Small Fixed Blade Suggestions

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Gideons

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Dec 9, 2015
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Hey BF,
I have been looking for a small(ish) and lighter fixed blade that will prefer all possible tasks during; camping ,long hikes and infantry/paratrooper activities. Blade Length 4" - 6" with preferable around 5.25". I require the knife to have a large/prominent finger choil/guard and strongly prefer black DLC coated blade, or any non-reflective blade . Price requirements probably sub $400, but always cheaper the better. The sheath specifics I want most likely will have to be custom, I want a strong kydex sheath that needs to be extremely secure but quick to access, but also need it to be jump qualified sheath. At the same time I hate snaps, so I would want to remove easily or out of the way and unless when required I would not use the secondary retention method or are there other methods of secondary retention?... anyways that will be another thread most likely. So, production sheath while important, won't break a knife for me.

The knives I've been considering are:
Gryphon M10
Esee-3
Esee-4
Cold Steel Master Hunter 3V (DLC)
Cold Steel SRK 3V (DLC)
Fallkniven S1 (black coated)
Chris Reeve 5.5" Green Beret
Benchmade Nimravus

What are your suggestions? Look forward for your input!

-Gideons
 
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Deinos said:
Bradford Guardian 5 comes in around $250 for 3v with a dlc coating and their 3d scales. Can pick up a kydex sheath for an additional $40.
Click to expand...
The knife does seem well made with great reviews. However, that knife lacks prominent finger choil/guard which is a deal breaker for me.
 
Benchmade Adamas $165 4.2” blade can get DLC black or sand color. Only thing I can think of that isn’t listed
 
Gideons said:
Hey BF,
I have been looking for a small(ish) and lighter fixed blade that will prefer all possible tasks during; camping ,long hikes and infantry/paratrooper activities. Blade Length 4" - 6" with preferable around 5.25". I require the knife to have a large/prominent finger choil/guard and strongly prefer black DLC coated blade, or any non-reflective blade .

-Gideons
Click to expand...
You just described the Swamp Rat Ratmandu...but don't overlook the ESEE 4 or Guardian 4, all pictured below. (RMD is stripped, G4 available with DLC)
H1YXBgM.jpg
 
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Ontario RAK. Over sized choil that acts as a guard, it lets one really choke up to do real fine stuff. Con some say is the shorter than normal handle and spike at the end, I kept the ones on mine as I found uses for them.

Ontario RD6 also seems to fit the OP's parameters for knives go. Its a FFG.

RD Tanto? Its heavy though but saberish grind, I been thinking of doing the blasphemous thing of having some one make it a drop point for me out of one of mine.

Sheaths would probably have to be customs.

Seen a Lionsteel M7 for around 322 that seems to fit every thing you want.
 
I saw "small" in the title and was gonna recommend the Mora Eldris.

But I guess your definition of small is a little bit different to mine.

But yeah, ESEE 4 would be my pick . Or rather was my pick.
 
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Gideons said:
The knife does seem well made with great reviews. However, that knife lacks prominent finger choil/guard which is a deal breaker for me.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure about your statement that the G5 lacks a prominent finger choil...as it's choil is quite pronounced. Are you wanting a finger groove in the handle, as shown on the RMD (and to a lesser degree on the ESEE 4), rather than a choil?

This has a more prominent guard - I was going to include it in the image I originally posted; but it doesn't have a prominent choil
QQ1L1so.jpg
 
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If you want more of a defensive blade, I would go with the Gryphon M10. It's one of my favorite factory blades.

Otherwise, I would probably choose the Master Hunter.
 
The Benchmade Arvensis sounds right up your alley. The blade is a bit longer than you have requested but including the choil, not overly long. The sheath is tight but also has a backup snap strap that can be removed very easily. The blade is bead blasted dull grey (non reflective) and has a large/ prominent choil.
 
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Gideons said:
Hey BF,
I have been looking for a small(ish) and lighter fixed blade that will prefer all possible tasks during; camping ,long hikes and infantry/paratrooper activities. Blade Length 4" - 6" with preferable around 5.25". I require the knife to have a large/prominent finger choil/guard and strongly prefer black DLC coated blade, or any non-reflective blade . Price requirements probably sub $400, but always cheaper the better. The sheath specifics I want most likely will have to be custom, I want a strong kydex sheath that needs to be extremely secure but quick to access, but also need it to be jump qualified sheath. At the same time I hate snaps, so I would want to remove easily or out of the way and unless when required I would not use the secondary retention method or are there other methods of secondary retention?... anyways that will be another thread most likely. So, production sheath while important, won't break a knife for me.

The knives I've been considering are:
Gryphon M10
Esee-3
Esee-4
Cold Steel Master Hunter 3V (DLC)
Cold Steel SRK 3V (DLC)
Fallkniven S1 (black coated)
Chris Reeve 5.5" Green Beret
Benchmade Nimravus

What are your suggestions? Look forward for your input!

-Gideons
Click to expand...

Bradford Guardian 4 is such an outstanding knife. It is beyond perfect with great fit and finish. The owner is an absolute gentleman to deal with if you want and warranty is excellent. I cannot recommend this knife more.

The only knives on your list that imho come close is the CRK and possibly the falkniven. The bradfords always get rave reviews for a reason. Also come in your choice m390, 3v or s30v. I would be tempted to go for 3v in the guardian 4 or 5.

Guardian 4 blade length 4.626 including choil.
45136cb8d276496d96b2fbff7990a38f.jpg


Guadian 5 blade length 5.5
guardian-5-3v.jpg
 
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