Considering a fixed blade

[Peregrin]

S spyderg , I carry a small fixed blade quite often. There's plenty of good recommendations here. Since most of mine are on the pricey end I won't go into particular knives.
I've found that 6 1/2" OAL is the longest I can carry comfortably in a pocket pouch or pocket clip sheath. 5" to 6" OAL is even better. That makes the longest blade come in around 3 1/4" which is a little shy of your 3 1/2" minimum.

Since we all like pictures, I'll include some. The knife is a 5 3/4" OAL City Knife by Eldon Talley. The blade is 2 1/2". The first sheath is 6 1/4" with a rare earth magnet to insure retention and a pocket clip like you see on most of William Henry's pocket slips. The sheath was made by Don Cowles for a different knife but fits the Talley very nicely. I've got a few different sheaths I can swap out depending on my needs or mood. The same knife carries really well in this KSF pocket sheath along with a Case Swayback.

 

[Wurrwulf]

Great idea about posting some pics, Gary.

Here's two small knives, one in a clipped sheath, one not, and a larger knife in a sheath.

From top to bottom: Fiddleback Forge Neckmuk (5 3/8" OAL, 2 3/8" blade) in a Diomedes Industries pocket clip sheath.
Fiddleback Forge Production Bushfinger (approx 8 3/4" OAL, 4" blade) sheath maker unknown
JK Knives Bluegill (5 1/2" OAL 2 3/8" blade) pocket slip from JK

The jeans are Levi's 527 which have very shallow pockets. As you can see, the JK knife in a pocket slip is just level with the lip of my pocket. The small knives aren't terribly intrusive, but would still get on my nerves eventually. If you dedicated a pocket to the Bushfinger, and didn't mind a lump of 5/32" S35VN, it works. If you plan to have keys or a phone in that pocket, it would be snug.

 

[JB in SC]

The biggest issue I had with non clipped pocket carry is keeping the knife sheath combo oriented in the pocket. There are sheaths that have a wider bottom (like a pocket holster for a handgun) but they take up a lot of room in a regular pocket. I've tried a bunch of variations and found that Burt Foster makes the best wrap around sheath for a fixed blade I've ever used, Gary (Peregrin) has one of Burt's Personals in a sheath that was similar to mine. Easy to snap on or off the belt as needed, very low profile for a 3" bladed knife. You have to buy one of Burt's excellent knives to get one, so there's that.

 

[Buzzbait]

I'll chime in with another recommendation for the Hess Whitetail. It's an exceptional knife. If you want to carry in a pocket though, you'll need to hit up a competent sheath maker from Bladeforums. But once you've got the carry part squared away, you'll have an knife you can use for life, and hand down to your grandchildren.

Bark River is pretty much the gold standard these days, but a bit too pricey for my wallet.

 

[V84mystang]

A BK14 would let you prove the concept for about $40. I carry one horizontal on the front of my belt in a kydex I made.
It's 7" overall and I find it's very sleek and comfortable.
Then maybe get somthing spendier if you decide you like carrying a fixed blade.

That knife happens to be my favorite, I've processed 3 deer, a pig, and countless fish with it. Just feels good in my hand.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

LT Wright, Battle Horse, Blind Horse, Bark River all carry blades in the size you're looking for, all under 200 bucks depending upon handle material, the LT most of the time far under that.

Take a look also at Gossman Knives and JK Knives, as well as ML Knives.

 

[Cory Hess]

I know that you're not looking for recommendations, so I'll leave that alone. I will say that if you're buying BRK half of your money is going just for the name. The knives are worth about half of what they charge, IMO.

As far as idea of carrying a small fixed blade, I have to say that I love it. I've been carrying a 6.5" overall fixed blade just about every day for around six months or so. I like it enough that my slipjoints are sitting pretty much unused at this point. I have the fixed blade and a small modern folder that see all of the action. I carry a slipjoint here and there just to act as a worry stone. The fixed blade is much more convenient to use and clean. It also feels much more sturdy. I don't do anything with my knives that would challenge their sturdiness, at the same time it's nice to know that the knife I'm using is pretty much indestructible.

 

[greentrout]

I will add another recommendation for board supporter and custom maker John from JK Handmade Knives. This above is a stretched Bluegill knife that is just on the big size for pocket carry at 7 1/8" OAL.

John's Bluegill pattern is perfect for pocket edc. Sized at 5 1/2" OAL makes it easy to carry in your front pocket. His work is very affordable for what you get.

 

[spyderg]

Thnx guys. If I go ahead with it, I really don't want a tiny knife, 3.25" blade prob as small as I want to go. Looking around I saw an L.T. Wright Next Gen 3v that caught my eye,(blade just under 3 1/2, cutting edge a little less). I think I'll keep looking, see what else I can find, I'll probably hold off till I hear more about the GEC 81's and see if I have any $$ for both, lol!

