Horsewright
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2011
- Messages
- 11,580
Thanks!Excellent post, per usual.
Thanks!Excellent post, per usual.
...
A small fixed blade that has a 4" handle and 3.5" blade still equals a 7.5" knife hanging on my side.
But I can carry a folder with a 4" handle and a 3.5" blade that equals a 4" knife on my side.
The only reason that I would carry a small fixed blade is for cutting up disgusting or bloody or stinky stuff, just because it's easier to clean.
But most frame-locks are very easy to clean as well.
I'd love to carry one of my fixed smaller blades as EDC. My issue is the knife laws. I fixed blade knife will unfortunately always be considered as more offensive and hence risk of legal actions. I live in Sweden.
They won't even care about large fixed blade if you need it and are not causing a trouble.If you aren't being a nuisance and causing trouble, why would law enforcement care about a small fixed blade versus a large folder?
I think my SAK was technically illegal in the UK but, using it with lunch on a bench somewhere never caused me any trouble, not even a question. Of course I was sober, reasonably groomed, and I wasn't causing a disturbance eating my lunch or snack out in public.
I see what you want to say.Also the Swedish knife law is not as definite as one would expect. What is ok is purely connected to the occasion where the knife is in use/carried. I for sure would be questioned if they found a fixed blade in my laptop case.
I’m not arguing the logic. I just want to make sure I can continue to afford collecting knives
I need to look at the Runt. For me 7.5" OAL is about as long as I would be willing to do for regular carry. I tried a larger knife and felt rather uncomfortable even though for the most part nobody seemed to even notice. I am about to start experimenting a bit. I have a number of Dozier's that would work as well as other small knives. I sort of try something and it works and I get in a rut not even considering other options. But I have a new Arno Bernard Squirrel that I think I would like a lot if I carried it. I got it to have something "a little nicer" than the current one I carry regularly (Condor Compact Kephart). The fact of the matter is that I have a number of higher dollar knives that I know would work for regular carry. The cost of a knife does not determine whether I carry it although I can honestly say I treat the $400-$600 fixed blades a bit nicer than than $50-$100 ones.About 3 years ago I started to edc a small fixed blade and I’m totally hooked. Pros for me are speed of use, silent draw (got sick of people recoiling when my frame lock folder “clicked” open), and one less thing in my pocket.
I’ve tried multiple configurations and my favorite so far is a Fiddleback Forge Runt (5.5” OAL, 2” blade) in a cross draw sheath. A Horsewright Gordo is on my short list.
It's not like I've never carried a fixed blade as an EDC...I never really carried a small fixed blade, like you thinking a folder was the answer. I decided to carry a small fixed blade for a week or so and, now almost always have one on me because they just work better for the things I normally do. On the flip side, I've moved away from large folders to various slip joints which are great for normal things that require some finesse. That sowbelly has been a real surprise of general usefulness.
Now, I don't use an oversized folder to open mail or peel fruit and, I don't struggle with a folder when I have something tougher to do since the fixed blade is so much better.
It's not like I've never carried a fixed blade as an EDC...
I had done it for years as a soldier and many years more as a civilian.
I've carried vertical, horizontal, canted, under the armpit, around the neck, on the vest, in the boot, on the outside of the lower leg, cross-draw, small of the back, behind the neck (don't ask ), leather, nylon, kydex, plastic, even wood.
It's fun, but I really can't help feeling like my inner child is just playing Tarzan.
The tiny ones are definitely easier to carry everywhere everyday than larger fixed-blades, but a folder with the same sized blade is still going to be more compact...
A 2" fixed blade with a 2" handle is still bigger than a 2" folder with a 2.5" handle (4" total vs 2.5" total).
Now if you have a job that requires you to cut stuff like every 1 to 10 minutes, all day long (like a chicken processing plant), then yeah, carry a fixed blade.
BTW, thank you for those cowboy pics. I love them.
But some of those sheathes and scabbards seem bigger and bulkier than my Glock 43 holster!
Those leather frindges....I don't know about those...
Aw heck no! Glock 43 holster:
Beltless sheath, attaches to the belt loops so can be worn with or without a belt:
Glock 43:
Horizontal knife sheath:
Gordo sheath, bottle feeding a leppy (orphan) calf:
EMP on the other side:
Course a guy could always go small and just have a slide for the 3" Kimber:
Just checked it out - it is similar form factor as my Drop Forged HunterFallkniven F1 pro works for me.
Ya bet email me.nice sheaths. could you do one for a balisong?