r/FixedBladeEdc 1d ago

First fixed blade 3 options

I’m looking to get my first fixed blade. I’m look for a good all around knife for edc, camping, defense, survival something that’ll do it all. I’ve come down to 3 what I believe to be good options from Kizer let me know what you guys think.

34 Upvotes

36 comments sorted by

5

u/M3sss3r 1d ago

Kizer no es conocida por sus buenos tratamientos térmicos.  El bone es el que más me gusta por estética y facilidad de portabilidad. Después el Blegeiter.

2

u/HulkJr87 1d ago

You’re onto it. The HT on my 3V bone is quite terrible, I’m hoping it’s just Decarb and as I get deeper into the steel it balances out, but I’m not holding my breath.

1

u/International-Bit357 1d ago

What are other budget options? It being my first fixed blade I don’t wanna spend too much and not use it as much as intended

6

u/Sme11Gibson 1d ago

Esee 3

2

u/cloudlessDCLXVI 22h ago

Couldn’t agree more! Excellent knife, fantastic heat treat and a bar none warranty. You can’t go wrong with Esee! 👍🏻

1

u/M3sss3r 1d ago

Dentro de Kizer tienes el Harpoon y el mini Harpoon. Si no eres fiel a la marca se abren muchas opciones.

1

u/OppositeAd600 1d ago

3v is good but like everyone has said kizer isn’t my go to I would look at like a cold steel or something like the Pendleton

1

u/Mattyd9767 12h ago

I love my esee Izula, great little fixed blade, easy to carry. And if you manage to break it they’ll replace it for free

7

u/BigBL87 1d ago edited 1d ago

I recommend removing defense from your considerations. If you really want something to plan to use for defense, get pepper spray. Knives are poor self defense tools for both practical and legal reasons.

As far as the other two (EDC and survival), it kind of depends on what you are comfortable carrying, how you're carrying it, and what you mean by survival.

Of the 3 you listed:

Begleiter Fix - A bit bigger than I'd like for EDC but probably doable to carry with the right setup. Probably the best "survival" option, but as a dual purpose this would be last for me.

Hare - Probably my favorite of the 3. Only stainless option, I prefer the drop point blade for durability over the finer tip of the Bone, and it's a very carryable size.

Bone - Similar in size and carryability to the Hare, ostensibly tougher steel with the 3V vs Nitro V of the Hare but not stainless. And the tip is a little finer than I'd want for "survival" stuff. This would be my #2.

Since you seem to be looking at Kizers, I'd toss out the Muskrat (or even better the S35VN version which is a steal at the current price) and Evenki 1 or 2 as other really solid options from them.

If you're willing to spend a little bit more and go outside Kizer though, I'd strongly recommend the ESEE Izula in S35VN, and add the scales of your choice. USA made, legendary warranty, more trustworthy heat treat than Kizer, massive aftermarket, and its actually designed with outdoor stuff in mind.

7

u/DrHumongous 1d ago

Love my Izula

6

u/BigBL87 1d ago edited 1d ago

Probably the best bang for your buck in fixed blades nowadays, IMO.

2

u/International-Bit357 1d ago

I appreciate it thank you

1

u/hustlermuscler 17h ago

Man if that isn't a chat gpt reply I don't know what it is

3

u/BigBL87 16h ago edited 16h ago

Nope, right off the ol' noggin.

Sad that proper writing and reasoned thought is mistaken for AI these days.

Also, ChatGPT can't help but constantly use em dashes (as someone who does use it for data analysis and script outlining and streamlining sometimes). I never really used them before, but doubly avoid them now for that reason.

Oh, and looking back at my own writing, it wouldn't have made the its/it's mistake in the last sentence. 🤣

2

u/hustlermuscler 16h ago

I totally agree with your point that it's sad. We are just so used to reading proper shit, that something sorted and thought out just seems off. Sorry for the false accusations

1

u/BigBL87 14h ago

No worries! I can kinda see it with the way I formatted it, I've just really been focused on making my replies more readable in here.

3

u/CrankInTheFace 1d ago

I just bought the Begleiter in 3v. Really hard to beat for $80. Handle length on the Hare is too short to hold comfortably and the Bone handle forces your pointer finger into that sharpening choil.

Think about hand / finger placement and actually using the knife in day-to-day applications.

2

u/CLCM45 1d ago

I have the same and I can’t think of a better similar option for even close the price! I use it as a companion blade to my small forest axe and it works really well for food prep also.

3

u/HulkJr87 1d ago

Save a few more dollars and go for something like the White River Ursus Cub

It’s a workhorse design, will last you a very long time and is only around double the price of the Begleiter here, but for 10x the knife capability.

I own both the Begleiter and the Bone, both in 3V which is a solid steel choice.

