Small Edc/Camp/Neck Fixed Blade

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WoodsMonkey

Joined
Aug 7, 2013
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Hey guys, I'm new to the forum, most likely you like knives as much as I do. But anyway, I'm looking for a neck or small fixed blade for edc or camping with a blade no longer than 3.5 in and no shorter than 2 in, that if it had to could do some batoning, and under $50.

I'm looking at a boker rhino, a esee Izula ( which is a little more expensive), a kabar eskabar, or the kabar BK11.

I'm open to other options
 
I don't know about the Rhino, but you certainly won't go wrong with either the Izula or small Beckers.
 
The BK11 and BK14 will be a little bit bigger than the Izula, but they are all great knives. If cost is a consideration and you like the Izula, go with the BK14. I prefer it over the Izula due to the overall larger size, but it is still small and light enough to be unobtrusive for neck carry.
 
I'd also recommend the BK14 even over the Izula for your specified uses. I have both and I prefer the Izula because mine is carried in RFP and the Izzy fits there a bit better due to it's shorter OAL. The Becker is probably going to be a bit better for batoning, however, because of the 1/2" extra blade length over the Izula. It also fits in your price range a bit better.

Another option might be the Krein-designed Pocket Bowie from Boker Plus.
 
The 14 is noticeably larger than the izula; the blade is about half an inch longer as noted above, and the steel is thicker. It certainly "feels" like a larger knife. I have the izula, and the Becker 14 and 11; of the three, I actually prefer the 11! It's a bit shorter than the 14 (and hence a bit easier to pocket-carry, for me), while still having more blade length for batoning than the izula. Also, although most people seem to prefer the grip on the izula/14 over that of the 11, I actually find the grip on the 11 to be quite comfortable. My pinky finger tends to get stuck in the carabiner hole on the 14 unless I install grips or cord-wrap it, and then its a bulkier package. My 11 sports a gutted paracord wrap, but I also liked it just fine when it was bare (though I did have a small paracord loop on the end of the handle).
Anyway, hope that helps.
 
I will chime in. I'd recommend that you go for the Bk-11 (good steel, good warranty, good HT, great designer). It has a strong blade and can split wood easily enough, I've done so for years each season on an everyday basis. It's tang can be easily cord wrapped or equipped with micarta handles. The end of the tang has both a wire breaker, and notch (both of which I've often used, and the notch I've often used to lift hot metal such as grill grates). The blade is fairly broad, which can, as I have found out make quite the nice improvised trowel. It has no scales inherently, and with this being carbon steel, allows it to be cleaned easily and thus preventing rust.
 
If you can stretch your budget a little further I'd recommend the izula 2. That extra handle length makes a world of difference. I've owned the izula, the izula 2 and the bk11. I got rid of the others and now have 2 izula 2's.
 
I'm going to have to say ditto on the BK-11 , BK-14 and BK-24. I had a BK-11 for a while , but lost it one day out in the woods. I'm in the process of replacing it with a BK-24 which is a BK-14 in D2 steel.

If you want a different option check out the Cold steel Mini Pendleton. Its kind of miniaturized Falkniven F1 with a 3" VG1 blade, with a rubberized handles. I bought mine for $35. Great knife. I also have the Pendleton hunter, which has a Massive handle for its thick 3.5" blade. The handle is great for hunters and is great for batoning (if your forced to a 3.5" blade length) but the handle is bulky for EDC. They sell for about $50.

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Here is also a guy on youtube who did some baton testing of some small neck knives.

[video=youtube;WwLFlACDtkQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwLFlACDtkQ[/video]
 
I always carry a large knife and a folding saw, as well as an ESEE Candiru for smaller chores. in the godspeed pancake sheath I have it makes an excellent neck knife....not to heavy to become a burden, and despite its size, far more capable than one would think.
 
Get the BK11 man! Good sheath, nice steel, it's meant mainly for outdoors work, batoning is one of them, so you are going to expect a higher angled edge, if you want a sharper knife to do lighter precision work, which is what most edc tasks are. You will need to reprofile the edge, get it to 30 degress with a slightly coarse edge and you'll have a good all around knife that you can conceal. But if you want to get a blade mainly for EDC, get the above mentioned Cold Steel Pendleton
 
Either the BK11 or BK14 highly recommended steel as you can see!



also check out the Knife makers for sale area... typically someone is always making small edc/camp type fixed blades for less than 100 bones. You will get a quality product, support a maker, and get what you want. Win Win Win.
 
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