$25.00 Gift Knife

Sulaco

Sulaco

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2003
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My father's birthday is coming up and the Old Hickory he "borrowed" from my mom's kitchen knives many years ago has been filed in to an ice pick. So he needs a new utility knife.

Something tough, that holds an edge would be nice so he won't be tempted to rasp it in to oblivion! :p

I'm thinking maybe a Mora, but I wonder if the edge might be a tad thin for heavy utility use? He would probably be hacking away at solid and stranded core cable, cutting carpet on occasion, digging holes, stuff like that. He really uses a knife, but not so much for what most knives are designed for!

Thanks for the ideas!!
 
You can always put a secondary bevel or convex edge on a Mora to get a more robust edge. I've done both, and it works.
 
Sorry, yeah, a fixed blade, medium sized blade, something along the lines of a 4-6 inch blade I'd imagine would be suitable. I am open to suggestions on lengths, blade styles, materials (although I would think SS would be best seeing as how unbelievably hard he is on knives!), etc. A sheath is probably not even necessary as he tends to just hang it from a pegboard or some random spot in the garage.

Thanks!!
 
KeithAM said:
You can always put a secondary bevel or convex edge on a Mora to get a more robust edge. I've done both, and it works.
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That's something I've considered and might end up doing but I wanted to toss it out there and see what folks come up with. There's such a crazy wealth of knowledge here, it's like the encyclopedic community of everything knife! I can't believe all memberships aren't paid! Great place!!
 
Sulaco said:
Sorry, yeah, a fixed blade, medium sized blade, something along the lines of a 4-6 inch blade I'd imagine would be suitable. I am open to suggestions on lengths, blade styles, materials (although I would think SS would be best seeing as how unbelievably hard he is on knives!), etc. A sheath is probably not even necessary as he tends to just hang it from a pegboard or some random spot in the garage.
Thanks!!
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I've got convex-edged Mora 911s in both my toolboxes for the same purpose. The stainless equivalent is the 946.

Go to Ragnar's Ragweed Forge and take a look. Lot's of options, some as low as $10.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html
 
What about the Cold Steel Bushman Bowie Blade? Any thoughts on that one? It seems like a pretty tough knife.
 
Sulaco said:
What about the Cold Steel Bushman Bowie Blade? Any thoughts on that one? It seems like a pretty tough knife.
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It's very, very tough I have one and made a spear with and have thrown it at a dead tree atleast 100 times and no damage.
 
A Mora is the obvious choice and offers a very credible knife at low cost. Actually, never hear of anybody who wasn't pleased with one!

You COULD also consider a Rough Rider. Couple of their fixed blades are by no means bad at all, cheap in price but sturdy.
 
Sulaco said:
I'm thinking maybe a Mora, but I wonder if the edge might be a tad thin for heavy utility use? He would probably be hacking away at solid and stranded core cable, cutting carpet on occasion, digging holes, stuff like that. He really uses a knife, but not so much for what most knives are designed for!
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Sulaco said:
Sorry, yeah, a fixed blade, medium sized blade, something along the lines of a 4-6 inch blade I'd imagine would be suitable. I am open to suggestions on lengths, blade styles, materials (although I would think SS would be best seeing as how unbelievably hard he is on knives!), etc. A sheath is probably not even necessary as he tends to just hang it from a pegboard or some random spot in the garage.

Thanks!!
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basic high carbon steel is tough, takes an edge easily and it tends to be on the inexpensive side. as long as he doesn't keep the blade wet, high carbon steel is the way to go in my opinion.

based on the criteria you listed and how he will use the knife, i suggest something on the heavy duty side. my pick is the condor rodan. the only draw back to carbon steel is that it can rust. all he has to do is regularly wipe a thin coat of vaseline on the edge and it will be good to go.

how does your dad sharpen his knifes?
 
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How about one of these? It's a Klein duct board knife and can also be had with a bright orange handle or wood handle. It's made for the rough stuff.

They're also made by Klenk. Since I don't know if cross forum posting is allowed here I'll just say you can find a link to a thread about the Klenk knives if you google "Klenk Murder Knife."
 
jimnolimit said:
basic high carbon steel is tough, takes an edge easily and it tends to be on the inexpensive side. as long as he doesn't keep the blade wet, high carbon steel is the way to go in my opinion.

based on the criteria you listed and how he will use the knife, i suggest something on the heavy duty side. my pick is the condor rodan. the only draw back to carbon steel is that it can rust. all he has to do is regularly wipe a thin coat of vaseline on the edge and it will be good to go.

how does your dad sharpen his knifes?
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Sometimes he takes it to his workplace (they have a large shop) and he puts it on the grinder wheel. And sometimes he just puts a file to it. I could buy him a strop, a stone, or whatever, but he won't use them. He thinks removing metal is sharpening. Frustrating, I know, but it is what it is!
 
Sulaco said:
Sometimes he takes it to his workplace (they have a large shop) and he puts it on the grinder wheel. And sometimes he just puts a file to it. I could buy him a strop, a stone, or whatever, but he won't use them. He thinks removing metal is sharpening. Frustrating, I know, but it is what it is!
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I hear you my dad was the same way. He has 3 old case trappers that look like folding awls. :eek:
 
Sulaco said:
Sometimes he takes it to his workplace (they have a large shop) and he puts it on the grinder wheel. And sometimes he just puts a file to it. I could buy him a strop, a stone, or whatever, but he won't use them. He thinks removing metal is sharpening. Frustrating, I know, but it is what it is!
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the only people who should put a knife to a grinder is someone with lots of sharpening/re-profiling experience and knowledge. it's very easy to over heat the edge of a knife on a grinder which will soften (re-temper) the cutting edge. you might want to also get him a basic combination stone (or have someone else buy it as a gift). do a google search on the condor rodan, for the price it's a beast of a knife.
 
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