The "perfect" fixed blade EDC knife.

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Aka Zero

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Does it exist?

After carrying a razel for awhile, I really like the idea of a fixed blade for edc. The razel just doesn't suit my everday needs. I don't really have to scrape things, so I keep it on my when I might have to.

Want something under 4" (missouri law, over 4" blade is a weapon and can't be concealed.) around 3" seems to be the best length for my uses.
Want something that can be pocket carried. If I have to I can make a kydex sheath for it.

Want is to be not small, not huge, decent sized handle.

I've looked at Rat Cutlery, 3 and 4. And am searching for more things in that razel/rat size.
 
I really like the CRKT Plan B. Nice, well-designed handle that fits the hand, steel that is adequate for everyday tasks, crappy sheath for belt purposes but fine for pocket carry (you can just flick the sheath off with your thumb as you draw the knife). CRKT doesn't make it any more, but it's still available online from time to time.
 
Saw plan b's on smkw for like $12, wanted to buy one, but they were out.

And the spyrderco is nice. But a little up there in price. I always hesitate to use anything expensive.

And at $160, it's up there with some custom made things.
 
I don't own one yet but these are on my short list.

Landi MPS Small:
mps-green-micarta-screws-kydex2.jpg

http://landiknives.com/?page_id=44

About $110

And I've handled these at shows.
Blind Horse "Work Horse"
lgwork2.jpg

http://www.blindhorseknives.com/product-003.htm

$112 and LT is an outstanding guy to deal with. I talked to him for a while at the Wolverine Knife Collectors show in April and he is very customer focused.

Chris
 
Dont know a thing about it, but the spyderco Vagaabond was mentioned thids weekend an got good comments

It is a dc'd item but is available and cheap
 
Does it exist?

Nope

What may be ideal to you may not be ideal for me.

What about the Razel doesn't work for you? Do you need a tip for making holes in things?
 
how big are your pockets? The rat 3/rc4 are great knives but you'll need one HECK of a pocket.

If you're willing to go a little smaller on the blade, THR's own Valkman makes a Small Skinner that might be perfect. Lotsa handle with just enough blade for most everything.

Are daggers legal b/c the CRKT sting might also be an options. A cord wrapped Triumph N.E.C.K. from CRKT could work.
 
Bark River Mini Northstar or Bark River Imp
 

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"What about the Razel doesn't work for you? Do you need a tip for making holes in things?"

That's exactly it. I like a pointy knife. Opening packaging is so much easier, which is my main use for a knife. The razel is a great knife, I even thought about dropping the cash one of of the other graham designs, same handle, ringed version. But different blade.

The landi looks really nice. Will have to do some research on those, and the Rat knives. (about to leave for work)

And as for pocket size, I am usually wearing bdu-like pants. so I have huge pockets.
 
Aka Zero,

If opening packages is the issue I think you may find using the front bottom corner at an angle like a more traditional knife point to do the trick for you.

I use the little razel to open boxes and feed sacks without any problem, but I have to use that corner like the tip of a more traditional knife design.

Of course, there are plenty of small pocket friendly sheath knives out there (just check for any of the threads we've had on them). A. G. Russell alone has scores of them.
RU-T914-10A.jpg
Heck, you can also follow SM's advice and get a Chicago Cutlery paring knife and make a sheath for it if you want to keep it really economical.
 
I doubt if my Small Skinner would fit the bill as it has a 5" handle and probably wouldn't fit in a pocket very well (nor is it meant to). I like big handles so even this, the smallest I make, is 7 1/4" long. I won't give up handle length for convinience but I'm sure there are many out there with shorter handles.
 
Go to Ragnars Ragweed Forge and check out some of the puuko's made by Jarvenpaa. The scandinavians have been using small fixed blades for centuries, and have the 3 1/4 to 4 inch working knife pretty well figured out.

Also may want to look at some of what Kellam knives has to offer.
 
I made these out of old Ginsu steak knives. They work great for a neck knife, or just having one in your pocket for opening boxes etc. The shiny thing is a quarter for size comparison. The cases have an indent so your thumb doesn't slip off when taking them out of the sheath.

Ginsu2KShort.jpg
 
Valk your skinner or bird and trout would be about perfect, Handle length isn't a problem, just making the sheath is.

Right now Knife kits is out of the cheap kydex rivet tool, and some other things I would need to make kydex sheaths. So I bought a belt sander instead......

The modifying knives seem to be the cheap route. And I actually looked at some plain old high quality kitchen knives for edc.
And some Kanetsune knives. Great looking (imo) and pretty practical looking.

Got awhile to search for the "perfect fixed blade" while I search for a place that has tools in stock.....
Anyone have help in that area?
I need this: http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=41_57&products_id=1564
Kydex and rivets are easy to find, have oven, foam, and basically everything else.
 
Aka Zero : Want something under 4" (missouri law, over 4" blade is a weapon and can't be concealed.) around 3" seems to be the best length for my uses.
Want something that can be pocket carried. If I have to I can make a kydex sheath for it.

Want is to be not small, not huge, decent sized handle.

I've looked at Rat Cutlery, 3 and 4. And am searching for more things in that razel/rat size.

This has become my favorite fixed blade knife for EDC and it's the exact size you were talking about.

Overall length is 7 inches and blade length is 3 inches.

Width on the steel is 5/32 (4mm) and weight is 3.3 ounces.

The Steel is VG-10 and the handle's made out of micarta.

SpydercoRonin3InsideFacingLeftResiz.gif

SpydercoRonin3InsideResized.gif

It's a Spyderco Ronin.

It was a cooperative effort between Michael Janich, Mike Snody and Spyderco and although they don't make these particular ones anymore (Snody still makes a custom version of the Ronin), but you can still find them used for about $100 on some of the various knife forums or on ebay.

Here's more about it if you're interested in them.

Spyderco Ronin Knife
 
I'm a big fan of the Bark River Highland Special for size v. cutting ability.

People with very large hands will probably have trouble with the size of teh grip though.
 
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but concealed carry of any fixed blade knife in Missouri is illegal. Missouri law prohibits the concealed carry of any "knife", but makes an exception for an "ordinary pocketknife with no blade more than four inches in length."

In MO vs. Wallace N. WEIR, Jr. in 1988 Wallace argued that his fixed-blade knife (he'd used to assault someone) was not a weapon because he considered it a pocket knife (even though it was double-edged, 4.5" long, and he carried it in his boot).

The judge ruled against him citing, among other things, that Wallace's knife did not meet the definition of a pocketknife as defined in Webster's Third New International Dictionary (1971) as a knife with a blade folding into the handle to fit it for being carried in the pocket.

The question of whether having a CCW permit allows the carrying of a fixed-blade knife (a "weapon" according to the law's definition) is yet to be tested in court.

It's frustrating, I know, but it's the law.
 
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