Recommendation? heavy duty EDC

[Cypress]

You can always use your PM2 for work & buy a new knife for good. The PM2 will handle just about any cutting chore. Like most knives, it won't work well as a pry bar, but since you're in construction, those tools are handy anyway. Right?

I used an S110V PM2 for a bit in commercial plumbing and I broke the tip off on pipes and foundation pads so many times I lost count.

OP, my work knife is a beaten and abused Benchmade 550. I'd like to replace it, but there's nothing close enough to the ergos and blade shape for the price. I'll echo what others are saying as well and agree that you need a Milwaukee Fastback razor knife. You'll know why you need one about 5 seconds into cutting any insulation.

 

[baldegale]

I used an S110V PM2 for a bit in commercial plumbing and I broke the tip off on pipes and foundation pads so many times I lost count.

OP, my work knife is a beaten and abused Benchmade 550. I'd like to replace it, but there's nothing close enough to the ergos and blade shape for the price. I'll echo what others are saying as well and agree that you need a Milwaukee Fastback razor knife. You'll know why you need one about 5 seconds into cutting any insulation.

its a little more on the expensive side but what about the benchmade 940? ive heard nothing but good things about it and ive always been interested (plus it comes in carbon fiber too, im a sucker for CF)

EDIT: oof i just realized the CF version is $320 but i could get a normal version for cheaper

EDIT#2: i can get the CF version on bladehq for $270, but normals are like $170-$180

 

[353]

Having worked in the home construction industry for over 20 years now I would not recommend an expensive folder. I enjoy a quality folding knife as much as anyone but if you spend your day cutting open bags of pea gravel and cutting the strapping off bundled goods you will learn a whole new type of cringe. Get a few nice cheaper knives to carry like the previously mentioned Rat1 or any of the cold steel budget line then find out what you will actually be using your knife for. Lumber is either strapped with heavy steel banding or fiberglass reinforced plastic banding and I haven't ever seen drywall banded or strapped because it would be damaged. You will open many boxes, most cannot be opened with a box cutter much less a longer blade due to chance of knicking the contents. I have always found it better to have a few to rotate because there will be plenty of days you will horribly dull your knife and be too tired at the end of the day to sharpen it for tomorrow. Also edge holding off a good steel doesn't matter much it what you are cutting has enough grit and sand/concrete on it to dull Excalibur.

Second this, and I also recommend adding in a stanley knife, preferably those with the "break of blades". A quick "snap" and you are good to go again.

Had a CS mini recon in XHP with me doing some drywall work amongst other work at home refubishing a room, it dulled in seconds....

Stanley type knives has really impressed me when doing home construction, hard to beat, they even keep on cutting stuff when dulled due to the super thin blade stock.

 

[Cypress]

its a little more on the expensive side but what about the benchmade 940? ive heard nothing but good things about it and ive always been interested (plus it comes in carbon fiber too, im a sucker for CF)

EDIT: oof i just realized the CF version is $320 but i could get a normal version for cheaper

The 940 is a legend, but it's not really a hard-use folder. It has a thin handle (not great with work gloves) and a relatively thin blade. A 940 also costs more than I'm willing to bring into the field. Whatever you carry is going to get beat up pretty good, so you have to be willing to eat the cost of whatever is in your pocket. It's tough for me to resell any of my knives because when I feel like I've gotten my use out of them, they tend to be "done".

Since you don't know what you'll be doing for the company, I assume you're being brought in as a laborer? If so, grab one of those Milwaukee Fastbacks and work for a week before you buy anything. You'll have a better idea of what you'll be using a knife for which might end up saving you money that might be better spent on a pair of good boots and a few pairs of Carhartts.

Oh, and welcome to the fluorescent shirt society

 

[baldegale]

The 940 is a legend, but it's not really a hard-use folder. It has a thin handle (not great with work gloves) and a relatively thin blade. A 940 also costs more than I'm willing to bring into the field. Whatever you carry is going to get beat up pretty good, so you have to be willing to eat the cost of whatever is in your pocket. It's tough for me to resell any of my knives because when I feel like I've gotten my use out of them, they tend to be "done".

Since you don't know what you'll be doing for the company, I assume you're being brought in as a laborer? If so, grab one of those Milwaukee Fastbacks and work for a week before you buy anything. You'll have a better idea of what you'll be using a knife for which might end up saving you money that might be better spent on a pair of good boots and a few pairs of Carhartts.

