Smaller modern fixed blades: What am I missing?

I love small fixed-blades. Twice the strength, all the handiness, none of the problems of a folder. In the same classes of steel/quality/etc, your money goes a lot further, too.

Go custom :thumbup:
 
I too love the 3-4" fixed blades, but there isn't a ton of selection and many of them shrink the handle so much they don't feel right. I really like the older G10 Benchmade Nimravus but it's 4.5". I don't like the newer AL handle models as much, but I really thought they were a good blade shape and handle size. I tried to like the cub version and the blade is perfect, but the handle was just a little too small. It wasn't a pry bar but it cut very well. Tried the ESEE 4 and hated the handle, too short. I have a Rob Simonich Cetan from many years ago that is one of my favorites as well.

I also really like the looks of the Freeman 451, and if you want really thick the Emerson Police Utility Knife, Spartan Blades Phrike Knife.

You're right though, I've still not really found the perfect 3-4" fixed blade. So many of them shrink the handle too much, I suppose going for a more compact platform but I think there's a market out there for a full size handle with a 3-4" blade especially since fixed blades seem to becoming more common for EDC and many locations limit blade lengths to that 3-4" range.
 
Man there are some fantastic recommendations here! I will definitely look int Jason Wilder more often. Seems like he's pretty booked up though! Ahhh.. the Hairy Carry. I did have one several years ago but it was before I was interested in having custom sheaths made. Bummed I let that go. Gotta have your finger on the trigger at all times to find one! A Dozier would be cool fo sho but the ones I like are hard to come by! I'm also interested in checking more into Fall Creek Knives. I'd say my cap should be $300. But I feel like there's a good chance I can do better than that maybe even with a sheath I like.

And THANKS for all the pics!
 
Guys, small is a relative thing I guess. LOL. When I think of small, I think of this: The Benchmade Snody Activator. I can get a full four finger grip easily. The placement of the thumb gives loads of cutting power. Sorry for the crappy cell phone shot.

E9F1C2B2-E20B-41E4-8121-7E5030C350F9_zpsmw8w9sez.jpg
 
+2 for the Street Beat, mate. VG10, 3 1/2 in. Blade, great finger choil to aid in knife retention. Wickedly sharp. Contoured micarta scales.... A real beauty of a knife! It is light. You can tuck the sheath inside your pants, g clip on the outside wrapped around your belt. You'll forget the knife is there! (Check local laws for this type of carry)
Price for this gorgeous knife has gone up but well worth it....
 
ToddM said:
So many of them shrink the handle too much...
Click to expand...

Right you are. Too many designers simply shrink down bigger knives to scale. They forget that people's hands don't magically get smaller when they need or want to use a shorter blade ;)

There is a weird prejudice that smaller fixed-blade knives must maintain a certain ration of blade length to handle length. This prejudice isn't apparent in folder designs, where obviously the handle must be at least as long as the blade, usually a little longer.

One of the handiest blade designs on the planet:

Stanley-Tools-10-099-rw-98811-163974.jpg


Completely whacky proportions, according to "conventional wisdom" but by gosh it works, and it's comfortable to use.
 
One of the best little fixed blades I got is the Bark River Knives Essential EDC. It comes in many handle varieties and without bolsters weighs just 3.6 ounces. The CPM-M4 (63-64 RC) blade is just 2.7" long and the handle 3.5".
 
Now this is a small fixed blade. A 4 7/8 OAL, 2 1/4 blade, small integral made of 52100 steel. It's made by ABS Ray Kirk. It's my first really small blade and I really like it. Very small and handy. At first I thought it's ridiculously small and silly. It has a little belt sheath and the more I've worn it, the more I've liked it.

mini mbs w antler 18.jpg
 
I edc fixed blades <4" all the time. you can get some amazing customs from makers on this forum. warning, it's addicting!
 
I think I may have secured a new one I think I'll rely like! In the meantime, the Phil Rose is really surprising me. The N690 &/or heat treat are fantastic. It holds a great edge, I'm able to get it super sharp & touch ups are crazy easy. It is thicker behind the edge than I prefer but has worked just fine! Like I said, handle comfort, ease of carry, & quality sheath/carry system are very important to me and it certainly hits it out of the park there. Ive been working slowly on getting a good sized 30deg inclusive back bevel on it just for grins though!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top