SCHRADE SCHF57 FIXED BLADE KNIFE

Product Review

Awesome Little Knife

Product: Schrade SCHF57 Fixed Blade Knife

Price: $16.74

Durability: High

Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

My Overall Rating: 9.0

Quick Product Overview:

Schrade® SCHF57 Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife, 65Mn High Carbon Steel Drop Point Blade, G-10 Handle Slabs with Thumb Rest Jimping, Lanyard Hole, and Multi-Carry Option Thermoplastic Belt Sheath.

Specifications Of This Product:

  • Overall Length: 6.125″
  • Blade Length: 2.50″
  • Blade Thickness: 0.15″
  • Blade Material: 65Mn
  • Blade Style: Drop Point
  • Blade Grind: Hollow
  • Finish: Black
  • Edge Type: Plain
  • Handle Length: 3.625″
  • Handle Thickness: 0.46″
  • Handle Material: G-10
  • Weight: 3.94 oz.

What I Like About This Product:

This little knife came very sharp right out of the box and with my normal touch-up on my ceramic stone, it is extremely sharp. Even though it is a small knife it feels very good in your hand and after some normal use, I had no hot spots develop.  While this knife is not advertised as a neck knife, it would work great that way too. While some people might say it is a little too heavy to wear it around your neck, it works fine that way for me. The thermoplastic sheath that comes with this knife is really quite good, the knife snaps in very secure and it will protect the knife well.  It can be carried either left or right-handed and that can be adjusted by two Phillips head screws on the belt attachment. It can also be worn either vertical or horizontal belt carry as well.  I tried it fastened to my pack using ties or Velcro, that worked well too. 

What I Would Change About This Product:

There is not much wrong with this knife, it works well for me.  If I had to be knit- picky, I would say the sheath holds the knife almost too well, it takes some effort to get it out of the sheath.  But that is really not a bad problem to have.

Final Remarks:

The Schrade SCHF57 Fixed Blade Knife is a good little knife. It will work out great as an EDC knife and it can be carried in many different ways.  As mentioned it is very sharp and has many different uses.  Some people have ordered the optional Ferro rod and turned it into a small survival knife, that might be a good option too.  All and all this is a nice EDC knife, I like carrying this in the horizontal carry position or as a neck knife.  If you like smaller fixed blade knives, this might be a good one for you.  I really like this knife and do recommend it.  

If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Fixed Blade Knife page, Thanks for reading this product review.

Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knives.

If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

Thanks,

Larry

Founder of EDC Essentials

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    SCHRADE SCHF15 TANTO FIXED BLADE KNIFE

    Product Review

    Nice Tanto Blade Knife

    Product: Schrade SCHF15 Tanto Fixed Blade Knife

    Price: $31.47

    Durability: High

    Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

    My Overall Rating: 9.0

    Quick Product Overview:

    The Schrade SCHF15 tactical fixed blade knife features a thick 3.4″ 8Cr13MoV high carbon stainless steel full-tang blade and contoured G10 handle scales. The thermoplastic sheath is very sturdy and comes with a belt attachment loop that can be attached to multiple carry positions. This knife is an extremely heavy-duty, well-made knife at a great price! Outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, law enforcement, and fire safety professionals can utilize this knife.

    Specifications Of This Product:

    • Overall Length:7.875″
    • Blade Length:3.375″
    • Cutting Edge:3.50″
    • Blade Material:8Cr13MoV
    • Blade Style:Tanto
    • Blade Grind:Flat
    • Finish:Black
    • Edge Type:Plain
    • Handle Length:4.50″

    What I Like About This Product:

    This is a great size for an EDC fixed blade knife and comes with a nice thermoplastic sheath.  It was sharp right out of the box and with a little work on my ceramic stone, it was really sharp. The G-10 handles felt really good in my hand and I had no hot spots after using it a while.

    What I Would Change About This Product:

    If I had my wishes the black stonewashed finish would be a polished satin finish but that is not a deal-breaker.

    Final Remarks:

    This Schrade SCGF15 Tanto Fixed Blade Knife is really nice for the price.  It is sharp, balanced, and feels good in your hand.  It is the perfect size to put on your belt or in your pack.  I highly recommend this knife!

    If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

    Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knives.

    If you have any questions about this post or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

    Thanks,

    Larry

    Founder of EDC Essentials

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      My Favorite EDC Handgun

      There are many handgun manufacturers that produce many great EDC handguns, therefore, the choice of your EDC handgun can be a little difficult.  Before I let you know my favorite, I need to set up a few guidelines to help you with your decision.

