I edc a Cold Steel Pro Lite. I,m a trucker, and I am always cutting different types of material. I have to admit that blade only cost me like $50.00, and after four years of abuse it is still going strong. Hey SYKC how about a big, and heavy liner lock folder? I would buy a couple of them! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Hey northern1 I have one of those ZT 301's and it is my favorite folder. I also have a ZT 200. Two combat ready blades for any situation. Like SYKC I would trust my life to them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

With a CCW our state is not to bad. Of course there are bad areas even for those with CCWs like St Louis and Kansas City The police chiefs and the Sheriffs don't like the idea one bit of Private citizens carrying.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> after all they have things under control. So while it is legal defiantly keep it out of site.

In the city and county where I live open carry is legal. The city police said that while it's legal be prepared for a lot of attention. Some soccer mom at one of the local parks called 911 on some guy who was printing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />, His papers were in order so he was sent on his way. While the police did not outright come out and say it, it would make their job easier if you just concealed it which I understand I'm good with.

steve rice.
he is under the makers section on bladeforums.

"Isn't New Hampshire a freedom state?"

Not sure I understand the question. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

If I am correct about New Hampshire being a freedom state..one of seven I belive, I would think they would be less restictive with gun and knife laws.

I love New Hampshire's motto, "Live Free or Die". I think Georgia's is "Zero Tolerance".

Well. New Hampshire's policy on concealed carry of firearms is of the "shall issue" type. In other words, unless there is some specific and quantifiable reason why you should NOT have a permit, you can get one. You don't have to justify your desire to carry. On the bladed front: dirks, daggers, stilettos and that sort of thing (weapons, not tools) are banned. For knives, there is no limitations on what sort you can have, provided you do not injure or threaten to injure somebody with it. There's a very relevant case on file, where a man was charged with unlawful possession of a deadly weapon, in regard to a "6 inch hunting knife". The judge's ruling was that it was a deadly weapon because of the fact that he tried to use it against the arresting officers, not because of the kind of knife it was. Which seems fairly sensible to me.

However sane the laws may be on paper though, it is not difficult to find tales of law enforcement in the field not being aware of them. Our local police once expressed the opinion that no knives over 4 inches long should be carried. I stress "opinion" because nobody knows where this is set in print. It is a dangerous thing to start enforcing opinions, and I wonder how many people simply allow this to happen because they aren't aware of what their rights really are.

Oh well. On the bright side: lots of snow!

AI,

You mention (basically) your goal/desire is:



Why?

What do you need such a large knife for in daily use tasks?

Also, aside from the challenges of hiding a knife so large, doing so is typically illegal in most areas these days. And a "large" knife would be uncomfortable to hide and heavy to carry.

If you want self defense, there are actually MUCH more affective, lighter and MUCH easier to carry and conceal pistols available than a DFLE.

I can understand the value of a DF/DFLE in the woods for chopping wood. But, while the DF/DFLE is a GREAT chopper, it is nowhere NEAR as versatile as a smaller 3.5" - 4.5" fixed blade with a good ergonomic handle.

Personally, I don't really like the Swamp Warden or Game Warden as I don't like how they fit and feel in my hand. And I personally prefer a blade with much less belly than the Game Warden or Swamp Warden for task/chore use. To me, lots of belly is more suited for skinning certain game. I prefer a shallow belly and more point about 99% for my real world daily knife use. So, Semi-Wharnecliffe to Spear-point or similar.
However, I can still use and appreciate knives with more belly.
AND personal preference and use are still the over-riding rule. Many people like what I don't and there is no right or wrong in personal preferences.

Since it is so hard to go wrong with Busse and kin quality of steel, go with whatever design you like.

Some of the smaller Busse and kin blades that have more belly - include:

Swamp Warden
Game Warden
Yard Keeper
Dumpster Mutt
Howling Rat and HRLM
Ratmandu
and others


Since the HRLM and Ratmandu are two of my top 5-10 Busse and kin knives, I obviously don't dislike some edge belly so much. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


Some Busse and kin with shallower bellies include:

SS4
Mud Puppy LE (MPLE)
Hairy Carry LE (HCLE)
Bog Dog
Dog Skinner
SAR Rat (Swamp Rat)
SAR5 (Busse)
Bandicoot
Desert Jack
Active Duty (AD & BAD)
Meaner Street (MS)
BATAC


I might lean towards my HRLM or Ratmandu for camp and trail and they still would be great fixed EDC options, but there are many others depending on your preferences and uses.

The SS4 is a favorite EDC choice by many including myself. For some, about the only "EDC" complaint I have ever heard was in regards to the thickness of the mudder handles. For EDC (for some), that extra handle thickness is less comfortable and less discreet. But, for most (not all) the mudder handles are very comfortable in the hand. Otherwise, the blade is INFI which is almost impossible to complain about as one of the best all-around knife steels you can own and use and a very functional blade shape and over-all size and design for EDC. The SS4's light-weight also make it quite nice for EDC.

In all honesty, I don't really EDC fixed blades. I find for my uses there are many good folders that function fine for my needs and carry WAY better for my EDC uses.
However, I do like fixed bladed knives and often grab one when going out for a walk and always have a 3.5" - 5" blade if doing any real hiking and/or camping.

Personally, for "EDC" and EDC type tasks and chores, I think the MPLE is not getting near the love and attention it deserves.
While the Busse AD has (* "Almost") one of my favorite blade shapes and grinds for EDC use and the AD has aoutstanding handle ergos, the AD is hindered (IMO) by it's non-functioning choil and Talon Hole and the handle is slightly hindered by not being able to get close to the blades edge. Also, for what it is, I feel the AD is very over-priced. INFI is generally VERY pricey in my book. But, I can at least better justify the values of INFI steel in mid-sized knives like a SJTAC, FSH, SARSquatch or similar. For big choppers, the DFLE and Battle Rat are VERY hard to beat (IMO) - even by INFI - and ESPECIALLY when price and value are considered.

