Fixed blade for concealed carry - recommendations?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Personally, my favourite fixed blade fighter is the Boker Applegate Fairbairn boot knife. Some of the best 440C steel on the market, excellent design, very sturdy etc. It comes with a good kydex sheath but I dunno how concealable it is. Personally I'd get an AF boot but also get an after-market sheath for whatever position you prefer.
 
After you select the knife that you like I would check this guy out

http://hometown.aol.com/lifter4him1/myhomepage/profile.html

If you go the the bottom of the page in the center he has a nice horizontal rig that works for a lot of blades. Very well made and he's a great guy to deal with also! Cost about $30 if I recall correctly.

That way you can pick out the blade you like the best without a concern about the sheath. I know finding the right combo is usually the worse part of it and seldom works out. Also, keeps you from compromising.
 
Check out the Dozier line of Custom knives. He has a number of suitable fixed blade knives for daily carry. His horizontal kydex sheath (Sheath A) is also really slick. I have the Straight Hunter for general use, but in like the Canoe and Whittler models as well. He also has some with the top edge partially sharpened depending on your preferences.

His knives are not cheap but he has and excellent reputation. Check them out: http://www.dozierknives.com/
 
Lifter makes great sheaths - I have 2 for Strider folders. You won't find a better guy to deal with either. :)

Dozier's knives are great - anyone that learned from Loveless makes great stuff to me.
 
dev_null:

I had the same question a while ago, and I made some choices that have worked for me:
  • Pocket knife - a 2.5"-blade all-stainless skinner with a finger hole. It rides in my pocket, attached to my keys, and is hanging right in front of me while behind the wheel. It's so thin and light that it's no trouble at all to carry. This is my EDC knife.

  • Kabar TDI. Yes, the sheath is not ideal, but I like the knife well enough to think that a custom sheath is worth the trouble. I'm using a Kydex IWB, with belt loop, and I'm messing with some ideas of my own to home build a scabbard. This knife is carried when wardrobe/circumstances permit.

  • Deba Kocho - I purchased a Joyce Chen Deba kitchen knife (!) as the raw materials for a custom carry knife. It's 3/16" thick and chisel ground, with a broad blade and a nice. long concealed tang. It came shaving-sharp from the box. It was just $25 from a local World Market. I've shortened the 6" chef's type blade by about 1", from the base of the blade (lengthening and widening the tang in the process). I now need to fit a handle to it, to have a 5.25"-blade knife that looks a bit like a chef's knife. I plan to carry it IWB in a sheath of my own make. I could provide an image of the work in progress, if you like.
Good luck in your quest!

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
I appreciate that Steve! Krein makes great stuff too - well there are many, many great makers out there. If you join and spend some time at a place like www.usualsuspect.net you can get a feel for makers and their knives and get exposed to all kinds of different styles.

Check out places like http://www.bladeart.com/ and http://www.plazacutlery.com/ to see what you might like.

Best of all is when you get to talk to the maker and have him build exactly what you want. I like it so much I do more trades with knifemakers than anything! :D
 
A late recommendation:

Semi-Custom:
Strider Knives - models SA or DB priced under $300

Custom:
Phil Hartsfield custom Kozuka - $300+

Both are quality knives and the makers guarantee their products.

Production:
Benchmade - Steve Corkum design - $100?

Steve Corkum is a thief but his design is sound.
 
Sorry to rain on the parade here, there are a lot of good knives recommended here, but not for the purpose that the author or the origional post needs.

I'm not talking quality......
I'm not talking concealability......
I'm talking about not getting thrown into the pokey.

Those dozier knives look great, and I'll bet 9 out of 10 Texas Peace Officers will toss you in cuffs for having either of the ones shown on their main page. They even call it a Bowie knife. If the manufacturer calls it a "Bowie", likely a judge/jury would agree.

Second, most anything that looks like a dagger, even if single edged, may be seen as a dagger/dirk......thus even though you may beat the charge in court, you'll have a night or two in jail to think about how you will.