      Revolver Or Automatic?

      Many people like revolvers and for many years that’s all that was used.  A revolver is less likely to malfunction, all mechanisms are enclosed and thus not subject to outside influence – and that is a plus.  However, you’ll usually have a six-shot maximum, before having to reload. Speedloaders are available to help you reload quicker and they can be kept on your belt or in your pack.

      Automatics have many size magazines which hold the bullets for these guns.  Depending on the size of the handgun and the caliber will dictate the number of rounds your magazine will hold. The average range of bullets will be 8-15 unless you use extended magazines. Most automatics are capable of firing more rounds before a reload is required. Reloading an automatic is also super simple, and quick. The other thing to keep in mind is that automatics have many moving parts, so the likelihood of a mechanical failure could be higher. 

      Full-size Or Compact?

      This is something to keep in mind regardless of whether you use a revolver or automatic.  If you are going to consider concealed carry then you must consider a compact firearm.  While a full-sized firearm holds more bullets, it is also more difficult to conceal and is heavier on your hip. 

      A compact firearm usually is designed more for concealed carry.  It is not only smaller but may have contour grips, rounded corners, and edges.  The sacrifice for this is usually less bullet capacity in the gun,  some revolvers may have 5 rounds instead of six.  If it is an automatic, it will usually have fewer rounds in the magazine.  It may only be a single stack magazine to help make the handgun slimmer.

      If you want a full-sized handgun then the way you carry it may need to be changed to fit the gun.  Off-body carry may be your best option for you because you do not want to make it visible under your cover garment.

      Caliber’s To Choose

      A bullet is made up of a casing, a projectile, some powder, and the primer. Put those all together in the right order and amounts and you have a functional bullet.  The bullet is placed in the cylinder or the chamber, the trigger is pulled, the hammer falls on the firing pin, the firing pin strikes the primer which causes the powder to ignite and the bullet goes “bang”!

      So why did I mention that?  Well, it is important to understand the mechanism behind firing a bullet so you understand why a caliber is important.  Different calibers are made up of different size (weight) projectiles, casings and the amount of powder to move that projectile down the barrel toward the target.

      The common calibers for a revolver is .22LR, 38 special, 357 magnum, 44 magnum.  The common calibers for an automatic are 32 auto, 380 auto, 9 mm, 40 S&W, and 45 auto.  There are other calibers but these are the common ones.

      Now you need to decide which one of these calibers is right for you.  To do that you need to research on the Internet about the calibers you are interested in and make the decision of what you would like to carry.

      Specific Gun Manufacturer

      Here is another thing that you need to research to get an idea what manufacturer you would like.  Some of the big handgun manufacturers are Beretta, Colt, Glock, Kimber, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, Taurus, Walther.  There are many more out there but these are the main ones to consider. Once you have a few to consider then it is important to try and shoot them.  Contact your friends and see what they shoot, go down to some shooting ranges and see if they will rent some different brands of guns, that is how you will know what works for you.  Do not choose a gun manufacturer just because your friend likes them.  It will be your gun, you need to decide which is right for you.

      Carry Method And Holster Design

      There are many carry methods and many holster designs to choose from, and this is something you need to consider in detail.  Plus remember this is something that can change and will change until you find what works for you.  Most people have a box of old holsters that seemed like a good idea at the time but really did not work.  Many people begin by choosing a holster at your neighborhood gun store that looks good and has a price you can afford.  Then you go home and try it on and wear it for a while and find out you do not like it.  Then back to the gun store again or this time they look online for a bargain holster and try that one. 

      My suggestion is to go for quality once you settle on a style of carrying.  Do not keep buying cheap holsters and wonder why they do not work.  Read articles on the Internet, read gun forums, paying attention to suggestions other gun folks suggest.  That will help you narrow down your search.  Or if you would like some suggestions, I would be glad to help, just leave a comment below and I will send you some good holster makers that might have what you would like.  That way you can get a good holster for a fair price!  Remember, a good holster is not cheap but it will last a long time.

      My Favorite EDC Handgun 

      I have used both revolvers and automatics and while I like them both, I have chosen a sub-compact for my EDC handgun.  While there are many calibers to choose from, I like the 45 auto.  It has great stopping power and is relatively easy to find to purchase.  The gun manufacture that I have chosen has a great reputation and builds excellent firearms.  What I like about them is they go BOOM every time you pull the trigger.  This company is a Glock and I really like this firearm. Some people do not like Glocks, they say they feel like you are holding a 2 x 4 in your hand.  But I do not agree as they feel good to me.

