need opinion on small fixed blade knife choice

[mtnbkr]

I'm vacationing in East Tennessee and have found two knives I'm interested in buying at Smoky Mtn Knife works.

Tops Baghdad Box cutter:
Pros - small, thin, sheath has belt clip, comfortable in hand, discrete, 1095 steel, tip good for detail work, stout, made in USA.
Cons - small, edge starts right at finger, too thick to be a good slicer.

Broker Vox Rhino:
Pros - larger, better slicer in theory, better grip, good reviews, may be more versatile.
 Coins - thicker grip, not as discrete, made in China, kydex sheath doesn't have belt clip

Thoughts?  I'll be using it for urban carry, utility, and lashed to packs as a handy 2nd blade.

Chris

[French G.]

Of the 2 I'd probably get the Top's, the other seems a little bulky for a 2nd knife. Seen or considered a Becker Necker?

[bedlamite]

Get both.

[mtnbkr]

Of the 2 I'd probably get the Top's, the other seems a little bulky for a 2nd knife. Seen or considered a Becker Necker?

I fondled the Becker, but didn't like how it felt in my hand.

Im leaning towards the Tops for the same reason you stated, though the lack of a choil concerns me.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

Get both.

Only getting one. 

Chris

[Gewehr98]

Heading out to grab a Gerber Bear Grylls paracord model this weekend.

I want it to compare to a similar paracord fixed blade I made years ago out of ATS-34.

$24.00 doesn't seem too steep, as long as it's not made out of 440 or some other crappy steel.

[brimic]

I have a CRKT Minimalist, which is a really easy to conceal fixed blade, that is also too small to have much practical use. http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-Minimalist-2387/dp/B0030IT76C/ref=pd_sim_hi_3
Edit: I did find it useful for doing landscaping work- cutting fabric and opening mulch bags, wearing it around neck was a lot better than having in and out of my pocket constantly.
After buying that, I bought a CRKT Dragon, which would make a great fighting blade, but much too big to easily conceal. One one of the reviewers on amazon wrote, it would make a decent kitchen knife. http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-2010-Dragon/dp/B000M3SYR6/ref=pd_sim_hi_2

This one to me looks just right: http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-Tool-2388/dp/B006SK0SP8/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1376084139&sr=8-14&keywords=crkt

Cheap knives made out of steels that are roughly equivalent to 440C. I'd almost order the last one I listed but I'm finally getting some spring steel in next week and plant to forge something to my own liking.

[mtnbkr]

Heading out to grab a Gerber Bear Grylls paracord model this weekend.

I want it to compare to a similar paracord fixed blade I made years ago out of ATS-34.

$24.00 doesn't seem too steep, as long as it's not made out of 440 or some other crappy steel.

It is 440, but I don't recall if it is A or C.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

This one to me looks just right: http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-Tool-2388/dp/B006SK0SP8/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1376084139&sr=8-14&keywords=crkt

I actually fondled that one at the store.  It feels nice in the hand, but the tip is mighty thin.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

Well, I bought and later returned the Tops Baghdad Boxcutter.  I liked it except for the lack of a choil at the demarcation between the edge and grip.  It doesn't seem like a problem fondling the knife at the store, but when you start using it, it becomes evident that it'll be very easy to cut your index finger.  I nicked mine a couple times doing minor cutting tasks.  I'd hate to see what would happen doing anything remotely approaching "work".

I couldn't find any smaller knives that I liked as much, so I replaced it with a Kabar Becker Eskabar.  It is similar to the Becker Necker above, but with the Esee Izula handle.  The edge is longer than the Izula and was $15 cheaper (Same steel).  I liked how it felt in the hand better than the Necker.  It's bigger than I originally wanted, but will make a good lightweight knife for recreational (non-hunting) camping, hiking, etc.  I cord wrapped the handle using the included cordage.

Chris