Author Topic: knife (Read 2685 times)

SHOOTALL · « **on:** October 06, 2011, 05:47:46 AM »

The knife . If you could only pick one what would it be ? It would be the knife if not on you the one you keep near. It would be the one you don't leave home with out. The one always in my truck or suitcase is a K-BAR style by chamilis (sp) . Have had it for over 30 years . It was a surplus knife. I now have two one in truck one in house. It has cleaned fish and deer and alot in between. NO it wasn't the best at either but it was there.
Whats your choice ?

Couger · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2011, 06:05:16 AM »

Different knives perform different chores and jobs!

First thing to decide is what purpose you need to plan your knife-choice for, then choose accordingly.

Actually, like the silly exercise of trying to name the ONE best handgun or gun-PERIOD, nearly everybody I remember reading 'cheated' and chose at least TWO guns and maybe even THREE.

But Ka-Nives!!?? I'd choose at least TWO. Maybe a "larger" shieth knive with a single piece blade and tange that could serve as a weapon (or sorts) and not just a tool, but the folder would be mostly a 'tool!' I might add a multi-tool to those picks as well.

Part of one's daily 'kit' ought to be a multi-tool perhaps? ALWAYS stored on one's belt?

And a well chosen Victornox/ Swiss knife or Cold Steel might be my second knife/tool.

Likely [my version] of your Camillus would be a Cold Steel of some kind, with a serrated portion on the blade.

Digressing a little, I could see configuring one's belt to be a money-like belt with survival stuff inside - WORN ALL THE TIME!

Also similarly, the inside of a haliner could carry survival stuff, along with a survival necklace.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2011, 06:18:32 AM »

I don't see it as silly. I carry one knife all the time where I can get to it grab and go if you will. It has been the one for over 30 years. Yes a bag full would be nice to have but in reality most won't tote a bag of knives around. I know the K-BAR is not the best choice for everything including fighting but it will serve for all chores if called upon . I may or may not have other knives around but I try to make sure that one is close.
My need is to have a knife that will function for many task and I wisely chose a K-BAR

I agree with the multi tool and the extra knives but in reality that is weight when food and water would be part of a load.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2011, 07:10:25 AM »

It would be very hard to leave the Leatherman at home. But, that isn't what you are looking for I don't think.

I have a Blackjack Pathfinder I believe they call it. A-2 tool steel and roughly Bowie pattern it's a heavy rascal that I have found to be decent at about every chore but not ideally suited to any. Except maybe being a big ol' heavy hunk of steel with a razor sharp edge, too small for chopping and to big for whittling, is a job description. Anyhow that's my "survival" ka nife.

Got a twenty-five year old Gerber drop point with an antler handle that is generally ten times more useful. I won't be caught in the woods without it.

Pat/Rick · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2011, 07:42:57 AM »

Best knife!? Hard choice, as I usually have two or three with me all the time (unless TSA'd). Left pocket is a SAK, right pocket is a kershaw assisted opener. When I hunt I always have a leatherman wave with a magnesium flint bar (Doans) in the sheath pocket behind the tool, sometimes at the belt, sometimes in the pack. Other times a schrade folder with a large Western (W36 )sheath knife in the pack(full tang). Any other time I can be found toteing a Barlow or Mora knife. I'm a firm believer in having at least one tool with a saw blade both the SAK and leatherman have that criteria covered.

KaBar? always a good choice for "one knife". Don't forget a means to sharpen them. I like the round carborendum 'stones' for that, easy to pack and good for knives to axes.

schoolmaster · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2011, 07:46:06 PM »

Mora in the truck. Cold steel master hunter with carbon 5 blade in the pack. Also a two sided diamond sharpener to keep'um sharp. Always carry a pocket knife, usually a large stockmans 3 blade.

don heath · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2011, 09:25:11 PM »

I never do anything without a leatherman super tool on my belt and there is a spare one in my day pack/bug out bag.

My 'working knife' is a very old Puma 'white hunter' that was government issue way back. Lost the fancy stag horn handles before I ever got it and now has two slabs of raw hippo hide for a perfect non slip grip. Becuase it is too long to ride comfortably on my hunting belt (when I sit in the truck) it lives tied onto the side of my camelback Mule that is my day pack. In the truck and back at camo I have skinning knives, butchering knives etc, and the tracker carries a suitable selection of 'working knives' for field preperation on game, so the puma only gets used when something is wrong.

You can use a big knife to do most little jobs but you cannot use a little knife to do big jobs. The Puma has proved sufficient for all big jobs that a man can ask a knife to do.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #7 on:** October 07, 2011, 01:45:36 AM »

my USA made, Shrade sharpfinger.
an original leatherman is always on my belt.
a small diamond stick that reverses into the handle to sharpen'em.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2011, 02:01:18 AM »

Yea I was talking that speical knife that is going to be the last one you would ever leave. It really dosen't have to be an EOW deal it could be a long walk to get a deer out where you cut weight .

schoolmaster · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2011, 07:56:58 AM »

Then I would take Joel's butcher knife.