      The Glock pistol I have chosen for my EDC is the model 30, it has a double-stacked magazine so it is a little wider than other compact automatics but this is a great handgun.  It is easy to shoot and very accurate.  I added a Pierce grip extension on the magazine which adds one round to the magazine and gives me a good place for my little finger when I grip the handgun. It holds 10 bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber.  In the right holster, it conceals very well!

      I wear an IWB (Inside the waistband) holster behind my left hip, as I feel an IWB holster is the best way to conceal a firearm.  You can wear it appendix or almost any place in your waistband and with the right cover garment, it will conceal well.  

      My Favorite Carry Method/Holster

      There are three carry systems that I use to carry my Glock 30.  A Comp-Tac Infidel IWB holsterCom-tac IWB holster, a Gunfighters, INC Kenai Chest Holster, and a Belt Aholster. Just for the record: I have two acronyms for two types of holsters, IWB means Inside the waistband and OWB means Outside the waistband. My Comp-Tac IWB Holster holds my Glock very securely, I use the leather belt loops to attach it to my belt and they do not come off my belt unless I unsnap them. I carry it behind my left hip, about the 8:00 position. This position is very functional for me and will conceal very well.  I tried carrying in the appendix position but my body type does not seem to work well in that position.  Is my IWB Holster comfortable, not always!  As long as my pants are not tight around the waist, it is comfortable.  Once you put on a tight pair of pants, it can be a little uncomfortable.

      The Gunfighters, INC Kenai Chest Holster fits on top of my shirt, sweatshirt, or jacket.  It is not a concealed carry rig but it works great when used while backpacking, hiking, riding dirt bikes, riding horses or hunting. The Kenai Chest HolsterKenai Holster is always comfortable and works great when doing many outdoor activities when fast acquisition of your handgun is necessary. This holster rides perfectly in the harness and holds my Glock very securely.   

      My Belt Aholster is an OWB holster that is made for concealment.  While I like my IWB holster, sometimes I just do not feel like wearing that holster inside my waistband, and that is where this holster comes in.  This holster is extremely comfortable and keeps my Glock very secure. It is like a traditional OWB holster that is bent to conform to the curve of my hip when worn in the 8:00 position.Aholster OWB It has a belt attachment in the front and rear of this holster which makes it very secure on my belt.  The material used for the attachments is made of rubber/fibrous material so it will not wear-out. It hugs my hip so the grip sits tight against my body.  Because the bottom of the holster fits outside my pants, it is necessary to always wear a good cover garment.  I usually wear a vest that is long enough to extend past the bottom of the holster.  These are some great holsters that work well under various situations, see the contact information for these holsters below.

      Final Comments

      It is important to feel very comfortable with the firearm you have chosen for your EDC handgun.  You must like the size and weight, caliber and carry system you have chosen.  If you do not like all of those things you may not feel comfortable wearing your handgun on a regular basis.  And a concealed carry handgun that is not worn does not do you very much good. 

      Another very important thing to keep in mind is it is imperative that you practice shooting your EDC handgun on a regular basis.  If you ever need to use your firearm, you need to make sure you can hit what you aim at.  That can save your life!  

      If you carry concealed it is important to always follow the regulations that are given to you by your county that issued your CCW.  In addition, you must follow your state guidelines too.  That way you will not lose your concealed carry privileges.

      My Handgun Holsters:

      Comp-Tac Holsters:

                     866-41-9157

                     www.comp-tac.com

      GunFighters, INC:

                     509-470-8277

                     www.gunfightersinc.com

      AHolster company:

                     423-972-1348

                    www.aholster.com

      If you have any questions about this article or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

      All the best,

      Larry

      Founder of EDC Essentials

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        MTECH MT-673 NECK FIXED BLADE KNIFE

        Product Review

        Sweet little Neck Knife

        Product: MTech MT-673 Fixed Blade Neck Knife

        Price: $10.23

        Durability: High

        Best Place to Buy This Product: Amazon.com

        My Overall Rating: 9.0

        Quick Product Overview:

        The MTech MT-673 Fixed Blade Neck Knife has a 2-inch Stainless Steel stone wash finish blade, The handles are G10 styled with raised palm supports which provide extra comfort.  It has full tang construction and a 5-inch overall length. It includes a kydex sheath with a break away landyard. 

