Challenge: EDC Something New !GAW FROM TSARBOMBA PG. 5!

[TsarBomba]

Last week's knife had an uneventful weekend; Saturday it was relegated to the watch pocket as its big brothers did all the heavy lifting, and Sunday nothing needed cutting. By day's end, the little Imperial looked bored but glad that its long week had come to an end.



The conclusion: I think this little Imperial will remain in the 'EDC' box mostly because of its size. It is trivial to toss it into a pocket or bag, the thin blades are excellent for light duty and detail work, and because there isn't any real collector value, it can take a bit of a beating above and beyond the portion of its synthetic covers that was already "rubbed" or buffed off without making me cringe too badly. It may not see a whole lot of use but it won't really be neglected because of how easily it can be brought along. Plus, as I have a very similar Imperial jack (identical frame and blades, slightly different covers and shield) in excellent condition, I can see a day coming when this little guy becomes a gift to a young budding fan of traditionals to jump-start his or her interest.

This week's challenge knife, the beautiful but neglected Case single-spring tuxedo -- pattern #156 -- in "Kentucky bluegrass" jigged bone. While most descriptions of this pattern only reference a spear and pen blade combination, this one has a swedged quasi-sheepsfoot master with only a hint of belly about 1/2" from the tip of the blade coupled with a small Wharnie that resembles some of the older pen blades sharpened down to a straight edge over time but appears to have a factory edge. It's a surprisingly useful combination in a small knife and pairs exceedingly well with a number of different popular combinations, so it should not be a terribly difficult knife to EDC. Plus it makes one heck of a worry stone.

 

[TsarBomba]

Today didn't see much action for any of my cutters, though my challenge knife did leap into action when it was time to free a finger from its Band-Aid prison for the day.



And the "after" shot of the damage that one of my new acquisitions did, necessitating that bandage:



I finally got around to taking some photos of this new knife and will post them in the "new acquisitions" thread.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I really like this idea. About three days ago I decided I'm going to start carrying my 71 that a very generous forum member gifted me. I typically don't carry single bladed knives, and I have grown very fond of straight edge blades. So this one has been neglected quite a bit.
So far it is going great. There are times that I throw another knife into my pocket just cuz, but I have made an effort to only use the 71.

how do you guys hold multi bladers when you have the other blades digging into your hand ? ( it's fine when I'm whittling because I ware a thick leather glove , but not for etc )

 

[ConBon]

Some knives make hot spots, those knives I dont keep . Im having trouble uploading a quick video showing how I hold my multiblades, I'll try to get it figured out by tonight.

Connor

how do you guys hold multi bladers when you have the other blades digging into your hand ? ( it's fine when I'm whittling because I ware a thick leather glove , but not for etc )

 

[SadSappySucker]

how do you guys hold multi bladers when you have the other blades digging into your hand ? ( it's fine when I'm whittling because I ware a thick leather glove , but not for etc )

The majority of my multi blades use smallish wharncliffe or coping blades, so with their slim profile they are not really an issue. However, even with tall sheepsfoot blades it's really a non issue. It is something I notice when I'm just admiring/ playing with the knife, but when I'm actually using the thing I don't give it a second thought.

 

[SadSappySucker]

It took some work today to only use the 71. I had a couple situations where I needed to trim a bit of shoe molding that wasn't quite coped right. I immediately went for my Presidential's little wharncliffe blade to take care of it and had to stop myself and pull out the bull nose. And surprisingly it did just fine.

 

[TsarBomba]

how do you guys hold multi bladers when you have the other blades digging into your hand ? ( it's fine when I'm whittling because I ware a thick leather glove , but not for etc )

My "main" knife is a large stockman so it has the high-riding sheepsfoot right in the middle of where my fingers fold over the handle. It seems to be placed perfectly, because I almost never notice the blade and sometimes it actually serves as a stabilizer for tricky or off-angle cuts. I have a little more of an issue with smaller stockmen like the Schrade 34OT or Case #18 pattern -- probably due to my big meathook hands -- but the big stock knife is perfect.

I did notice that using my Queen #32 would sometimes be a little iffy using the smaller blades with the two large sheepsfoot blades riding high, but I chalk that up at least partly to the shape of the frame and nothing really intrinsic to multi-blade folders as a whole.

It took some work today to only use the 71. I had a couple situations where I needed to trim a bit of shoe molding that wasn't quite coped right. I immediately went for my Presidential's little wharncliffe blade to take care of it and had to stop myself and pull out the bull buster. And surprisingly it did just fine.

That's a lot of blade for a little job, but you know those soddies are really excellent all-purpose knives. The F&F soddies continue to impress me, it won't be long before I have to have one.

The weather has relegated my challenge knife to primary duty as worry stone today. Here it is in action.

 

[ConBon]

It took some work today to only use the 71. I had a couple situations where I needed to trim a bit of shoe molding that wasn't quite coped right. I immediately went for my Presidential's little wharncliffe blade to take care of it and had to stop myself and pull out the bull buster. And surprisingly it did just fine.

Some big nails for shoe
That's good to know, I always reach for a straight blade when trimming wood, now I know I can use others.

Connor

 

[hhmoore]

I have been doing this for about two weeks already, and will continue through the end of March.

The knife I selected has been in my possession for at least 15 yrs (possibly a couple more). I have a decided preference for single blade knives...and, for me to even consider carrying a two blader, they have to open in opposing directions. (The only two I own are a half congress and the 2015 forum knife...and they rarely get carried.)

The knife has already "graced" these pages - it's the Case knife that got rusted up due to the celluloid(?) scales deteriorating.
This is what it looked like, then:




(I'll get the "after" pics up later - sorry...but I haven't taken them, yet)


Unfortunately, even after two weeks, I have not warmed to this knife at all. I put it in my pocket, and I use it, because I made the decision to do so; but it's a struggle to stick with it.

