Thinking about an EDC fixed blade… 2.5" - 3"…

G

guttaperk

Joined
Jan 6, 2015
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54
EDIT:

Yeah, I originally asked this question for a friend, but she's pretty much made her choice (a Candiru) and I'm all intrigued for selfish reasons.

3" is a hard limit.
Budget: about $200, flexible.
For EDC, light use, pocket carry. We don't do belt sheaths around here.
Slicey knives preferred. I won't be chopping down trees with this one.
 
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You didn't mention budget; so I'll throw out a few of my favorites in that range:
Bradford Guardian 3, LT Wright Patriot, Dozier Modified Personal, BRKT Mini Fox River
 
Spyderco Street Beat. I have and carry the micarta version, now discontinued but still available until inventory is gone at places like here. The micarta is worth getting if you can afford. The newer/cheaper version is widely available with the FRN handles for under $100.
 
Becker BK11, factory micarta and an aftermarket sheath.

Or, you can go with a BK11 and customize it from the ground up.
75476679-BADE-4945-A9C0-FF711F232714_zpso7cmfxh0.jpg

If you want a custom piece, go with JK Knives or Daado.

John ( @JK Knives ) has a subforum on here or through his profile, He works in O1, 154cm, 440C and S30V.

Dalibor ( @Daado ) can be found in the exchange or contacted via his profile, and he works in 52100 almost exclusively.

Both make fantastic knives that will work well for you and take anything you will dish out.
JK Knives are a bit tougher, Daado is a bit more finesse (aside from Johns 154cm/440C), but both are fantastic Knifemakers, and great guys that deserve more recognition.
 
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Im ex military and have small hands and love my spyderco enuff leaf point. Its my first EDC fixed blade and its very easy to draw, carry and switch grips for different cuts.
 
Since budget was not mentioned, I'll plus one the Bradford Guardian 3.
I've got big hands, but I've let a few relatives with small hands use it, and they had no issues.

A much more budget friendly knife I have purchased and used was the Buck Knives 113 Ranger Skinner. The grip did not work for me (again big hands) and I sent it to my dad who appreciated it and has not complained.

Whatever you get them, good luck and enjoy.
 
Arno Bernard makes quite a few

LT wright patriot

Small Hazen has smaller handles

TOPS makes quite a few


A lot of options, what budget are you looking at?
 
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What sort of carry are you thinking? Might have to factor some custom kydex into the works for EDC.

Becker bk-13 is a little short, but very compact
becker bk-11/14/24
Izula1
Lt Wright

Lots of options, really just need to decide on full scales, full handle, or cord wrap/skeleton. If you can start narrowing down any other factors like stainless/carbon, price, blade shape, that would help.
 
hhmoore suggested the Bradford Guardian 3.
I've had eight of these; I still have four. Three are NIB and the other has been on my belt every day for about one year.
IMO, so very close to perfect....(I would like a very thin blade, 3/32", for my casual needs).

These are the ones I presently own...
top and bottom are in M390 (bottom one is my EDC)
#2 and #3 are in the new Vanadis 4
I always have the Wilson/CRK clipped in my pocket, but seldom use.
Given the finger-choil on the Guardian which is DESIGNED to be used, I still get a full 4-finger grip...not quite as much as on the large Sebbie, but very acceptable.
EDC's2.jpg
 
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Izula, TOPS MSK, Bravo 1 EDC (slightly longer, but shouldn't be that big a deal), CRKT Minimalist (available in pretty much every blade shape). I wouldn't discount the Guardian 3, either.

I'd say EK&T Companion, but although I love my gen 1 and am waiting for two gen 2s... the latter took almost two years to get built, and I wouldn't count on timely delivery. (Sorry, Brian, just telling it like it is.)
 
I like my bk24 but would like to recommend the Freeman neck knife. Mine is in S35vn. I find it very useful to have. I think there is a slightly larger fixed blade that he makes as well.

Take care
Anthony
 
Bradford knives are awesome! Love my G4

My favorite EDC is from Gollik knives. mine is 3.5 inch blade Elmax steel, and a pry tool on the end. VERY good prices IMHO for a custom knife. You can get exactly the size and blade shape you want, along with handle material.
Another great custom maker is Austin Goldman. He makes a lot of great small knives. I have one is AEB L, and CPM 3V and both are awesome!!

A good cheaper opportunity is a Real Steel Pointman, or a Ruike Hornet. Really like the Pointman, I use that one a lot
 
One small fixed blade that I've come to love is my Tops MSK. It's small as hell, the scandi grind probably isn't the best for EDC needs, and it comes purely as a neck knife, but it is one mean mini machine.

As an EDC blade I know there are better options(Bradford Guardian 3 is my top choice), I use my MSK as my woods knife. I don't need some 12 inch behemoth when I'm just taking a stroll through the forest so the 3 inch blade is enough. It's just one worth mentioning in my opinion, the grinds on mine were the best I've gotten from any company.

jqobsCx.jpg

*old picture*
 
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