Doe · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2011, 08:08:31 AM »

Could never go any where with out my leatherman, it got a saw

and my spyderco

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2011, 08:12:47 AM »

Doe I just saw one of those ( in a package) are they good quality ?

Bugflipper · « **Reply #12 on:** October 07, 2011, 01:10:32 PM »

Just one, this is what I choose for daily carry. www.crkt.com/Pharaoh I dislike serrated blades because they just tear things up to bad. This is an auto knife, it is pretty hefty and strong. I have carried one for 10 years or so and never had a problem from it. The odd blade draws what you are cutting into it, I think it may be called a recurve blade. That makes it a quick cutter and easy slicer. The tip is very thick where as most pocket knives are pretty thin. The strength up front makes it useful for hard use. The drop point style end also makes it a good skinner. Back to the curved blade when cutting up a deer it makes quick work of it, as if it were a 6" or so blade. It also makes a phenomenal seat belt cutter, which was the intent I had for it when I got it. But I just ended carrying it all the time because it was useful for everything I needed. It also holds an edge for a very long time.

For a survival type and just one, I would go with a www.eseeknives.com/esee-6.jpg They used to be called RAT. Several years ago I went through a series of survival courses through the dept I worked for at the time. I got a 3,4,5 and 6" RAT knife going through the different courses offered. The 5" is about perfect, but the 6" is a little thicker for harder use. They are 1095 like a ka-bar so you can just touch them up on a rock or whatever you find and you are back in business. I have used the 2 bigger ones very roughly and they still perform as new. The 2 small ones have just been used for light utility and precision work, not pushed as hard, but they have held up well for what they have done.

Dee · « **Reply #13 on:** October 08, 2011, 02:26:28 AM »

That's an easy one. Benchmade McHenry & Williams 710. Best knife I've ever owned. Not perfect for every chore, but up to every chore.

bilmac · « **Reply #14 on:** October 08, 2011, 03:41:49 AM »

For years my job was largely outdoors and I carried a folder with about a 2" blade. When lockbacks and one handed knives were invented, I happily went to them, Most of them had steel handles, but lately the good carbon fiber handles are lighter and easier to hang on to.

Lately I have been working on making a homestead out of a place that was trashed by the last owner and I have dropped the pocket knife and started carrying a leatherman on my belt. This has saved me a thousand trips back to the shop for a screwdriver or pair of pliers.

Victor3 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 09, 2011, 12:40:44 AM »

For me, if it were the "only one" and "the one you (I) don't leave home without" it would be a sturdy, folding & locking 3-4" single blade knife with a clip, weighing no more than 5 oz and thin enough not to bother me while in my pocket.

I have all kinds of knives but only one or another that meets the above criteria is what I stick in my pocket every day before I head out the door.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #16 on:** October 09, 2011, 06:52:55 AM »

Quote from: Empty Quiver on October 06, 2011, 07:10:25 AM

It would be very hard to leave the Leatherman at home. But, that isn't what you are looking for I don't think.

I have a Blackjack Pathfinder I believe they call it. A-2 tool steel and roughly Bowie pattern it's a heavy rascal that I have found to be decent at about every chore but not ideally suited to any. Except maybe being a big ol' heavy hunk of steel with a razor sharp edge, too small for chopping and to big for whittling, is a job description. Anyhow that's my "survival" ka nife.

Got a twenty-five year old Gerber drop point with an antler handle that is generally ten times more useful. I won't be caught in the woods without it.

About that Gerber, the thread got me curious about it and I went a Googling. Turns out it is an Al Mar designed "custom" offering. C325 for those who want to go a Googling themselves. I picked it up at a hardware store that was closing out the line for something like $40, a princely sum for a kid newly married and fresh out of college. It was too handsome to leave on the shelf, and I thought Gerber was supposed to make good knives. Fast forward ten years and I pick up an Al Mar design Hawk pocket knife. Again, I knew squat about Al Mar or his company but thought it was perfectly suited for daily carry (however Kraton sucks for pocket carry). This spring knowing about Al Mar and his designs and company I pick up a folder and again its love all over again. This one is actually a Rexroat design, but another hit from the Al Mar stable. Found it curious that over twenty years ago I unknowingly chose one of his designs, loved it, and later picked up two others based solely on the look to be honest.

rio grande · « **Reply #17 on:** October 09, 2011, 05:04:47 PM »

I carry every day the second generation Cold Steel medium non-serrated Voyager.
It's a great knife.

