Gardening/yardwork what traditional do you carry?

rockgolfer

rockgolfer

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Mar 1, 2008
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Ok, I have been doing alot of work around the yard these last few weeks. From digging to laying brick, even pulled a few weeds all while carrying my trusty GEC 79. But I have found that I usually only need one blade and I sweat alot in this humid Arkansaw heat. So giving my normal edc a bath everytime I am out in the yard is getting well old. Maybe stainless is in order for this kind of work? I also find myself missing a pocket clip for the first time, something that could be remedied with a knife that has a lanyard hole I am sure. So while I am trying to contimplate a new knife and I do not have a lot of experience in the traditional world I am asking yall for some advice. What works for you in the yard? any pattern/brand recomendations?

Thanks
Jeff
 
Sorry I can't help. My yardwork/landscaping knife isn't traditional, but that Spyderco Spyderhawk Salt in full serrated H-1 is a pocket chainsaw that doesn't rust.
 
I moved here from the world of spyderco Jack, that is a superb choice and if no traditional catches my interest then I may go that route. My first thought is a soddie and I will be giving my redneck a fighting chance this month but I have my doubts to the utility of a sod buster with the rounded non pointy tip.
 
I usually carry whatever is in my pocket at the time, although I keep a Ranger brand jack in the cupholder of mah "lawn tractor" for those dirty jobs out in the yard. Additionally, I have a couple of Old Hickory butcher knives that I use in the garden for harvesting veggies and a machete for saplings and tough weeds around the grounds.

As far as your problem goes, many manufacturers make good trads in stainless. A Vic Farmer might suit you as well...lanyard ring, blade, VERY good saw for it's size, a bottle opener, can opener, flathead screwdriver and a great awl, as well. The blades/tools are stainless and the scales are aluminum. About as rust-proof as you can get!

Good luck.

Frosty
 
Victorinox Fieldmaster has served me well for over 25 years, including a couple years of daily work building docks on the lakes of South Carolina. Summers were brutally hot/humid, winters often wet. Since we were working on the water, it got dropped in more than once. Still going strong all these years later.

Bottom left in this picture:

Vicsvsjacks.jpg
 
It's not specifically my gardening/lawnwork knife but I have been carrying a Buck 301 lately that has performed those duties very well so far. 3 separate blades is nice for different tasks outside and back inside for a snack after doing work. I sweat a lot as well in this summer heat and have no problems with using Buck's stainless steel.
 
I can suggest a couple of traditionals based on my experience, but your intended use will determine which blade is best for you.

A good sod buster is always handy for gardening or field work, and a stainless steel blade or a coated (Teflon or backed on finish) makes life much easier. You can get a wide range of quality and prices from many manufacturers, so I won't suggest a specific brand. This is a basic all around knife.

If you're going to work mostly with plants and trees, a pruner is a good choice. These have a blade shape similar to a hawksbill, but with a less pronounced tip (or "beak). I've used a Victorinox, which is excellent although the stainless steel blade is a bit thin, along with a pair of A. Wright & Sons models (from Shefield, England). One is a fancier high carbon stainless with horn scales, and the other is a carbon steel workhorse with wooden scales and wider blade, which rusts if not maintained constantly, but is a great cutter. My favorite is an all stainless Rodgers, also from Sheffield, that is very slim but sturdy, and great for carrying when no work is planned but is possible. I also have a Schrade beater with white plastic scales and stainless steel sheepsfoot blade, which I've learned to appreciate and trust for general work.

For cutting fruit and special pruning, I have a Mercury Inox (stainless) with wood scales and a scythe-like blade, made in Maniago, Italy, which is an awesome cutter and the best thing for cutting down everything from papayas and mangos to coconuts, not to mention oranges and grapefruits.

For very heavy cutting a hawksbill is probably your best choice. I have a Sheffield Mfg. model with stainless lock blade and wood scales that is quite a brute handling tough jobs, and a Smith & Wesson that is less sturdy but quite useful and less valuable in case of breakage or loss, which can happen if your garden is like mine (tropical semi-jungle).

I hope this helps in some way to guide your search and next purchase.
 
Lots of great ideas guys. Looked at some of the victorinox models. Of course all the ones I want are limited edition and out of stock :rolleyes:. I am going to give my O1 redneck a shot this month, it might just suprise me but its nice to know what else is out their in the meantime.
 
Opinel #10 converted to drop point and handle reshaped to be easy open/1 hand open.


opinel #10 quarter view by Pinnah, on Flickr

The convex blade goes through wood insanely well. The big handle gives great control. The weight is super light yet it's a very tough knife. The mechanicals a simple and don't get wrecked by dirt.

Depending on the chores, I'll also carry a small leatherman type tool like a Micra or one step up. Never use the knife on those tools but having one in the pocket can save a trip to the tool box.
 
I like the Case large Sodbuster for rough stuff, but lately have added a polypropylene handled Svord to the mix...so far so good with the Svord...your Redneck should perform admirably as such a tool...
 
My hardworking yard knife of late has been the AG Russell Cowboy. It's synthetic yellow scales make it impervious to hot and muggy conditions and it's color makes it easy to spot when I set it down. And that stainless blade can take the very humid conditions we've had here in Minnesota this summer.
 
I'll use a Western, Buck or even a Bear lockback. With slip joints, in D2 or stainless in wet conditions.

And carrying a small to medium fixed blade will make you forget about a pocket clip.
 
My knife that i used the most this summer is this....I know its not a traditional but it will wear ya out lolololo
BabyDylan2166.jpg
 
sitflyer said:
I like the Case large Sodbuster for rough stuff, but lately have added a polypropylene handled Svord to the mix...so far so good with the Svord...your Redneck should perform admirably as such a tool...
Click to expand...
Same here. I find that the tang of the Svord comes in handy while doing yardwork so that I can pry if I need to (with the tang itself- still :eek:) and open the knife with one hand. A Buck 110 gets used pretty often as well.
I also use an eight inch Old Hickory butcher as a machete type blade- my "bushwhacker" if you will :)
 
The rare times I carry a tradditional while doing yard work(don't garden, no green thumb here) I carry a Victorinox Deluxe Tinker. I more often carry a Leatherman and a Spyderco. I'm really a lazy guy like the Agustus charactor in LD I just want to sit on the porch and sip some whiskey and drink some cold ice tea! I take care of my mother inlaw's yard to help pay rent!
 
Whatever slipjoint I'm carrying at the time. Paired with either a machete, hatchet or splitting axe.
 
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