EDC/Utility knife choices

BruceWayne

BruceWayne

Joined
Jul 11, 2004
Messages
487
I use a knife all the time at work to open/break down cardboard boxes. I have been using a delica for the last 11 years and have decided to go ahead and replace it.

I have a few other folders, (M2 AFCK, Spyderco rescue, and a CRKT Desert Cruiser), so I do not need anything overly large.

I've narrowed my choices to Calypso Jr., Dodo and the Yojimbo. Plain edge all the way I think...

I am leaning towards the Calypso because it is the most economical, especially since this will be a work and all purpose knife.

Any opinions on these, why one would be better than another?

Also I have never done any sharpening, and would like to start. Is the Spyderco sharpener the best way to go? Is the plain edge Dodo difficult to resharpen?

Would the wire clip on the Dodo cause less wear on pants? My Delica is the older style with the molded in clip, so that was never an issue.

Thanks for any replies,

BruceWayne
 
Why change from the Delica?
If you need to replace it try the newer VG-10 version.

And yes, you NEED a Sharpmaker!
That Delica will be kept "scalpel-sharp"...
 
Does it have to fold? Plain or serrated? Colour preference?

You might want to think about the smaller blades. From my experience in that line of work, even the smallest spydies eat through even the heavy duty packing straps with relative ease but you'd probably want something with a bit more handle. You'd also want to think about something that could double as a light pry since a lot of boxes are stapled shut (unless you want to spend time sawing round the staples) so a slightly less broad blade may be a plus (sorry dodo fans).

You really should think about just resharpening your Delica. It'll be as good as new after you sharpmaker it.

Also worth looking at (non-spyderco):

http://www.safetyknife.net/

Because you can cut packaging film, straps etc. without damaging goods. I use the hook at the end as my pry and to hook out really stubborn staples. Maybe Spyderco would think about designing a similar sort of work knife?
 
Hey, I worked a few months at Wal-mart as an unloader when I first moved to Florida. The SE Dodo worked great...though I had to look out for my supervisors all the time cuz they were safety nutz at Wal-mart. A Dodo is what you need...great grip and heavy duty type blade. Give one a try even if you don't use it for work. :p
 
The Delica is fine, I just want to get another knife :)

In all honesty I have never sharpened the Delica--it has a G2 blade--definately noticing the dullness now.

How hard are the SE and PE Dodos to sharpen?

Thanks again

BruceWayne
 
I'd definitely go with the Dodo. I've only used the S-curve of my wife's Cricket but with a full size handle to support it like the Dodo, it would be totally awesome for breaking down boxes. I'd also get a Gear Keeper or lanyard so it wouldn't "walk away". If you don't want to spring for a Sharpmaker, you can get a Lansky 'bone for less than a sawbuck. As long as you don't let it go dull, the S30V should keep it's edge for a long time.
 
Bruce,

In my experience (based on the Cricket), S[yderco's reverse-S blades aren't too difficult to sharpen with the Sharpmaker, but they always give me a little bit of trouble near the point. The problem is as likely to be with me as with the knife :D

I only have experience with the Calypso Jr. It eats cardboard. I've heard that the Dodo's excellent with cardboard, and the Yojimbo supposedly has an amazingly thin grind, so I'd expect it to cut almost as welll as a box cutter (in straight lines, anyway). All are made out of excellent steel. If you've been happy with your Delica's G2, you'll be happy with any of these.

One thing to remember, the Dodo and Yojimbo are twice the price of the Calypso. You might honestly be better off picking up a Calypso Jr. and a Sharpmaker. (Also, the Calypso'll be handier for other every-day cutting)

One more thing: I'd go plainedge. I have limited experience with serrated edges, but I've found them to be unhelpful with cardboard. In my experience, breaking down boxes with a small blade is more a push-cutting than draw-cutting operation.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!
 
Welcome to Bladeforums Bruce!

The Calypso Jr. (plain edge) is my favorite and the Sharpmaker is a great way to keep it sharp.



- Frank
 
I disagree with the plainedge argument. I had lots of times when boxes refused to open due to heavy application of glue by the packers. You had to literally tear the top of the box off. A serrated edge would simply saw away :)

Spyderedged blades are sharp enough for push cutting anyway, especially since you'll mainly be doing that on tape. Not the toughest of materials to slice. Straps definately need slicing.