 

[Bmurray]

at that size, you should look at the TM Hunt Magua or the Hess Knifeworks large Caper

Yes, this

 

[Will Power]

Thing is, with a 4" /10 cm blade, it will require about the same length in handle and that really is not for the pocket. Winter coat pocket yes, combat fatigues maybe but otherwise I'd say this is more of a small pack or belt carry, realistically. But, I take your point that you don't want a 'tiny' knife- at the moment They're very kool and useful though

One choice could be a smaller Puukko, with their tube like sheath that's a dangler it's an ideal carry.

 

[Iblametheparents]

Terava mini-puukko. Needs to be finished with scales or a wrap (or not) on the full tang and a sheath made but it's 80crV2 steel with an excellent heat treat made by Lauren metallii. Amazing value. These may never be made again.
I bought it's brother, the mini-skrama, which is like a small full tang nessmuk style. It's a cracking little workhorse of a blade, incredibly strong.
https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/terava-mini-puukko-bare-tang-w-o-sheath/53542

Alternatively Rough rider offer fixed blades with a small footprint.

If you are just trying these out to see if carriage works for you, I don't see the point in buying expensive. You may not like it and return to a folder

 

[Boxer .45]

S spyderg

Sounds like you need a Bradford Guardian 3. M390 steel, multiple blade styles, multiple finishes, multiple scales micarta G10 or CF, leather sheath, kydex option. Razor sharp!

Got mine over a month ago and EDC it everywhere every day. M390 w/ CF scales= $199

I still carry an SAK but this knife is bad ass, especially for the money. I've carried a fixed blade in addition to a folder for years. Usually it has been an ESEE 3 IWB or Candiru in my pocket or a few others.

 

[Boxer .45]

You don't have to go high end to get fixed blade and you don't have to take up pocket space.

ESEE Candiru in a Grindworx sheath on a Spyderco G Clip. Can be worn on either side outside or inside waistband and without the clip is comfortable and slim in pocket. Have about $90ish in the whole thing (can also substitute a Izula or Izula II).

Tops ALRT in custom kydex and Spyderco G Clip. Can be worn anywhere on belt and vertical or horizontal although horizontal I don't even know it's there. $70 in all of it. Just the blade is $30 with a decent sheath.

TWBrands Gear G10 Pocket Defender. Neck or pocket carry, completely non metallic, light and low profile--6.5" OAL. $50

 

[knarfeng]

Please try to stick to traditional fixed blade patterns when posting in the Traditional Forum. The ones above, aren't.

 

[tmd_87]

ANZA! Hands down the best bang for your buck fixed blade. I have owned several Anza knives and haven't been disappointing.

 

[spyderg]

You don't have to go high end to get fixed blade and you don't have to take up pocket space.

ESEE Candiru in a Grindworx sheath on a Spyderco G Clip. Can be worn on either side outside or inside waistband and without the clip is comfortable and slim in pocket. Have about $90ish in the whole thing (can also substitute a Izula or Izula II).

Tops ALRT in custom kydex and Spyderco G Clip. Can be worn anywhere on belt and vertical or horizontal although horizontal I don't even know it's there. $70 in all of it. Just the blade is $30 with a decent sheath.

TWBrands Gear G10 Pocket Defender. Neck or pocket carry, completely non metallic, light and low profile--6.5" OAL. $50

While I do like the blade shape on that Bradford, the blade coating and carbon fibre, not at all. Looks kinda small and I much prefer traditional style. The little package openers aren't at all what I'm after and can you even use the g10 thing as a knife? Other than self defence I mean, which is not what I'm after. I'm not really worried about losing pocket space as long as it's comfortable to carry. For now I think I'll stick with my folders but thanks guys for the input. I have a few brands/makers in mind now to keep an eye on in case I stumble across some extra cash, lol!

 

[Boxer .45]

Please try to stick to traditional fixed blade patterns when posting in the Traditional Forum. The ones above, aren't.

Gotcha.

I thought since there is no specific stand alone Fixed Blade subforum that this was "traditionals" & "Fixed Blades", otherwise I would have and will in the future.

 

[Boxer .45]

While I do like the blade shape on that Bradford, the blade coating and carbon fibre, not at all. Looks kinda small and I much prefer traditional style. The little package openers aren't at all what I'm after and can you even use the g10 thing as a knife? Other than self defence I mean, which is not what I'm after. I'm not really worried about losing pocket space as long as it's comfortable to carry. For now I think I'll stick with my folders but thanks guys for the input. I have a few brands/makers in mind now to keep an eye on in case I stumble across some extra cash, lol!

Package openers?

 

[traumkommode]

Package openers?

I think he's just referring to the tiny neck knives with 1"-2" blades.

As for pocket carry of the fixed blade, I've done it a bit and it's nice. If it's a smaller fixed blade then it's about like carrying a large folder. Haven't carried a larger fixed blade, nor have I done much belt carry, but I'm moving to the mountains and very well may opt for that in the cooler months. We shall see...