Who likes small fixed blades? I do :)

[mushka]

WHY? Because arthritis and neuropathy prevent me from easily opening a regular pocket knife. Closing a pocket knife can be dicey too.

 

[Dutch87]

Small O1 blade and pocket sheath by blgoode

Picked it up in Atlanta last weekend and it barely ever leaves my pocket.

 

[VorpelSword]

I may have missed them but . . .

It just occurred to me that I haven't seen any variation on the AG Russel "Sting". Not even the current iteration of that design from Cold Steel.

Also missing is any sort of push dagger. . . .or Karambit

.

 

[J. Doyle]

I may have missed them but . . .

It just occurred to me that I haven't seen any variation on the AG Russel "Sting". Not even the current iteration of that design from Cold Steel.

Also missing is any sort of push dagger. . . .or Karambit

.

Probably several reasons for that.

*Most* people don't carry knives as weapons.

Those knives aren't very practical. Those knives (especially push daggers) are illegal *almost* everywhere.

Maybe try prac/tac for that.

 

[jfk1110]

A lot of very nicely crafted small, fixed blade knives here. Many are beautiful.

I have never quite "got" why one would carry a fixed blade at or under 3" though. But that is just me and my perhaps uninformed bias. I am open to schooling on this.

Why? To what end ? In my daily life, any EDC more substantial than a Leatherman in a belt sheath would be uncomfortable to wear and awkward to be seen with. And so, I carry my Wave in a horizontally oriented belt pouch worn at 4:00 behind my right hip . . .to make it even less obvious. . . .and more comfortable to sit with. Deploys smoothly and is returned without much fuss. Maybe that same carry mode would work f I wanted to EDC a fixed blade . . .but again, why?

I know of folks who EDC a pistol and I can't imagine how they walk around with the weight or sit in a car or recliner with a lump of steel gouging their kidneys or groin. . . .yet I know that it is done.

So, how does one EEC a small fixed blade . . .but above all, why?

Why not??? And because I can and I like em......Good nuff fo me...

 

[Buck_Fan]

I really like neck knives.

IMG_20250612_200614140~2 by Bill Friggle Photography, on Flickr

 

[VorpelSword]

Probably several reasons for that.

*Most* people don't carry knives as weapons.

Those knives aren't very practical. Those knives (especially push daggers) are illegal *almost* everywhere.

Maybe try prac/tac for that.

Just an observation, not advocacy.
The thread title had no parameters except for size. A few posts later someone was enthusiastic for "neck knives".

Another tread's topic here was/is Fixed blade EDC. Plenty of pictures of really nice knives. Plenty of pictures of handles sticking out of pockets and so on. Looks uncomfortable to me, but then, 'To each his own . . ." , and " . . .eye of the beholder . . .:

Now then, here in Texas, we can openly wear about any blade except for maybe a Roman Gladius, Katana or Broad Sword. Same goes for guns BTW. Here they call it "Constitutional Carry" (2A rocks!).

I will stick with my Leatherman in a belt pouch. Worn horizontally i is nearly invisible to the casual observer and alarms no one when brought out for use . . .not even the delicate sensibilities of the elderly ladies at my mother-in-law's tea gathering.

 

[Horsewright]

Found it! The pretty pirate pic:

Per request.

V VorpelSword For us in the cowboy world, a small fixed blade is often a safety item as well as a practicality. I've personally cut several horses out of very threatening entanglements as well as a couple of people.You've got ropes, horses, cattle and people and sometimes things can get "western." You may not have time to dig out that pocket knife, particularly, if you have chaps or leggings on of some kind. A small fixed blade readily available to hand can be a life saver. I can't tell you how many knives I've sold, the day after a "wreck."

I've spent quite a few years developing, evolving and refining sheaths that allow a small fixed blade to be worn and carried safely horseback. This includes retention. The knife is no good if it fell out the last time your horse jumped a lil creek. The thing with horses is the unintentional dismounts. While getting bucked off isn't all that common it can happen. My sheaths have solved this problem to such an extent that I have customers that get on broncs on purpose (rodeo bucking events) wearing my knives and sheaths.

Then of course there's just the practical aspect of having that knife available for the day to day work such as at a branding like the pic above or here:

At a branding bull calves are turned into steer calves. Steers are the source of the vast majority of the beef you eat. It's not as bad as it seems and is really necessary. But heck the lil fixed blade isn't used just at a branding they're handy for opening feed sacks or hay bales and just general use around a ranch.