Oh, and welcome to the fluorescent shirt society

the stuff i told i was doing for the first couple months (entry level) is painting, hanging drywall, putting in windows and doors, caulking doors and base boards, maybe some carpeting, and essentially bitch work.

also for boots, im getting red wings, making sure they last me as long as possible.

ideally im probably gonna buy a few of the knives that i and others have mentioned (0652cf, 940, the EDC and one other that i cant remember the name of) for in and out of work along with a good watch that can handle the scratches (gonna need sapphire glass). i just wanted something to start me off until i get my first check

EDIT: the one i couldn’t remember was the izula ii, thats probably gonna be my first purchase.

 

[onionfan]

Something I forgot to mention in my other post....if you do end up with a utility knife, Dewalt makes some carbide blades that I've had good luck out of.

 

[baldegale]

Something I forgot to mention in my other post....if you do end up with a utility knife, Dewalt makes some carbide blades that I've had good luck out of.

theres no debate im gonna have a utility knife aswell, its just gonna be necessary no matter what

 

[Cypress]

the stuff i told i was doing for the first couple months (entry level) is painting, hanging drywall, putting in windows and doors, caulking doors and base boards, maybe some carpeting, and essentially bitch work.

also for boots, im getting red wings, making sure they last me as long as possible.

ideally im probably gonna buy a few of the knives that i and others have mentioned (0652cf, 940, the EDC and one other that i cant remember the name of) for in and out of work along with a good watch that can handle the scratches (gonna need sapphire glass). i just wanted something to start me off until i get my first check

EDIT: the one i couldn’t remember was the izula ii, thats probably gonna be my first purchase.

Be cautious with Red Wing boots. I've heard the ones made in China are rubbish, so look for the American-made models.

As for a watch, I'd avoid sapphire. While scratch resistant, it will shatter much easier than a normal mineral glass. I've worn a Citizen BM8180-03E for years, and while a little scratched, I won't be bummed when it takes it's final hit on something ($80) and I'll replace it with the exact same watch.

 

[baldegale]

Be cautious with Red Wing boots. I've heard the ones made in China are rubbish, so look for the American-made models.

As for a watch, I'd avoid sapphire. While scratch resistant, it will shatter much easier than a normal mineral glass. I've worn a Citizen BM8180-03E for years, and while a little scratched, I won't be bummed when it takes it's final hit on something ($80) and I'll replace it with the exact same watch.

yeah ive heard the same about red wings, theres a stand-alone in the city that im moving to that has them. one of the guys ill be working with who does most of the framing said his red wings have lasted him 4+ years and theyre the only ones to do so. so i’ll definitely be checking for where theyre made.

im actually wearing a citizen BM8475-26E as we speak!

 

[Robinson1]

I'm a contractor.

The combination I've settled on is a Buck 112 on my belt and a Milwaukee Fast Back utility knife clipped in the leg pocket of my Carhartt pants.

You'll find out before the end of your first day that practically everything on a jobsite will destroy a knife blade.

If you try to cut drywall with anything other than a utility knife you're going to hate your life and be sharpening constantly. The same goes for shingles.

Learn to break lumber banding with your hammer claws. It's faster and safer than using a knife and prevents having to keep a set of snips handy for metal banding. Learn to chop open concrete bags with a hoe or shovel.


I sharpen my 112 about once a week. It's not uncommon for me to change utility knife blades 2-3 times a day. Buy the 100 packs when they go on sale and keep one in your truck.

 

[GB940Rookie]

not quite sure yet, im assuming cutting stuff like carpet, caulk, maybe some prying, general cutting tasks, some ties like rope/plastic that hold shipments of drywall and wood together

Here’s what I’ve found after 40 years of it.
In my teenage years (painting houses and landscaping) I used a utility knife, Kabar USMC and a case canoe. I used a utility knife the most followed by the USMC.
After many years commercial and residential, I’ve found that I still use a utility knife more than anything else.
For carpet I have a second utility knife with hook style blades in it.
For cutting old caulking, utility knife.
For drywall, utility knife.
For prying, small pry bar.
For metal and fiber bands, claw end of a framing or trim hammer. Get one with a straight claw instead of a curved one.
For general cutting, utility knife and a folder. I’ve used a Kershaw Blackout for about 15 yrs and now have a Manix 2 LW that works great also.
I bought a Gayle Bradley 2 for a backup worker, then a good friend bought me the Manix 2 for Christmas and the GB2 has become a top two after work blade now along with a 940-1.