        Specifications Of This Product:

        Overall Length: 5-inch
        Blade Length: 2-inch
        Blade Thickness: 2-1/2-mm
        Blade Material: Stonewashed Stainless Steel
        Handle Material: G10
        Special Features: Lanyard-style protection in lockable sheath.
        Includes: Knife; Locking Kydex Sheath; Metal Beaded Rope

        What I Like About This Product:

        This little neck knife is really pretty cool.  Many neck knives are too small for me, if I have to use two fingers and a thumb to use it then it’s not for me.  This one you can get yout third finger on it so you have a little better control of the knife and I like that.  the tanto-shaped blade works well and sharpens well. the Kydex sheath holds the knife very secure and sits well against your chest.  Good design.

        What I Would Change About This Product:

        I really like this neck knife and there is nothing I would change.  It’s a keeper!

        Final Remarks:

        The MTech MT-673 Fixed Blade Neck Knife is a good little knife for the price.  Big enough to get a hold of when you need to use it.  The knife is pretty light so you do not feel much around your neck.  But one quick tug and the knife is ready for action.  I recommend this neck knife highly for someone that wants a knife of this design. 

        If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

        Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knives.

        If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

        Thanks,

        Larry

        Founder of EDC Essentials

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          MTECH 8035 FIXED BLADE KNIFE

          Product Review

          Cool Knife Design

          Product: MTech 8035 Fixed Blade Knife

          Price: $17.64

          Durability: High

          Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

          My Overall Rating: 9.0

          Quick Product Overview:

          MTech Fixed Blade Knife, Model# MTX8035,  7-inch overall length,  3.75- inch brushed finish 440C stainless blade, a black and gray micarta handle, a lanyard hole,  full, extended tang construction, includes a molded black Kydex sheath.

          Specifications Of This Product:

          • Model # MTX8035
          • Fixed Blade
          • 7-inch overall
          • 3.75-inch brushed finish 440C stainless blade
          • Black and gray micarta handle
          • Lanyard hole
          • Full, extended tang
          • Black Kydex sheath.

          What I Like About This Product:

          This is a great little knife for the money and it looks very cool.  It has a very sharp blade and nice micarta handles.  The sheath is nice and made out of Kydex.  It has a belt loop that can be changed left or right-handed.  Mine also had a length of paracord that could be used as a neck knife.

          What I Would Change About This Product:

          The knife and sheath is a great design, the only thing I dispute is the neck knife possibility.  I feel it is too heavy to be a neck knife.  If I use a knife around my neck, I like it to be light so you do not even feel it.  This knife is kinda heavy for the neck.  The other slight comment I will make is about the micarta handles, they look very nice but they were slightly uncomfortable in my hand.  I am more nylon or G-10 style handle fan.

          Final Remarks:

          This is a great knife, sharp, good balance, feels ok in the hand, and has a great little sheath.  Is it perfect – NO.  But for the money, it’s an awesome little knife.  I recommend it highly.

          If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Fixed Blade Knife page, Thanks for reading this product review.

          Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knives.

          If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

          Thanks,

          Larry

          Founder of EDC Essentials

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            MTECH 2070T TITANIUM TANTO FIXED BLADE KNIFE

            Product Review

            Awesome Tanto Knife 

            Product: MTech 2070T Titanium Tanto Fixed Blade Knife

            Price: $33.22

            Durability: High

            Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

            My Overall Rating: 9.0

            Quick Product Overview:

            The MTech Model # MT2070T is a fixed blade knife. It is a 10-inch overall, with a 5-inch gray titanium coated stainless tanto blade. This knife has a black grooved glass-filled nylon handle, a lanyard hole, and has full tang construction.  Comes with a black nylon belt sheath.

            Specifications Of This Product:

            • Model – MT2070T
            • Fixed Blade Titanium Tanto
            • 10 inch overall
            • 5-inch gray titanium coated stainless tanto blade
            • Black grooved glass filled nylon handle
            • Full tang
            • Extended tang
            • Lanyard hole
            • Black nylon belt sheath.

             

            What I Like About This Product:

            This knife was sharp right out of the box and with a little touch-up on my ceramic stone it was extremely sharp.  It feels very good in my hand and I had no “hot spots” after some basic use.  I am not into total punishment of a blade but it held a good edge after some good use.  

