Your thoughts on pocket fixed-blade carry

R

RobbW

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Oct 15, 2003
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jackknife, for a year or so I've considered front pocket carry of a small, traditional fixed blade. Something tiny that would fit in my pocket comfortably, but give me some advantages of a fixed blade--no opening and closing, easy cleanup, no joint to clean food from, etc.

I'm wondering if you have any thoughts about the size of blade/handle that works for you.

I remember you posted about the Hartsook, you didn't like it at first, but then the utility of a small fixed blade started to grow on you. I remember you posted about the handle being just a bit small for you, at times. I gather the 1.9" blade was just right, because you didn't comment on that, just that the handle was a wee bit small.

Later, you got a custom fixed blade. I don't remember the maker. Were the dimensions different, and if so, how did they work out for you, now that you've had time to use it?

I've looked at the Bark River Trickle, which has blade and handle shapes which really appeal to me, but with a 3-7/8" overall length might be too small a package. Their Micro-Canadian is larger at 5" overall, but has such a wide blade I fear I would really miss out on the advantages of a point for opening that infernal clam-shell packaging and working around narrow spaces like envelopes.

Charles May makes a Handy Scandi, which at 5-1/8" is shorter than the FireAnt, and with thinner stock, which appeals to me, should be a better slicer. It's pricier, but has more blade to handle ratio than the Micro-Canadian.

What size works well for you, in that "small enough to comfortably carry, but large enough to get something done" category.

Thanks for any comments you might have.
 
Since this is a public post, I'll assume you'll accept other opinions on the matter. I carry a fixed blade in front pocket on a daily basis. Right now my favorite is a custom knife from JK-knives called his kit knife. The knife features a 2.5" blade and a 5.5" overall length. It has thin (1/8") thick black mircata scales. The second important feature of pocket carry is the sheath. It must remain nice and flat. Kydex works great, but in this case, JK's pocket leather sheath is also good. In this particular model the point of the sheath sits right in the 'watch pocket' part of a regular pants pocket and keeps the knife oriented centered and handle up for ease of access. (JK-knives goes by the name Stomper on BF)

Also don't be too afraid of a shortened handle. A well executed three fingered grip can be extremely comfortable and solid handling. Good luck!

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Though I haven't carried any lately, I have a few small fixed blades appropriate for pocket (or neck) carry. I've found them to be very useful. Just be aware that state and local laws may intrude upon your ability to carry them.
 
RobbW said:
jackknife, for a year or so I've considered front pocket carry of a small, traditional fixed blade. Something tiny that would fit in my pocket comfortably, but give me some advantages of a fixed blade--no opening and closing, easy cleanup, no joint to clean food from, etc.

I'm wondering if you have any thoughts about the size of blade/handle that works for you.

I remember you posted about the Hartsook, you didn't like it at first, but then the utility of a small fixed blade started to grow on you. I remember you posted about the handle being just a bit small for you, at times. I gather the 1.9" blade was just right, because you didn't comment on that, just that the handle was a wee bit small.

Later, you got a custom fixed blade. I don't remember the maker. Were the dimensions different, and if so, how did they work out for you, now that you've had time to use it?

I've looked at the Bark River Trickle, which has blade and handle shapes which really appeal to me, but with a 3-7/8" overall length might be too small a package. Their Micro-Canadian is larger at 5" overall, but has such a wide blade I fear I would really miss out on the advantages of a point for opening that infernal clam-shell packaging and working around narrow spaces like envelopes.

Charles May makes a Handy Scandi, which at 5-1/8" is shorter than the FireAnt, and with thinner stock, which appeals to me, should be a better slicer. It's pricier, but has more blade to handle ratio than the Micro-Canadian.

What size works well for you, in that "small enough to comfortably carry, but large enough to get something done" category.

Thanks for any comments you might have.
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Hey Robb,

You're right, when my friend gave me the Hartsook, I thought to myself "what the heck is this little toy?" Later I found out I was wrong to doubt it.

Over the last two years, I've used the heck out of it, and I love and have embrased the whole concept of the pocket fixed blade. Or unfolding pocket knife as I call it.

I think the Hartsook is fine for light jobs like you'd use a little pen knife for. Opening mail, plastic packages, wrappers, dog food bags. But I think Buck should have made it a teeny bit bigger. Not much, I don't like the other all metal one they make, too big. But for general pen knife duty, the Hartsook does work out okay if you don't have real big hands. I don't. Plus the Hartsook handle is contoured to lock in if you hold it with your index finger in the indent. But another half inch wouldn't hurt.

Brett gave me a Mike Miller custom that is shaped a little bit like a mini chef's knife. About 2 1/4 inches in the blade, and 2 1/2 length handle. The blade is 7/8ths wide, and the handle is 1/2 inch thick. blade shape is a wide spear point. Overall length is about 4 1/4 inches.