Just handy to have around. This lil calf had a skin infection that needed doctorin'.

Where'd the knife come in? That bottle of betadine had that foil seal on it and it had to be opened.

Anyhoo they work for us.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Just an observation, not advocacy.
The thread title had no parameters except for size. A few posts later someone was enthusiastic for "neck knives".

Another tread's topic here was/is Fixed blade EDC. Plenty of pictures of really nice knives. Plenty of pictures of handles sticking out of pockets and so on. Looks uncomfortable to me, but then, 'To each his own . . ." , and " . . .eye of the beholder . . .:

Now then, here in Texas, we can openly wear about any blade except for maybe a Roman Gladius, Katana or Broad Sword. Same goes for guns BTW. Here they call it "Constitutional Carry" (2A rocks!).

I will stick with my Leatherman in a belt pouch. Worn horizontally i is nearly invisible to the casual observer and alarms no one when brought out for use . . .not even the delicate sensibilities of the elderly ladies at my mother-in-law's tea gathering.

My first fixed blade carry was a push dagger.
I'll probably design a version of My own,some day.... I really like and believe in the concept.
I just haven't got around to it yet.....

Soooooo Many Knives.
Thanks

 

[VorpelSword]

Horsewright:

Love it all. Great pictures. If I were doing ranch work, I would carry a fixed blade much as you have shown, horizontally behind the hip. Retention might be an issue but seems not to be the case for you.

I retired from hospital work in 2003; indoors with air-conditioning, and so on. During the 1990s, I transitioned my EDC from a largeish pocket folder, a Buck 110, to a Leatherman multitool, worn much as you carry that sheath knife. The most outside I get any more is waiting for a bus in Houston. . . .a fixed blade is just a bit too much for my current life-path.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Horsewright:

Love it all. Great pictures. If I were doing ranch work, I would carry a fixed blade much asy ou have shown, horizontally behind the hip. Retention might be an issue but seems not to be the case for you.

I retired from hospital work in 2003. During the 1990s, I transitioned my EEC from a largeish pocket folder, a Buck 110, to a leatherman multitool, worn much as you carry that sheath knife. The most outside I get any more is waiting for a bus in Houston. . . .a fixed blade is just a bit too much for my current life-path.

Nothing wrong with your philosophy: carry whatever and however works for you in your situation. I lived and worked in Houston for 6 years and usually carried a slipjoint in my pocket and a modern one-handed folder clipped into the other pocket. I surely could have carried a fixed blade on my belt 24/7 but it would have probably garnered unwanted attention around school or the office. But, once I untucked my shirt I carried whatever I wanted provided it was not too cumbersome. For reference, it did not take long to learn that a Cold Steel Laredo Bowie tucked into my waistband was just a bit too long to carry comfortably while concealed.

 

[Mick Boardman]

 

[jfk1110]

Found it! The pretty pirate pic:

Per request.

V VorpelSword For us in the cowboy world, a small fixed blade is often a safety item as well as a practicality. I've personally cut several horses out of very threatening entanglements as well as a couple of people.You've got ropes, horses, cattle and people and sometimes things can get "western." You may not have time to dig out that pocket knife, particularly, if you have chaps or leggings on of some kind. A small fixed blade readily available to hand can be a life saver. I can't tell you how many knives I've sold, the day after a "wreck."

I've spent quite a few years developing, evolving and refining sheaths that allow a small fixed blade to be worn and carried safely horseback. This includes retention. The knife is no good if it fell out the last time your horse jumped a lil creek. The thing with horses is the unintentional dismounts. While getting bucked off isn't all that common it can happen. My sheaths have solved this problem to such an extent that I have customers that get on broncs on purpose (rodeo bucking events) wearing my knives and sheaths.

Then of course there's just the practical aspect of having that knife available for the day to day work such as at a branding like the pic above or here:

At a branding bull calves are turned into steer calves. Steers are the source of the vast majority of the beef you eat. It's not as bad as it seems and is really necessary. But heck the lil fixed blade isn't used just at a branding they're handy for opening feed sacks or hay bales and just general use around a ranch.

Just handy to have around. This lil calf had a skin infection that needed doctorin'.

Where'd the knife come in? That bottle of betadine had that foil seal on it and it had to be opened.

Anyhoo they work for us.

LOVE IT....Thanx Dave.....She single????.......Never mind long distance do t work

 

[RPZIP]

I wish I had teeth like that

 

[jfk1110]

I wish I had teeth like that

Ditto.....