            What I Would Change About This Product:

            The knife is a good knife for the price, and I cannot find much wrong with the design, but the sheath is another story.  This sheath does everything it is supposed to do, it fits the knife, it protects the blade, and has a belt loop to secure it on your belt.  But to be honest, I do not like nylon sheaths! As I have said in previous reviews, I like Kydex sheaths.   I like my knife sheaths to fit like a glove, snap when it goes in, and holds it there without a snap enclosure.  So this is one knife I will make my own Kydex sheath, in the design I like.  

            Final Remarks:

            This knife is not the best on the market, but it is a good knife.  It will probably go in my pickup or car as an all-around knife and that suits my purposes.  I like knives!  But I hate to pay a fortune for one and then lose it.  This Tanto blade holds a good edge and feels good in your hand.  And with the right kind of sheath, it will work great.  So check this knife out, I highly recommend it

            If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Fixed Blade Knives page, Thanks for reading this product review.

            Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knives.

            If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

            Thanks,

            Larry

            Founder of EDC Essentials

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              SCHRADE SCHF16 FIXED BLADE KNIFE

              Product Review

              Handy Little Knife

              Product: Schrade SCHF16 Neck Knife

              Price: $23.57

              Durability: High

              Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

              My Overall Rating: 9.0

              Quick Product Overview:

              Schrade Full Tang SCHF16 Neck Knife Fixed Blade, Black 9Cr18MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel Notched Clip Point Tanto Blade, Grooved & Textured G-10 Handle Overlay Slabs, Lanyard Hole, and Thermoplastic Sheath with Lanyard, Four Grommet Holes, & Neck String

              Specifications Of This Product:

              Overall Length: 7.00″
              Handle Length: 3.90″
              Blade Length: 3.10″
              Overall Weight: 4.60 oz
              Steel: 9Cr18MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel
              Handle Material: G-10
              Full tang
              Lanyard hole
              Thermoplastic sheath

              What I Like About This Product:

              This knife was extremely sharp when I received it, no need to touch it up with my ceramic stone.  It really felt good in my hand, no hot spots developed as I used it.  Its just a pretty cool little knife.

              What I Would Change About This Product:

              This knife is advertised as a neck knife and it comes complete with a cord or breakaway chain in the box.  My idea of a neck knife is something small that is light and does not get in the way.  This knife is 4.6 ozs. which is a bit heavy for me.  I would have liked it to also come with a belt loop for the option of carrying that way too.  While the black finish looks cool, its not my first choice style of finish on my blades, give me satin finish any time.

              Final Remarks:

              I really like this knife, not as a neck knife but put it on your belt and its a great EDC fixed blade knife.  I really like the tanto style blade which is made out of 9Cr18MoV high carbon stainless steel.  It is not the best quality steel but would be easy to sharpen and will resist corrosion.  I was a bit surprised that the thermoplastic sheath worked so well.  It retained the knife quite well and has enough eyelets to fasten a belt loop on very easily or keep the neck loop in place if desired.  When looking at this knife overall I highly recommend this as an EDC fixed blade.

              If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

              Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knives.

              If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

              Thanks,

              Larry

              Founder of EDC Essentials

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                OLD TIMER SCHPHW-BRK PRO HUNTER FIXED BLADE KNIFE

                Product Review

                Fantastic EDC knife, that will not break the bank.

                Product: Old Timer Pro Hunter Knife

                Price: $26.17

                Durability: Very Good

                Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

                My Overall Rating: 9.0

                Quick Product Overview:

                Old Timer® Pro Hunter Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife, 7Cr17 High Carbon Stainless Steel Drop Point Blade, Desert Iron Wood Handle Slabs with Nickel Silver Bolsters, Lanyard Hole, Brown Leather Lanyard, and Brown Leather Belt Sheath.

                Specifications Of This Product:

                • Overall Length: 8.00″
                • Handle Length: 4.40″
                • Blade Length: 3.60″
                • Overall Weight: 6.20 oz
                • Steel: 7Cr17MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel
                • Handle Material: Desert Iron Wood Handle Slabs with Nickel Silver Bolsters

                What I Like About This Product:

                Old Timer says it all!  It reminds me of the type of fixed blade knives that I had when I was a kid.  It has perfect balance, extremely attractive, very sharp out of the box and has a nice leather sheath for a very reasonable price.  Its nothing fancy, its just a great little knife.

                What I Would Change About This Product:

                The knife itself is really a nice knife but it comes with a leather landyard and that is not my style.  The minute I pulled it out of the box and saw the leather landyard, it had to go!  I untied the leather thong and off it came.  Some people my like them, I do not.  You might as what I have against landyards on a knife?  It’s just not my style.

