good knives for winter ?

T

tactical.practical

Joined
Oct 14, 2014
Messages
31
well since winter is rapidly approaching here i Canada, i would like some info on some good folders that would be ideal to use in the snow. so basically good rust resistance, no steel handle scales (they get cold), and a good grip. right now im edc'ing a cara cara 2 which im very happy with especially for the price, and i will continue carrying it through the winter but im willing to pay 120 $ or less for a good secondary blade. i will also settle for a small fixed blade (no more then 4 inches long)
 
Two come to mind when I think 'winter':

For something fixed, a puukko or leuku from a good Nordic maker.

A Hest 2.0 folder.
 
Puukko, leuku. Designed for use in cold weather in mind as a primary environment. Wood scales shouldn't have near as cold of a feel as an artificial set.
Maybe a benchmade hunt series in dymondwood and axis lock.
 
Do you wear gloves? A Spyderco may be easier for you to manipulate one handed if you do.
 
Last year I had a good experience using a Spyderco Manix 2 XL in cold weather. I like that the thumb-hole is larger than the std Manix and worked well with gloves.
 
The Military is still my first choice for work with gloves or stiff, cold hands.

A lot has changed since this picture was taken a few years ago, but the Military still remains my go to knife for cold or gloved work.

IMG-20120502-00053.jpg
 
Benchmade h20 griptillian and spyderco pacific salt would be my top choices for ert enviorment friendly kkves. Always wanted to pick up a yellow pacific salt myself just waiting till I have extra cash and find a good deal, maybe Xmas time.
 
The 2 I used last winter were a ZT 0560 and Spyderco Salt. Both are easy to manipulate with gloves on.

20140205_120914.jpg
 
Cutting in winter means a big grip, so you can wear gloves. Two that I've used under trying conditions (rain/sleet/snow, cold, blood, grease, guts) are Roselli Erapukko and CS Master Hunter. The Roselli has an oversized wood grip (Arctic birch), oval configuration so you can orient the edge -- useful when you're field dressing a critter. The Master Hunter's Kraton grip is hard to beat for grippiness.
 
In winter I favor fixed blades. When its cold its easier to use a fixed blade with gloves, and folders are a pain to use when one's hands are cold and stiff. In an emergency such as breaking through the ice a fixed blade is quicker to deploy and will provide grip to pull oneself out of the water and up on the wet slippery ice by stabbing it into the ice like an ice pick.

I never go out on frozen waterways without a fixed blade on my belt. It happened once late in the season when the ice was starting to rot, in an instant everything went from fine and dandy to that of a freezing cold life threatening situation. Without the knife to pry and pull myself out of the slippery hole I wouldn't be writing this today. Belt up f for safety when you head out on the frozen lakes and rivers.
 
NYOutdoors said:
Spyderco pacific salt with the full spyderedge. You can thank me later!
Click to expand...

This one was with me last winter when I made a run up into Buffalo, NY. It laughed off the road salt and cut through everything I threw at it, including various ropes and belts. Then I left it in my tire carrier by mistake and drove 1300 miles with it exposed. I couldn't believe how great it looked when I got back down to Fla after a splash of clean water!!
 
A cold steel would fit the bill:D I'd take a Mora in stainless for sure, they are slim and basically disappear on your person.
 
EChoil said:
Two come to mind when I think 'winter':

For something fixed, a puukko or leuku from a good Nordic maker.

A Hest 2.0 folder.
Click to expand...

The HEST is a Ti frame lock, and the Ti gets cold.

For folders, I recommend:

Spyderco Manix 2, Para-Military 2, especially the Manix 2 lightweight with CPM-S110V. Dragonfly, Delica, Stretch, and Endura are nice as well with the FRN, especially the ZDP-189 versions.
 
sounds like a manix 2 and the spyderco salt are the best options. i have question, were can i find the black coated spyderco salt ?
 
I would strongly suggest getting the full spyderedge, but unfortunately the black coated versions are only plain edge.

I know I've seen them at the big online retailer that shares it's name with a famous river.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top