Fixed Blade Suggestions

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I'm looking for suggestions on a affordable fixed blade knife for EDC. I would like it be at least 440C or AUS8 steel, higher quality would be nice, but probably out of the price range. Size limit is 5 2/4", However I would prefer something between 4" and 5".

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
What kind of use? If I'm carrying everyday up here on the coast of the Bering Sea in Alaska, my EDC needs will be different than someone who works on a farm in Iowa, and that will be different than someone who works in a downtown office. How much are you looking to spend? I know you may want to spend as little as possible but an idea of approximate range will help.

Cutlery Shoppe carries Ontario Knives which are a great knives. I'd suggest the Rat 3 in D2 steel for $90. Not technically a stainless, but a very stain resistant steel and it's about as good a steel as you can get in a knife. Tough as hell and holds a good edge.
 
I intended to carry it as a secondary SD, just incase my kel-tec P11 malfunctions in anyway. However, I would like to still be able to use it when I go hunting.

$150 is my breaking point, anymore than that just doesn't seem worth it.
 
Welcome NTK!

Take a look at the Benchmade Rant. 440C and fits between the 4 and 5 inch mark at 4.5". Should be able to find one for $50 to $60.

If that isn't in your price range, Buck has a Diamondback with a 4" blade. Its 420HC but Buck does some incredible stuff with 420HC. I'd rather use their stuff than a poorly heat treated 440C. The come in around $20.

Still lower than that? You'd be hard pressed to beat a Mora for the money. For about $10 you get a well built knife that takes a razor edge. Available in carbon and stainless and in the size you're looking for. The sheaths are absolute crap for the most part but you can upgrade that later. Check out the 510, 860 Clipper, and the 780 Craftsmen. http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

HTH,
Chris

EDIT: I was still posting when you posted your price cap.
 
Welcome to THR!

Do you know if it is legal for you to carry a fixed blade knife in your community?

When you say EDC, what do you do every day that you'd use the knife for? You're much better off getting a knife you can use every day and that can be pressed into SD duty than trying to turn a tailored SD knife into an EDC tool.
 
$150 is my breaking point, anymore than that just doesn't seem worth it.
Click to expand...

It is, especially for customs. I have a Bird & Trout with Kydex for $150 that I think would make an excellent EDC knife.
 
I have a Helle Eggen. Helle knives are handmade in Norway and have excellent steel. The blades are laminated and have 2 types of steel in them. This is the sharpest knife that I have ever owned. Each knife from Helle goes through about 70 different inspections by hand. Additionally, they are pretty affordable. I got mine for like $55. It came with a beautiful handmade leather sheath, and a curly birch handle. I'm telling you, you NEED to check out Helle. This would be an excellent everyday carry knife, bushcraft knife, or just good for anything. The single bevel edges on these knives are so easy to sharpen too. They are idiot-proof. They are also quite handsome.
 
Here's the B&T I have for sale, it has Brown Micarta handles and is made from CPMD2:

Brown_BT1.jpg
Brown_BT2.jpg

3 1/2" spearpoint blade, 8 1/2" overall length.
 
D2 is good stuff. It's a tool steel, the material that mill cutters are made of to cut other steels. Be aware that a sub 5" blade is not a good fighting knife. You are going to have to cut your guy up and bleed him with a blade that size, it's too short for the penetration you need. That means your going to have to get into his reach and he's gonna get his hands on you. If you don't really really know your stuff your likely to get that knife taken away from you and stuck with it yourself. If you are looking for a utility blade with weapon of last resort capability, fine. If you are carrying a knife as a weapon you need at least a 7" blade and LOTS of training and practice.

John
 
onebigelf, what do you base your opinion on? I have seen a few fatal stabbings and several of them were the result of a sub 4 inch blade.

As a matter of fact what I have found is that criminals who kill more people with edged weapons than good guys do whether in or out of prison carry a low quality blade that is sub 4 inches. Most often a box cutter, steak knife, screw driver or cheap folder.

You mention needing having to get withing his reach, a knife being a contact distance weapon requires that anyway. If you are using a long blade to stay out of reach you cannot use it for deep penetration at the same time. So you will still be using the cutting surface more than the length for stabbing, right?

What knife with a 7 inch blade do you recommend and how do you carry it?
 
What do you plan to use the knife for? I mean it's intended purpose, not its back-up purposes.

I can tell you some of knives that have stood test well for me is:

the Benchmade Nimravus (as someone else already mentioned)
and the Timberline SpecWar. I can note others depending on intended use and as others have stated some custom made knives (very good ones) can be had for that price range. I must mention a few downsides to the SpecWar though:

1) It is pricey as a lot of collectors like them
2) you have to send it in to be sharpened due to the edge it has on it
3) it is not good for cutting or survival of any kind IMO, it is to be used strictly as a fighting weapon and for that it does its job very well. However, if you find yourself in need of a knife for survival and this is all you have then you are screwed LOL as it is not good for cutting, chopping wood, etc. Again, strictly a fighting knife. It serve some use as a hammer as it has the capability but it is not recommended.
 
Valkman, have you considered making your fighter model in a scaled-down 4-inch EDC version? Just curious...

;)
 
Thanks for the suggestions given so far, very helpful. I live in Texas and I am well within my rights to carry a fixed blade up to 5 2/4". I should of mentioned I have a Kershaw Blur as my EDC folder, however I mainly use that as my utility blade. I don't see myself using the fixed blade for anything but a secondary self defense option and on occasion a decent knife to take with me while hunting.
 
Welcome newbie, and I mean that in a good way. There are a lot of fine men here with a weath of knowledge and experience. Search past posts, lurk, learn, and ask questions.

Valkmans knives are a Great value.

Mora's are good also, as are a bunch of other.

As far as an S/D tactics, Ya its good to have a gun and knife, and even an impact weapon. But your best weapon is your brain.
 
hso wrote:
When you say EDC, what do you do every day that you'd use the knife for? You're much better off getting a knife you can use every day and that can be pressed into SD duty than trying to turn a tailored SD knife into an EDC tool.
Click to expand...

I agree.

Custom:
I would consider one of Valkman's Small Skinners.

Production:
A.G Russel Woodswalker, and really like the leather back pocket sheath , though I would recommend getting both the leather back pocket sheath and Kydex.

Both of these are just "regular old hunting, woodswalking, general purpose knives ...:

In addtion to suggestions made by Rupestris , and bikerdoc.

Almost forgot, Marbles Trout & Bird.
I am not sure how the new ones are, I do know how the old ones were and the simple design was very people friendly.

This the all metal knife with the ring on the end.
 
non comforming suggestion

I agree with "mercop" on the blade length for self defense; who could argue with him anyway?

But I would add that with the 5 1/2 length limit, you have restricted yourself to a partial handle length; if you are going to have a blade any larger than
an Exacto hobby tool.

Measure your palm. Approximately four inches, right? That leaves a remainder of 1 1/2 for a blade. Should you increase the blade length, then, you will be having less handle to grab on to -in a defensive knife.

My suggestion would be a "Tops Knives, 'Baghdad Bullet" for between $78 to $99, or the four inch blade K-Bar. Both in 1095; good old steel. The Bullet has a full length tang -good, and a nice Kydex clip on sheath. Wipe them dry, that is, do not permit them to be long term damp or wet, wax the blade, and they will hold up to corrosion fine.
 
Ah, c'mon. I am easy to get along with. It just seems that even more so with knives than guns people offer advice on what they have heard instead of what they know based on experience or expertise. I just like to know the reason behind people's opinions and advice.

Here is my favorite knife hands down for EDC SD duty-
http://www.mercop.com/docs/bag11.htm
 
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