Evolution of the edc

Rsmith_77

Rsmith_77

Joined
Jun 4, 2010
Messages
4,250
So, i am sure we've all done this to some degree over the years...
started with an edc, life changes and edc needs change etc etc.

anyways, about 4 1/2 months ago i started a new job in a warehouse. My previous job was management, so i had tried so many different choices of pocket knives, finally settling on a buck 309. It was perfect for me, opening letters, occasional boxes, occasionally a piece of fruit etc etc. But then i lost my job and when i started in the warehouse it just wasnt big enough for my hands. Yes the blade would do the job, but you really had to slow down, consider your cut, which i didnt always have time to do...so i wanted something with a bigger handle.

First i tried a modern kabar folder, which while itworked, it didnt really cut as well as my traditionals. Its the kabar folding hunter in Aus8, nice thin knife, but with no liners the handle would flex and i began to worry if it would handle the harder cutting the job required. Plus the blade is much thicker than my traditionals and so i had to work that much harder to cut.

Then I tried the case sodbuster. Which worked fine, but I found i really needed something with a little more point to start a cut on the plastic ties, the pallet wraps etc etc, it worked but not as fast as I would have liked. I also started noticing a problem with rust as the spring temps started to rise.

Few weeks later, Sitflyer sent me an old timer 123OT. VERY sharp, very thin, very pointy and it was a huge step up, I actually carried that for a month or so but no matter how much of a patina i tried to make, the carbon steel would rust, everyday. I was having to clean the knife with dawn and a green scrub pad 3-4 times a week and i was wiping the blade down with mineral oil every 2nd day, and i was still losing the battle against the mississippi heat and humidy (plus sweat of course)

So fast forward to april, i decide I was just going to need a stainless steel knife. I thought about it for a bit and went out and hunted down a buck 301. This was it! "the one". It had everything i ever needed and i have edc'd it everyday since i bought it.

and then it happened, several projects needed to be done and so today i decided to bring my wenger SI with me as a backup, not knowing all of what these projects would entail. Turns out, the SI's awl allowed me to start some holes to screw things to 2x4's and we have this material, not exactly sure what it is, its like cardboard, corrugated and all, but it feels and looks like plastic. Anyways, i got doing some cutting tests, now dont get me wrong, the 301 cut the stuff just fine, but the saber grind was definitely noticeable. When i started cutting through with the SI, the full flat grind just zipped through the stuff, made it look easy.

Now, I am starting to think...if the SAK's flat grind makes cutting easier, what does the 301 have that the SI doesnt? The sheepsfoot blade, granted i love the sheepsfoot blade, i use it more than any other blade on my 301. But then i got to thinking. The SI doesnt have a 2nd blade, but the Alox Electrician does. Oh lord, i think its happening again :P

Perhaps I'm spending too much in the multi-tool/sak forum, but it once again occurs to me that with the right sak with the right tools, there is nothing a 301 can do that the sak cant, and plenty the sak can do that the 301 cant. Some people talk about traditionals have more "soul" or what ever. But i cannot seem to keep a carbon steel blade from rusting and a nice stag handle (my ideal) i would almost be afraid to edc ...

I think my edc is going to change :p

my wenger SI
006-2.jpg


my buck 301
003-12.jpg
 
This is serious.

Quickly, take two slip joints and hold them tightly in your hands. Then keep repeating "There's no place like home, there's no lace like home, there's..."

:D

In all seriousness, life does change, and what's important changs as well. We go through life in stages, and sometimes our edc must change with it.

Carl.
 
You can also find the Camillus "Demo Knife". For all the reasons you mentioned.

Somebody on the forum recently posted a fantastic comparison between the SAK alox and the Camillus Demo Knife. Worth looking for.
 
nothing wrong at all with a SAK. one of my main edc knives is a Vic. Cadet. You really get alot in a little knife with the SAKs.
 
One of my favorite SAKs is the Pioneer Apprentice. It is discontinued but can still be had for a great price. I just bought two of them. Gotta have a sheepsfoot...
 
Interessting thread... and a nice too.

My EDC changed from an SAK to german traditionals to modern knives to SAKs/traditional knives (in general). I realized, that I don´t need many tools, like can opener, screwdriver etc. But it´s nice to have them. Different bladeshapes are helpful, too. Nevertheless - I´m pretty happy with the knives I have.

I´m glad that you found your setup for your job.

