Small Fixed Blade

[cgk]

I am looking for a small utility fixed blade knife.  I do not want to spend too much (the HAK utility is about the top end of what I want to spend $69).  Please give me some advice.  Photos are of some ideas Im kicking around.

[cgk]

I am looking for a small utility fixed blade knife.  I do not want to spend too much (the HAK utility is about the top end of what I want to spend $69).  Please give me some advice.  Photos are of some ideas Im kicking around.

A couple more.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Would a Becker Necker be too big? As there an excellent knife

[GMArthur]

Maybe take a look at the Buck Hartsook. http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3563

I don't have one, so I can't offer any first hand info. Looks like a good little knife with premium steel for only $24 USD street price.

[Gadget Guy]

Maybe take a look at the Buck Hartsook. http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3563

I don't have one, so I can't offer any first hand info. Looks like a good little knife with premium steel for only $24 USD street price.

cgk, I have an extra Buck Hartsook if you think that will work for you? It's a small knife, but it's yours if you want it. 

[cgk]

Maybe take a look at the Buck Hartsook. http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3563

I don't have one, so I can't offer any first hand info. Looks like a good little knife with premium steel for only $24 USD street price.

cgk, I have an extra Buck Hartsook if you think that will work for you? It's a small knife, but it's yours if you want it. 

I really appreciate the offer but the handle is just too small for me, I had traded one away when I first joined.

[jzmtl]

How small is small? Probably not the style you are looking for but Mora has some little fixed blades, cheap too so you wouldn't care if you break/lost one.

Maybe take a look at the Buck Hartsook. http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3563

I don't have one, so I can't offer any first hand info. Looks like a good little knife with premium steel for only $24 USD street price.

cgk, I have an extra Buck Hartsook if you think that will work for you? It's a small knife, but it's yours if you want it. 

Hey GG since cgk doesn't want it I would buy it off your hand. I've been wanting to try out the whole neck knife thing, but a local store has it in their catalogue is always out of stock.

[WhichDawg]

One very popular one is A.G.Russells Woodswalker. Some call it the "Steak Knife"
(the way it looks) but it feels really good in your hand (even with big paws like mine)
It's stainless, small yet very functional and good edge qualities; http://www.agrussell.com/product.asp?pn=AGPRS

I also like the CRKT Dogfish. I use it often though not as comfy in the hand but easy to maintain
and a nice design; http://www.crkt.com/dogfish.html
I suggest the P.E. version the serration model is not as easy to maintain/sharpen (ask me how I know this)

I got both for under 16 usd (sales) each, but they are not much more at regular price.

[WhichDawg]

now my all time favorite small/necker is the Busse-Swamp Rat-SwampWarden.
One of the super steels, great size, super edge retention (SR-101),
good corrosion resistance, lifetime warranty (of the blade, not me!), and perdy!
I payed 59 for each when they came out, they are now going for up too 200!
(which is crazy)

[cgk]

Dogfish isn't bad.  Some more info--I am looking at a waistband carry, higher-up so a t-shirt will cover it.  I like the less traditional handles like the Batwing and H.A.K.

[cgk]

now my all time favorite small/necker is the Busse-Swamp Rat-SwampWarden.
One of the super steels, great size, super edge retention (SR-101),
good corrosion resistance, lifetime warranty (of the blade, not me!), and perdy!
I payed 59 for each when they came out, they are now going for up too 200!
(which is crazy)

Looks great, but....ouch $$$

It looks like that new Rat Izula....which makes a little sense I guess

[WhichDawg]

the Dogfish is nice, comes with a kydex sheath and is a multi-use tool.
it is a little small in my hand, but it's really light and comes with a chain
so you can put it anywhere (like on a waistband)

one thing though, if you get it, always check the fit in the sheath, it gets
lose and I lost my first one   but it's an easy fix with a hair-dryer.

[Gadget Guy]

How small is small? Probably not the style you are looking for but Mora has some little fixed blades, cheap too so you wouldn't care if you break/lost one.

Maybe take a look at the Buck Hartsook. http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3563

I don't have one, so I can't offer any first hand info. Looks like a good little knife with premium steel for only $24 USD street price.

cgk, I have an extra Buck Hartsook if you think that will work for you? It's a small knife, but it's yours if you want it. 

Hey GG since cgk doesn't want it I would buy it off your hand. I've been wanting to try out the whole neck knife thing, but a local store has it in their catalogue is always out of stock.

Pm me your address and I'll send it to you. I have no idea if it will make it thru customs though? 

[jzmtl]

How small is small? Probably not the style you are looking for but Mora has some little fixed blades, cheap too so you wouldn't care if you break/lost one.

Maybe take a look at the Buck Hartsook. http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3563

I don't have one, so I can't offer any first hand info. Looks like a good little knife with premium steel for only $24 USD street price.

cgk, I have an extra Buck Hartsook if you think that will work for you? It's a small knife, but it's yours if you want it. 

Hey GG since cgk doesn't want it I would buy it off your hand. I've been wanting to try out the whole neck knife thing, but a local store has it in their catalogue is always out of stock.

Pm me your address and I'll send it to you. I have no idea if it will make it thru customs though? 

Wow thanks! There's no law against it, especially consider it's sold here too.