One more thing, buy utility blades in the 100 packs. It will save you money in the long run.
And a bucket

My favorite utility knife

 

[SPBTooL]

Leatherman Wave.
Strait edge for appropriate tasks, serrated edge for the tasks that would damage the strait edge, pry tool/large flat head for light pry jobs and a Phillips head. It is surprising how often I use the the saw blade.

 

[thebrain]

GB940Rookie I love the end nips with the missing tooth. My favorite thing about construction is having to do unexpected brutal things, like surprise today you are passing 150 sheets of 1/2" OSB up to the roof alone in 93°. Get a utility knife that you find comfortable same goes for a hammer. I carried a 21oz straight handle Vaughan California framer with the waffles ground down for 12 years comfort is everything.

 

[baldegale]

Here’s what I’ve found after 40 years of it.
In my teenage years (painting houses and landscaping) I used a utility knife, Kabar USMC and a case canoe. I used a utility knife the most followed by the USMC.
After many years commercial and residential, I’ve found that I still use a utility knife more than anything else.
For carpet I have a second utility knife with hook style blades in it.
For cutting old caulking, utility knife.
For drywall, utility knife.
For prying, small pry bar.
For metal and fiber bands, claw end of a framing or trim hammer. Get one with a straight claw instead of a curved one.
For general cutting, utility knife and a folder. I’ve used a Kershaw Blackout for about 15 yrs and now have a Manix 2 LW that works great also.
I bought a Gayle Bradley 2 for a backup worker, then a good friend bought me the Manix 2 for Christmas and the GB2 has become a top two after work blade now along with a 940-1.

One more thing, buy utility blades in the 100 packs. It will save you money in the long run.
And a bucket

My favorite utility knife

yeah for sure my first two purchases are probably going to be a good utility knife, the izula ii for a fixed blade, and then a good knife sharpener (or stones) and then as i work ill purchase more and more stuff that i find i need

 

[baldegale]

Here’s what I’ve found after 40 years of it.
In my teenage years (painting houses and landscaping) I used a utility knife, Kabar USMC and a case canoe. I used a utility knife the most followed by the USMC.
After many years commercial and residential, I’ve found that I still use a utility knife more than anything else.
For carpet I have a second utility knife with hook style blades in it.
For cutting old caulking, utility knife.
For drywall, utility knife.
For prying, small pry bar.
For metal and fiber bands, claw end of a framing or trim hammer. Get one with a straight claw instead of a curved one.
For general cutting, utility knife and a folder. I’ve used a Kershaw Blackout for about 15 yrs and now have a Manix 2 LW that works great also.
I bought a Gayle Bradley 2 for a backup worker, then a good friend bought me the Manix 2 for Christmas and the GB2 has become a top two after work blade now along with a 940-1.

One more thing, buy utility blades in the 100 packs. It will save you money in the long run.
And a bucket

My favorite utility knife

yeah for sure my first two purchases are probably going to be a good utility knife, the izula ii for a fixed blade, and then a good knife sharpener (or stones) and then as i work ill purchase more and more stuff that i find i need

 

[baldegale]

since there seems to be so many contractors and construction workers in this thread i have a semi off topic question for yall: what are some good hot weather work clothes? im a northern boy moving to constant extreme temps in florida lol

 

[number9]

Milwaukee Folding Fastback, DeWalt blades in the 100 pack dispenser that holds spent ones as well. (I've heard Lenox are even better.)
Hyde stiff 1 inch wide putty knife, sharpened, works as a chisel, pry bar, etc. Consumable. (some of the best advice I ever got.)
CRKT folding Razel
Dead-On Exhumer

 

[fjblair]

If I'm cutting and breaking down cardboard and such I will carry a box cutter for that task and a fixer for everything else. Just depends.

 

[GB940Rookie]

Milwaukee Folding Fastback, DeWalt blades in the 100 pack dispenser that holds spent ones as well. (I've heard Lenox are even better.)
Hyde stiff 1 inch wide putty knife, sharpened, works as a chisel, pry bar, etc. Consumable. (some of the best advice I ever got.)
CRKT folding Razel
Dead-On Exhumer

Good advice. I forgot about mentioning the putty knife. Worth its weight in gold and easily pocketable.

 

[SteelJunkee]

The Mora Craft-line Robust is designed just for that kind of uses, if you have large hands it could be a problem tho.

For the price it is, you wont drop a tear if something bad happens to it.