Small fixed blades - underrated and underutilized for edc.

Hurrul said:
Leather does have liability, true. Especially after field dressing and animal and not having anything to clean the knife with. Than it's a breeding ground and happy home for bacteria of all sorts.

I do carry (usually bandana) something in my kit to wipe and clean my fixed blade. If I am out for multiple nights, than typically I am not far from a water source to use as a rinse off.

But, as you noted, if you know your going to get into something nasty, wet wipes and even alcohol prep pads could be carried along.
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I am usually near a water source to wipe my knives off after use if I feel the need (maybe not immediately however). The bacteria issue is over blown as most bacteria die with exposure to the air within a short time. Virus' have a longer life. A simple rinse with water is all that is typically necessary. I do keep alcohol wipes with me in the woods but they aren't for knives.... more for potential medical needs or wiping camera lenses. I keep alcohol wipes inside my truck all the time for eye glasses and camera lens cleaning. Unfortunately, I keep a LOT of stuff inside my truck for occasional use.... sometimes to the point that I can't find it when I need something in particular.
 
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I think the issue of cleaning a fixed blade is being over analyzed. By the nature of the beast, it being a fixed blade, there being no hidden areas or moving parts, just needs a wipe off. I've hunted, I still fish a lot, and most times its my Buck 102. No matter how messy it gets, its easy to just wipe off the blade in the grass, leaves, tree trunk, creek, and get 98% of whats on it off. I've yet to be in any woods/wilderness situation there wasn't canteen/water bottle around to give a quick final rinse after wiping off blade in grass/leaves/brush.

One thing for sure, a fixed blade in no way shape or form isn't a hundred percent easier to clean off than a folder of any kind with blood/fish slime in blade slot and hinge area. As for leather sheaths, I think a lot of makers use a plastic liner in the sheath. My Buck woodsman does, as well as the Finish Martini puuko I have and use.

Where are you hunting or fishing that there is no grass, bushes, creek, tree trunks to wipe blade against? I'm sure all those mountain men and buffalo hunters weren't shoving bloody Green River knives back into leather sheaths.
 
You can also rinse and wash out a leather sheath with no problem. Just let it dry in a cool, dry place (not in the sun, not near the fire...). Leather is not afraid of water. It almost likes it. Just don't deform it while it's wet.
 
jackknife said:
I think the issue of cleaning a fixed blade is being over analyzed. By the nature of the beast, it being a fixed blade, there being no hidden areas or moving parts, just needs a wipe off. I've hunted, I still fish a lot, and most times its my Buck 102. No matter how messy it gets, its easy to just wipe off the blade in the grass, leaves, tree trunk, creek, and get 98% of whats on it off. I've yet to be in any woods/wilderness situation there wasn't canteen/water bottle around to give a quick final rinse after wiping off blade in grass/leaves/brush.

One thing for sure, a fixed blade in no way shape or form isn't a hundred percent easier to clean off than a folder of any kind with blood/fish slime in blade slot and hinge area. As for leather sheaths, I think a lot of makers use a plastic liner in the sheath. My Buck woodsman does, as well as the Finish Martini puuko I have and use.

Where are you hunting or fishing that there is no grass, bushes, creek, tree trunks to wipe blade against? I'm sure all those mountain men and buffalo hunters weren't shoving bloody Green River knives back into leather sheaths.
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Sometimes just a wipe off will suffice.

My own hunting experiences have all (except upland bird hunting) occurred in cold ambient temperatures, as sunset is approaching or near day break. None of the animals fell near water.

Cold, freezing temps and cold steel and handle materials has meant congealed fat and clotted blood were eventually frozen to the knife. My attempts to clean a tool in these circumstances have included: sagebrush, dead grass, conifer needles, mineral soil, bandanas, pants, paper, snow (which works great when it's wet, but dry cold snow not so much)...none of which worked ideally.

Back at camp hot water, soap, and some scrubbing was needed, especially near the handle scale and ricosso junction.

But, I also carried multiple blades, so food prep and cross contamination were easily managed with a knife that was not used to clean the animal.
 
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Big fan of small fixed blade edc (3”-ish or less).

Yf7OVYV.jpg

Top Row (left to right):
1) White River Knucklehead 1
2) Spyderco Mule (B75P) )
3) Spyderco Mule Maxamet

Bottom Row (left to right):
1) Bark River Little Creek (elmax)
2) LT Wright Patriot (3v)
3) Blind Horse Lil Drover (d2)
4) Bark River Essential (m4)
5) Bark River PSK EDC (Cruwear)
6) Screech Owl Knives Critterpoon (CPM 154)
7) Bradford G3 Sheepsfoot (V4E)
8) Dan Tope Lucky 7 (3v)
9) Dan Tope Custom (3v)
10) Bark River Ultralite Bushcrafter (3v)
11) Bark River Ultralite Bushcrafter (Elmax)
12) Bark River Mini Aurora (3v)
13) Dozier Slim Outdoorsman (d2)
------
Edit: Added a list based on 22-rimfire 22-rimfire 's suggestion
 
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jstrange said:
Are your carbon steel models cheaper or more expensive?
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Bout $20 more apple to apple. More labor than stainless. The steel itself is a little more expensive but not a bunch.

Talking to a guy the other day. He was ordering his 54th knife from me. His last couple of three have been this 26C3. He was going on and on about how slicey this stuff is and what a great edge it takes.
 
Horsewright said:
Bout $20 more apple to apple. More labor than stainless. The steel itself is a little more expensive but not a bunch.

Talking to a guy the other day. He was ordering his 54th knife from me. His last couple of three have been this 26C3. He was going on and on about how slicey this stuff is and what a great edge it takes.
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54? I’m still trying to get my first! I need to get into cowboying. Apparently that’s where the money is!
 
I’ve got several guys over 50. This one is an old retired puncher. He shoes horses to buy knives. His wife will tell him, Hey your being grumpy, go buy one of Dave’s knives. He checks the website every morning. He told me he likes to try and figure which ones will sell first.
 
Horsewright said:
I’ve got several guys over 50. This one is an old retired puncher. He shoes horses to buy knives. His wife will tell him, Hey your being grumpy, go buy one of Dave’s knives. He checks the website every morning. He told me he likes to try and figure which ones will sell first.
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Ha! So the secret is to be grumpy. I can probably manage that.
 
Horsewright said:
Got a new one my own self. The smaller one is the one being retired. Both are 26C3 high carbon steel at 64RC. Both are also handled in sheep-horn:

yHV1jW8.jpg


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Mighty fine knives, sir. I always enjoy your photos, also. :thumbsup:

Reminds me that I need more ram's horn... :cool:
 
Horsewright said:
Got a new one my own self. The smaller one is the one being retired. Both are 26C3 high carbon steel at 64RC. Both are also handled in sheep-horn:

yHV1jW8.jpg


B3KQzWb.jpg


MjtNwjJ.jpg
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Beautiful as always, Horsewright. I recognize the old one as a Gordo, but what is the new knife? Does the choil tend to catch on stuff with draw cuts?

Flintrocker
 
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