City EDC users, give me some ideas on what tasks your knives face on a regular basis

crimsonfalcon07

crimsonfalcon07

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Dec 27, 2010
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Hey fellow city dwellers. I just posted up my rather lengthy initial review and test of my top 5 choices for a 3.5" ambidextrous EDC knife (Manix 2, Ritter Griptilian, ZT 0350, HTM DDR Gun Hammer, and Phat Bob), and am looking for some more tests to put them through.

So far I've done a few tests on cardboard, rope, and paper.

I have food prep planned out, which I know will make certain folks cringe, but I think being able to cut a tomato and do basic food prep is handy, especially if you go on a day-hike and want to make your own lunch, but I wanted some more suggestions on how you all use your knives on a regular basis.

I don't generally see much in the way of wood, so I didn't bother testing that for my city-dweller's EDC, but I can find some if that sounds necessary. Thanks for your input!

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ich-5-Great-EDC-s-in-a-city-oriented-showdown!

Also, if you think I missed out on any knives which fit my criteria (wide blade, 3.5" or shorter, top quality steel, under $300, etc), please feel free to mention. I may be able to add some more knives to the thread. I did not include the Buck Vantage Pro yet, although I may pick one up at some point.
 
Don't forget the blister wrap of doom! This stuff is a mean test for any knife. :eek: And those plastic strips around parcels. Mean things, the lot of them.

I think food prep is a good idea, too. Peeling and apple, slicing a tomato, dicing an onion. It's what I do to see how well a knife works for my personal needs. Slicing some bread and salami or cheese is also a fairly common every day task for me while in the city.
 
Paper, boxes, and packaging of various materials is mostly what I see. You've got your blister packs which have been mentioned, but then also there's the stuff that is always secured to something with zip ties, and I don't know how many different types of plastics they make all that stuff with.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. That blister wrap is certainly a good point. I will see about grabbing some of that and give that a go. Zipties have never been much of an issue, but I have a whole pack of them, so I'll cut some of those up. Keep the suggestions coming!
 
I am a city EDC'er. I do work for Meyer Corp and am in a warehouse every day so I cut paper, cardboard, pallet wrap, zip ties, rope, and I've had to but banding wire on a few occasions(broke a 1 once section of edge of my buck special) I carry a cold steel recon 1 tanto right now and it's holding up great. For years I carried a cold steel black rock hunter and still love it.
 
In the city, I always find myself cutting the usual stuff already mentioned, but also have regular need for the "other tools" on a Swiss Army Knife. These tasks include screwdriving and light prying with the two screwdriver blades, can and bottle opening, and cutting things like thread and nose hairs with the small scissors on the Classic and other models. Poking holes with the awl, and cleaning fingernails with same. Phillips screws, too.
 
Some things that came to mind from around the house.
Cut a rose bush stem
Cut a mulberry tree stem - they are thin and flexible
Opening bags of fertilizer and grass seed
Cut a garden hose
 
My office usage of knives consists of opening packages & mail, as well as cutting food.

My City EDC Rotation: Folders - Spyderco Sage I, Spyderco Centofante III, Benchmade Switchback. Fixed Blades - Bark River Mini Northstar & Pro Scalpal II

Plus a Leatherman which often comes in handy for random tasks
 
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Like the idea of location oriented testing of blade, we see it all the time for outdoor blades, but seldom for "city" EDC blades.

One to maybe add to your trial/testing, Cold Steel Rajah III, It's very close in size to the 0350 only a little thicker in the handles. It and the 0350 are apart of my EDC rotation, both are capable stout folders:thumbup:

-sh00ter
 
As mentioned, some bread and perhaps Pizza ;)

Thanks for your review. My EDC is Enlan EL02, Navy k731 and SRM 763 for sheepie friendliness.
 
What about stabbing crazy a hobo? That hasn't been mentioned yet. Sorry, I'm channeling my inner Bender.
 
Systems admin here; I terminate cat 5/6 cable, cut thick zip ties, open lots of packages, and other various materials. I use a s60v Blur and a Vic Alox soldier. The Blur should be on that list given it's various configurations. I also wrench on my bikes and car; heater hose, belts, wires, trim, gaskets, brake hose, I have cut it all at some point or another.
 
Yeah zip ties....food prep....opening boxes/breaking down boxes for recycling or trash..
opening packages in general. have you tried to open some of those clamshell things with scissors???
 
I mostly open packages and one thing I evaluate is how much adhesive or gunk accumulates on the blade... My alox SAK blade is such a gunk magnet that I use the awl to open boxes just so I don't have to clean the blade as often.
 
I think as far as food related stuff goes, I cut a lot of...

Bacon
Cheese
Apples
Bannas
 
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