I carry most of my knives, but no one of my modern knives - just because I don´t need them and they don´t feel as good as any traditional.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Don't fight it, go with the SAK. There is always the weekend to carry the other knives if you want to :)
 
Rsmith_77 said:
Perhaps I'm spending too much in the multi-tool/sak forum, but it once again occurs to me that with the right sak with the right tools, there is nothing a 301 can do that the sak cant, and plenty the sak can do that the 301 cant. Some people talk about traditionals have more "soul" or what ever.
Click to expand...

I think a well used SAK that's been around the block with it's owner a few hundred times has plenty of soul. I've had this Vic Adventurer since the early 90s.

SAK-1.jpg


I say don't over-think it. Just jam the alox SAK in your pocket and see how it goes. No one here will dock you any folksy points. :D

-- Mark
 
Sometimes you don't realize that you've been trying to use something until you find yourself using something without having to try. :)

~ P.
 
I can definitely relate to the OP. I've thought to myself that if I had to choose one knife, it would be my wood soldier. I don't get anywhere need the satisfaction that I get carrying a bone handled carbon blade knife, but as a tool, it by far the most useful knife I have. Sometimes I try to compensate by carrying my Case, and a Leatherman Micra on my keys.
 
well, i gonna try and carry both a bit and see if the lack of the 2nd blade (SHEEPSFOOT) is too detrimental.

but the SAK got used for all sorts of things today, the awl specifically was the hero, wouldnt have been able to finish our project without it, needed to drill starter holes to screw into, just could not get the screws to catch without them...real lifesaver

Modoc ED said:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/965550-4-blades-Victorinox-vs-Camillus

Just get a box cutter. They work great in a warehouse environment.
Click to expand...

the boss and the assistant manager both carry box cutters, i have access to them if i have to. But even they think me being a knife guy is cool and like seeing my different knives :p
 
Rsmith_77 said:
well, i gonna try and carry both a bit and see if the lack of the 2nd blade (SHEEPSFOOT) is too detrimental.

but the SAK got used for all sorts of things today, the awl specifically was the hero, wouldnt have been able to finish our project without it, needed to drill starter holes to screw into, just could not get the screws to catch without them...real lifesaver



the boss and the assistant manager both carry box cutters, i have access to them if i have to. But even they think me being a knife guy is cool and like seeing my different knives :p
Click to expand...

That's good.

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, ask the boss to buy some self-starting sheet metal screws.
 
hah!

its fixing to be sodbuster month, heck i even voted for the sodbuster
and here i go swapping to a wenger SI, was that even on the list??

lol
 
Rsmith_77 said:
Perhaps I'm spending too much in the multi-tool/sak forum, but it once again occurs to me that with the right sak with the right tools, there is nothing a 301 can do that the sak cant, and plenty the sak can do that the 301 cant. Some people talk about traditionals have more "soul" or what ever. But i cannot seem to keep a carbon steel blade from rusting and a nice stag handle (my ideal) i would almost be afraid to edc ...

I think my edc is going to change :p
Click to expand...

Knives are very very personal so no one answer.

I think you are right in comparing the SAK another slip joint. But I find that slip joints don't feel as secure in my hands a locking folder. I would rather cut with a lock back or an Opinel.

My solution is to carry a Leatherman Micra along with a single blade locker. I never use the knife blade on such tools and often grind off the blade to make them TSA friendly. I'm almost never with out my Micra.

I love campers but they don't hold a light to a locking folder for me.
 
I just picked up a Wenger SI finally after having it in a website shopping cart for months. This is my first Wenger (knife, have a few of their watches which are excellent for the price) and I am very impressed with the fit and finish on a fairly inexpensive knife -- at least compared to what I usually buy :D

It's going to summer camp with me, along with my other Scout patterns and we'll see which one(s) I like best by the end of that week. Oh yeah, my yeller 301 is going to camp too ;)
 
Rsmith_77 said:
well, i gonna try and carry both a bit and see if the lack of the 2nd blade (SHEEPSFOOT) is too detrimental.
Click to expand...

There's always the Victorinox Electrician.:)

I think we all go through different phases of knife collecting/use. Trying different things and finding out what works best is half the fun of the hobby.
 
oh yeah, i been eyeballing the electrician since this entire subject came to mind earlier today
alas, the wife is saying No! which finances being what they are, is hard to argue

perhaps i can raid the change jar, not sure how much is in that :p
 
Here is my SI with an added scissors layer. Turned a nice sak into an excellent imho.

District1-20120617-00456.jpg


Sent from Ash forum mobile
 
Ash, did you customize that?

That is essentially the variant I've been advocating for for some time. Scissors are a must have. The awl and can opener are both nice to have.

Would be great to see a US maker do that combo
 
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