Suggestions on a good 3" fixed blade?

MW740

MW740

Joined
Aug 21, 2002
Messages
732
I am interested in finding a solid small fixed blade that has a 3" give or take a little blade for EDC. Any and every suggestion wiould be appreciated.
 
Two of my favorites are the Helle Polar or the Helle Nying. These Norwegian knives are razor sharp, attractive, very affordable and do not look like weapons.

polar.jpg
nying.jpg


Their website is www.helle.no
 
I'm looking for a similar knife and am considering the Fallkniven WM1 and the TOPS UTE 2. I like the small fixed blades as pocket knives. Keep us posted on what you choose and how it works out for you.
 
Any Dozier around that blade length would be a good choice. I have a straight personall that I absolutly love and carry everyday.
 
Let the chant begin. Dozier.... Dozier.... Dozier....

Bob Dozier makes a heck of knife, and at an extremely good price.
 
Check out Winston Knives in the Custom Exchange. He does great work at dirt cheap prices:)
 
I've seen micarta handled, full tang, Boker skinners with 3.5 inch blades on special for 39.99. But I don't know the steel used.

It's even less for wooden handles.
 
klotzli_01.jpg

Klotzli_14.jpg

Full tang construction, very comfortable handle with black micarta scales, decently heat-treated 440C stainless blade, acceptable black leather sheath.
I don’t remember how it’s defined in their catalog, probably model 14 but not sure.
 
Marble's Fieldcraft might fit your needs. My preference is their 52100 high carbon steel. (They have stopped using that:( in favor of some stainless alloy, reputed to be 440 C.)
 
Ron Post (in central Ontario) makes solid users in mostly ATS34. Many of them are small knives and are very reasonable in cost especially if you take into account the relatively low value of the Canuck buck compared to the US dollar. His web site is

http://www.postknives.com
 
benchmade 180 outbounder. you can get it in rosewood and 440, or oak and d-2. I used one for an edc while camping and I have to say it was a wonderful cant-tell-its-there knife!!! great blade shape, more of a modified clip point, and performed all tasks well. good for whittling, to preparing food, cuttin rope, string, twine, ect

and looks good too! especially in its pouch type sheath. you can get the rosewood for around 59 if I remeber correctly, you can get the d-2 for around 76 or so, somewhere in there.
newgraham knivea, and bayou lafourche has the best prices on these.

Hope this hlpes some,
.....oh and did I mention as a modest size small fixed blade it handles bigger tasks then you might think, and also is non-threatening.:D
 
There is a wide variety of knives and carry systems in the 3" range. I'd suggest you don't buy the knife sight un-seen, unless you are going for a cheaper production knife. It doesn't take much of a flaw in the design of the knife or the carry sytem to make a small fixed blade un-useable. A poor sheath means you'll never wear the knife. Too short of a handle, you can't use it comfortably, too long of a handle and the knife is conspicuous.
 
Gotta jump on the Dozier wagon here. I've yet to handle a better small fixed blade. And the price, IMO, for the quality is a terrific value!
 
Many have recommended Dozier and he has a good reputation. His knives are handmade but not custom, unless you special order. One drawback is that his knives come with Kydex sheaths. If you are looking to wear your knife a lot, leather may be better for you. Kydex doesn't move and if the carry position doesn't fit your spare tire, it can become annoying. In addition, Kydex has a tactical look where leather is much nicer. Some 3" come with a leather pocket sheath that makes carrying as easy and unconspicuous as a folder with a clip. Personnally I went with a custom knife (i.e. one of a kind) in damascus (3" blade, 3" handle) and had a sheath made for it with the carry position I wanted. I am very happy with the package.
 
You lost me on that one. Bob's knives are not custom unless you specifically request something special? How is that different than any other custom maker? Bob just gives you the option of a number of proven designs as a baseplate (handmade knife), and then lets you adjust them a bit according to your tastes (custom). I see that as the best of all worlds.

Bob does do Kydex sheaths with a web belt loop, so the sheath moves with your body. It feels a lot like leather, but has the security and convenience characteristics of Kydex. He calls it the Wilderness Style sheath. It's about the most functional sheath I've ever used.
 
Let us all agree first that anyone can buy any type of sheath they desire. Period. But if you are going to carry and USE the knife, you cannot beat the functionality of a properly made kydex sheath. It will wear much longer than any leather sheath out there. Anyone who has ever worn a leather sheath on a daily basis and uses their knives will know this. It is no more costly than a custom leather sheath, will hold its shape almost indefintely, is impervious to extreme temperatures and most chemicals, will not attract/ absorb moisture, etc. With Dozier sheaths, you will find that unsheathing and resheathing is litrerally a "snap"! No guess work to see if it is sheathed properly. Additionally, Bob can make a vertical, low slung (Wilderness)as Buzzbait already mentioned, horizontal or shoulder/ chest rig for most knives. So there are many ways to get around the "spare tire". :)

Nakano
 
I've always been partial to the Benchmade R&R knife as a small fixed blade, but I have never been able to get past the sheath that comes with it. I know this knife is marketed towards rafting types, but they really should include a decent all purpose sheath as well.

Other than that I really like it as a tiny fixed blade.
 
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