I’ve carried a fixed blade off and on for a few years, more so dependent on my job at the time, and how much time I spent outdoors. When I was tac team and dealt with a lot of real bad guys (and a couple real off-duty encounters with such,) I carried a ESEE/KaBar BK14 “EsKaBar” in a custom sheath with my own poor attempt at scales (modified micarta from a broken knife). I also carried it on duty and did a lot of prying on doors, windows and hidden panels, clearing small branches or the like for surveillance, and last ditch self defense. It saw some time as a field knife for camping, but other than throwing sparks off a ferro rod and shaving feather sticks, it wasn’t quite large enough for “great” field work because I couldn’t baton with it well due to its size. It was never super comfy to use (I’m not a big choil guy) but I could beat the hell out of it and keep it sharp. I have passed it on to my Scout son to beat up.
Now that I’m retired on duty and working a very quiet college PD, and my interactions with real bad guys having gone <1%, I’ve been thinking about getting a new one just for shits and giggles. I don’t do half of the cool stuff I used to do, and really have no use for one on duty (my Leatherman gets more use fixing things than any of my cop gear), but the appeal for pointy stabby things is always there. I use a Mora and a custom mini-machete/chopper for all my hiking/field work, so I don’t even need one for that since I’m very pleased with that combo!
But nooooo, you guys have to be on here showing off all these cool blades and being badasses so now I feel lacking. Thanks a lot!
Oh, I’m liking the look and design of the Benchmade Steep Country:
Sheath is kind of janky, but I like the lines and full tang, rubbery handle and jimping.