Anything beveled on both ends will raise eyebrows, this may be overlooked on some folders, but on a fixed blade can mean the difference between "have a good night sir" and "You have the right to remain silent..."

I recommend sticking with Tanto type styles, avoid a push dagger or anything with the words "dirk", "dagger" or "bowie" in the title. Again, if you think you are in the right, you may be, but cops know less about knives than they know about guns and if he arrests you because of something the manufacturer calls a dagger, whose going to blame him?

Save yourself the hassel. Even a CHL will not save you from our draconian knife laws.....some believe differently, but try it yourself if you think I'm wrong.


Something like the Becker Necker http://www.camillusknives.com/1mainframe.htm?bkt/index.shtml~main

may fit the bill, maybe not but something like the http://www.policeone.com/police-products/duty-gear/knives/press-releases/90711/ Kershaw boot knife, even though technically legal (because I believe the other side, while beveled is blunted) will land you in jail because, to most cops, that's technically a dagger.
 
alduro,

Yep, I hear you.

In your stomping grounds been known to have had in the sling I did not need...
That Old Hickory Utilility knife.
Why the folks I knew on Harry Hines , and nobody taking notice...lemons and limes need cuttin'
Fix them drinks and get them boys liquored up - they tip the "dancers" real well. :p

Some of the UC folks had Old Hickory's in boots too...I mean a "old bum" hanging around Reunion Arena is not going to have a very good knife no ways. ;)

For more "cultured" occaisons a Case Paring knife with Cherry wood handles is "acceptable". Fit in that inside pocket of my Blue Blazer, , or Tux, or...
just being sociable is all...

Need to check out some old stompin' grounds...
Traildust still cut off your tie if you come in wearing one?
 
a sleeper

Dear Sir:

Consider the Becker, BK-2, "Campanion." It suits your criteria; especially no.'s one and three.

The steel is the O1; it takes and holds a fine edge, and is tough!
Excellent sheath too, and I've seen them priced as low as $67.
Blade thickness is great, handle is great, and blade geometry is also a good design.

For what it's worth, I agree on your other post about carring a fixed blade, but of course here in PA it is legal. Thank God. Sorry, "The Great Spirit" I mean.
 
Sorry to rain on the parade here, there are a lot of good knives recommended here, but not for the purpose that the author or the origional post needs.

I'm not talking quality......
I'm not talking concealability......
I'm talking about not getting thrown into the pokey.

Those dozier knives look great, and I'll bet 9 out of 10 Texas Peace Officers will toss you in cuffs for having either of the ones shown on their main page. They even call it a Bowie knife. If the manufacturer calls it a "Bowie", likely a judge/jury would agree.

Second, most anything that looks like a dagger, even if single edged, may be seen as a dagger/dirk......thus even though you may beat the charge in court, you'll have a night or two in jail to think about how you will.

Anything beveled on both ends will raise eyebrows, this may be overlooked on some folders, but on a fixed blade can mean the difference between "have a good night sir" and "You have the right to remain silent..."

I recommend sticking with Tanto type styles, avoid a push dagger or anything with the words "dirk", "dagger" or "bowie" in the title. Again, if you think you are in the right, you may be, but cops know less about knives than they know about guns and if he arrests you because of something the manufacturer calls a dagger, whose going to blame him?

Save yourself the hassel. Even a CHL will not save you from our draconian knife laws.....some believe differently, but try it yourself if you think I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

Excellent overall advice, don't overlook the ability to carry an everday knife and utilize in a defense role if necessary.

Dozier makes a lot of knifes that are great for everday knifes but will also work in a defensive situation.

Texas makes it more difficult to carry a good defensive knife. I carry a Dozier Slim Outdoorsman and it has worked for me for years.

Charles
 
Update

Lots of good recommendations here, thanks.

Due to a combination of reasons (couldn't find anything to handle locally that I liked, so I had to order over the net), I ended up with: 1) Kabar ; 2) Cold Steel Tanto; 3) CRKT First Strike. They're all decent quality, but I've been mostly carrying the First Strike because I like the balance, looks, feel, and the striking pommel. It's also easy to go from OWB to IWB because the knife fits in the sheath either way. It's not the best steel in the world (I had real qualms about buying a Taiwanese manufactured piece), but since I'm not using it for a work/utility knife I figure will do the trick when needed.

