Got awkward today with a hunter

A

augostos

Joined
Sep 15, 2011
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I've got two EDC knives for last couple of months -- a tanto blade Socom Elite and a newly acquired 4" blade (8.5" OAL) custom hunter from BF for sale subforum. The hunter has a beautiful 1095 steel tapered blade. And it is a _slicer_, and now I'm starting to appreciate 1095.

While it is still a spring and we wear something over the shirt -- jacket or blazer, I'm trying the concept of fixed EDC right now with the hunter. It has a nicely done but a little wide kydex sheath and I attached a tek-lok for handle-down carry.

So back to the story. There is a hard plastic cover over power and projector outlets in a University classroom. Couple of times I used my Microtech knife to open it, because it is very hard to open with bare hands or I don't know how to do it correctly. The tanto tip works for that purpose, I know, probably screwdriver would fit better but this usage is handled OK by Socom Elite.

And today I was carrying my hunter -- delicate tip, tapered to the end, needle point and FFG. While trying to open that cover with hands my students suggested I use my knife. Actually, they saw me doing it with Socom, though I was trying not to flash it much then.

But this time my hunter couldn't handle this pry bar job. I didn't want to ruin the tip; just paid 145$ and it wasn't an emergency. Bended a couple of keys for instance.

So, this got me thinking that one needs some other companion folder with a strong tip or a mini pry-bar, these slicers can't cover that kind of "urban", we say, usage. Just to get a psychotherapy, I'm thinking to take with me my beater Cold Steel Recon Tanto next time. But still I probably need to have something for this kind of situation.

Also, I'm starting appreciate the substitutional tanto blade of my Socom Elite. Yep, it is not the best for food prep or paper shredding, but it is strong enough for a city usage.

Thanks for reading.
 
Here is my standard EDC combo.

EDC folder in my RFP (usually an Opinel #9, but sometimes a traditional lock back).
Leatherman Micra in my LFP.

Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr


The Micra handles 99% of my non-knife EDC tasks.

I should mention that I keep a full-sized Leatherman MT in my daypack/computer bag and if the need is for something more robust, that tool is nearby, if not directly on my person.


My recommendation, get a Micra and put it in your pocket. Not your keychain. In your pocket.


EDITED TO ADD: The Micra is very, very tough and almost certainly could have handled your prying task. It's silly strong.
 
I have a Leatherman Squirt, but usually don't EDC it that much, just in case I see some work coming during a day. I need to try to have it on me all the time.

But when summer comes (actually, from April-May), it gets really hot here, 115 F is a norm, so not much pockets to carry stuff.

Thanks for an idea.
 
+1 on the Micra. Amazingly useful tool in a VERY compact package. The scissors are incredible, I have cut metal bands that strap boxes to pallets at work. I know that would be considered abuse or at least hard use, but the bottom line is it worked. Also has a screw driver small enough for eyeglass screws. I could go on and on. Love it. Buy one you will too.
 
pinnah said:
EDITED TO ADD: The Micra is very, very tough and almost certainly could have handled your prying task. It's silly strong.
Click to expand...

And is easily replaceable should it break (unlike the custom fixed blade). I agree with a small MT as an EDC, though mine is a juice in a custom sheath on my belt that I have carried for several years. Comes in quite handy for tasks not suited for a knife. We differ in that I always carry a larger modern folder even if I have a small fixed blade with me. Nothing beats the utility of a one hand opener (and closer) IMO.
 
I carry a little Leatherman brewzer I got in a trade for doing this. It's so small and light I never notice it in my pocket until I need it for something. I've used it quite a bit for prying if I dont have my tools handy

20150330_164456_zpsfmeqnfpv.jpg
 
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I carry a 3" ti widgy bar on my key ring. Light, small, pretty flat, not expensive, and works great for prying.

Almost like it was made for it ;)
 
It may not be the best solution on dry land, but I have a small Gerber dive knife. Similar to the River knife, but with a chisel tip, combo edge and a yellow plastic handle. In a folder, I have an old Camillus electricians knife that belonged to my father in law. It has a pretty sturdy pry/flathead screwdriver blade.
 
This thread just prompted me to finally pick up a keychain pry bar. Pocket wrench 2 for me. That and my millie should handle just about all my smaller EDC tasks.

I have one of those Brewzers somewhere. Need to find it I remember it being pretty handy for how small it is.
 
MI-FZ6 said:
I carry a little Leatherman brewzer
Click to expand...

As a quick and dirty solution I also ordered Chinese brewzer knock off for a dollar and a quarter. I'm waiting a Kershaw Blur and an Opinel. After that I'll see which way to proceed -- a more substitutional pry-bar, bigger multi-tool or just a cheaper heavy duty folder, like Ontario Utilitac II / Ka-Bar Mule / CS Pocket Bushman. As I said, usual clothing in hot period requires some adjustments.
 
JK Knives USK, forum member and overall Great guy.
That goes with me when I leave the house, it isn't as pristine, but as nice looking as it has ever been. His O1 shows a great patina and the pry bar (K tool) is available separately.
 
Another voice in support of having a multitool on hand...I have never heard of any (reasonable) person being freaked out by one, the usual reaction is either nothing or "well isn't that handy".
 
I had to use my Gerber Shard to pry a cellar door open today, I had never used it for anything other than screws and bottle caps before, but it did the job quite handily. It has definitely repaid its ~$6 cost several times over.
 
I keep a Leatherman Skeletool CX clipped to my left front pocket for just such emergencies. I also have a Leatherman Style CS on my keychain. Just in case. The scissors, as others have pointed out, are just crazy useful.
 
The OP started by talking about a 1095 hunter. I've been interested in getting a small fixed blade in a steel such as 1095 to carry if I need a tougher than average knife.

I do occasionally carry a multitool but the problems with that are that my Leatherman Charge is fairly large and heavy, and my Leatherman Skeletool wants to be clipped in my pocket in place of my nice folder.

I've also thought about a small pocket prybar. I may look into that more someday.
 
Or you could just carry one of these;



My Horseman (or several of my other Emersons) seems to cope with that sort of stuff just fine. ;) FWIW - I have also found several uses for the wave feature when closed which go beyond cracking the top of a cold one.

Don't get me wrong I love a slicer blade (& I often pair up such a knife with my small Sebbie 21, Spydie Caly 3's, Rat II or SAK's) but if I had to pick just one this'd be it...

Ben
 
I often carry either a Scout camper pattern or a Wenger Highlander (both with the bottle-opener/screwdriver/mini-prybar) or even a Vic Classic (with fingernail file/prybar). But if those don't appeal, try a Doohickey:

equpajyg.jpg


There's actually an earlier model, too, which also has a prybar function, though it's not as convenient and there's a sharpish corner point.
 
AreBeeBee said:
I often carry either a Scout camper pattern or a Wenger Highlander (both with the bottle-opener/screwdriver/mini-prybar) or even a Vic Classic (with fingernail file/prybar). But if those don't appeal, try a Doohickey:

equpajyg.jpg


There's actually an earlier model, too, which also has a prybar function, though it's not as convenient and there's a sharpish corner point.
Click to expand...

NiteIze currently makes a keychain tool exactly like this. I bought two for this past Christmas. I sharpened one corner to function as an impromptu box opener.
 
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