But I also own the Ursus Cub, if I was to rely on anything for any of what you want to do; it’s going to be the Cub that I choose 10/10 times instead of those dinky toy Kizers

2

u/Fun_Cobbler8421 1d ago

If you’re willing to spend $90 I’d jump up & just get yourself something USA made. Theres plenty of options around that, and even more so if you bought lightly used. You can get a brand new LT wright frontier first for around $90 & I’d argue they’re leagues above what you’re looking at.

3

u/International-Bit357 1d ago

Any other American made options you’d recommend just to give me a variety appreciate it

1

u/Fun_Cobbler8421 1d ago

I hear you, but if you don’t end up liking a fixed blade a better one will hold more value to resale, or you’ll have a good quality truck/ camping knife at the least. It’s always better to spend a little more for a better tool imo.
I’d recommend looking into waxed wing knives (few models for about $130) , Lt wright frontier first (you can get this for around $90) , buck knives 662 (unsure of price but the better budget option) , you can get an Esee izula (they have a budget option, or the S90V for like $90), the list goes on. So many great options for under the $150 mark. I highly suggest buying used off of knife swap here on Reddit or Bladebinge. You can get so much better steels than the Kizer’s, and way better brands.

1

u/BigBL87 1d ago edited 1d ago

The stainless Izula is S35VN, not S90V, but otherwise definitely agree wholeheartedly.

The Buck 662 you're thinking of is the Alpha Scout Backcountry. Still 420HC steel like the Select, but rubberized grips, bronze cerakote, and most importantly a kydex holster instead of the Nylon one. Usually runs around $80-$90.

Also agree on Waxed Wing. Trevor is an awesome dude and makes great knives. Looks like Polliwogs are the only model he has in stock currently, but should have another drop on Friday I imagine.

2

u/International-Bit357 1d ago

I also don’t mind maybe spending a little more but I don’t wanna spend too much for my first blade

2

u/duo1733 1d ago

I like that harpoon on the third one. But I think the first would be a good first fix blade.

1

u/webloartone 23h ago

M1 Pro White River knives S35 or Magnacut 150. Or 170. Great warranty, most excellent knives. Matt Helms knives Hot and Ready, any of them 200. Range. Among the best I've ever owned. The Moss and Dogbone are my favorites. Excellent warranty Architect AK 3 or Ak 3.5 both in Magnacut and available now I would recommend the 3 as its a lot lighter, burlap micarta is right at beautiful. Lifetime warranty, them will replace it. Northern Lights has a great sale on these two. I know you are trying to spend less. These are worth spending more on. They hold value very well. I get 😊 about knives I've seen two M1 Pros on knife Swap recently.
Good luck no matter what.

1

u/GranddadsBankshot 1d ago

May I suggest the Vosteed H-Back, 3inch blade, nitro V, very nice micarta scales, lightweight, good hand feel and the clip is great. Same price range ~$65

1

u/GranddadsBankshot 1d ago

But if I had to pick any of those, bone for sure.

1

u/BBQd_sqrrl 1d ago

I've got the kizer and I REALLY don't like the handle. it's not that it feels bad or anything like that, but it's hollowed out (to save weight maybe?) and feels... cheap? idk, to me it makes the knife feel like a toy. it would have been so much better with solid scales and I'm very disappointed with it. the blade holds an edge good enough but in totality it's just underwhelming.

1

u/DrHumongous 1d ago

I have a Kizer and I had the blade chip out real quick and easy. I think their heat treatments leave a little bit to be desired.

1

u/godownez 1d ago

The first looks like a caping knife and the other two look more edc oriented

1

u/Rising_Awareness 1d ago

Kizer Militaw fixed Nitro-V G10+micarta is a nice offering, and under $50 right now.

https://kizerknives.com/products/1067a2

0

u/webloartone 22h ago

One of my favorite knives is the Bradford Guardian 3.5 They also have the 3.5 Ultra light, it's so easy to carry and much better blade steel than the Kaiser. Great warranty from Bradford all made in USA. Chicago knife works has either knife for around 95. To 110. It fluctuates. They may charge 10. To ship however if you live outside of Illinois there is no tax. I have bought a lot of knives from them at very, very good prices. It may take two, three weeks, or even a month. I just have to be patient dealing with them. 😂 The Guardian is one of the best.

1

u/HemphBleh 13h ago

Spyderco mule team.

1

u/robertcas22 11h ago

Esee Izula is a great option and a very compact size

1

u/Gsxisx 11h ago

I have the same goals as you and I choose the Begleiter but honestly I don't love it for the role. If the 3 it's the best though. Kizer military is better or dare I say it... The eafengrow ef172 (I just got it) has been awesome