SY EDC, lets hear some of your experiences!

I was wondering if any of you fellas EDC a SY knife? If you do, which blade is it and why did you choose that one? Also, I would be interested to know how often does it come into play? I would love to carry one of my bigger fixed blades, but there is always a tradeoff to carry a big one. I would love to hear your guys thoughts.
AI

I don't carry any fixed blade every day. I sometimes carry a fixed blade when hiking, usually my SS4, but sometimes a Mora or even a Rogue Bowie.
But I do EDC a Rat Trap and a SAK OHC folder.

You are absolutely right. There is always a tradeoff. I've been carrying this for a while now:


Yard Guard in a Kydex IWB sheath from our good buddy Rainwalker. The sheath works great, by the way. I couldn't ask for more in a Kydex IWB sheath.

The reason I carry this particular SY knife? It's the only SY knife I own.


I've been finding that it's a little bit bigger and heavier than I really want to carry every day, but only by a small margin. I also have a BATAC that I am going to order an IWB sheath for soon (I'm thinking leather this time), and that will most likely end up as my edc knife.

I have been going through my SY herd and " trying" to decide which kinfe I might want to EDC and what I am doing with others. For example- next to my bed or on my headboard I have one of my mid to larger bades that I take with me if I hear the dog bark at night. Of course I also have the 9 mm and a flashlight. Next- in my rig ( I guess this would kinda be EDC) I like to have something like my SOD or S6 close at hand. If I go for a walk or short hike ( depending where) I like something on my side or lashed to my pack. So- as you can see EDC for me has different requirements for what I am doing that particular day.Most alawys I EDC a rescue knife and a multi tool with a blade. But- I also have various ones of these in the rig etc. This also makes for some serious thoughts on pants and I usually drive Jeff quite nuts with ideas I am sure. Lately I have been looking at the designs where the pants holds two knives for different situations. At any rate- EDC for me changes with agenda on any particular day or time-Thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I EDC my SS4 for short hikes and my S6 for longer ones generally. I now have a stainless BRKT Bravo 1 (orange G10 scales) which may be partnered with my Basic 7 as a wilderness (hmm, do we even have any real wilderness left over here?) combo.

Thanks for your input guys.... Do you guys hike for a living... I am just kidding. Seriously, do you guys carry any fixed blades to work, or other times when you are out? I carry big blades when I wonder in the woods, which is quite often in the winter, but I wonder does anyone carry them all day, nearly every day? I would really like to carry a DF concealed and comfortably placed so when I am doing physical labor I hardly know it's there....but I don't see it happening. I guess Jeff probably has something special up his sleave for just such an occasion...
AI

i cant believe no one has said this yet - THE SY YARD KEEPER!!!!

its SY's best EDC blade IMO.

Do non-Scrapyard offerings count? I carry a Fallkniven H1 with me at all times. It is a four-inch fixed blade, putting it in the same size category as the SS4. Goes on every morning. I have mine in their standard xytel dangler, so it's not concealed, but the straight-walled and flat-ended sheath isn't very menacing. The bigger the knife, and the more obviously it "prints" as a knife when worn, the more negative attention you'll receive. There is also the question of utility. A four inch blade is pretty nimble and can be used for a lot of fine and fiddly work you'll ask of an everyday knife. Big knives are great for a lot of outdoor work, but they get in the way when you're trying to sharpen a pencil or open a box or trim a cord.

noble points. thats why i love the yard keeper. its tough enough to do about anything yet smaller to carry ... if only i could get jeff to make me a sheath for it. then when i need to beat brush or wanna jump into a combat zone, i grab the SOD <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Being that my day job is in the city full of Sheeple.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> There's not an SYKCO knife yet that I can EDC... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I do regularly EDC my Bad Warden or a Rat Warden as a Necker... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> which I use regularly for a number of different tasks. I'd love to have a Scrapper that I could EDC, but until then, I'll get by with my Wardens... and my SAKs... and leatherman... and Spyderench... and ZT 200... and.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Holy Crap... if you can not devise a sheath to conceal a Scrapper....I'm doomed! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />.....na, I work outdoors, nobody cares, it just has to be comfortable to me. Sheeple....let em stare!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
AI

I sometimes carry my DFLE when out and about in town. I also carry the MP although lately I just leave it in my truck. I have been giving a lot of thought lately to a 4.5 ~5 inch (overall length) fixed for pocket carry. Perhaps Dan needs to make a skeleton in that size.

I always carried a CRKT M16 (smaller one) but
tired of constantly opening,closing it.
I bought the Mud Puppy as my intended EDC.
Its a great knife,but just a little too long
overall for me.
I will (do) use my EDC for work,opening boxes,cutting rope,
light prying,construction type stuff.
I use a Game Warden at the moment,but find
it has a little too much belly in the blade.
I just bought a Miliganza Active Duty and that blade
and overall length seem great.
Have to get a sheath from Rainwalker and carry it a while
to see how she works out.
Good thread.

My 'real life' EDC is a SAK Champ- it's pretty much the only legal general carry knife over here! Anything fixed is jail time (in a city anyway!).