 

[TsarBomba]

With the weather -- and my schedule -- permitting, I finally managed some outdoor time today so my modern and my stockman were the main cutters, but before I had a chance to romp in the wild (entirely too short a chance... :grumpy I had some drudgery to attend to. Thankfully, my challenge knife was up to it.

 

[Hickory n steel]

My phone case recently broke, and since I now have to keep my phone in my pocket today i decided to give my buck 482 a break and put my 110 back on my belt and maybe this challenge will give me an incentive not to be afraid to use it


In case your wondering, yes I did put my initials in the handle :thumbup:

 

[TsarBomba]

My phone case recently broke, and since I now have to keep my phone in my pocket today i decided to give my buck 482 a break and put my 110 back on my belt and maybe this challenge will give me an incentive not to be afraid to use it

Nothing quite like the feel of a 110 in hand, locked and ready for action. It is the quintessential American folding knife to many. I kicked around the idea of using it for a challenge knife this week, but ultimately I wasn't sure about carrying a modern clipped to a pocket alongside a big ol' 110 on the belt as far as "dealing with the straights". Turns out a tuxedo totes a little better than that Buck does. I look forward to your week and your ultimate summation of that bad boy.

Would the dymondwood Bucks qualify for WW?

 

[ConBon]

110 is a classic, I've played wkth one many times at friends houses and stores but never bought one. Sorta one of those knives that could be replaced by my mora and a stockman, so I haven't bought one. I like the Case stockman so far, it handles everything jusf fine but honestly my Northfield is just more for me. I might trade the Case on here for something fun or new.

This week I'm carrying super slicers, my Queen No. 11 Single blade trapper, and my Opinel for heavier duty cutting. Might throw in a SAK Camper for the tools some days.

Connor

 

[SadSappySucker]

I own two 110s and I love them. I carry my newest one in 5160 steel over my sebenza quite often. If I carry a locking blade it is one of those two.

 

[Hickory n steel]

So far so good, you gotta love the buck 110 . the day I brought mine home my grandma saw it and said " those were the shit back in the day and everybody carried one , I wish I still had mine " .

I haven't used it too much yet, but I haven't been as ocd about keeping it pristine either. man it's hard to think about my poor 482 just sitting in a cubby hole at my knife station when he belongs in my pocket ,but I'll get over it. I plan on Carrying it for a whole month.

 

[TsarBomba]

Wrapped up the last day of the week's challenge with the green tuxedo in rather relaxing fashion. So relaxed, in fact, that I realized rather late in the day I hadn't checked the mailbox since Friday evening. After shuffling around to find some foot protection, I ran outside to the mailbox and found a package. My little green friend positively sprang out of the pocket slip at the first sign of a cutting job...



The wicked sharp mini-Wharnie freed a couple Barlows from the clutches of the USPS.



Its duty fulfilled, the little tuxedo slid right back into its slip case for the duration. For a week's carry, this sliver of a pocket knife punched well above its weight. The combination of a master sheepsfoot and small Wharnie is a surprisingly capable one, and for such a light and slim single-spring knife the tux just gets the jobs done. As a worry stone, the Case jigged bone is among the top of the pops; while the occasional Queen or jigged GEC manages to feel "just right" in the hand, it seems the modern Case jigging is perfectly engineered to feel "grippy" but also soothing and even a little luxuriant as your fingers move over the surface of the bone. My favorite stockman imparts the same feeling, which is probably why it usually acts as the default tactile stress reliever in my arsenal.

The little tuxedo did itself proud and cemented a spot in my carry rotation, for sure. :thumbup:

I'll be taking a week off the challenge, mostly because this week has already proven to be hectic and I think I'm going to stick with the usual suspects to eliminate some variables in life, at least for a couple days. I will put some thought into the next knife that deserves some attention after being neglected; I've got a few possibilities in mind already, so I can start the next week with a new challenge and a new perspective. Meanwhile, I look forward to the anecdotes by other folks indulging in the challenge this week!

 

[ConBon]

Tsar, you've gone above and beyond with the challenge, I, think your wonderful choices might help . What barlows did you get? Send me a message about where you got em, I have not been able to ever find a nice barlow much to my dismay.

Connor

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Oh good, this thread's back on the front page! Tsar is really going for it

Last week was a good one with the small stockman. It took a couple days to get used to the size, but I really got to liking it by Wednesday. I really love the jigging on this knife. There's one spot that is the shape of a Z right below the shield, and my thumb always finds it. The sheepsfoot got the majority of use over the week (not unexpected), followed by the clip. The spey did not get any use.

Yesterday, I chose hastily for my weekly carry, and grabbed my Northwoods Everyday Barlow. The more I thought about the coming week, I realized I wasn't challenging myself, as this knife is already one of my favorites.

So in the spirit of the challenge, this morning I went back to the drawer and thought a little harder. There's been a couple threads about the 2016 Forum Knife already, and I realized that I haven't carried the 2015 one, or gave it much of a chance. I love the look of it, but I haven't really used it... So it was time for a swap out. This week is the 2015 Forum Knife, paired up with a Bark River Little Creek LT.

 

[ConBon]

Reminiscing about my first knife has made me switch from the Queen to my first knife, a Single blade boy scout SAK. 11 years I've had it, carried for 6 exclusively. It's in the middle here, shown with camper for scale.

Connor

 

[SadSappySucker]

I'm still going strong with the 71. It has acquired quite a bit of wear since starting this challenge. I believe I'm somewhere around day 10 or 11 with no signs of slowing down. I'll try and get a pic tomorrow of its current state.