Best knife in freezing conditions?

B

bfbisa

Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
27
How have your knives performed in freezing temperatures? What knives are the best/worst? Pictures.
 
Favorite cold weather knife for me, is the Pacific Salt. Both the thumb hole and the lock are easy to manipulate, even with gloves on.
 
Spyderco Manix 2. I used it all last winter while deer hunting and it was -cold-. It was to use while wearing thick gloves and easy to manipulate with freezing cold hands. I was very impressed (and surprised) at how well I was able to work the CBBL with both gloves and cold hands.

The open construction also helps dry out the knife if it gets dropped in the snow. :thumbup:
 
Spyderco Military, part of the design idea was the ability for someone who could not take off their gloves to use it easily.
 
For folders, the ZT0500 MUDD is absolutely the best I've used with for cold weather.

Spyderco lockbacks aren't bad either but require gloves (not mittens) for one-handed operation. The design of the Kershaw ET also works well in winter. The open construction keeps the snow and ice out. I have a very hard time manipulating frame/liner locks with heavy gloves.

You can't see it, but there's always an ET clipped to Nick's harness when we climb. It's great for cutting out nests of old anchor webbing.
4288255916_aa21e5ac30_o.jpg


Phillip

p.s. I'd bet that new Manix would work very well, Brad, but I haven't used one yet.
 
Very cool photo Phillip Dobson. We don't have such cool terrain here in Indiana. You are a lucky man.
 
Phillip, Yeah I was surprised at how well the Manix 2 worked. I'd pick one up to try if I were you ;)

(really cool pic by the way, dont think I'd have the guts to try that!)
 
Cold Steel TwistMaster...easy to open, close, lock, unlock even with the heaviest of gloves on.

twistgloves.jpg
 
I found my benchmade 710 worked pretty good. I could open it pretty easy with gloves.

I prefer a fixed blade for the cold though
 
+1 for ZT MUDD. We have been handling mucho snow and dealing with cold temps here in Merryland this winter and I've had the MUDD working.

Very easy to use with gloves, and no worries if you drop it in several feet of snow (which I've done several times now).
 
For freezing temperatures, especially with snow or ice around, I'd go with a stainless fixed blade.

The Fallkniven F1 (and slightly larger S1) come to mind.
Both high quality knives with grippy Thermorun handles and laminated VG-10 stainless blades.
Both have lanyard holes as well.
 
I've carried the MUDD while skiing this winter, no bloblems, great with gloves and not disturbing, no problems if getting wet as it is sealed

if it's a fixed then all are good besides wood and natural materials and some linen micartas that get wet
Maxx
 
One thing to think about: Blades loose toughness in cold weather. I have seen blades that easily passed warm weather tests break at -20 f. Some custom makers take this in consideration when making a knife to be used in cold weather and temper them a little softer. They will gain hardness as the temperature drops and cut better in cold weather than warm weather.
This lesson was learned again in the 1930's by some of the factory knife makers when their axes and blades broke or chipped out in the North Woods. Tempered them a little softer and they solved the problem. 15 degrees hotter in the tempering temperature makes a big difference.
 
A knife without an exposed tang so if it is necessary to grab it with your bare hand you aren't going to frostbite your skin on freezing cold steel.

Many of the Fallkniven knives are designed and tested for use in arctic conditions.

Kevin
 
Phillip Dobson said:
For folders, the ZT0500 MUDD is absolutely the best I've used with for cold weather.

Spyderco lockbacks aren't bad either but require gloves (not mittens) for one-handed operation. The design of the Kershaw ET also works well in winter. The open construction keeps the snow and ice out. I have a very hard time manipulating frame/liner locks with heavy gloves.

You can't see it, but there's always an ET clipped to Nick's harness when we climb. It's great for cutting out nests of old anchor webbing.
4288255916_aa21e5ac30_o.jpg


Phillip

p.s. I'd bet that new Manix would work very well, Brad, but I haven't used one yet.
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The ZT 0500 MUDD definitely :thumbup:
 
harkamus said:
Not sure but I've read more than one account here of 1095 blades breaking in cold weather, so I'd say something that is probably not 1095.
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I haven't. I've read a lot of posts from folks who have heard about it. None from anyone that has actually had it happen to them. And I have read a number of posts from northern members who say they haven't had problems with 1095.
 
I'm one of those northern fellows who's NEVER had a problem with 1095 in cold weather. I've even used super thin machetes in sub-zero temperatures and never had a problem. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I'm one of those northern fellows who's NEVER had a problem with 1095 in cold weather. I've even used super thin machetes in sub-zero temperatures and never had a problem. :)
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Me neither, more years of use than I care to admit.:)

Axes,mauls,hatchets, machetes, fixed and folding knives. Never a problem
 
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