First REAL knife

T

The Ruckus

Joined
Nov 30, 2007
Messages
4
Just as of recently I've started an awesome (not) warehouse job working in a -15 degree freezer. I have to use my knife alot cutting the wrap off the boxes on the pallets and my cheap Gerber just isn't holding up to the cold. From three days worth of work the entire blade is literally covered in rust, and CLP wont even help it's so bad.

I live in Michigan, no tanto's, no autos, no balisongs, and it has to be 3 inches. What brand of knife and what type can hold up in the conditions I work in? I was really interested in both the Kershaw Mini-Cyclone with the Nitride finish and modified serrated drop point, and the Benchmade Vex.
 
If you want a good work knife, find a 3 inch fixed blade knife. Shouldn't cost too much if you're not looking for the prettiest knife.
Any decent gunshop or sporting goods store should have something which would do the trick.
 
both fine knives!

In your line of work, I'd say the requirements for duty would have to be a blade in stainless (duh! my powers of observation are astounding no?) S30v, 154cm, 440c or if you can find one reasonable enough in Talonite, dont be ashamed to buy used for knives with these blade steels, as long as the action is tight or can be tightened and meets your state and local legal requirements your good to go!
 
stabman said:
If you want a good work knife, find a 3 inch fixed blade knife. Shouldn't cost too much if you're not looking for the prettiest knife.
Any decent gunshop or sporting goods store should have something which would do the trick.
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That's how I ended up with the Gerber, and it's probably the worst knife I've ever owned. I'm looking for a knife that will last longer than me.
 
How about a short fixed blade knife in 154 CM steel then? Still shouldn't break the bank now that all the super steels are the rage, and it's always held up good for me.
Gerber used to be good, but some of their newer knives HAVE been a bit cheap; "mystery steel" is never a good sign.
 
I like stabmans suggestion of using a small fixed blade for what you are doing.
If ya do want a folder, another thought is the Byrd line by Spyderco.. There have been a lot of great reviews and they are priced real good too..
IIRC some even have the black blade coating you are wanting. Nothing wrong with the two choices you have suggested, both good knives.
 
I'd suggest a Benchmade mini-griptilian, for the simple reason that it's got a fat, ergonomic, plastic handle. You want something that'll work well with gloves (you do have gloves on in there, I hope? At least fingerless wool gloves at least?), and won't be as heat-sapping to your skin as a metal handle would be.

Get a mini-grip, thank me later.

Also, I would fully expect my employer to provide whatever cutting tools are necessary for a warehouse job. If he offers a boxcutter, go that route. You'll save beating on your own knife at work, and won't have to spend time sharpening your knife at home (off the clock).

Good luck.

here or here:

http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3936


http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=7633
 
The Ruckus said:
Fixed blades are also illegal in Michigan
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Where's it say that?:confused: I only heard about the 3 inch rule, and that was only if it was for a "purpose dangerous to the public peace".
Anyone know the actual regulations on this? I got my info from my dad checking it out(he works in Farmington Hill). The cops saw his 2.91 inch fixed blade he'd had custom made for carry there, and the only thing the cop didn't like was that it was a fast-draw sheath. He didn't think it was illegal, that's for sure.
But, cops don't always know the law either, so does anyone offhand know for sure?
 
I just checked the regs, and unless some new weird law JUST came out, a fixed blade knife is just fine as long as it's not a dirk or dagger, or double edged. Sub-3 inch gets away from the intent issue too it seems.
 
The law says well my interpretation at least if you have a knife longer than 3 inches and commit a crime while you have it on you then it becomces a felony. Also double edged knives are illegal as are daggers, dirks, iron knuckles ectr.
 
I'm unsure of the size, as others have said they checked I believe them. However double check, I read up on laws alot and I did hear fixed blades are illegal, but this could be large size blades that qualify as daggers.
 
If you have the dough, get a Busse game warden (fixed blade). It's the most knife you can possibly get in under 3". It is unconditionally lifetime guaranteed to last longer than you do. Go ahead, try and break it. It has the best steel on the planet, IMO, and it doesn't look like a weapon. They're awesome.
 
stabman said:
I just checked the regs, and unless some new weird law JUST came out, a fixed blade knife is just fine as long as it's not a dirk or dagger, or double edged. Sub-3 inch gets away from the intent issue too it seems.
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The MSP website seems to indicate blades longer than three inches are not prohibited unless the user intends to do harm to someone with it. It looks like a tack-on charge to me unless the officer can otherwise establish probable cause that the person doing the carrying was intent on using it in a crime. I guess it's legal to carry a knife with the intent to use it "unlawfully against the person of another" so long as the blade is pretty short and one-edged.

I don't know about carrying fixed-blades. MCL 750.227(1) makes mention of an exception for carrying a concealed "hunting knife adapted and carried as such."
 
I normally would suggest a Spyderco Salt1 if rust was an issue, but I'm not sure how FRN holds up in those temperatures. Anyone know?
 
A good utility knife would do the trick. No worries on the blade (sharpening) and costs around $6-10 for a good one.

I have also worked warehouse for many years, & a utility knife works well.

If you really want a folder another one I have used for quite long while in a warehouse is a subcom black serrated.

Overall i started using a folder, because the utility knives we were given I would either hate or lose or let someone borrow and I wouldn't get it back or just forget about them.

A clip is a huge thing to me in a knife & as well as quality. I'm sure that the subcom represents both & it is a workhorse even though it is a small blade.

Get a sharpmaker also if your gonna use anything but a utility knife in a warehouse.

take care

aj
 
Kaizen1 said:
I normally would suggest a Spyderco Salt1 if rust was an issue, but I'm not sure how FRN holds up in those temperatures. Anyone know?
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i think it was on the spyderco forum but some ppl went mountain climbing in snowy weather i cant recall how cold but realy cold and frn holds up fine
 
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