[Sean]

There's some nice cutlery talked and pic'd above.  The only problem I have with most of those small blades personally is the neck carry thing.  I hate it.  Worn outside the shirt it flops around and I consider it a hazard in many situations.  It's not convenient to get to when wearing my jackets.  Worn under a shirt so as to have to reach up to the chain and pull it out of my shirt well... I might as well ask my gf if she could grab her pink bob dozier folder out of her purse.  It'd be quicker.      I've had to shorten the chains on mine so they sit up a little higher then they don't flop about so much but have to be extra careful putting them back into the kydex so as to not slice my hand/finger or stab torso somewhere if I miss sheath. 
I love the knives but prefer the belt/waist carry.  So have to look at other options to carry these small blades.  The Spyderco Bill Moran knives with the adjustable clip/carry are nice but then again a little to big for edc for me.

[cgk]

There's some nice cutlery talked and pic'd above.  The only problem I have with most of those small blades personally is the neck carry thing.  I hate it.  Worn outside the shirt it flops around and I consider it a hazard in many situations.  It's not convenient to get to when wearing my jackets.  Worn under a shirt so as to have to reach up to the chain and pull it out of my shirt well... I might as well ask my gf if she could grab her pink bob dozier folder out of her purse.  It'd be quicker.      I've had to shorten the chains on mine so they sit up a little higher then they don't flop about so much but have to be extra careful putting them back into the kydex so as to not slice my hand/finger or stab torso somewhere if I miss sheath. 
I love the knives but prefer the belt/waist carry.  So have to look at other options to carry these small blades.  The Spyderco Bill Moran knives with the adjustable clip/carry are nice but then again a little to big for edc for me.

I agree with you, thats why I am planning on a waist type carry...between my pants and belt.  That is where the more non-traditional handles work better, they are less conspicuous and tend to be shorter length wise to help prevent them from digging into my waist.  Now, understand, I realize a simple box cutter could be fashioned to work for me....but where is the fun in that?

[jzmtl]

If that's how you plan to carry have you looked at kabar TDI?

[WhichDawg]

one really nice thing about small blades is you can carry them so many ways.
sometimes on a chain, sometimes on your waist, sometimes in your pocket,
I've seen some harness systems for arm, back, and leg.

but because they are small blades most ways work very nice and you hardly notice.

[cgk]

If that's how you plan to carry have you looked at kabar TDI?

I have and the LDK is on the list.

[Sean]

I've been waiting for more Ka-Bar Tdi stock to arrive.  The law enforcement unit looks particularly interesting for a small carry however apparently the sheaths on new stock are going to be different than the old which for me is a bit of a disappointment because instead of having the option of sliding your belt either on the inside or the outside of the sheath they are going to the metal clip which will attach to the kydex sheath.  My experience with those metal clips are that they one, bend easily, two, are not easily taken off the belt because of a safety tab incorporated into design to prevent it from accidentally coming off.  I had a Becker Necker that I bought along with the optional clip for belt carry and I did bend mine)    Great knife though and there are aftermarket companies that offer a very nice kydex carry for this particular knife.
But the way the handle is positioned on the TDI, I still will look at it when it arrives and see how it feels.  I'm not bashing design's here I love the companies cutlery but it's just that when it comes down to carry it's such a subjective and personal thing and if it's not comfortable I'm not likely to carry it.
Also, my apologies to "cgk".  I don't want to highjack your thread my friend. 

[cgk]

Take it away...any knife discussion is interesting, and it is relevant.

[WhichDawg]

grouphug

[Sean]

well whatever you end up buying and however you end up carrying it let us know how you make out and take a few pic's of your idea's and post them.  It's a bit of a goal/challenge to find that all perfect fixed blade edc.

[Anthony]

 I like the less traditional handles like the Batwing and H.A.K.

Have you seen the Spyderco SPOT?

[cgk]

I have but since forgot all about them....added to the list.

[Anthony]

I have but since forgot all about them....added to the list.

I've got a plain edged one for trade if you're interested.

[cgk]

I am looking at this CRKT Ringer 2 and wondering if that will fit my bill.  Anyone played with one?

[roscoeba]

I handled the Buck Hartsook, CRKT Folts Minimalist, and CRKT Dogfish yesterday.

Really wanted the dogfish but the loose sheath was a deal-breaker. Especially for those folks that actually want to wear it around their neck.

I seem to always be intrigued by the Hartsook but can't justify it.  So, I go the Folts Minimalist. Very nicely handled knife. It's not sharp enough so have to work on that. The sheath is nice and snap-tight but wish they streamlined the profile of it a little more.  I can toss it in any bag or pocket (or around my neck) and off I go.

I love little knives. I love big ones too, now that I think about it.

[Splat]

I seem to always be intrigued by the Hartsook but can't justify it.  So, I go the Folts Minimalist.

Does that mean you bought the Minimalist?  Have you checked out RAT's Izula? Very stout little knife, and flat ground. Only reason I sold mine was the handle is about 0.5" too short for me to comfortably hold it.

[WhichDawg]

Really wanted the dogfish but the loose sheath was a deal-breaker. Especially for those folks that actually want to wear it around their neck.

with a hair dryer the kydex sheath can be tightened and made to fit better.
I don't think they test all of them and why some might be lose, easy fix.