I have carried a knife in my pocket at all times, for as long as I can remember, and I never have any trouble finding use for one either. Back in my Boy Scout days, I was into butterfly knives and switchblades.(then along came the tactical folder) As I grew up, my tastes did too.
I like carbon steel, because it seems to be capable of acheiving a sharper edge, with less effort. I am serious about the degree of sharpness which I maintain. I have a 'system', starting with a file, graduating to an old leather belt, and alternating with a butcher steel all the while. (I often use terms like "hypersharp" or "hyperedge" when discussing this topic**) Anyway, I dont have accidents with sharp knives, because they do their job effortlessly.
Saftey is a big issue for me, because I dont like cutting myself.
I am into stockman patterns these days, because they are very versatile. After a long period of using stockman patterns, I have some insights. For one thing, the stockman pattern is a product of westward expansion in the US,and IMHO, is the quintessential American knife. It was really not a good idea to be 'ridin the range', day in and day out, with a big honkin razor dangling off your hip. Sooner or later you were bound to take a fall, and just might have landed the wrong way. At the same time,it was likely that your life would depend on a reliable knife, regularily.
I have come to believe that the sheepsfoot blade was designed to be the "main blade" of the pattern. After you spend some time with one, it becomes obvious that it is a "saftey blade", of sorts. I only use the clip if I cant get the job done with the sheepsfoot, and that isnt often. I have been told that the spey blade is designed for castrating cattle. While I have never 'rid the range', I have used spey blades for field dressing, and they are QUITE effective. I have actually seen an antique stockman pattern that had "flesh only" stamped on the spey blade.
I prefer large stockman patterns, because it easier to hang on to them for frequent, regular, or extended use. At this time I am aware of several companies (Case, German Eye, ect.) which currently have 4.25" 'large' stockman patterns in production. However, I recently aquired (ebay) a model 858OT (discontinued), and it quickly became my favorite knife of ALL TIME. Its about 4.5", and that 1/4 inch makes ALL the difference!
If I could wish myself any new knife, it would be a modified 858OT. The blades would have a super high carbon content, and the spey would be a more full design.(The 858 spey seems a little narrow, or disproportionate) I would also cancel the bevelling on the tops, and give them nice square angles.
I dont collect special edition, or display knives, but if Schrade produced an 858OT of that nature, you better believe I would have to have one. I cant imagine any collector wouldnt feel the same way. In addition to traditional collectors, I would assume that lots of folks would find the 858 superior.(from cowboy action shooters to kayakers)
I hope REALLY hope they bring it back someday!
** One New Years I was asked to cut the foil around the tops of champagne bottles. I wasnt really thinking about it, and I just sort of took a swipe at the first one with a large sodbuster. Believe it or not, I cut the whole top of the bottle off, CLEAN! Im sure the bottle was defective or something, but I have never seen anything like it. At the time, I was embarrassed because my host was concerned about possible chards in the bubbly. I wish I had the forethought of doccumenting the incident with photos. There were plenty of cameras around.
I like carbon steel, because it seems to be capable of acheiving a sharper edge, with less effort. I am serious about the degree of sharpness which I maintain. I have a 'system', starting with a file, graduating to an old leather belt, and alternating with a butcher steel all the while. (I often use terms like "hypersharp" or "hyperedge" when discussing this topic**) Anyway, I dont have accidents with sharp knives, because they do their job effortlessly.
Saftey is a big issue for me, because I dont like cutting myself.
I am into stockman patterns these days, because they are very versatile. After a long period of using stockman patterns, I have some insights. For one thing, the stockman pattern is a product of westward expansion in the US,and IMHO, is the quintessential American knife. It was really not a good idea to be 'ridin the range', day in and day out, with a big honkin razor dangling off your hip. Sooner or later you were bound to take a fall, and just might have landed the wrong way. At the same time,it was likely that your life would depend on a reliable knife, regularily.
I have come to believe that the sheepsfoot blade was designed to be the "main blade" of the pattern. After you spend some time with one, it becomes obvious that it is a "saftey blade", of sorts. I only use the clip if I cant get the job done with the sheepsfoot, and that isnt often. I have been told that the spey blade is designed for castrating cattle. While I have never 'rid the range', I have used spey blades for field dressing, and they are QUITE effective. I have actually seen an antique stockman pattern that had "flesh only" stamped on the spey blade.
I prefer large stockman patterns, because it easier to hang on to them for frequent, regular, or extended use. At this time I am aware of several companies (Case, German Eye, ect.) which currently have 4.25" 'large' stockman patterns in production. However, I recently aquired (ebay) a model 858OT (discontinued), and it quickly became my favorite knife of ALL TIME. Its about 4.5", and that 1/4 inch makes ALL the difference!
If I could wish myself any new knife, it would be a modified 858OT. The blades would have a super high carbon content, and the spey would be a more full design.(The 858 spey seems a little narrow, or disproportionate) I would also cancel the bevelling on the tops, and give them nice square angles.
I dont collect special edition, or display knives, but if Schrade produced an 858OT of that nature, you better believe I would have to have one. I cant imagine any collector wouldnt feel the same way. In addition to traditional collectors, I would assume that lots of folks would find the 858 superior.(from cowboy action shooters to kayakers)
I hope REALLY hope they bring it back someday!
** One New Years I was asked to cut the foil around the tops of champagne bottles. I wasnt really thinking about it, and I just sort of took a swipe at the first one with a large sodbuster. Believe it or not, I cut the whole top of the bottle off, CLEAN! Im sure the bottle was defective or something, but I have never seen anything like it. At the time, I was embarrassed because my host was concerned about possible chards in the bubbly. I wish I had the forethought of doccumenting the incident with photos. There were plenty of cameras around.