Finding a Good Knife

[chispa]

How about an Opinel.

Carbon steel holds a wicked edge Wood handles that compliment any briar.

Affordable price and good quality.

I will second those that said Mora. I have some and they are very well regarded in the knife world. Best $10 knife in the world with no close 2nd place. I give them away for Christmas gifts. Not cause I'm cheap but cause they are really good knives. OK I'm kinda cheap too.

 

[terry]

Gerber makes a really good knife..easy to sharpen and holds an edge good.

 

[baronsamedi]

Yep I carry my paraframe often. Got one for a girlfriend back in the day and taught her to open it with a quickness when she was having stalker issues.

 

[wardrum]

I personally don't know much about knives. But my Grandfather is well know around here for his knife sharpening (He always has a salad bowl full of knives to sharpen for people and doesn't consider them sharp until they will shave hair off his arm lol)and the only kind of pocket knife he will carry is a German Eye.

 

[ssjones]

Well, I reacquired another Case pocketknife. I gave this to my father maybe 10 years ago for Christmas. It's a redbone canoe. I was at my parents house today, looking thru his closet for some old scouting records. I found this in the box, never opened. My dad (92) didn't know he had it or remembered that I had given it to him. He asked me if I could use it. I sure could. Now, I just have to find a way not to lose it....
I also found a Case Coca-Cola stockman, also never used and also given to him as a gift. I didn't have the heart to take that one, but I guess one day it will be mine.

 

[doctorthoss]

I swear by Gerber, pretty much. I think they make the best knives for the best price, and I've never owned one that didn't outperform my expectations in a dramatic way. For what you're describing, I'd recommend the Gerber Gator model .... I have three, including one that I've owned for nearly 20 years and has never needed more than a little sharpening and oil to keep it looking and working like brand new. I've used it for hiking, camping, fishing, and general around-the-house utility work. And yes -- it works just fine on plugs!

 

[baronsamedi]

I have q case given to me by a thankful Mason who I tutored form a.simple candidate to Master Mason. I love it and if is top quality but I never carry is for feAR of losing of. I cherish it but carry my less expensive. sAK. It bS been a pocket chef's knife and a fallback for a world-traveling, mead-swilling bootlegger

 

[logandow]

BEHOLD!! The Wenger!!

http://www.amazon.com/Wenger-16999-Giant-Swiss-Knife/dp/B001DZTJRQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1320078579&sr=8-7

 

[logandow]

That's how I learned of the wenger. I got a green victorinox instead though a climber I believe

 

[ssjones]

Whoah, is that a giant Swiss army knife in your pocket or are you just glad to see me????

Yowza, that's a monster!

 

[olderthandirt]

Late to the thread perhaps, but a knife I'm meaning to get specifically for cutting plug, as well as rope, is the Alaskan Ulu.

Used one years ago in the kitchen, very handy tool. Lost in a move, go figure.
Since the introduction of GLP's plugs I've heard from more than a few folk that as a tobacco knife the ulu is the way to go.

Not exactly the most pocket portable blade of course, but for preparing a bowl at home it seems a good go.
Anyone here use one?

 

[baronsamedi]

Of all follies, I thought I had lost my favorite Swiss Army Kife that I have carried for 6 years, all over the world and even under water! Filled with sadness, I ordered a new one, a Victorinox Huntsman in blue. It had all the same gear as my old one with the addition of scissors and a mysterious hook-like piece.
Wouldn't you know it? after I ordered the new one, the old one turned up. I put old trusty in the safe and am carrying the new one for break-in purposes now.
Things I have to have in a SAK:
Large Blade (good for my "Pocket chef knife" duties and general cutting)

Short blade More precision, scalpel-like cutting

Saw. Yes, it works great

Can opener (even better than the old "P-38" I used to carry)

Bottle opener/Flat screw driver

Awl

Corkscrew (this is a deal breaker, I make mead and wine. No corkscrew, no sale)

 

[pipetrucker]

IMHO you can't go wrong with a Case pocket knife. I have carried one for many years.

 

[jaysin]

Mora makes a good knife i always carry mine but they dont make a folder.

a swiss army knife cant go wrong with same with case and buck or a a smith and wesson in the lower end series.

i even have a few from frost cutlery that are 5 buck abs plastic handels 440 ss blade that are pretty damn good to my surprise

 

[baronsamedi]

If you want a family heirloom, get the Case. I have my grandfather's old worn down Case knife. He kept it razor sharp and used the tiny little thing for skinning and dressing deer! It still kepps a shaving-sharp edge.

 

[revs]

Baron, the funny hook thing is called a parcel hook. It was used to carry parcels when they were wrapped in string instead of tape. Well, that's what I have been told by several different people. Kinda makes sense. Why let the weight of a string wrapped parcel cut into your fingers. Use the hook on your SAK. You are carrying a SAK, right? (SAK-Swiss Army Knife)
I know this thread is old and Paul got his blade, but no one mentioned any of the higher end knives. The Striders, Sebenzas, or Mcusta. Of course, they would interfere with PAD and TAD a bit.

 

[revs]

GNOME Just got this one today. Yes, it's small and has a sheath you can wear it around your neck. No, it won't ream a pipe. But it will cut a plug. No pics in hand yet, but it will sit on the face of my Incredible and not hang over any of the sides.

 

[mluyckx]

Somehow missed this..
OTD: Like this one ;-)

Got it as a souvenir years ago. Use it occasionally and it's sharp as a razor, but it's just sitting on my desk mainly. I'll give it a try to cut some tobacco.. never thought about it to be honest. Thanks for the idea

 

[acme]

It appears that this thread has met its goal, so I would like to piggyback on it.
I have searched off and on for years to replace my pocket knife with something that has all of the features that I want. I find it difficult to find, "the knife." Can I tap into the collective wisdom and knowledge for some assistance?
I don't need a fancy knife. Something to carry in a pocket and cut WHATEVER it is that needs cutting; peeling oranges, opening plastic bags, briar, steak, brass, vines, tape, mild steel, skin, etc.

What has to be there.

Lock blade

Only one blade

Blade length between 2.5 and 3 inches, but the closer to the mid-range the better.
What I strongly prefer.

Something significantly harder/more durable than 440 stainless

A blade shape like the Case Toothpick or the Laguiole. A drop point blade, if it did everything else, would be barely acceptable, but I wouldn't be happy about it.

Constrution that won't loosen if I have to twist the blade a little while cutting.
What I would prefer.

Brass bolsters

wood scales
A bonus

Anything that would make me rich and famous and wildly attractive to the opposite sex.
Thanks for your assistance,

anthony

 

[danno]

I've collected knives for literally 45 years. Among the best blade steels you'll find in a production knife are VG-10, ZDP-189, CPM-S30V, and CPM-M4. VG-10 is my favorite. It's affordable, proven, get's razor sharp, easily, and holds an edge forever. Spyderco and SOG both make knives using this steel. I prefer Spyderco for ergonomics, and bang for the buck. It is said that spyderco designs their knives in the dark, meaning the knife is all about form, fit, and function. So while not fancy pretty, it fits great in your hand, easy one hand opening and closing, and comfortable during use. That would be my choice. If you like Case, and I do love some of the visual appeal of many of them, look for ones on the Bay of E made from Chrome Vanadium Steel. Also sometimes listed as "CV" Much better than the current steel, but not rust proof. Will take and hold a wicked sharp edge. You could always get a Chris Reeve Sebenza, but that is 300+. That is a lot of tobacco.