Short EDC fixed blades?

r redden said:
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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Nice picture and nice knives. I keep eyeing up the Hess knives as I like the traditional look. They are certainly priced within most people's budget who want a pretty good knife. The whitetail is sized similar to a bird and trout knife and plenty of knife for most hunting scenarios.
 
TRC Knives makes some of the best-designed and most-beautifully-manufactured knives I've ever seen.

The TRC TR12-S is my EDC fixed-blade knife. It is 7" overall, with a 3" blade, and affords a full 4-finger grip:

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If you prefer something a bit larger, consider the TRC Urban Tactical. It is 8.25" overall, with a 3.5" blade:

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Ironbut said:
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.
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I forgot about that. For the first week I had the G3, I picked up a few tiny little nicks... I think I only cut deep enough to bleed a bit once or twice. The rest were only through the first layer of skin. Then, I got used to where the end of the blade at the choil is, and no longer bump the edge, so I forgot about the issue.

lord bueron said:
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. . . . The G3 is certainly good looking, and frankly a bit less "intimidating" and is within the 4" blade limit . . .
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If you want something smaller than the Guardian 3, that is even less intimidating, here's something to consider:
View media item 1919The A.G. Russell Woodswalker. I got this one yesterday with a slew of other options I am looking at for my daughter's first knife. Today I carried it in my back pocket (with my G3 on my belt in case it didn't hold up) to see how viable an option it is, and it worked well for small tasks. I'll let you know how well it stands up over time.

Good luck
 
No one has recommended the Spartan Enyo yet. It is a great little knife that is super easy to carry. I have been very happy with mine. It weighs next to nothing and is very small on your belt. It comes with a rubber loop so you can set up easily for in or out of waistband carry. It is one of the few fixed blades that is so comfortable I can carry it all day without it bothering me at all.
 
Don't worry guys, I'm looking at all of your posts, I just can't reply to them all! Yes, the guardian 3 is gorgeous IMHO, but that urban tactical has a wonderful blade and you just can't beat elmax, don't even try... but at $150 dollars, the guardian 3 is certainly more wallet friendly :).
 
This thread had me looking thru my fixed blades yesterday, and I discovered I was lacking a green Candiru :eek:....so of course I ordered one and some G10 scales from TKC.
Not alotta $$$ spent (right at about $90) but now I have to explain to my wife why I NEEDED another Candiru :D
 
Just looked at a knife from Condor called the Bombus. Made me think of this thread...

It checks the boxes on your length limit, clip point, and carbon steel.

I've never owned a Condor knife, but I'm thinking on this one for a mushrooming knife. Anybody have one of these?
 
Have you carried a small fixed blade before? IMO the sheath is the most important part.

That said, if you haven't before I'd start small and cheap and work your way up to what you really need. The CRKT minimalist is a great way to dip your toes. My suspicsion is that you'll realize that you may need a little more blade but certainly not 4 inches.

The Izula or the Candiru with micarta gets my vote. Easy to sharpen, the micarta scales are grippy and classy and its pretty cheap all things considered. A lot of people get caught up in super steels but if you periodically strop even a basic steel most are pretty damn good for average knife folk use.
 
I've seen alot of great knives as sugesstions ... but reading your post it said you wanted high carbon knives ... alot of the knives suggested are very good knives but in stainless.

Now I don't know if I missed something or why you posted wanting a high carbon blade ... it may be for ease of sharpening or for toughness or maybe just personal preference?

If you truely want a high carbon blade the Esee line knives in 1095 have a few models that would fit nicely ... LT Wright has many in high carbon steels that would meet your requirements and I think are some of the best knives I've owned and used ... Becker of course has some that are great blade great values. And there are several custom makers on the forums that would give you exactly what you wanted ...work with you to make your own design and for the same or near the same price range.

If stainless steels are ok also ... several have given you some really nice choices. The Bradford Guardian series is a great product ... you said 4" I would have to measure to be sure the Guardian 4 came in under your legal limit but its one of my favorite fixed blade and keeps impressing me. The Guardian 3 is quite a bit smaller and although I like it and use mine I wouldn't be able to for an extended period or for hard grip cuts as its just a bit too small handle wise even with the choil for me.

Lionsteel is a decent product to look at offering a good value for some premium steel.

But if I simply read your post and answer I would have to say the Esee Izula II or 3HM with the newer HM handle ... or one of the LT Wright offerings ... or if you wanted to spend a bit more check out Fiddleback Forge ... several models fit your want list and are some beautiful knives besides being functional. Or talk to some of the custom makers ... I can highly recommend John with JK Knives ... he has some great knives or would work with you to make one of your own design.

And in answer to your question is 154cm a good steel to consider ... it definately is ... its a stainless steel but it is a very good knife steel.
 
Trc makes some nice stuff. Me personally, I love the fallkniven jarl. Nowadays I carry the fallkniven juni & a larger folder. Dpx gear( made by lionsteel) has some nice models as.well. Good luck with your search
 
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