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Fixed blade for trade work?

celtic11

celtic11

Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Messages
611
I service/install HVAC equipment and apparently the trade is hard on folding knives. I've been rotating a Kershaw Select Fire, Cryo, and Zing but all have been back to Kershaw or need to go. They end up getting used for various tasks that aren't really suitable for a folding knife. Once my Select Fire gets back from Kershaw I plan to carry it for work again because the screwdrivers come in handy, but I'd also like an inexpensive fixed blade to take some of the burden off my folder.

This needs to be a non-intimidating purpose built fixed blade. I've been doing a lot of reading and looking at this Mora..
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00816PZ8W/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1389924119&sr=8-3

Any other suggestions?

Edit: after re-reading my post I wanted to make it clear I'm not abusing my knives and sending them back for warranty work. The cryo and select fire went back for missing thumbstuds and sharpening and the zing just needs a good sharpening.
 
Mora is a excellent knife,but thin like a fillaing knife,not sure what you do,prying but it is flexible..
 
THE PUNISHER said:
Mora is a excellent knife,but thin like a fillaing knife,not sure what you do,prying but it is flexible..
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I dont do much heavy prying. The only thing it may get subjected to would be prying pieces of s-lock, which is about a 3" wide piece of 26g sheet metal bent into the shape of an S. Its a pretty easy task for a fixed blade knife I would think.

It would mostly get used for opening boxes, cutting plastic wrap and those plastic bands that some products are shipped with, slicing through silicon, cutting fiberglass insulation, stripping wire... nothing too heavy.
 
BryanNomad said:
I use every opportunity to promote it, Becker BK14 with the zytel or micarta grips.
Click to expand...

I agree with the becker, but I would go for the d2 version of the bk-14, the bk-24. Should handle all of the tasks you do with out any issue, and it has a great lifetime warranty to back it up if you ever do have an issue.
 
At the moment I think both the Beckers are out of my price range, especially when you factor the scales in. My next couple knife related purchased are going to be a storage tool box and a Spyderco Sharpmaker so I was hoping to go budget on the fixed blade. Do you think the Mora I linked would suffice until later in the year when I would be able to get the Becker?
 
I believe the Mora will work fine, but I see a lot of cheap butcher knives used on the job site everyday cutting fiber duct board. I carry a BK-14 w/ zytel scales in my back pocket for most other tasks other than the duct board.
 
I also work in the HVAC field. I use the CRKT Folts Minimalist Razor Edge Knife. You can get them cheap through Amazon. There are several models but I use this one because it strips wire very well for me. It's very small and unobtrusive.

31+ST3ZRqqL.jpg
 
Hey Celtic;I can see where those knives won't hold up,I'm a tradesman also and I've been using a Buck .112 for 39 years no problems.I do use a fixed blade for stress-cones U can get them at your local supply house there made by Klein very stout and grippy.The blade holds a edge well.I was gifted a Buck Vantage a couple of years ago I liked it so much I bought two more,they replaces my Buck 288 Quickfire..Another great work folder is my 2000 Benchmade 905 stryker I wear in my back pocket when climbing with a harness on... Good luck with your quest for a work knife...PS just my two cents worth.PSSS ALL THESE KNIVES WORK WELL WITH GLOVES ON.
 
At least you realize the limitations of folding knives. Thanks for being practical and using a fixed blade when common sense dictates.
 
For $45 you can pick up a Kershaw Diskin Hunter with leather sheath. Not a "Super Steel," but adequate. Traditional, modest size, might be just the ticket.
 
I also have a select fire and never had a problem. I would agree with jeremy1517, the CRKT is small, but has a great handle. For large wire I had a hawkbill knife for 3/0 and up.
 
I've had the Mora robust for a few months now, as noted in my username :)

It breaks down cardboard boxes well, although the robust is one of Moras thicker blades. It is less effort with a knife with a thinner blade. Other than taking down boxes, I use it a lot for whittling wood - I cut down the ends of rectangular wood stock before putting the wood into a home made tool to form dowel rods quite a bit. Although a bit big, i also use ot to do some rough wood carving prior to sanding. This past week, I am doing a bit of lawn sprinkler work, and the knife was quite helpful cutting through tree roots up to a little over an inch as I am digging up 2-3 foot deep sections of lawn.

Downsides this week, it seems that mud has stained the surface of the carbon steel making a bit of a patina like look. And there were quite a few rocks where I was digging/cutting through so the blade was a bit dull with a few edge chips. I steeled the blade yesterday which brought back the sharpness, but of course the chips are still there. Guess I'll work those out with a sharpening stone sometime.

Somebody wish me luck for no leaks. I get to test out the sprinklers tomorrow.

I've got a limited experience with knives, although I like the robust a lot, I think a thinner knife slices with less effort. My SAK and leatherman knives cut boxes with a bit less effort. But I'm not using my SAK to cut tree roots. Lol.
 
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FK-500x.jpg

(FK2) Farmers Knife 5 " L6 axe steel, differentially heat treated.
c$50.USA
http://www.svord.com/
http://www.baryonyxknife.com/svfakngr.html
 
You cant go wrong with a mora! Also ive seen s few affordable working knives in the knife makers exchange recently so that might be a good place to look.
 
My choices would be a Becker Necker, ESEE Izula or ESEE 3, Mora, Hulstafors, Cold Steel Pendelton Lite (they have a couple more budget fixed blades, too, like the Finn Bear, Roach Belly and so on), Condor Sapien or Mini Bushlore.
 
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