Then again sharpening spyderedges are slightly more time consuming... Sorry :D
 
I work in a grocery store, so most of my use would be cutting tape. Sometimes I do have to cut through cardboard also. I was thinking of the plain edge for ease of maintnence.
 
I worked on a shipping dock for years(shipping not receiving,so I did not cut all that much) .What cutting I did was shrink wrap,and some card board to use to tie layers togather.

I carried a folder but used a box cutter.Why dull my knife? I can just swap out blades in the box cutter.today I would use one of those super knives.

I have a plain edge Dodo and like it a lot and that would work fine for you.I have little trouble sharpening it on the sharpmaker.The calypso is a outstanding cutter,cheaper and more like your delica,if that appeals to you.
 
If you really haven't done much sharpening, you definitely would want to go with the Sharpmaker. Especially if you are going to use it on Spydies, it REALLY works. If your blade of an old Spydie is really messed up, you probably would want to sent it to complementary sharpening first, but if you use it on fairly new edges, the Sharpmaker will see to it that they will never go dull. It will probably also set a new definition of sharpness.

EDC/Utility. Just having gotten my Yojimbo, I would say it would work extremely well as utility knife, but it is definitely a little bit off the beaten path. The handle is unusual in shape and unusually large for this blade length and for an EDC. But the mod. Wharncliff blade will whip through cardboard like there is no tomorrow. The tip is really something to watch out for. Rarely ever do I poke myself with a knife...let alone on the very first day! Yet the tip doesn't really appear fragile. Sure it is not a tanto tip and I wouldn't put it in a vice and load it up, but under EDC use it should hold up just fine. So the Yojimbo is a good EDC if you want something a little different.

For a the typical EDC (like what you are used to from the Delica) I would rather go with the Calypso (which is an incredible knife especially for the price)...or if you are willing to spend about as much money as for the Yojimbo, go with the Lil'T. It's a Calypso with the heft that makes you want to open up a tank like a can of soup.
 
The Delica is my hard used (and abused) EDC. The Calypso jr. comes close. I think it would be the best choice.
 
BruceWayne,I would sharpen up the old Delica,keep it for edc and buy a Super-Knife for work.They cut like blazes and you change out the cheap blades when dull.Sears has their brand on sale until July 21st @ $6.99 ea. Part number 994848.tom.
 
You'd do yourself a hug favour by getting the Calypso jr. Simple, economical and will be easier to sharpen than any of the other knives you mentioned due to it been a full flat grind in VG10.

Carry it loose in your pocket, clipped in pocker, IWB, SOB...it doesn't matter. Its lightweight and small enough that it's not going to be cumbersome to carry.

Of course, most knife recommendations are going to be heavily opinion based so if you're able to handle on in person then do that. But it sounds like the Calypso jr would be a winner in your case.
 
Swing by Home Depot, and get one of the Husky versions of the "Superknife".
Has a stout lockback, in place of a flimsy liner. Hard enough to find a decent liner lock, and you aren't likely to find one on a $10 folding utility knife.
And get a Calypso Jr. Everybody should have a Calypso Jr. :)
 
Two things:

First, as you've no doubt already figured out, there's some disagreement about serrations on knives. :) I don' like 'em. I find that in the real world they give a limited advantage in a narrow range of tasks, and fubar a much wider variety of tasks. That's just my opinion. There are _lots_ of people on the forums who prefer serrated edges, and even a handful of heathens who like half-serrated blades ;) Go with what you like. Serrated edges _are_ a bit harder to maintain, but they also cut longer without resharpening, so it kinda balances out (incidentally, I've heard that the serrations on the Calypso Jr. are problematic due to their thinness, so caveat emptor)

Second, I'm sure you already know that a boxcutter generally outcuts any knife on the planet as far as cardboard's concerned, but use a knife because it's more convenient, cooler, and more civilized. ;) But if you decide to give the superknife a try, be aware that the copycats that use lockbacks (I've owned a Husky and handled a brandless model--it was part of a crappy multitool set) may be tighter in the pivot that you'd like. The Husky was uncomfortable to open, and I'm convinced that the manufacturers of the unmarked cutter included the thumb-stud as some kind of cruel joke. Haven't handled the original Superknife, though.
 
At any price, I have never had a knife like the Calypso Jr. The flat grind VG10 blade is the best cutter I have, I love the knife. I touch it up often with my sharpmaker, 15 degrees.
You can get a more expensive knife, but you can't get a better cutter and I own a Dodo, Military, Para military, Lil temp, Native.
Good Luck
 
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