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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Small Fixed Blade as an EDC?
- Thread starter laredo
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2001
- Messages
- 1,308
Buzzbait,
Thanks for turning me on to Anso knives! They are BEAUTIFUL! I am sort of craving one or two of the "pocket scalpels" now.
I need to read up on and understand damasteel now. I know little to nothing about it.
---Jeffrey
Thanks for turning me on to Anso knives! They are BEAUTIFUL! I am sort of craving one or two of the "pocket scalpels" now.
I need to read up on and understand damasteel now. I know little to nothing about it.
---Jeffrey
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2001
- Messages
- 6,676
I'm quite impressed with the damasteel. If I remember correctly, it's made from RWL-34, the European equivalent of ATS-34. To tell you the truth, Ive gotten better performance out of my damasteel than any ATS-34 blade Ive owned. No edge rolling, no chipping, and pretty good abrasion resistance. Jens can grind a heck of a knife too. He gets a nice large deep hollow grind, and keeps the edge thin. In terms of cutting efficiency, you could call it a Danish Dozier.
What really attracted me to Jens work was the flair he has with design. Many of my favorite ANSO designs are very unique looking, and very friendly at the same time. Theyre the kind of knives that people want to touch and hold, not jump away from in horror. Yet they are still fully functional. Grip security and comfort on my Hybrid is excellent for its size. The blade has enough point to make it great for EDC, although I could probably get away with his sheepsfoot if I had to.
Jens also makes superb sheaths. I have a horizontal kydex sheath and one his vertical lizard skin covered leather sheaths. Jens could a force in this industry just because of his sheath making skills. You dont run into many makers who are this good with both leather and kydex.
Back to the subject of carrying small fixed blades. I think that there are a few keys to successfully carrying a fixed blade in an urban environment, and retaining its full functionality. The biggest one is to hide in plain sight. Believe it or not, most people are so far removed from the world of knives, that they dont immediately recognize one unless it is very traditional in design and materials, and large. By running the knife horizontally, the rig becomes unusual looking enough that people are no longer sure that its a knife. It may be some funky looking pager, cell phone, flashlight or PDA. Also, the average person knows leather, but may not recognize kydex. Kydex hides well on a black belt also. So once youve mounted the kydex sheath horizontally on your black belt, all you have left is the handle to contend with. If you ask me, a black handle makes it look too much like youre trying to hide the knife, and a black handle is also a little too sinister looking for your average person. And as much as I love stag and bone, everybody knows it when they see it. Stag and bone dont get used much outside of the knife and gun world, so its not a great choice in terms of concealment. Its a dead giveaway. For hiding in plain sight, I like wood. People see wood all the time. If the wood is exceptionally nice, it can even be conceived of as jewelry. Id much rather be viewed by the public as carrying an admirable looking adornment than a knife. Wood works very well.
Size is another big key to success. I think Id be a little leery of carrying a fixed blade in public that is larger than my ANSO. You can hide a fixed blade only so easily, and size is a killer. Fortunately, if you know how to use a knife properly, a 2 or 2 1/2 blade is more than enough for your average person. Weve carried small slipjoints for years and made out fine, so why not a small fixed blade? Chances are that if you need a larger blade for the work you do, you are probably in an environment where a large fixed blade is perfectly acceptable.
Your choice of clothing can also be a large factor. Vests are obviously the preferred choice of fixed blade concealers. Vests are wonderfully functional, and provide a plethora of carry options. There are also button-up shirts tailored to be worn untucked. Theyre not easy to find, but Ive picked up a few at The Gap, which arent overly Soprano looking. You have to wear something that allows you to carry the knife with a maximum amount of functionality. The minute you make the sheath difficult to access, youve lost the functionality of the knife. Utility fixed blades can be very difficult to access in a pocket or on your back, making them almost not worth bothering with. I personally love those specially tailored button-up shirts. They look good and work great. Does anybody know some good sources for these shirts?