The MPLE has excellent handle ergos, a small, but very functional choil AND a GREAT blade shape for EDC use.
Plus, even though the MPLE is not SR-77 UBER-tough steel, 154CM is reasonably tough and the MPLE has a fairly thick and stout blade that still has a full height flat grind that can be sharpened to cut very well.

Since I like the mudder handles, I am also very fond of the Bog Dog. I also think the Bog Dog has a great blade shape and again very light-weight. My Bog Dog is D2. I think the Bog Dog's D2 is good, but honestly, even though the D2 is FAR more corrosion resistant, I prefer the edge qualities of SR-101. The Bog Dog was made in SR-101, but I was never able to get one. I wish they would bring the Bog Dog back in SR-101.

The following would likely be my top choices and recommendations for fixed Busse and kin EDC options for most people:

SS4
Bog Dog
MPLE
HCLE


The HRLM could be a good EDC blade, but heavier and chunkier than "most" would want to carry.
The SAR5 "could" be a great choice for some people. I personally view the SAR5 as a knife with great potential, but needs some significant modifications IMO. I think the handle is just too large for it's blade.
The Yard Keeper and Dumpster Mutt are decent as well. But, more for hardcore abuse and less for cutting in my book.

If you just HAVE to have a larger knife for some reason (hopefully laws permitting), then I think the Ratmandu, Desert Jack, SJTAC (with some modifications), Skinny Ash and similar knives are great choices - even if "Quite" large for EDC for most people.

Just my thoughts.....

.

Excellent post Knifeguy.

EDC a Scrap Yard Knife?

The Street Scrapper four:

A cheeky little 4 inch blade from INFI steel! The only ever produced then and forever from Busse's super steel. Sold out in under two minuets.
Mudder handles with a bit of a curve past the pinky finger lends itself to a super grip. The long belly and INFI steel make it a stout blade with a thickness to handle most challenges.Always a favorite in my rotation.



The Yard Keepers CG and LE:

The four inch CG version is a lightweight blade with a shape almost identical to the Howling Rat from Swamp Rat knives is a wonderful blade. It can do many kitchen duties and walk the garden to pop weeds and prune shrubs later.A very rare treat it bears the sought after Dog logo in both versions!! A great EDC in my rotation.

The Limited Edition Yard Keeper is just a hair thinner than the Dog Mutt!
It is a bull dog of a blade. It is so thick that battoning through wood is almost no test. It eats media from almost any source.Always a treat to wear in my rotation.







The Mud Puppy:

The twins Puppy and Bird both Dogs were the first stainless Bussekin knives
to come on the scene. The Puppy is graced with those Mudder handles which make it a joy to hold and cut with.It is lightweight and skips from kitchen to household chores easily. A decided improvement over the Game Warden from Busse with its odd handle length and overall bad use and feel on chores. The GW comes up short against my great EDC choice.





The Bird Dog:

Fighter,Skinner,Boner,Fillet,Kitchen,Garden,Carpet, you name it. This fantastic model with the perfect thickness and gruesome up swept blade send shivers down my spine every time I draw it to use.This blade STAYS on my right hip daily now. It earned it by its awesome versatility. It looks great cleans up in a jiff and has held its original hair popping edge sine I out it on in June of 08. I have yet to re-sharpen it! WOW!!
Don't own one? But one! you will love its versatility and vicious looks!




The Dog Mutt Combat Grade:

Tank. Penetrator tip and at .285 thick it is a beast. Think Dog Father cut in half. Abuse is a joke to this mighty chunk of SR-77. This has banged through live Oak,Pine and Spruce around the homestead with pure ease. Wonderful to wear and easy to grip by the addition of Busse basic series grips. A mighty EDC choice for my weekend chores.



The Yard Hook:

A beautiful re-curve blade in thick SR-77. It is a draw cutter that batons with ease. The curve bites into the wood and severs it in half with flair.It has a blade catch in front of the huge Res-C slabs that some ingenious Dogs have made into a bottle opener!
I wear mine in a snazzy red kydex horizontal as to mask its 7 inch blade and 4 inch handle. I wear it on my left hip sideway and forget I even have it on! A great heavy duty EDC or weekend sidearm. I love mine!





The Dog Father Combat Grade and Limited Edition:

The be all to end all of all Scrap Yard knives. We have all seen the bend test that Dan did in house before selling and shipping these massive blades.They are necessary. Period.
All heavy cutting chores short of a chain saw are handled with joy and fun while you smash the SR-77 eagerly through trees and shrubs. There seems to be no end to the amount of damage these two versions of Scrap Yard Knives can bring to your weekend clean up jobs. I dress in one all weekend long except to church. Where I wear my Bird!

[img]http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u151/Prince_of_Peace/Sweetduo.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u151/Prince_of_Peace/Lookatthisthing.jpg[/img]


Do I use any Scrap Yard Knives as Every Day Carry?

HELL YES!

I will NOT leave home without two of them on. I carry a Pat Crawford one of a kind that has three sheath,two kydex and a "X" pouch in leather that holds a fire stick and Fenix L04.

[img]http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u151/Prince_of_Peace/Lisaandblue.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u151/Prince_of_Peace/Crawopenonthegirls.jpg[/img]

Then I rotate many pocket knives too!

[img]http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u151/Prince_of_Peace/DearMarkThanks.jpg[/img]

All my sheaths are courtesy of Rainwalker Creations.

Jeff has had and always will have my back,my business and my friendship.

Peace.