Small skeletonized EDC fixed blade

johntmeche3

johntmeche3

Joined
Sep 30, 2011
Messages
168
I've decided that I want a smallish skeletonized fixed blade for EDC. My CRKT M16-14LE has served me very well, but I want a fixed blade to carry on my belt. I'm also on a budget, so I'm looking for a lower priced knife. Anyway, here's what I am looking at:

Ka-Bar ZK-Acheron -Super cheap, but I'm not sure about that sheath or about the knife for that matter.
Buck Paklite Large -Great price but a crappy sheath. I would eventually look to get a kydex sheath.
Cold Steel Mini-Tac series -These all look great. Not sure what they look like under the scales. Downside is no easy way to belt carry.
Eskabar -I love the marriage of the two knives. No downside here except that it isn't as cheap as the Paklite.
Becker Necker -I think I like the Eskabar better, but it deserves a place on the list.
Izula I/II -I love both knives. I like the II better, but they are on the higher end of what I'm considering. I'm unlikely to buy an Izula any time soon because of the price.

Thoughts? Opinions? Any other knives that should be on radar that I'm missing?
 
the scrapyard scrapivore can be had for about 50 bucks, and so that would be my recommendation.

EDIT: I don't own it. I just have heard good things about it and think it should at least go on the list.
 
The Scrap Yard Scrapivore is another one to consider.

EDIT: Doh, beaten by mere seconds by the previous poster! :grumpy:
 
Also, Bark River Bravo Necker might be a good one to add. The BK11 is an excellent knife. I have one. Main thing with that is that you have to want the bottle opener enough to deal with a three finger grip instead of 4.
 
Swamp rat Swamp Warden is another great one. Made from SR-101 steel, which is awesome! Great warranty too.

Here's a quick pic of a few small blades, from left: Bravo 1, BK-11, Swamp Warden, Izula

005-4.jpg


Stock Warden and a modded one:
022-1.jpg
 
I'd recommend the izula, because of price, warranty, availability of micarta handles (which I recommend over paracord handles, makes a big difference in comfort) and that it already comes with a sheath. That said, I do prefer SR101 (52100) over 1095. Bryfry, love your swamp warden mods, did you do them yourself? I'm hoping to get handles made for my two.
IMG_2060.jpg
 
smaller, but made in the USA and quite inexpensive - the BK13 Remora
BK13.jpg
 
michaelm466 said:
Bryfry, love your swamp warden mods, did you do them yourself? I'm hoping to get handles made for my two.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yes I decided to play around with some modding ideas I had, and since I had two Wardens it seemed a good candidate. :)

How do you like that Scrapivore? I kind of like the pry-bar idea, though I hear it is a bit uncomfy. I was thinking it may help to simply round off the top corner of the butt a little more so that it doesn't dig in so much.... what do you think?
 
That Remora looks nice 1066. I don't recall seeing them before.

If you asked me, I would tell you to save and find a way to get an Izula of some kind. But that is just me.
 
BryFry said:
Thanks! Yes I decided to play around with some modding ideas I had, and since I had two Wardens it seemed a good candidate. :)

How do you like that Scrapivore? I kind of like the pry-bar idea, though I hear it is a bit uncomfy. I was thinking it may help to simply round off the top corner of the butt a little more so that it doesn't dig in so much.... what do you think?
Click to expand...
Due to lack of a sheath I haven't really carried it, the few times I have used it the edges didn't really bother me much, but I wasnt really using it hard, but that mod you brought up would probably work well if used hard.
 
Buck Mayo Kalaa is a nice one too. S30V with boss heat treat. The sheath is not very good though and wouldn't be easy to carry on your belt however.
 
Thanks for all of the recommendations. I see an Izula or a Scrapivore in my future, but it will have to be for a birthday or Christmas. For now I think I'm going to grab the Benchmark Backpacker over the Paklite. The sheath pushes the Benchmark over the edge, and for the price I don't think it can be beat.
 
Love my Izula-- tough as nails! I'm also looking at the Becker neck knives, they have gotten some very positive reviews.
 
Hmm...after checking out Amazon, I realized the the Backpacker is going to cost me shipping because it's not fulfilled by Amazon. Maybe I'll hold out for the Eskabar. Anyone have an opinion on Eskabar vs Becker Necker or the Paklite vs the Backpacker?
 
No first hand experience, but I'd go for the Eskabar over the others. Better handles then the Necker, but the sheath still is one constant complaint. You can have a custom sheath made pretty easily though.
 
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