Small fixed blade

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ghostrider1

Joined
Apr 7, 2005
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292
Looking for a small fixed blade for 45 degree or horizontal cross draw carry. Somewhere between 2 1/2 to 3 inch blade.
Ideally I would like an alter handle or a very figured piece of ironwood or Burl.
The other thing is it must be a leather sheath.

Let’s see some pics and if custom about what it would cost. Somewhere between $150 to $200 is what I would like to spend
 
My latest is the White River Backpacker Pro (S35VN) with textured orange G-10 handles and about 3 inches of cutting length. Runs about $115. It has a kydex sheath that can be carried horizontal or vertical. It is one of the smaller fixed blades I own. Most of my small ones have kydex sheaths.

I have a number of Bob Dozier knives with kydex. They run generally in the $250-$350 range and are mostly in D2. I could have leather sheaths made for them, but I'm comfortable with kydex on these. The least expensive may be the smallest; the canoe model. All have horizontal sheaths except for his larger models which tend to have a dangler type vertical kydex sheath.
 
With nice ironwood or burl, I sincerely doubt you can get by with $200.

Check out Bark River Knife and Tool.
 
First thought was the Dozier modified personal. I think it retails for around 235; but they show up occasionally on the Exchange. Comes with a well made kydex crossdraw sheath.
The LT Wright Patriot is worth a look, as well. Not sure if ironwood is still an option; but it used to be. Comes with a vertical leather sheath.
Check out the knifemaker classifieds - lots of options pop up there; and you can often work with the makers to get just what you want. I've got a great little knife by samuraistuart that fits perfectly in a Guardian3 leather sheath.

*Edited to add*
madcap_magician said:
With nice ironwood or burl, I sincerely doubt you can get by with $200.

Check out Bark River Knife and Tool.
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I was going to mention the Little Creek and Mini Fox River; but, as you said, those handle selections would be out of the price range (probably even on the secondary market)

22-rimfire said:
Check out Horsewright's stuff. I believe all he does is leather sheaths.
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I keep forgetting to mention him because I haven't gotten one of his knives yet. (Never has what I'm looking for available when I remember to look... but, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm going to look now. Thanks for the reminder)

ghostrider1 - you could also buy a Guardian 3, and replace the scales
 
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First thing that came to my mind was a Fiddleback Forge Hiking Buddy. Maybe a tad out of your range, but Andy is good people.
 
A couple of my Dozier's do in fact have ironwood handles. He (they) make a real nice knife.
 
As others have already said, Dave Ferry of Horsewright makes great little knives, and sheaths designed for comfort on a horse, which means, horizontal or 45 deg. carry. Great stuff! You may have to come up a bit in price but very well worth it IMO. Dave made mine in Ironwood

If you can go without the ironwood,
Another possibility, would be CRKT's Hunt'n Fisch. Comes with a leather horizontal carry sheath. 3" blade, cost you well below $100. I like mine.
Boker Plus makes their Cowboy crossdraw. I have no experience with it, but the leather sheath is horizontal carry as well. Blade is 2.8"Another below $100 price.

If you must have ironwood, you could always have one of the makers here replace the original scales with ironwood.
Also, if you find the knife you love but hate the sheath, Dave Ferry will custom make a leather sheath the way you want, fitted to your knife.
 
Check out Charles May Knives - A few of his small customs with ironwood run 200-250.

csm_2005-10-17_-_The_Trace_1684_e5ae8575e3.jpg
 
Here is my top recommendation: Bradford Knives Guardian G3 fixed blade, factory horiz leather cross-draw sheath.
Put a note on your profile page. thanx.
 
There are a bunch of good ones being made. I own a Kershaw Skyline in S30v, a couple of Landi knives that are stellar, an older Wilder made knife that is gorgeous too. Ken Richardson knives make a couple of models with nice cross draw sheaths. keepem sharp
 
Thanks guys for the recommendations!

OP look at my Cowboy or Coyote models. Fits right in your specs size wise and both can be done without a booster to save a little. They'd run about $225 with a Horizontal sheath and done in elk. Burl ironwood would run some more as mentioned. I have some straight ironwood that is still real nice but I prefer to run it with a booster. Run about $240 that way.

hhmoore hhmoore what are you looking for? Bet we can make it happen.
 
jstrange said:
CM, you need a website or something where we can see all the cool stuff you make in one place!
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Not gonna happen... But I post way more stuff on my Instagram. @bigkittyftw
 
You can't go wrong with Dozier (Arkansas Traveler) or Bradford (G3), I have both, and really like them. Excellent knives.
 
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