.rr.com/sosak/convex.htm

By the way....welcome to the forum Mike !!!!


-Regards
 
Some will disagree but I really like the Marble's Outdoors Trailcraft for the purpose you mentioned.

A lot of people were upset when Marble's stopped using 52100 steel and farmed out their production to Camillus. However, I actually like the new models better because they have longer guards, and Camillus does make good knives.

The Trailcraft with the Gamegetter handle is comfortable and usually sells for just under $60.
 
Now I'm thinking the Dozier Personal Utility looks very promising. I'm still not quite sure about the sheath, it looks like it is a horizontal belt slide. If I can get a decent price I would be very interested in aquiring one of these. Is there anywhere other than the Dozier website and AG Russell that carry them?
 
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