Short EDC fixed blades?

This
KAEDC said:
I am going recommend contacting Jeff over at, J.A Baker Knives(He in on BF, has a website and a pretty active Instagram too), his S-Tac model is just about prefect in every way for IMO and he will make it in almost any materials you would like. Price starts at $180 and goes up based on options. Here is a pic of my two in 3V and M4 respectively. Blade length is 3 1/2" OAL is 7 5/8"
Shoot me a DM if you would like me to email more pics or more pieces from the collection!

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Those are very nice!
 
I'll add to the folks recommending the Bradford Guardian 3. The one I have on my belt has not let me down yet. In the past 2 days it has done everything from helping with my daughter's homework, food prep, cutting up dinner at a picnic last night, and doing fire prep this evening so my wife could make herself a real s'more. Over the summer, it traveled on 2 road trips (8000 miles between them) as my primary knife (wherever the laws allowed it).

Here's a pic I posted a while back on another one of these threads asking for advice on a small fixed blade.
View media item 1124Buy one. You'll be happy. If not, send it to me and I'll be happy. ;)

Enjoy
 
Check out the custom knife makers section..

If nothing there, Bradford Guardian series are pretty nice.

Also Bark River and Fiddleback Forge are some nice pieces
 
Another vote for the Bradford G3
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There is a company called LT Wright and they make some awesome knives. They start at 2.5" and go up from there. They also make custom knives to your specs. They are also very nice people. The quality is comparable to Bradford. I have the Bradford 3 and a few LT Wright's and I like them both but when I carry the knife as an edc I like something a little smaller so I carry the the LT Wright Patriot because I always have 2 larger folders on me.
Decisions decisions, there are so many choices, what to do ? I basically narrowed it down to these 2 companies and it covers me, this way my choices are easier to make.
 
Here's a Bark River Woodland, my other favorite fixed blade edc. It's roughly the same overall length & useable blade length as the G3, but the handle is longer because the finger choil is eliminated.
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I carry a Hess Whitetail often my handle is maple burl but there are other choices. Great little knife blade is made by GEC in their 1095 steel knife is made in Gladestone, Michigan and is a little under $100. Picture has a #77 GEC Washington Jack for size comparison. Here's the specs.
3 3/8 inch clip blade
Overall length 7 1/4 inches
Brass guard / Aluminum pommel
High carbon 1095 blade steel @ 58 HRC
Blade thickness: .120 inches
Weight: 3 ounce


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Rats, you guys are killing my budget with these pics! Just got a G4 for backpacking, it's awesome but slightly too large for EDC in my urban setting. I've been eyeing the G3 now thinking about it.

Big question, for me: the handle on the G4 is barely big enough already for me to get a good purchase with my good-sized hands. So, with the G3 handle length being 3.25" (vs 4.5" on the G4), do you find this to be an issue in your getting a strong and safe grip on the knife?

Ironbut said:
Another vote for the Bradford G3
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I have moderately large hands (XL gloves) and I had the same worry. If all had had to hold onto was the hilt, I would have problems, However, with the finger choil, it adds just enough handle length that I have no problems. It doesn't seem like much, but it does help a lot.

I hope that helps you make a decision.
 
maximus83 said:
Rats, you guys are killing my budget with these pics! Just got a G4 for backpacking, it's awesome but slightly too large for EDC in my urban setting. I've been eyeing the G3 now thinking about it.

Big question, for me: the handle on the G4 is barely big enough already for me to get a good purchase with my good-sized hands. So, with the G3 handle length being 3.25" (vs 4.5" on the G4), do you find this to be an issue in your getting a strong and safe grip on the knife?
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I have XL hands & I'm fine as long as I use the finger choil. I found that I had to "dumb down" the edge about 1/8" right in front of the choil, because I tended to nick my index finger when getting it out of the sheath.
 
^Yikes. That, and even worse, slipping up onto the heel of the blade and really going to town slicing myself during a heavy cutting task, is one of the things I worry about with such a small handle. Quality knife, great blade, easy to carry. But can I USE it safely, for a wide range of cutting tasks, beyond just carrying it?
 
maximus83 said:
^Yikes. That, and even worse, slipping up onto the heel of the blade and really going to town slicing myself during a heavy cutting task, is one of the things I worry about with such a small handle. Quality knife, great blade, easy to carry. But can I USE it safely, for a wide range of cutting tasks, beyond just carrying it?
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You'll probably be alright. Not everybody is as clumsy as me. I haven't heard of anybody else having a problem with it.
 
maximus83 said:
Big question, for me: the handle on the G4 is barely big enough already for me to get a good purchase with my good-sized hands. So, with the G3 handle length being 3.25" (vs 4.5" on the G4), do you find this to be an issue in your getting a strong and safe grip on the knife?
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Perhaps this (old, recycled) picture will help: G3 + G4
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Image aside....I wear XL gloves (relatively thin fingers) and have plenty of room on the G4, whereas I find the grip of the G3 a bit tight. My pinky rides the curve at the butt, just in front of the exposed lanyard hole. It is quite comfortable for normal use; but I'd want a longer handle for extended, or harder, use.
If your hand is bigger than mine, or you have thicker fingers, you might find the G3 to be too small. *Definitely go with the 3D grips, though, if you decide to give it try.
 
Based on the look of the G3, the side-by-side pic (EXTREMELY useful, thanks!), the comments, and my own hands-on usage of both the G4 and some other small-ish fixed blades I have: G3 is too small for me. Beautiful blade, not knocking it in any way and keeping my G4. But, not gonna be a fit for my hand and usage.

If it gives any idea for comparison purposes on a small fixed EDC that works for me: Spyderco Street Beat (the micarta version) has about a 3.7" handle, then a bit more more when you add the choil. That is literally as small as I could stand to go with my hands. This blade looks CLOSE when you include the whole length of handle + full choil length, but just a smidge too small to be comfortable/safe in my case.
 
I would also highly recommend the G3. I wear size large mechanics glove and it fits perfectly using the choil. I'm also trying out a small Wilmont K23..so far, so good. When I carry these, i usually carry IWB around the 1:00 position.

 
I've decided to wait and think for a bit, seeing such overwhelming support for the G3... The rule is a bit loose, and i know the benchmade is a bit longer, but here's the thing. I'm going to be VERY careful about carrying a knife. A couple years back there was a shooting at the college (Thank goodness I wasn't there, had I not took some time off to build a house, I was supposed to be in the same classroom the shooting happened in). The G3 is certainly good looking, and frankly a bit less "intimidating" and is within the 4" blade limit...
 
lord bueron said:
Price range isn't too great of a worry, I would probably prefer something a bit pricier... just so I feel like I'm getting higher quality.
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CPK EDC in 3V or 4V.
The final decision would be based upon your needs:
- incredible toughness with very good edge holding (3V)
- Fantastic fine edge holding and slightly less toughness, but less stain resistant (4V)

Your choice in handle material between g10 or micarta, with a horizontal or vertical kydex sheath included.
 
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I wear an XL width, large length glove and the CPK EDC fits my hand just fine.

Pic below shows the wear and patina of regular daily carry since July. I live in NJ with tidal salt water within 5 blocks on 3 sides of me. I do not oil this knife, I just use it, wipe it on my pant leg or work jacket and back into the sheath it goes.
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This is 4V, the less stain resistant alloy, and it is surprisingly good at resisting much staining and patina with no rust or pitting to speak of.

Edited for grammatical reasonings.
 
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