I like the Kabar, but hate the crappy sheath, so it stays on a shelf within reach of the front door. The Tanto is also nice, light and very sharp, and I occasionally switch it out for the CRKT.
 
Woops! Just saw you got a First Strike. 440A isn't a "super steel", but it's not crap like 420J and at least it's been properly heat treated with good quality control.
FIRSTRIKE06.jpg

Nice knife.
 
Good thread

This is a good thread. Thanks!

Most days I like to carry my Leatherman tool, not for defense, but because they are so darned useful.

That aside, in Michigan one cannot conceal any defense object other than a pistol. One can carry a pocket knife, but that is a different matter. Indicate to a police officer that it is a defensive weapon, and you will likely be re-educated.

Too, many cities here simply make illegal the carry (on the body) of ANY form of knife for any purpose, even work. I think Dearborn is the most aggressive (according to our MCPL instructor). He further added that ANY knife that has a two-edged blade concealed is an instant felony. So, proceed with caution.

Edited to add:

The reason I began to carry a Leatherman tool is that when I was involved in a 5-car accident in 1995 (not my fault), I was unable to get out of my seatbelt for about 5 minutes. All 5 vehicles were totaled. What if the car (any of the 5) had caught fire??? Most cars would be fully burned out within 5 minutes. So, I promptly purchased a Leatherman tool in case I would need to cut my seatbelt, or for that matter, any other accident victim's seatbelt in the case of a burning vehicle. Last year, I also purchased a Cold Steel, "Land & Sea Rescue" that I leave in my vehicle for that purpose. But, I still carry the Leatherman.

Doc2005
 
Valkman --
I appreciate that Steve! Krein makes great stuff too - well there are many, many great makers out there. If you join and spend some time at a place like www.usualsuspect.net you can get a feel for makers and their knives and get exposed to all kinds of different styles.
Click to expand...

The only problem with joining the USN is that it ends up costing ridiculous amounts of money.
 
Strider. May be ugly, but they get the job done and they do it in half the time and bring you breakfast in bed afterwards.

Or, you could try one of THESE.

Let's have a look at some of the advertised features:

"It can generate the last earthly sensation a terrorist feels on a quick trip to the hereafter"

"the knife is impervious to body sweat and humidity" (unlike every other piece of steel in the world)

"its design redefines concealable utility and lethality"

"extreme penetrating capability"

"the broadening penetrator tip is beveled as not to catch on bone or clothing"

"Deep blood grooves" (No such thing! :banghead: )

"extreme circumstances grip enhancement" :)scrutiny: )

"enhancements for real-time escape and evasion activities" (as opposed to turn-based escape and evasion???)

"impervious to everything from aviation fuel to Al Qaeda body fluids." (......)
 
P35 wrote:
That TDI has an odd handle setup. What's it like to use?
Click to expand...
I like it. If I grab the TDI in a natural fist, the blade is in line with my forearm, much like a push dagger, but without everyone seeing it as nothing but a weapon. I also find the TDI works pretty well as a utility knife.

I wrote a review of the TDI for ModernSurvival last year. It's attached.

All my best,
Dirty Bob
 

Attachments

  • tdi_article.pdf
    252.8 KB · Views: 53
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Need some insight on a full tanged fixed blade for Concealed Carry.
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
JimStC
J
S
  • Locked
IWB sheath for fixed blade
Replies
5
Views
2K
Harold Mayo
H
S
  • Locked
Concealed carry & lawful use of a fixed blade knife in Florida
Replies
3
Views
899
hso
hso
A
  • Locked
The "perfect" fixed blade EDC knife.
2
Replies
45
Views
12K
poilu
P
R
  • Locked
How do you conceal carry a 20 cm blade??
Replies
6
Views
615
Rogelio
R
Back
Top