Unless and until the law is changed in Georgia, it is illegal to carry "Any knife designed for the purpose of defense or offense" in a concealed manner. In Atlanta, knives with blades over 3" that lock are illegal. In a school zone, any knife with a blade of 2" or more is illegal to carry at all. Enforcement of these laws is random and arbitrary. As it is currently written the Georgia code does not allow carrying a concealed knife as a weapon, even if one has a concealed carry permit for a gun. Locally, the Chief of police in my county has stated that he will not bother those who carry concealed knives if they have a gun carry permit. On the other hand, his officers have repeatedly harassed those carrying firearms in restaurants even when they were lawfully carrying them. The public is so confused, we don't know what to do. I always have a knife on me, and often a gun, too. If I get busted, I'll just have to fight in court. Of course, I can walk down the road or go into businesses carrying a bowie knife in plain view, according to the law. But who knows what the cops would do?

Missouri's CCW is a "Weapons" permit other wise I would not carry it. The max length with out the permit is 4". anything over is a felony. Most of the time I carry a Queen or a Schatt and Morgan slip joint and a Spyderco Military or Endura or a buck 110.

like vic pointed out,
until there is something sub 3"'s i will carry something else everyday.

lately it's been a case trapper CV w/ a STR low rider clip added

I Like the clip. STR? who are they.

Horn Dog, your experience sounds like here at least as far as firearms are concerned. New Hampshire allows open carry of sidearms in public places (excepting schools and courthouses). But people who have actually tried to use this are targeted by the police quite aggressively for "causing a public disturbance". I haven't quite figured out how it's person A's fault for doing something completely legal that person B, who is unaware of the law, finds offensive.

Because of this panic among sheeple, it is actually smarter in many cases to carry discreetly rather than follow the letter of the law. After all, survival trumps them all.

Mostly I EDC a Leatherman or my BM710.
In the company where I work, there aren't many sheeple, as everyone I work with
likes knives, but it is kinda hard to sit at my desk for 8 hrs with a fixed blade
hanging from my belt <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I EDC a fixed blade, the smaller ones though, up to & including my RMD.

i dont EDC a fixed blade either so no EDC scrapyards for me although i usually take a scrapyard into the woods and if its not a scrapyard its a busse or swamprat.i dont carry any other fixed blades but busse kin now.

if i was going to EDC it would be either my MPLE or an SS4 which i dont own.

i think a cop would hassle me if he saw it and if i'm just wearing a t-shirt and not a sweatshirt or jacket even something like the HRLM will show at certain times.

i carry a real hefty ZT 301 or a strider for my EDC.

My Gosh!

I can not believe the restrictions in some of your states....Georgia...seriously..... Isn't New Hampshire one of the Freedom states?.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

That is seriously sick that you can go to jail by wearing even a small fixed blade, or medium size locking knife. Pretty soon we will have to ask permission to use the bathroom.... That is aweful!

Back to the subject

So basically most of our Busse family knives are used mainly for fun. We use them in the woods when we can, when we camp, maybe some firewood chores and such.

I think for me that Scraper 4 looks mighty sweet, and with my job and non "communist" state, I could find a way to carry that daily!

Great info guys..thanks a bunch!
AI

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.

My winter EDC.



My summer EDC...



Not really, most of the time it's a Victorinox Farmer SAK by itself.... Depending on what I'm doing, I have sometimes carried my S6 or Mutt. It is a little cumbersome for most tasks when carrying a large blade like that. For the most part my SAK or Benchmade mini AFCK(my EDC for 10 years before the SAK) handled everything fine.

I am always amazed at the number of Dogs who EDC a pistol. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

I grew up in Illinois just outside Chicago and guns for me have always been heavily regulated,handguns being the strictest. Moving to Wisconsin back in 2001 I found that WI. state laws are just as strict.

When I researched the CCW laws for the famous 50 I find a great diversity in laws regarding concealed carry. Vermont seems to be almost a vigilante society as ANYONE can carry in that state...even visitors there!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Wisconsin and Illinois are the ONLY two states that forbid concealed carry in any manner. ONLY off duty Police can carry.
Even Judges,Congressmen,Senators can NOT carry a pistol in my two archaic states. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

So when I see Dogs posting sleek pistols and fancy leather...BLADZ...I get a bit melancholy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
I can't even imagine how fun that must be. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
But on the flip side any size knife is fine in Wisconsin as long as it is NOT concealed. So I wear my sheaths and stuff them with Scrap Yard Knives and I am just fine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

But it would still be cool to carry a S & W 500 Mag on my belt. And boy I can't even imagine the sheath Jeff would have to make for that hand cannon! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Peace.

Knifeguy....really excellant post! I would like to carry a DogFather...cus it's huge and cool, and I could justify the purchase better....to my wife.... I do pack a machete from time to time as I do landscape work and at time I have to clear areas and such. It is not always practical, but replaced my hatchet this past year. I really enjoyed all your information.

Prince of Peace, you could come over to Indiana where we have great gun laws. I have a pistol with me everyday... No problem EDCing my Keltec .380, I don't even know it is there.

AI

I didn't know you were from Indiana too. Maybe I'll see you at the 1500 sometime. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hey Andy

I was bummed, the snow kept me away this past year. I will try to come for the next one!
AI