Fixed Blade Challenge October

[AzteCypher]

First some eye candy for AzteCypher of knives in horizontal carry sheaths.  CRKT Hunt N' Fisch, ESEE Izula II, Bradford Guardian 3.5, Lionsteel H1, and The Real Steel Furrier Harpoon. The ESEE Izula II doesn't come with a horizontal sheath but it fits in the Bradford Guardian sheaths which they sell on the Bradford website. The Bradford Guardian 3.5 comes with the Bradford sheath, of course, but I prefer to carry it in a Loveless style vertical sheath at my 5 o'clock.  The belt loops on the Real Steel Furrier Harpoon are very small. You might be able to get a narrow belt in there, but it makes for a good pocket dropper without the belt loops such as they are getting in the way.

Very nice selection right there!  It's making my wallet itch though.  Perhaps I need to start dropping birthday gift hints.   

Well, AC, this may be about the the best I can do for a front horizontal belt pic, unless you have something substantially different in mind.

I think your assessment that it may too long for this carry method is probably accurate.

Note that I’m holding the closed end of the sheath pretty much at the edge of my belt buckle.  I also noticed that, because the belt goes around essentially in a circle while the knife is straight, horizontal carry would result in one or both ends sticking out quite far from the belt.

Finally, this is a 46” belt, so if yours is shorter or longer, then these issues might be more or less pronounced for you.

Thanks for that pic.  That's exactly how I carry it.  It would definitely be too long for it to be comfortable.  I can see myself doing a scout carry with it but sitting down at my desk all day would make it uncomfortable as well.

The Huaao I'm carrying right now is only slightly uncomfortable because of the clip and sheath but it depends on how I sit.  When I'm walking around it's not an issue.  I'm thinking a horizontal leather sheath might be better but I like how easily I can undo the clip and take it off. 

[AzteCypher]

Day 13

I know, I know... these aren't good for me but they're a tasty treat every now and then.




This knife reminds me of a Benchmade Steep Country clone, down to the sheath.  But I don't mind abusing this one.

[TexasAKM]

Day 13

Today I trimmed some lamb's quarters.  In the fall, the stems get hard and fibrous, but the Pendleton Mini cut through.

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[Alan K.]

Hot Chili covered lollipops??!  I've never seen those before. I bet they are really good.   Saying that as a guy who sprinkles cayenne pepper powder on peanut butter sandwiches and on fresh, sliced fruit.

[Farmer X]

I've never seen those lollipops, but I do like Pulparindo. And I've given some serious thought to making chipotle peanut butter.

I can't believe I missed the Navy's birthday yesterday. Will Sos24 please write a demerit chit for me? Fun fact: I was less than 10 days out of boot camp, and Sos24 and I were at the same command, when the Navy celebrated its 225th.

Day 14

Though the Garberg's blade geometry is not conducive to sliciness, it handled this receipt with no difficulty.

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[Alan K.]

Day 14

Bradford Guardian 3.5

[BPRoberts]

Day 14

Carried the Eldris again, but how about a pic of the Boxer Blades MUK just to mix it up>

[nate j]

Day 14

I’m finding that carrying the 631 is only slightly more challenging than a smaller fixie.  I only have to take care that it is angled in the pocket, so the handle doesn’t poke me in the belly when I sit.

With the whole rig weighing about the same as a Vic Explorer, weight isn’t an issue.

In some ways, the size actually makes it easier, as it too long to side all the way below the edge of the pocket.

And I’m really enjoying having a full-size handle (no problem to get all four fingers on), and what I consider more of a full-size blade at around 4”.

[cody6268]

We've got a couple of diesel RTV-900s. They have been thru hell and back. They are very prone to getting stuck. We put wide turf tires on ours recently. They float over the muck and mire now.

The farm's is a 2006, bought new by my Granddad when he was getting tired of having to haul a trailer behind his old (and worn out) Kawasaki four wheeler or drive the '84 Dodge W-350 if fencing supplies or other stuff had to be hauled. It's got a ton of hours on it, and has been through hell and back as well.  When he passed, I started using it a ton for the work around here.

Good to know about the tires. I think my Granddad had them replaced in 2018 or so, and the current set is getting towards the end of their usable life.  I've already started doing some tire shopping.  I'm also getting a nice windshield for it. It had a vinyl soft cab, but that never worked from Day 1. My Granddad hated the zip doors--so they got removed about as soon as the cab was put on.  We had it optioned with the official Kubota hard roof, and I could use their cab--but even used ones are pricey.  I can get a decent US-made polycarbonate windshield for around $200.