What really attracted me to Jens work was the flair he has with design. Many of my favorite ANSO designs are very unique looking, and very friendly at the same time. Theyre the kind of knives that people want to touch and hold, not jump away from in horror. Yet they are still fully functional. Grip security and comfort on my Hybrid is excellent for its size. The blade has enough point to make it great for EDC, although I could probably get away with his sheepsfoot if I had to.
Jens also makes superb sheaths. I have a horizontal kydex sheath and one his vertical lizard skin covered leather sheaths. Jens could a force in this industry just because of his sheath making skills. You dont run into many makers who are this good with both leather and kydex.
Back to the subject of carrying small fixed blades. I think that there are a few keys to successfully carrying a fixed blade in an urban environment, and retaining its full functionality. The biggest one is to hide in plain sight. Believe it or not, most people are so far removed from the world of knives, that they dont immediately recognize one unless it is very traditional in design and materials, and large. By running the knife horizontally, the rig becomes unusual looking enough that people are no longer sure that its a knife. It may be some funky looking pager, cell phone, flashlight or PDA. Also, the average person knows leather, but may not recognize kydex. Kydex hides well on a black belt also. So once youve mounted the kydex sheath horizontally on your black belt, all you have left is the handle to contend with. If you ask me, a black handle makes it look too much like youre trying to hide the knife, and a black handle is also a little too sinister looking for your average person. And as much as I love stag and bone, everybody knows it when they see it. Stag and bone dont get used much outside of the knife and gun world, so its not a great choice in terms of concealment. Its a dead giveaway. For hiding in plain sight, I like wood. People see wood all the time. If the wood is exceptionally nice, it can even be conceived of as jewelry. Id much rather be viewed by the public as carrying an admirable looking adornment than a knife. Wood works very well.
Size is another big key to success. I think Id be a little leery of carrying a fixed blade in public that is larger than my ANSO. You can hide a fixed blade only so easily, and size is a killer. Fortunately, if you know how to use a knife properly, a 2 or 2 1/2 blade is more than enough for your average person. Weve carried small slipjoints for years and made out fine, so why not a small fixed blade? Chances are that if you need a larger blade for the work you do, you are probably in an environment where a large fixed blade is perfectly acceptable.
Your choice of clothing can also be a large factor. Vests are obviously the preferred choice of fixed blade concealers. Vests are wonderfully functional, and provide a plethora of carry options. There are also button-up shirts tailored to be worn untucked. Theyre not easy to find, but Ive picked up a few at The Gap, which arent overly Soprano looking. You have to wear something that allows you to carry the knife with a maximum amount of functionality. The minute you make the sheath difficult to access, youve lost the functionality of the knife. Utility fixed blades can be very difficult to access in a pocket or on your back, making them almost not worth bothering with. I personally love those specially tailored button-up shirts. They look good and work great. Does anybody know some good sources for these shirts?
Gary W. Graley
“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 2, 1999
- Messages
- 27,427
Always wanted one of Jens knives, someday! that one is very pretty!
For me, Ive an Allen Blade small BackPacker that works very well in the pocket, 3 blade of O1 steel,
But the one Ive been carrying lately is the Scott Cook small fixed blade, also about 3 long for the blade with S30V steel and desert ironwood scales, a real beaut!!!
and sheathed it is very low profile, recently removed the fob so it doesnt attract attention.
G2
For me, Ive an Allen Blade small BackPacker that works very well in the pocket, 3 blade of O1 steel,
But the one Ive been carrying lately is the Scott Cook small fixed blade, also about 3 long for the blade with S30V steel and desert ironwood scales, a real beaut!!!
and sheathed it is very low profile, recently removed the fob so it doesnt attract attention.
G2
- Joined
- Jul 9, 1999
- Messages
- 3,316
I like Buzzbait's idea about small fixed blades with a wood handle. The more attractive the wood, the better AFAIC.
