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EASY TO CARRY, EASY TO ACCESS
The great thing about a small everyday-carry fixed blade is that you can have it with you discreetly on a belt, around your neck, or in your pocket. It’s often easier to access than a folder, which you’re likely to fumble when you’re opening it in a hurry or under stress. Here we present a good selection of fixed blades in various shapes and sizes.
THE EDDY 2 IS MADE FOR EVERYDAY CARRY
I find myself carrying a small fixed blade almost every day now. One of the handiest I’ve found is the Eddy 2 from Wachtman Knife & Tool. I first became acquainted with the work of Alec Wachtman last year when we ran a profile of the then-20-year-old knifemaker in Knives Illustrated. All of his designs seem to have a look of rugged utility about them. They’re knives you’ll carry and use without worrying if they’re going to get scratched.
The Eddy 2 is a great EDC fixed blade for belt or pocket carry. You could carry it on a cord around your neck too, but its overall length is 6.95 inches, and I normally prefer a more stubby blade for neck carry. The Eddy 2 has a 2.78-inch drop-point blade of 80CRV2 with a black oxide finish.
Mine has nicely sculpted black Micarta handle scales over the full tang. OD green and coyote Micarta scales are available too, or you can pay an extra $20 for a set of orange G10 scales. I found the handle to be plenty long enough, but it is slender at just a hair more than 3/4 inch at its widest spot. I found it comfortable to use, and the narrow handle was a big reason this knife excels at pocket carry. Not only does the knife ride well in the pocket, but its slim handle allows for more room when stuffing your hand in the pocket to retrieve the blade. You can take an initial, full grip on the knife when it’s in your pocket, and you don’t have to adjust your grip as you deploy the knife.
The Eddy 2 comes with a black Kydex sheath that’s shaped with a slightly folded lip at the top. It provides a perfect ledge to thumb off the sheath as you draw the knife. It includes no belt attachment, although the sheath is set up to accept one. I like to have carry options. So I added a small UltiClip Slim 3.3 to mine that’s not a hindrance to pocket carry, but lets me choose inside-the-waistband carry or quick attachment to a pack strap if I prefer.
My Eddy 2 came with a sharp edge. I put it to the test performing several chores recently when setting up my deer camp, including shaving tinder, cutting cord, and notching a couple of poles used to hang a tarp over our camp kitchen. Afterwards, I wiped the blade with an oily cloth, and it was ready to go again the next time. I’d have no trouble field-dressing a deer with this knife.
The Wachtman Eddy 2 is easy to carry, quick and easy to access, and extremely useful. As I often do when I find something I really like and use often, I’m thinking of buying a second one.
Specifications
Wachtman Eddy 2
Overall Length: 6.95 inches
Blade Length: 2.78 inches
Blade Steel: 80CrV2 w/black oxide finish
Handle Material: Micarta, black, OD green, coyote, (orange G10 $20 extra)
Origin: USA
Other: Flat or stone texture available
MSRP: $175
Industrial Revolution
MORAKNIV SCOUT 39
Overall Length: 7.1 inches
Blade Length: 3.4 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.08 inch
Blade Steel: Swedish stainless steel
Handle Material: Birch
Sheath Material: Leather
Weight: 2.65 ounces
Origin: Sweden
MSRP: $49.99
IndustrialRev.com
Chris Reeve Knives
CHRIS REEVE INYONI
Overall Length: 7.96 inches
Blade Length: 3.78 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.125 inch
Blade Steel: CPM MagnaCut
Handle Material: Natural canvas Micarta
Sheath Material: Kydex
Weight: 2.4 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $275
ChrisReeve.com
Chris Reeve Knives
CHRIS REEVE BACKPACKER
Overall Length: 8.53 inches
Blade Length: 4.02 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.135 inch
Blade Steel: CPM MagnaCut
Handle Material: Black canvas Micarta
Sheath Material: Kydex
Weight: 3.8 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $300
ChrisReeve.com
BRADFORD Knives
Bradford Guardian 3
Overall Length: 6.75 inches
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.14 inch
Blade Steel: Bohler M390 or CPM MagnaCut
Handle Material: G10, Micarta, or carbon fiber
Sheath Material: Leather or Kydex
Weight: 3.4 ounces
Origin: USA
Other: Stonewash, nimbus, or black DLC blade finish
MSRP: $199
BradfordKnives.com
White River Knives
WHITE RIVER EXODUS 3
Overall Length: 7.2 inches
Blade Length: 3.15 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.13 inch
Blade Steel: CPM S35VN
Handle Material: Micarta
Sheath Material: Kydex
Weight: 2.3 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $140
WhiteRiverKnives.com
Spyderco, Inc.
SPYDERCO SUBWAY BOWIE
Overall Length: 5.11 inches
Blade Length: 2.8 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.118 inch
Blade Steel: LC200N
Handle Material: FRN (fiberglass-reinforced nylon)
Sheath Material: Boltaron
Weight: 2.3 ounces w/sheath
Origin: Japan
MSRP: $173
Spyderco.com
Ontario Knife Company
ONTARIO RAT-3 UTILITY
Overall Length: 7.9 inches
Blade Length: 3.4 inches
Blade Steel: 1075 carbon steel, phosphate coated
Handle Material: Micarta
Sheath Material: Nylon
Origin: USA
Other: Chisel tip
MSRP: $137.95
OntarioKnife.com
Brisa Knives FinlanD
BRISA TROOPER 95
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Blade Length: 3.75 inches
Blade Steel: 12C27
Handle Material: Black curly birch
Sheath Material: Brown leather
Weight: 3.8 ounces
Origin: Finland
MSRP: $217.95
BlueRidgeKnives.com
Half Face Blades
HALF FACE FEATHERLIGHT
Overall Length: 7.25 inches
Blade Length: 3.35 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.15 inch
Blade Steel: S35VN
Handle Material: Black and gray layered G10
Sheath Material: Veg tan leather
Origin: USA
MSRP: $550
HalfFaceBlades.com
Fällkniven AB
FALLKNIVEN F1XB
Overall Length: 8.66 inches
Blade Length: 4.02 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.2 inch
Blade Steel: Elmax
Handle Material: Thermorun
Sheath Material: Zytel
Weight: 7.83 ounces
Origin: Japan
MSRP: $318
Fallkniven.se/en
Giant Mouse
GIANTMOUSE GMF1-F
Overall Length: 5.4 inches
Blade Length: 2.6 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.197 inch
Blade Steel: M390, dark PVD stonewashed finish
Handle Material: Plain metal
Sheath Material: Leather
Weight: 2.4 ounces
Origin: Italy
MSRP: $155
GiantMouse.com
Gerber Gear
GERBER STOWE
Overall Length: 6 inches
Blade Length: 2.5 inches
Blade Thickness: 1.375 inches
Blade Material: 440A
Handle Material: Micarta
Sheath Material: Leather
Weight: 3.06 ounces
Origin: China
MSRP: $47
GerberGear.com
A version of this article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2023 print issue of Knives Illustrated Buyer’s Guide.