Thin Fixed Blade

[Lev]

Pat & Wes Crawford "Memphis Toothpick" ---3 1/8 S30V / carbon fiber scales...designed for neck or belt carry. It's 275, but what's $25 at that point?

Lev

 

[JN01]

I don't mean to be a stickler here...

However, if the police were looking at a knife you had with a logo such as the ESEE's do you think they wouldn't see that as a weapon? Maybe it's just my perspective, but the ESEE line up definitely seems like one that could be taken as a weapon.

I hear what you are saying, ANY knife COULD be perceived as a weapon. Ohio law on knives (like many other states) is not clearly spelled out completely, unfortunately. Case law says that you can carry a concealed knife as a tool, but it cannot be designed as, specifically adapted, or carried as a weapon. Push daggers, F/S commando knives, Dark Ops mall ninja crap- could they be used for everyday utility? Sure, but they scream- WEAPON!. It's kinda like the whole evil black rifle thing- they don't function any differently than any other semi-auto, but since they LOOK scary, they must be an "assault weapon".

As far as knives, size is part of the perception. Out in the woods, a 10" Bowie might seem reasonable, but not so around town. Smaller knives like the ESEE-3 look (at least to me) more utilitarian (and actually, for most uses, IS actually a better choice than a big blade) and because of their small size, appear less threatening.

Anyway, I'm getting a lot of great ideas from the thread, the problem now may be how to choose. Then again, I can have more than one, can't I?

 

[kwackster]

These older Gerber blades are no longer made, but you can still find them on the Bay and on forums.
Real quality blades with hard chromed M2 blades and cast-on aluminum handles.
Blade thickness is 2.1 mm

Text from an old Gerber leaflet:

"These deluxe hunting knives with new, handsome blade designs, are hand-crafted from an exclusive high speed tool steel - hard enough to cut other steel!
Having a super-hardness of Rockwell C60-62, each blade is ground to a straight, double wedge shape for razor sharpness and extra strength to withstand the roughest use.
A special hard chrome plating keeps these blades permanently bright and stainless.
The solid aluminum alloy handles are cast directly onto the notched tang of the blade.
Armorhide, a ground thermoseetting vinyl material, is then permanently fused to the handle to create a non-slip firm gripping surface, even when hands are wet or slippery."

Steel: M2 Tool steel
Handle: Cast on aluminum with "Armorhide" (a baked on electro deposited powdered epoxy coating)

This knife is my own, and i've recently put a new edge on it of about 30 degrees inclusive with a stropped 600 grit finish: treetopping sharp with lots of bite.
I do recommend using diamonds for sharpening though, as the steel is extremely wear resistant.

 

[popedandy]

If you are looking at thin, the Caldwell Bird&Trout is a really nice knife if you can find one. The knives in the Moki and Seki City lines are also thin. You could also check out the A.G. Russell brand knives on the A.G. Russell website. A.G. is a big fan of thin blades and he has a couple in that price range for a very reasonable price.

 

[Franz_N]

A good edc fixed blade that's not too thick is a Buck Mayo Kaala. It's not too expensive, has S30V and BOS heat treat, it's a little smaller but for me it is a good size. The neck sheath sucks however.

 

[cziv]

I'd sure recommend my ESEE (RAT) RC-3 MIL. It's a little sweetheart of a camp/all around fixed blade (warranty for life - no questions asked). The handle is the smae lngth as an ESEE 4 but has a nice thin blade and slices well after being re-profiled to 40*.

 

[fast14riot]

Personally if a blade looking like a weapon was an issue I would opt for a more traditional style. The Case 379 with a 3 1/2" blade, stacked leather handle, and cast pomell all make for a nice user. Plus its only ~$40. This same pattern has been made for many years by Case, Kinfolks, Robeson, Boker Tree Brand and I believe Cattaragus. Good little knife, handy size, and very unassuming in nature. Excelent B&T knife too.

-Xander

 

[Kevin Wilkins]

Take a look at my Ryback Bushcrafter fixed blade. These are ground from Niobium alloyed stainless that's about 1/8" thick before grinding and hold an edge for quite a while. Cost is €117 for sales outside the EU. Can be had with or without a sheath. The design is very non-threatening looking.

 

[TOMMY00729]

If you want a really nice fixed blade at a good price,let me tell you check out Eddie White(SHADOW KNIVES) he will make you what you are looking for.

 

[cziv]

Another suggestion - the classy Spyderco Street Beat - 3.5" blade from h*ll and a contoured micarta handle. Includes kydex sheath with multi-position clip. :thumbup:

 

[JN01]

I've been weighing my options, I hope to handle some of the suggested production knives at the next gun/knife show to help me choose. I did come across another possibility (although a bit smaller than the parameters of my original post), the Thorn made by Phil Rose (http://proseknives.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=thorn&cat=11&page=1&search=&since=&status=). Anyone have one of his blades?

 

[Boozoo Chavis]

The Boker Plus Gents Scalpel is a great little desk knife/edc. The 440C blade is right at 3", G-10 handles, and only weighs 2.5 oz. (less than $35 bucks)