Experience has shown me that a small fixed blade in the sub 4" range handled with a good looking wood handle and sheathed in a stamped/tooled but low key leather sheath attracts far less startled looks from the sheeple in our world. The knife pic that Gary has up is a perfect example of what I mean.
This is my idea of the perfect fixed blade EDC for suburban/urban carry.
All the best,
Mike U.
Experience has shown me that a small fixed blade in the sub 4" range handled with a good looking wood handle and sheathed in a stamped/tooled but low key leather sheath attracts far less startled looks from the sheeple in our world. The knife pic that Gary has up is a perfect example of what I mean.
This is my idea of the perfect fixed blade EDC for suburban/urban carry.
All the best,
Mike U.
I carry my Yari openly and concealed. It is 4.9" in coated 154CM with micarta slabs and a good concealex sheath. For about $8 more you can switch the clip out (no mods) for a multiposition TekLok. A very nice, slim knife. Cross draw and armpit carry are very comfortable. The Nimravus is supposed to be it's equal. The Yari was $70 delivered, then I got the TekLok.
Only sheeple are scared of sheeple.
Only sheeple are scared of sheeple.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2002
- Messages
- 201
For the last week ive been carrying my new TOPS A.L.R.T. 1 this baby is heavy built,sharp,not hair poppin,but sharp.Like all of TOPS knives its built like a tank,1/8" inch thick high carbon steel approx 3.5 inches long with a 1.5 inch cutting edge. comes with a sheath. I like it even though its a bit heavy in pocket. If you want to see a pic go to TOPS YAHOO SHOPPING PAGE and scroll down page until you see A.L.R.T. several differant blade designs are available.
I've been carrying the Ronin for about 2 months now and I love it. It's my first fixed blade for EDC. I simply use the sheath and Tek-Lok it came with and wear it right on my hip. It rides close the body and is comfortable when wearing an untucked shirt.
Art
Art
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2003
- Messages
- 1,321
Actually it is the third week of September, ahem.
You can´t flex the tip? Sounds interessting to me, for i like to know, how thick tips and so on on production knives are. How thick was it? And do you know, how thick the blade is over the edge, meaning at the end of the primary bevel?
Thanx for the welcome.
You can´t flex the tip? Sounds interessting to me, for i like to know, how thick tips and so on on production knives are. How thick was it? And do you know, how thick the blade is over the edge, meaning at the end of the primary bevel?
Thanx for the welcome.
- Joined
- May 4, 2003
- Messages
- 196
I carry a small fixed blade in my pocket. It measures 4" OAL with a 1.5" blade. Lynn Dawson made it for me and it was a pleasure to work with her. I sent her a sketch of what I wanted and she suggested a few modifications. The end result has quickly become one of my favorite knives to carry. I often find myself handling it (okay, fondling is probably the correct word) during the day just to enjoy the feel of it. If you want to see a pic of it, just check out my avatar. It has a small kydex sheath so I can just stick it in my pocket.
Matteo Escobar
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2002
- Messages
- 4,140
I've carried a Busse Active Duty inverted attached to a belt keychain loop for a year and a half now with no problems. I even took it into a courthouse by accident once forgetting that I had it on me. They just held it up front and returned it to me when I left with a warning that it was illegal to have it in my pocket and to not do it again. I think the bottom line is if you aren't breaking any other laws you won't draw attention to yourself, and it's a non-issue.
- Joined
- May 4, 2003
- Messages
- 196
Originally posted by misque
It's the first blade I ever forged. It's from 0-1, has a 3 1/2" blade it's 3/16" thick and is of blind tang construction. The handle is Bocote. It's been pretty much an every day carry when I'm off my day job. I'd carry it there too except they're a bunch of liberal knife-a-phobics.
Hey Misque! Nice knife! What kind of tools did you use? I plan to try my hand at some crude knifemaking attempts when I get some free time. I'm thinking of focusing on small neck-knife type blades with simple designs. I think I'll also go with kydex sheaths. I've heard they are fairly simple to make.