                The leather sheath is functional and will work, but I like Kydex sheaths for my fixed blade knives.  I think they fit your knife better and do not sweat like leather knife sheaths do.  I am trying to get setup so I can make my own Kydex knife sheaths, and when I do I will write an article about it.

                Final Remarks:

                As I said, this knife is nothing fancy, just a really good all around knife.  My favorite thing about this knife is it has a nice satin finish on the blade and that gets me every time.  Many people like the black finishes on their knife blades but not me. A satin finish makes the knife look much better to me. I guess you could say it really has a traditional style to it and that just makes the whole appeal of the knife come together.

                This was one of the few knives that I did not have to touch up with my ceramic stone when I got it.  It was outrageously sharp right out of the box and the hollow grind on the 7Cr17MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel blade will hold up under high moisture environments very well and keep a very nice edge.

                The Desert Ironwoon handle scales have a great look to this knife and they really feel good in your hands.  I got no hotspots when using this knife for an extended period of time. 

                This 8″ overall fixed blade knife is a real “keeper” in my book and I highly recommend this knife as a great EDC knife.

                If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

                Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knives.

                If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

                Thanks,

                Larry

                Founder of EDC Essentials

                  LEAVE A REPLY

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                  SCHRADE SCHF55 FIXED BLADE KNIFE

                  Product Review

                  Great Design, Excellent EDC Knife

                  Product: Schrade SCHF55

                  Price: $44.99

                  Durability: Very High

                  Best Place To Buy This Product: Amazon.com

                  My Overall Rating: 9.5

                  Quick Product Overview:

                  The Schrade® SCHF55 Mini Frontier Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife features a 3.55″ black powder coated 1095 High Carbon Steel Blade. It has very lightly textured black Grivory handles that feel good in your hand.  This knife has a grommet holes on the end of the knife where a landyard could be attached.  It comes with a black glass filled nylon belt sheath with a rubber belt loop and has slots for multi-carry options.

                  Specifications Of This Product:

                  • Blade Length: 3.55″ (9.02cm)
                  • Handle Length: 4.12″ (10.46cm)
                  • Overall Length: 7.75″ (19.38cm)
                  • Blade Material: 1095 High Carbon Steel
                  • Blade Thickness: 0.18″
                  • Blade Style: Drop Point
                  • Blade Finish: Black
                  • Handle Material: Grivory
                  • Handle Thickness: 0.82″
                  • Sheath Material: Glass-Filled Nylon
                  • Weight: 5.7 oz.
                  • Made in Taiwan

                  What I Like About This Product:

                  Since I look at knives and other gear strickly as an EDC item, my reviews may look different then others.  I do not care about chopping or batoning or other bushcraft tasks.  I just want an good sturdy knife that can hold an edge and take some standard punishment for everyday use.  This little knife is extremely sturdy, with the blade being 3/16″ it sure will not bend at all.  The knife feels very good in your hand although the texture on the handle is a bit too smooth for me.  With a blade length of 3.55″ and an overall length of 7.75″, it is perfect for an EDC fixed blade knife.  The sheath is pretty nice and keeps the knife very secure.  Since I am left-handed, I like the fact that you can easily change this sheath to left-handed.

                  What I Would Change About This Product:

                  I really like this knife but there are a couple of things that I would do differently.  The handle is very nice, it is a great color and fits the knife very well but I like a handle that has some texturing on it so I doctored it up a bit.  As you can see by my picture, mine looks different then the original.  I added some additional texturing to these grivory scales, lightly sanded them to remove any hot spots, and re-dyed them black. This gave me some additional grip on these handles without spending more money on new fancy scales.   If you are one of those people that do not like the grivory scales, LMF Knives make some very nice micarta scales that would really accent this compact fixed blade knife nicely.  

                  My knife out of the box was sharp but not quite sharp enough for me.  I took some time with my ceramic stone and placed a better edge on this knife that was more to my liking.  

                  Lastly is the sheath, it is a decent sheath, rather then many of the cheaper nylon designs that come with many Schrade knives.  This sheath is easily changed from right to left-handed and that’s a good thing. My favorite would be having a Kydex sheath for this knife with a nice belt loop that is adjustable for left or right-handed users.  I am experimenting with Kydex, if I am successful I may talk about that in a future post.

                  Final Remarks:

                  The SCHF55 has a heft and strength in it’s 3.55″ drop point blade produced from quarter-inch thick 1095 high carbon steel, the all black SCHF55 offers outdoor enthusiasts a knife eager to take on the rigors of the back country.

