Cheap Small Toothpick?

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stvpourciau

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Dec 20, 2012
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I need a knife to replace the old Ulster Jack that I slip in the front pocket of my Becker BK-9, the duty it sees is mostly for fishing and it could see skinning rabbits and such if I didn't have anything else with me(unlikely but not impossible).

I can't find a modern knife that matches the slim, short profile of that old jack, then I realized that a knife the size and shape of Buck toothpick would be perfect for slipping in that pocket and taking fishing.

Im trying to keep it around $15 max as it's just a small companion blade for the large knife.

Models in particular I saw were Buck(I know the quality if that one), CRKT (Don't know if these are made in China at that price or what? And they're quality), also rhe Small Rough Rider but I've never bought from them and don't know the quality but I like the price, Whetsone Cutlery, and this $6 Pakistani knife labeled "Arkansas toothpick".

I like very much the idea if paying less than $15 for the rough rider or $6 knife but don't know what the quality on rough rider is compared to the $15 buck.

Also any sugesstions in the cheap price range are welcome, I have no intentions of spending more.
 
I have the Buck Toothpick that I picked up as part of a holiday tin last christmas. It is a decent little knife for what it is. It would trim line as well as any knife, but I think if I had an option between it and the Rough Rider, I would go Rough Rider. While I don't have the RR toothpick, I do have a few other knives made by them and I find them to quite good in terms of fit and finish and sharpness out of the box. My RRs came shaving sharp, which I can't say about Buck imports. While I am no steel expert (I'll leave others to discuss the various alloys and their merits) I find RR's 440A to be a better all around blade steel than Buck's 420J2. Hope that helps...
 
Toddwalla said:
While I am no steel expert (I'll leave others to discuss the various alloys and their merits) I find RR's 440A to be a better all around blade steel than Buck's 420J2. Hope that helps...
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Buck uses 420HC in their knives IIRC, it's a very different steel from 420J2.

That being said, it doesn't mean that RR's steel isn't better in this case, it depends on opinion too.
 
Forgot that this was about their Toothpick model, which does use 420J2 steel, disregard the reply above.
 
No problem...I should have been more clear on which line I was referring to. Buck's 420HC (used in the USA produced models) is a stellar steel in my experience.
 
There is a bit of mystery when it comes to exactly what blade alloy is used in the Buck Chinese line. And it is even unclear as to whether there have been changes in the alloy or just in the labeling.

The standard alloy used in Buck USA made knives has been 420HC for a couple of decades or so.
 
If you choose the rough rider toothpick, and don't have a preference with handle material I would recommend the brown sawcut bone. I had heard the fit and finish were better on that line, and it definitely shows on my toothpick. Keep in mind though that there are many handle materials to choose from, so buying a couple different handles isn't off the table either.
 
I've been looking at small toothpicks and Case makes them. Search google on Case mini Toothpick or baby Toothpick. Maybe cost more than you want, though.
 
I don't want to derail this thread, but how do you keep your toothpicks clean? Not keeping the blade clean and polished, but the insides. I've had 2-3 of them, and they all seem to gunk up pretty fast due to the small area available for the blade in the handle. Is this something that's different between the ones mentioned here too?
 
Thanks guys, rough rider it is. The case most likely is out of my price range for this pocket stuffer and not on my list; when I buy me a Case, I'm goin' blue bone all the way! :D
 
Blue bone is nice. Case even has some with damascus blades. I wish I were rich :)

stvpourciau said:
Thanks guys, rough rider it is. The case most likely is out of my price range for this pocket stuffer and not on my list; when I buy me a Case, I'm goin' blue bone all the way! :D
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LeonJ said:
I don't want to derail this thread, but how do you keep your toothpicks clean? Not keeping the blade clean and polished, but the insides. I've had 2-3 of them, and they all seem to gunk up pretty fast due to the small area available for the blade in the handle. Is this something that's different between the ones mentioned here too?
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I clean the inside, between the liners, with a pipe cleaner. Fold it in half, drop a little oil on it and wipe out the lint, gunk....whatever.
 
Rough Rider for sure, you won't be unhappy. If you're going to be using it for Fish or skinning I would suggest looking for the gunstock bone, it has a good grip when wet.

Best regards

Robin
 
LeonJ said:
I don't want to derail this thread, but how do you keep your toothpicks clean? Not keeping the blade clean and polished, but the insides. I've had 2-3 of them, and they all seem to gunk up pretty fast due to the small area available for the blade in the handle. Is this something that's different between the ones mentioned here too?
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I get a few of the wooden coffee stirrers from a local coffee shop, the ones that look like long, slim popsicle sticks. That plus a napkin or paper towel, either dry or with whatever cleaner or oil you might prefer. If the fit is too tight, use the knife to shave the stirrer down until it's the right size.
 
jc57 said:
I get a few of the wooden coffee stirrers from a local coffee shop, the ones that look like long, slim popsicle sticks. That plus a napkin or paper towel, either dry or with whatever cleaner or oil you might prefer. If the fit is too tight, use the knife to shave the stirrer down until it's the right size.
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I usually do similar things to my other folders, I just can't seem to keep the toothpick ones clean though.

Since this browser doesn't seem to want to work as I want it to, this post is a reply to Bdev too.
 
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