PS: avoided getting stuck today by locking the differentials before I headed into the field with the brush pile.  I got schooled on how our equipment diff locks worked by a heavy equipment mechanic buddy of mine shortly after getting stuck the last time.

[Alan K.]

BP, I liked the Digger, in concept, and it is a good-looking knife, but I prefer a longer handle that I can get all my fingers around.  The Eldris is a good companion knife that easily carries in the back pocket, or you can belt carry it by stuffing it scabbard and all into a generic flashlight pouch.

Nate, the 631 seems to have better geometry that the earlier versions of the Pak Lites such as my 140 Skinner, but I prefer a shorter blade for carry.  The Pak Lites do lend themselves well to neck carry.

[cody6268]

Day 13:

Tekna Xtra Edge. These are basically designed as keychain knives and as diver's backups. They came with a stainless screw carabiner--which I think I repurposed and later lost.

They come in pointed and "screwdriver" tip blades. I have one of each, but this one's the blunt/screwdriver tip. While most "blunt" tips are nicely rounded and safe, they just cut the point off the pointed one. Thus, it's not really suited towards emergency jobs.

I think tiny fixed blades like this one are a worthwhile rabbit hole to start going down. They work great for small, around the house jobs.

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[cody6268]

Day 14:

Esee Izula--my go to fixed blade these days. Reasonably priced, tough as nails, and fairly light. Needs handle scales. Accidentally got sold a set to a Candiru by my local knife store, and kept them as I planned to buy a Candiru (still probably will).

In all the years I've had it, the only thing I plan to change--remove the kind of bulky steel clip for a Tek-Lok or similar.

Finally found it in the basement (in a poorly lit corner where I was working with it) a couple days ago.

Removed some  building debris from an old chicken house I tore down, and cleaned up the scrap/brush pile in preparation for more debris from a rather large shrubbery and small tree pruning project going on with the tractor.

I used my Rebar to pull one of the pins holding the Bush Hog to the 3038e, but that's about it.

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[AzteCypher]

@Alan K. and @Farmer X - I actually found them at Lowe's in the "kid's goods" aisle where they have a bunch of doohickeys and candies for the kids.  Surprised me honestly.  They're not spicy like cayenne or habanero but have a good taste with a hint of spices for nuts like us. 


Day 14

Opened up a Halloween prop for my son and used the fixie to clean up a fresh hole I made on the Tonife sheath to drop another rivet in it.  I can now at least put the clip completely vertical on it.  Still kind of useless though as it lacks clamping force.

[Sos24]

Day 13

I know, I know... these aren't good for me but they're a tasty treat every now and then.

(Image removed from quote.)


This knife reminds me of a Benchmade Steep Country clone, down to the sheath.  But I don't mind abusing this one.

(Image removed from quote.)

They look tasty.  My tasty treat for the last couple weeks has been,ini Peppermint patties
The

Day 14:

Esee Izula--my go to fixed blade these days. Reasonably priced, tough as nails, and fairly light. Needs handle scales. Accidentally got sold a set to a Candiru by my local knife store, and kept them as I planned to buy a Candiru (still probably will).

In all the years I've had it, the only thing I plan to change--remove the kind of bulky steel clip for a Tek-Lok or similar.

Finally found it in the basement (in a poorly lit corner where I was working with it) a couple days ago.

Removed some  building debris from an old chicken house I tore down, and cleaned up the scrap/brush pile in preparation for more debris from a rather large shrubbery and small tree pruning project going on with the tractor.

I used my Rebar to pull one of the pins holding the Bush Hog to the 3038e, but that's about it.

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I think the Izula is a great knife especially for a starter or hard user.

Until you get scales, you can always wrap it.  There are some good how to videos on YouTube

Day 13:

Tekna Xtra Edge. These are basically designed as keychain knives and as diver's backups. They came with a stainless screw carabiner--which I think I repurposed and later lost.

They come in pointed and "screwdriver" tip blades. I have one of each, but this one's the blunt/screwdriver tip. While most "blunt" tips are nicely rounded and safe, they just cut the point off the pointed one. Thus, it's not really suited towards emergency jobs.

I think tiny fixed blades like this one are a worthwhile rabbit hole to start going down. They work great for small, around the house jobs.

  [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]  

I can't believe I missed the Navy's birthday yesterday. Will Sos24 please write a demerit chit for me? Fun fact: I was less than 10 days out of boot camp, and Sos24 and I were at the same command, when the Navy celebrated its 225th.
[/quote]
That seems like a lifetime ago and just the other day at the same time.

[nate j]

Nate, the 631 seems to have better geometry that the earlier versions of the Pak Lites such as my 140 Skinner, but I prefer a shorter blade for carry.  The Pak Lites do lend themselves well to neck carry.