                  The powder coated fine edged blade resists corrosion and is razor sharp right out-of-the box. The knife is 7.75″ overall length, contributing to its versatility and ease of use. The 90 degree angle of the knife’s spine can be used as a striker against a ferro rod.

                  The handle offers a contoured design that fits with your hand’s natural shape. Jimping on the blade’s spine and underside adds traction while the finger choil offers increased blade control. Pass cordage through the lanyard hole to keep the SCHF55 close at hand.

                  Designed to see you through the unexpected, crafted from premium materials and built for a lifetime. I highly recommend this Schrade SCHF55 Mini Frontier Knife, it’s design is really cool and it’s quality is very good and should last a very long time. I usually link to Amazon.com but they are out of stock on this particilar knife so I linked to the Smokey Mountain Knife Works.

                  If you are interested in this product, click here.  If you are interested in similar products, click on the link below and it will take you to my EDC Backpack page, Thanks for reading this product review.

                  Go To EDC Fixed Blade Knife.

                  If you have any questions about this product review or anything else related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

                  Thanks,

                  Larry

                  Founder of EDC Essentials

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                    If You Are Going To Carry Concealed, Think About This!

                    Concealed Carry is a hot topic these days, most everyone has an opinion about this subject.  If you have not figured it out, I am totally for concealed carry.  Is it for everyone, Abosolutely Not!  Is it for most people, Possibly!  Is it for some people, Yes!

                    What makes concealed carry for some people, but not all people?  I feel it comes down to the reason they want to carry a handgun.  If they have a need to carry a handgun to feel tough or invincible, then maybe they should not apply for a CC Permit.   

                    Concealed Carry is a privilege and should be handled that way.  Some people say it is our right to carry concealed and that may be true to a certain degree.  But if you understand that your concealed carry permit can be taken away if you break the laws in your state, that’s why I say it is a privilege, not a right.

                    OK, so you are considering getting your concealed carry permit, please think about the following topics before you do that.

                    Is Concealed Carry For You?

                    Just because you have a handgun does not mean you need to carry concealed.  As I mentioned, carrying concealed is a privilege and you need to have that mindset in order to carry a handgun concealed.  You need to be willing to follow the laws in your state concerning firearm carry and do all that is necessary to carry in a way that keeps your handgun concealed.

                    It is also important not to tell everyone that you carry a firearm, it is not their business to know this information and if you are ever in a confrontation where you have to use your firearm, surprising your perpetrator is half the battle.

                    What Gun Will You Use For Concealed Carry?

                    There are many handguns on the market and sometimes this makes your decision of what to carry very difficult.  As you make your decision as to what firearm to carry, make sure it is a good quality firearms.  There are many cheap handguns available that may not be a good choice and therefore do not go just by price.

                    Look at many brands of handguns so you can decide on the features that are important to you.  Talk to your friends, read some gun reviews and read some gun forums to get some good information before you buy.  Do you want an automatic or a revolver, What caliber do you want to shoot: .22, .380auto, 9mm, 38 spl., .357mag, .40, .45auto, etc. Do you want a manual safety, no manual safety, regular sights, night sights, long barrel, short barrel, rubber grips, wood grips, high capacity magazine or low capacity magazine, etc.  The list goes on!

                    The best way to choose a firearm is to try it before you buy it.  Whether it is a friends gun or one of those gun shops that have a range in their store.  Shoot the handguns before you buy it.  If you have never shot a gun before then get someone to show you gun safety before you put a live round in that handgun.

                    Once you have done the research, handled different brands of firearms, shot many different handguns and put together a list of what you want in a handgun, it is time to purchase your handgun.  Go down to a good gun store, fill out the paperwork, pass the background check and purchase your handgun and pickup some ammo that the gun dealer recommends.

                    All the research you just did finding the right handgun is what you need to do to find the right ammunition for your handgun.  Some guns like certain brands of ammo, don’t be afraid to experiment.  Once you have figured this out, it is time to practice, practice, practice.   

                    Are There Differences In Holsters?

                    There are many different holsters on the market, some that are mass-produced and some that are custom made.  Some are made of leather and some are make of synthetic materials (Kydex, etc.).  When I think of my ideal concealed carry holster, I think of two major characteristics.  The first one is a closed trigger guard and the second is it must stay opened for re-holstering.  A closed trigger guard means the trigger is covered by holster material so nothing can accidentally pull that trigger.  Both of the above mentioned items increase the safety of your holster and for those considerations I do not compromise on! 

