Which small fixed for EDC/general use?

Which small stainless fixed for EDC/general use?

  • White River Backpacker Pro (w/ G10 scale)

    Votes: 12 50.0%

  • Bradford Guardian 3 (flat scale, not 3D)

    Votes: 6 25.0%

  • ESEE Izula S35VN (w/extended handle)

    Votes: 6 25.0%
  • Total voters
    24
B

benhar

Joined
Apr 17, 2012
Messages
92
Thought I had my small-fixed blade purchase narrowed down, but since posting yesterday I've managed to complicate it. Goal is something to keep in an office backpack that I can occasionally throw in back pocket or on hip when needed.

Started with a sub-$100 goal but looks like that might not be happening if I do it right. They're all about the same price give or take $20 (assuming I get scales for Izula and stick with the stock leather sheath from Bradford).

My only concerns about each:

Bradford: Most expensive of 3, even more if I want Kydex. Concerned not much protection between finger and blade at choil.
White River: Wondering if the very deep choil makes it more awkward vs the other two?
ESEE: Getting stainless means either sticking with shorter handle or retrofitting with longer handle. Quality-wise, comparable to other 2?
 
Izula 2 is a good one
But the s35V wouldn't be my choice ...so brittle
Even the esee guys say they only made it cause the customer base wants it so bad
But they don't trust their lives to it 😜
 
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The White River Pro is very comfortable in my hand. I love the Bradford 3.5 but the 3 just never felt right in my hand. The 3.5 is one of my favorite small knives, but it's heavier than the others you mentioned and as you said added cost for kydex with Bradford.

The Izula is a solid option, but for pocket carry I'd pick the White River everytime and in my hand it's the more comfortable than the Izula. The Izula will give you a more traditional knife feel, but the White River's design is extremely comfortable. I've used a White River Pro for skinning deer, it's a great little blade.

The last points I'll bring up is the Izula is the thickest of the three and the White River is the thinnest with the Bradford slightly thicker than the White River. The White is the easiest to carry/conceal.

S35VN isn't the thoughest steel, but it's far from brittle and very well balanced. And in a small knife more than adequate.
 
In comparison to their 1095 it's considered brittle (by them)

Probably ok if you only using the knife for cutting/urban stuff
Probably not great if you're planning on using it for heavier outdoor use
 
View attachment 2154603Toferner Celtic Pocket/Neck Knife? (available on the big river site)
Works or me. The Mora ELDRIS was my other choice.
I went with the Toferner (a) it cost a little less
(b) Carbon steel (14260 Spring Steel, Czech made. 14260 is used for rail car springs, from what I saw when I looked it up back in 2021. It does hold a 10 degree per side edge well. I have only had to strop it since Nov. 03-2021. I have carried it pretty much every day since it arrived 11-03-21)
(c) I like the as forged finish.

I might get the Eldris "someday".

I am not familiar with the knives you mentioned, sorry.
 
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JJ_Colt45 said:
S35VN isn't the thoughest steel, but it's far from brittle and very well balanced. And in a small knife more than adequate.
Click to expand...
Are you sure?
Gary W. Graley said:
This arrived today, carried it for a few hours, until this happened :(

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

It's the new Case medium stockman with S35vn steel, must be hard as the blade just went 'snap' and that's all she wrote.

I put in a request to Case to get a replacement, hopefully they can act on it quickly
G2
Click to expand...
 
afishhunter said:
Are you sure?
Click to expand...
I'm sure I have several knives in S35VN and use them regularly. Not all blades are equal in the same steel some take shortcuts. And qc of some companies is lacking.

Done properly S35VN is a well balanced steel. It's not the toughest, it's not the most stainless, it doesn't have the highest edge retention, but it does have a very good balance of attributes.
 
Honestly- for around the same price I would get one from David Mary (I have one and another on the way). He makes a variety of styles/sizes and uses different steels.
 
beeinak said:
The Izula s35 with extended grip is an excellent, well designed knife. I love mine.
Click to expand...
Good deal, thanks!

Rsmith_77 said:
Izula 2 is a good one
But the s35V wouldn't be my choice ...so brittle
Even the esee guys say they only made it cause the customer base wants it so bad
But they don't trust their lives to it 😜
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have a few sturdy 4" knives I'd be quicker to trust for something like that. This is more everyday stuff, hopefully nothing too crazy.

JJ_Colt45 said:
The White River Pro is very comfortable in my hand. I love the Bradford 3.5 but the 3 just never felt right in my hand. The 3.5 is one of my favorite small knives, but it's heavier than the others you mentioned and as you said added cost for kydex with Bradford.

The Izula is a solid option, but for pocket carry I'd pick the White River everytime and in my hand it's the more comfortable than the Izula. The Izula will give you a more traditional knife feel, but the White River's design is extremely comfortable. I've used a White River Pro for skinning deer, it's a great little blade.

The last points I'll bring up is the Izula is the thickest of the three and the White River is the thinnest with the Bradford slightly thicker than the White River. The White is the easiest to carry/conceal.

S35VN isn't the thoughest steel, but it's far from brittle and very well balanced. And in a small knife more than adequate.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Good point about the thickness, for this particular use I probably don't need a prybar.
 
benhar said:
Thought I had my small-fixed blade purchase narrowed down, but since posting yesterday I've managed to complicate it. Goal is something to keep in an office backpack that I can occasionally throw in back pocket or on hip when needed.

Started with a sub-$100 goal but looks like that might not be happening if I do it right. They're all about the same price give or take $20 (assuming I get scales for Izula and stick with the stock leather sheath from Bradford).

My only concerns about each:

Bradford: Most expensive of 3, even more if I want Kydex. Concerned not much protection between finger and blade at choil.
White River: Wondering if the very deep choil makes it more awkward vs the other two?
ESEE: Getting stainless means either sticking with shorter handle or retrofitting with longer handle. Quality-wise, comparable to other 2?
Click to expand...
The White River Backpacker does indeed look a bit awkward, yet it is anything but awkward. It handles most excellently.

Give it a try, I think you will like it.
 
.577NE said:
The White River Backpacker does indeed look a bit awkward, yet it is anything but awkward. It handles most excellently.

Give it a try, I think you will like it.
Click to expand...
Got it in, and you’re right, the ergos are great on this thing. Has me questioning some of my bigger knives now, might be a shakeup coming in my small collection!

eXLY2hI.jpg

Ohp5H7e.jpg
 
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benhar said:
Got it in, and you’re right, the ergos are great on this thing. Has me questioning some of my bigger knives now, might be a shakeup coming in my small collection!

eXLY2hI.jpg

Ohp5H7e.jpg
Click to expand...
Awesome!

Many thanks for the update.
 
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