 

[Horsewright]

LOVE IT....Thanx Dave.....She single????.......Never mind long distance do t work

I wish I had teeth like that

Ditto.....

No sir she's not single. Great story behind that pic too. Emma didn't grow up doing this, being in this lifestyle but she wanted to learn. She was 17 at the time of this pic. She would come up with her horse Notch and help us on the ranch. One day at a branding she asked if she could learn to cut a calf. Its quite a bit more involved than just a quick slice.. In the plaid shirt on the left is our son Logan on the right is Cody. both have never been anything but professional working cowboys. They have between them cut perhaps a couple zillion batrillion calves so figured they be the ones to show Emma. Under their direction Emma made the first slice. She asked what she did with the knife while her hands were busy. They both said put it in your teeth. Now most 17 year old girls particularly ones not raised in this deal knowing that that IS what you do, would have said "ewe yuckie no way, not doing that!" Emma just cowgirl up and stuck the knife in her teeth and went to work with both hands. Our friend Jennifer caught the shot.

 

[JWright214]

A lot of very nicely crafted small, fixed blade knives here. Many are beautiful.

I have never quite "got" why one would carry a fixed blade at or under 3" though. But that is just me and my perhaps uninformed bias. I am open to schooling on this.

Why? To what end ? In my daily life, any EDC more substantial than a Leatherman in a belt sheath would be uncomfortable to wear and awkward to be seen with. And so, I carry my Wave in a horizontally oriented belt pouch worn at 4:00 behind my right hip . . .to make it even less obvious. . . .and more comfortable to sit with. Deploys smoothly and is returned without much fuss. Maybe that same carry mode would work f I wanted to EDC a fixed blade . . .but again, why?

I know of folks who EDC a pistol and I can't imagine how they walk around with the weight or sit in a car or recliner with a lump of steel gouging their kidneys or groin. . . .yet I know that it is done.

So, how does one EDC a small fixed blade . . .but above all, why?

I’ve seen you bring this question up several times in other threads, so, I’ll do my best to answer with MY reasons why.

Because…

Why not? What’s wrong with carrying a non folding knife?

Not everyone’s needs, desires, and preferences are the same.

I like them better than folders.

Easy access with either hand.

Easier to clean after gross jobs.

Less moving parts to failure/break/malfunction.

Custom fixed blades with dialed in heat treatments and better overall performance can be had cheaper than a lot of production folders. Generally speaking, fixed blades are cheaper than folders when comparing similar quality and materials used.

They are not uncomfortable to carry if you choose a reasonable size and carry method.

I do not care about the opinions of others that may think it’s awkward, weird, scary, or unnecessary to carry a fixed blade. I spent most of my adult life working in law enforcement, I am thick skinned, and I am used to people looking at me in a negative manner.

My fixed blades are carried in addition to a folder (that does the majority of cutting day to day) and mainly serves as a backup or for rough/dirty jobs.

Because I can.

I think part of the problem is this public misconception, or misguided assumption, that fixed blades are weapons. They are tools, first and foremost. Of course they could be used as a weapon, just as a hammer could be used as such.

Last, but definitely not least, I am one of those folks you mentioned that carries a pistol daily as well. I’ve carried a pistol daily for over 20 years and there is an adjustment period and a bit of experimentation that goes along with it. But it can be done comfortably if you choose the right method for you. Hopefully, this will help you get a better understanding of it.

 

[jfk1110]

No sir she's not single. Great story behind that pic too. Emma didn't grow up doing this, being in this lifestyle but she wanted to learn. She was 17 at the time of this pic. She would come up with her horse Notch and help us on the ranch. One day at a branding she asked if she could learn to cut a calf. Its quite a bit more involved than just a quick slice.. In the plaid shirt on the left is our son Logan on the right is Cody. both have never been anything but professional working cowboys. They have between them cut perhaps a couple zillion batrillion calves so figured they be the ones to show Emma. Under their direction Emma made the first slice. She asked what she did with the knife while her hands were busy. They both said put it in your teeth. Now most 17 year old girls particularly ones not raised in this deal knowing that that IS what you do, would have said "ewe yuckie no way, not doing that!" Emma just cowgirl up and stuck the knife in her teeth and went to work with both hands. Our friend Jennifer caught the shot.

Can tell she enjoyed every bit.....just by her.grip on dem nutz........Very cool................
No fear...