                    There are some good mass produced holsters that work and they are a little cheaper, but they are harder to find.  These are the holsters that are available at your local gun store.  Many people like them and that’s OK.  But I like custom holsters that fit your gun perfectly and you get it the way you order it.  Are they more expensive – Yes, but they are worth it.

                    Some people like the look and feel of leather and with some breaking-in they can be really nice.  One thing I have noticed with leather is that it wears the bluing off your gun fairly quickly.  So if I was to have a leather holster, I would have a stainless steel finish on my handgun.  Leather cannot rub off a stainless steel finish. I myself like Kydex holsters, it molds to my gun, has great retention, requires no break-in period and does not wear off the finish on my gun. 

                    Once you understand holster issues I have mentioned then it is up to you to decide which one to purchase.  Another thing to think about is what position will you wear this holster?  I wrote another post a while back that talked about these issues so I will not talk about that now.  If you are interested in those comments go to Everyday Carry Holsters – Which Do I Use? for more information.

                    Will Any Belt Work For Concealed Carry?

                    I have discussed this belt issue quite a bit in other posts and the reason is it’s very important.  A thin leather dress belt or casual belt will not work when carrying a concealed weapon.  It is important to have a thick leather or rigid tactical style belt that can hold up to the wear of carrying a handgun, magazine and anything else you might put on your belt.  If you are unsure about what to choose, go to my product page, EDC Belts, and see what is there, that may help you to choose the belt you would like.

                    Does The Type Of Clothing Matter?

                    If you like wearing tight clothing then wearing a concealed handgun may not be for you.  You will need the relaxed-fit type of wardrobe when carrying concealed.  Depending on where you wear your holster will determine how you wear your clothes.  For instance:

                    • If you wear wear it on your belt, outside your waistband (OWB) this will not usually change your pants size. 
                    • If you wear your holster inside your waistband (IWB) then you will need an extra 2″ added to your waist size to make that work.
                    • If you wear a shoulder holster, you will need to wear a cover that is loose enought wear the handgun will not show through.
                    • If you wear an ankle holster then you will need to wear pants with loose enough lower legs that will hide your handgun.
                    • Whether you wear your handgun on your belt or in a shoulder holster, you will need to wear a cover garment that will hide your gun.  Things like a vest, untucked shirt, coat or sweatshirt will all be necessary to cover your handgun.  If your holster is designed for concealment, it will work best.  Make sure they are loose enough so your gun does not “print” (show the outline of the gun through the fabric).  Dark colors or material with prints on them usually work the best.

                    Some Other Things To Think About?

                    When you first begin to wear a concealed carry firearm, you feel pretty cool!  You may even feel tough and able to take on anything.  Try to resist those feelings.  If you go around looking for trouble and get into something, you will probably be found guilty and may loose your concealed carry permit.

                    On the other hand, you may feel very unnatural and awkward, with this big “thing” on your hip.  Relax and go through your normal day, you will get used to it.

                    Another thing that newly concealed carry permit holders do is constantly touch their handgun or they are adjusting their holster in public? This draws attention to themselvesand then if people look hard enough they are bound to notice you are carrying a handgun.  That’s when the police get called and questions get asked and trouble can happen.  One rule about concealed carry is you are not to show you are carrying concealed.  If you do it is called brandishing your firearm, and that is against the law.

                    Putting It All Together

                    So there you have it, many things to thinks about before you get your concealed carry permit.  My whole point to this article is do not just say I am going to get my concealed carry permit so I can carry a handgun legally and do it!  It takes some planning!  It takes some thought!  It takes some research!

                    I will just say my favorite type of holster is on my belt and it is the inside the waistband (IWB) style.  Once I decided on that I had to decide what type of belt attachment I would like.  Well one very popular attachment is the belt clip so I bought one with my first IWB holster.  They are very convenient to put on your belt, but they have one tiny flaw, they come off just as easy.  And I will leave you with this sight picture.  I was walking out of Kmart, about 10 feet from the exit door and I heard something hit the floor.  I looked down and there was my Glock sitting inside the holster, right next to my feet.  Boy was I embarrassed!  I scooped up my handgun, stuck it under my arm and walked very fast out to my car without looking back.  From that time on I always use belt loops.  Why did I tel you that?  Convenience is not always the best rule to live by.

                    If you have any questions about this post or anything related to Everyday Carry (EDC), feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to get back to you.

                    All the best,

                    Larry

                    Founder of EDC Essentials

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