Best EDC for Commerical Electrician?

PheonixKingZ

PheonixKingZ

Joined
Aug 9, 2020
Messages
540
Hey all, been a LONG time since I’ve been active but I’m looking to get an EDC for electrical work. Not stripping wires or using it as a pry bar or anything rough like that, but something for stripping Romex back or cutting a drywall hole a bit bigger if need be, etc etc.

Considering Spyderco PM2 or a Benchmade Bugout but I’m definitely open to suggestions. I know I could just use a box knife and i carry one on me, but I’m looking for something more refined.

Currently am carrying a Utilitac2 that was gifted to me by a member a few years ago. Forgot his name unfortunately. Works pretty well right now but specifically looking for a straight blade with no serrations.
 
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I worked as an electrician back in the 70's.
If dealing with modern plastic coated Romex, I found that nipping the outer layer with side-cutters worked better than a knife. I'm sure Klein has a new spiffier tool for doing that these days.

When dealing with the old paper and string wrapped Romex, I found that a Hawk Bill Blade worked well. I carried a Klein electrician's knife for that purpose. The hawk Bill digs in to the outer layer very nicely. I kept mine open standing upright in my tool pouch. But you can also just hang it from a clip on your pouch if your tool pouch has a clip.

I used the shaft of a square shaft screw driver for enlarging holes in dry wall; and I carried a small cold chisel if I had to make a hole in a stucco wall.

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I mean. They have electrical tools for all that, including drywall cutting (rotary saws, rotozips) im not sure why you'd need a dedicated knife for a drywall when the saw probably does the best and easiest job.
But maybe look into something with full serrations and carry a Leatherman to supplement
 
Have you considered a Leatherman or Victorinox multi-tool (MT)? I'd suggest one with needle nose pliers (good for curling copper wire around a screw), replaceable wire cutters (you will be cutting wire), 2 knives (plain edge and serrated) and a saw (good for drywall). You even have a flat head and phillips screwdriver on it (admittedly not insulted). For the price of a good edc, you have 17-20 tools on your belt. I would classify a MT in this scenario as more bang for the buck so to speak.

Also, it is possible Klein, Dewalt, etc make a multi-tool designed for electrical work. I have no experience in those, but I carry a basic LM Wave+ everyday myself.
 
Tried a few coupla knives while I was a power-side Sparky. Specialized tools are the way to do it. The amount of time you'll spend grabbing the right tool for the job is less than the amount of time you'll spend faffing around with your knife and having it come out looking like the apprentice was unsupervised.

Sheetrock is bad for pivots, and stripping Romex with a knife means that you will cut the wire jacket when you can least afford it. Don't make it easy for Mr. Murphy to make your job harder.
 
For the type of stuff you are wanting a knife for I use a Kershaw Collateral. I paid 30 bucks for. I beat on that knife and it just keeps coming back for more.
Get something cheap in D2 or better steel with a comfortable handle and you should be all set.Kershaw Colat.jpg
 
There's a feller on YouTube (electrician u?) says you need this Utica button lock in D2 (top), but I'm afraid I don't recall the model #. I'm not in the trades, but have that knife, and can only figure he got his with a chipped edge for free. Best thing i can say is that it sharpens up real easy.
https://flic.kr/p/2qQR8P5
Probly better to follow the recommendations above...
 
hen I was a kid, the electricians that sometimes came to the house had this two bladed folder with a Boy Scout looking utility blade and a blade with a screwdriver tip.

Dunno what they carry today, but that configuration seems to be still available, so I guess it still fills a practical niche.
 
Appreciate all the comments/advice

I guess i worded my original post incorrectly. I’m looking for a new EDC, and i’m in electrical work. i wouldn’t be using it strictly for doing the stuff i mentioned, those were just some examples that came to mind when i was making the post. i know there’s specific tools for specific jobs but a good knife is helpful for the workday, i use my current knife everyday for stuff.
 
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