But if I had to pick just one...the Schrade 150T , like BUGEYE's choice the Sharpfinger, but bigger. That would be my choice, but it would HAVE to be the early, carbon steel model, not the current one.
Both those Schrade knives can be made very sharp, full tang, built like tanks, but handle great.

tacklebury · « **Reply #18 on:** October 09, 2011, 05:33:55 PM »

One I made from a High speed hacksaw. It's about 12" blade, fully saw bladed down the back, has a small false edge. I made wrapped the handle with real para cord with 7 strands within the outer core. It has a std. slot screw driver ground into the pommel and is as hard as you can want, but tough. I ate up 3 carborundum stones shaping it and can use it as a short machete, saw or poleknife/spear. I simply unwrap the cordage, place a stick up to the crossguard and re-wrap the cord around and tie off. Works as a bore spear in this configuration also.

I've slashed through 1-1/2" saplings in one swift stroke or sometimes 2 strokes.

powderman · « **Reply #19 on:** October 10, 2011, 06:02:07 AM »

My everyday knife is an OLD TIMER. POWDERMAN.

Victor3 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 11, 2011, 02:22:57 AM »

Quote from: tacklebury on October 09, 2011, 05:33:55 PM

One I made from a High speed hacksaw.

I admired the knives guys made from those big ol' power hacksaw blades. Years ago there was a saw operator at my friend's shop who took orders and would make anything you could sketch out for him to go by.

A little saw comes in handy. When I work in the garden I use one of my $6 Moras with a plastic sheath and belt clip molded in and just clip it to the pocket of my jeans. Great for most chores but sometimes have to go get a saw; couple of my trees have roots that are dang near tough as steel belted radials. A machete/hatchet often just bounces off and digging to get at them with one is a pain.

Been thinking about one of these. The saw is designed like the one on my SAK, which works very well but is kinda flimsy and small...

http://www.botachtactical.com/sogtl02.html#

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/681406-SOG-Team-Leader-Survivor

Might be worth a shot for $50 shipped. Appears to be US made too. Most other knives I've seen with a saw on the spine were useless.

blind ear · « **Reply #21 on:** October 11, 2011, 03:12:49 AM »

you will need a knife edged file to sharpen the saw. ear

powderman · « **Reply #22 on:** October 11, 2011, 06:13:37 AM »

I have 2 lockbacks I really like for the woods, a Schrade 70 T and a Buck xchanger which is really lt wt and holds a great edge too. If I plan on looking for walking sticks to cut I take one of my 7 in bowie types, usually the hvy one by united. POWDERMAN.

Victor3 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2011, 11:59:39 PM »

Quote from: blind ear on October 11, 2011, 03:12:49 AM

you will need a knife edged file to sharpen the saw. ear

I have a diamond needle file that'll do it.

I ordered one last night. Need another knife like I need to gain another five pounds, but oh well.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** October 12, 2011, 01:56:55 AM »

Its nice all the post but the op was that speical knife , one knife.

mechanic · « **Reply #25 on:** October 12, 2011, 02:12:28 AM »

I have a 4" clip on pocket knife with a damascus blade I built from a kit, liner lock. It's in my pocket if I have on pants. It would be the one.

Ben

Doe · « **Reply #26 on:** October 13, 2011, 04:30:09 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on October 07, 2011, 08:12:47 AM

Doe I just saw one of those ( in a package) are they good quality ?

Yes they are

H1 steel is impervious to rust and the steel can hold an edge you can shave with! it's better then my D2 benchmade.

powderman · « **Reply #27 on:** October 13, 2011, 03:41:20 PM »

SHOOTALL. OK, only 1. Hard to choose because a knife can be used for such a variety of needs and situations. My Schrade lockback # 70 T. That was hard. For most jobs I like the buck xchanger I mentioned but the Schrade is a lot tougher and more durable. Whew. POWDERMAN.

rdlange · « **Reply #28 on:** October 14, 2011, 02:53:31 PM »

Been all over the place on 4 continents. Lost, wore out or broke more knives than most have seen. The constants, for nearly 5 decades, have been basic SAK; and Brusletto tri-lam carbon steel self-hafted hunters when I had to have a fixed blade. Finally went with the scissors over the saw about 10 years ago after EMT classes. Always favored a shorter blade for belt carry. No bowies, no daggers, no fancy stainless stuff...

Big knife..? Khukuri since '69... Bigger...? Engnath wakasizhi I put together in '97 as I recall. Biggest... an old lochibar in the corner for those 'special' guests...

Otherwise, whatever's handy when I need one. If it's sharp it will generally get the job done. Brusletto and some Japanese carbon laminated blades generally hold the best edge for the least money, I've found.

But I like steel, so whatever gets you there is fine. Got so many stashed here and there, one occasionally surprises me when I happen upon it, and wonder why I got it. Just an old man's opinion.

Be well...

hillbill · « **Reply #29 on:** October 21, 2011, 04:01:37 PM »

Quote from: powderman on October 10, 2011, 06:02:07 AM

My everyday knife is an OLD TIMER. POWDERMAN.

my everyday knife is a old timer also! the big 3 blade stockman.it is a fairly stout knife with 3 razor sharp blades.not what id choose for a big game hunt or survival but id be comfortable with it in either situation.its a vintage one made in usa, i got no use for the new china made ones they puttin out now.