Overall, Mike Miller of Oklahoma did a great job on the execution of the knife. It's soooo handy. Mike made a pouch style sheath with a lanyard hole and a nice basket weave pattern. I have a ten inch lanyard attached so I loop the lanyard through the belt loop just in front of my right hand jeans pocket, and then drop the whole rig in my right pocket. When I want to use it, I just reach in and grab whats exposed of the but end of the handle, pull it out. The sheath comes with it till it reaches the end of the lanyard, and then the knife comes free and I cut what I need to cut. The sheath is dangling in fron of my right thigh where the outside of the pocket is. To replace knife, I drop knife back in sheath and put the whole thing back in pocket. It's quick, easy, and very, very, convienient. I love it. The only thing I would change is to make the handle about 2 3/4 long and a little thicker, maybe 5/8ths. But it's big enough for my needs in modern suburbia. If I go woods walking with Karen, I have my old Buck 102 woodsman on my hip, so my pocket knife is not needed for anything really heavy duty. Even the Hartsook does 99% of what I need. I've begun to think of it as my unfolding peanut.

I'm slated for hand surgery in a month, and after it I don't know if I'll go back to a folder. I've gotten so used to not having to open a knife, no areas to hold dirt or gunk. I'm begining to understand the Scandinavian mindset of fixed blades for everything.

I hope this helps.
 
Here's a trio to look at
The bottom May knife is 6-3/8" long All 3,S30VSS
The smaller middle knife is a Tom Krein
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The green May knife on top is a Scandi grind
-Vince
 
I've got two different Graham knives that I carry from time to time in my right front pocket. The sheath has a single clip, similar to a pocket clip of a folder that allows for easy and comfortable carry in pocket.
 
Here's those two May knives w/ thier leather You can get the sheaths from Charlie w/ grommets,too,for necker or pocket dangler set ups
I put these right in my top right pocket of my flannel shirt,this time of year.Very handy
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Here is that Krein & another,too,with some gorgeous leather sheaths from Paul Long,these have pocket clips & are set up for the left pocket carry,so's I can keep a slipjoint in the right pocket
I think you'd like a small pocket fixed blade!

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Robb,Another plus is like in the summertime,I go down to the beach sometimes & wade & surfcast.The small Krein in my post has a kydex sheath,it gets full submersion in salt water,w/ no probs.No pivots for sand to foul up,either They certainbly have thier pluses.
-vince
 
This is from Kerry Hampton,ATS-34,a desk knife with a slightly modified version of the leather sheath,for pocket carry
Knife/sheath/photo,by Kerry Hampton
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I tried pocket carry with some other knives and found my pockets never felt "deep enuff " but I do carry a small fixed blade ( Rinaldi Matrix ) horizontal carry ( in line with my belt ) , most people never even notice it.

I think I will make a pocket sheath for this one and give it a try !
 
Bark River PSK in a tight leather sheath goes very well in the jacket pocket or inside of a pack.It comes with kydex but I don't much like the scratches it gives....

Bark River Mikro Slither is another very useful small knife but this model is no longer in production.
 
I currently carry my Koster K-Tusk, and it works very nicely. For production blades, the new Izula from Rat Cutlery looks great. Dan is working on a fixed blade EDC currently. You can check out pics and opinions in the Koster forum under makers. I carried a BRKT Tusk for a long time in my pocket, and it was a great edc.
 
RobbW
I find that Tom Kreins small fixed blade knives just disappear in the front pocket or the back pocket when carried with either the Paul Long sheath or the kydex. Here are two that are my favorites.

The first is a TK-1 that in my personal opinion is just a fabulous knife for daily carry. Pictured with Paul Long sheath - leather with alligator in-lay; and Fuzzy Lanyard
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The second is a Mini Pocket Bowie by Tom. This is also pictured with a Paul Long Sheath - leather with ostrich in-lay. The Mini Pocket Bowie's blade is slightly longer but is still a great pocket carry fixed blade.
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The only fixed I've had that would pocket carry nicely for me was the Bark River Trickle I carried briefly just to get to know it. It was a birthday gift for a friend though so I never got to play with it much.

On my other Bark River Micro Tusk I just got for Christmas I converted it to carry the sheath horizontal which I find to be quite nice and working very well. Call me spoiled but this is the closest thing to effortless carry I've tried. I've done this with others I own that I made sheaths for and never had any problems other than the knives were bigger. Bob Dozier's fixed blades are what first turned me onto the benefits of a small quickly retrieved horizontal carry fixed and I must say even though most of Bob's handles stuck up poking my shirt up I don't see that with this one at all. Its the only fixed I've owned that I can carry and not notice or worry with until I need it. The sheath is very snug and holds the knife quite well so unless it stretches over time I think this will work a while. :thumbup:

I just simply used the existing hollow rivets in the sheath to loop some paracord through and made sure my join melts were so big that they won't allow the cord to pull through. I melted the cord together to sort of weld it and the knot on that front one holds it steady there. In the back since there was just one hole I took out the inner strands of white cord to thin the para cord and then flattened the ends to go through, melted both together making a nice big bubble which I squished a bit and created belt loops. Took this knife from a convenient little pull out toy to a nice tactical quick draw in about ten minutes.

STR
 
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