I haven’t tackled anything more challenging than packages and cigars with it thus far, but it seems to be a cutter.

As you may be aware, the current PakLite line features one knife (636 Processor) that is even longer than the 631 Field, and two that are shorter, the 635 Cape and 630 Hide.

[Farmer X]

How about a pic of the Boxer Blades MUK just to mix it up>

That's a blade with character!

84 Dodge W-350...

I wish trucks were still made like that...

That seems like a lifetime ago and just the other day at the same time.

So true.
Day 15

Last night, I tried bison for the first time. Here it is, mixed with sloppy Joe sauce that needed to be used and plain ol' wheat bread...and, of course, the Garberg.

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[LoopCutter]

Great job every one!

 

I just spent maybe a hour plus catching up , reading and  over awl the posts to now.

I had done this challenge previously and never a SPARTAN, so I am invested in that thread.

Yet, I love to share.

In 2022 at the completion of the Fix Blade Challenge I was gifted this knife by Alan K, or I had the lucky number😜

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Gerber Vertabrae.  The sheath is molded but difficult to use even as a right handed. So this sees utility use in my upstairs office after having been on display for a year in family room.   I love the color and handle shape.

Continue on.

[Fireman]

I missed a few days, then too many more, so I'm out.  Still watching your fixed blades though!

[Alan K.]

Day 15

I used the Bradford Guardian 3.5 to cut some pineapple leaves that were encroaching on a pathway.

[BPRoberts]

That's a nice blue color, LC.

Day 15

Sort of a budget, Irish Sharpfinger by Imperial-Schrade.

[Pacu]

Day Fourteen

Here is the Esse 4 I had originally had to go with for this challenge. It's a great knife. Slicey, not too big, not too small. I usually carry it in the side pocket of my 5.11 Rush 24, and equally great backpack.

Switching over to the Esse for a bit .

[Sos24]

Day 15
A new knife, another Bark River Essential.

I’ve been telling myself every since the Essential returned that I didn’t need another one, but have found myself periodically looking at them anyway.  I’ve also really have been wanting a knife in Magnacut, which this one is.  As I was looking and drooling over the selection, this one really caught my eye.  The next thing I knew it was on order.

[Pacu]

Day 15
A new knife, another Bark River Essential.

I’ve been telling myself every since the Essential returned that I didn’t need another one, but have found myself periodically looking at them anyway.  I’ve also really have been wanting a knife in Magnacut, which this one is.  As I was looking and drooling over the selection, this one really caught my eye.  The next thing I knew it was on order.

   I need to look at Bark River knives.

[Pacu]

Day 15

The Esse didn't get much use today as I drove all day. Carried in my backpack but it's pretty comfortable on the sheath. Not too heavy.

[nate j]

Day 15

Grabbed the Cold Steel Slock Master to open another five-pack.  I originally got this as a cheap camp knife, and still think it good for that role.

Was it overkill for this task?  Of course, but if we can’t play with our toys, where’s the fun?

[TexasAKM]

Day 14
(Late)
I used the mini for a couple small tasks, it did fine.

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[TexasAKM]

Day 15

Today I carried this CS tanto spike, as well as my mini.  Mini carries better in the pocket. Used the spike to cut up a full size matress to put in the trash can.  It did well.

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[AzteCypher]

Two beautiful blue knives up there!

Day 15

No use today unfortunately as I was just a keyboard warrior.

[BPRoberts]

BP, I liked the Digger, in concept, and it is a good-looking knife, but I prefer a longer handle that I can get all my fingers around.  The Eldris is a good companion knife that easily carries in the back pocket, or you can belt carry it by stuffing it scabbard and all into a generic flashlight pouch.

Nate, the 631 seems to have better geometry that the earlier versions of the Pak Lites such as my 140 Skinner, but I prefer a shorter blade for carry.  The Pak Lites do lend themselves well to neck carry.

The Digger, IMO suffers from a skewed handle:blade ratio. If they'd swapped a half (or maybe even a quarter) inch of blade to handle, it'd be a lot more comfortable. As is, it's too little handle for a "worker" but too much blade for a "light" carry.

[LoopCutter]

Day 15
A new knife, another Bark River Essential.

I’ve been telling myself every since the Essential returned that I didn’t need another one, but have found myself periodically looking at them anyway.  I’ve also really have been wanting a knife in Magnacut, which this one is.  As I was looking and drooling over the selection, this one really caught my eye.  The next thing I knew it was on order.

🥰. You have such fine taste!
Beautiful handle material!