Recommendation? heavy duty EDC

midnight flyer said:
Never knew there were so many contractors here. I am, too. Started in the trades in '72, and have had my own outfit for almost 40.

I have always work for or have been a general contractor. To me, I don't and won't use a fixed blade on the job site on a daily basis. First, there are so many good options for folders, I don't want to have a knife hanging off my belt of my tool bags (I still work on occasion with the guys). In my maintenance work, we work in occupied spaces and I don't want any commentary on someone carrying a knife. Second, more structured sites will not allow anything that could be construed as a weapon (remember a few years ago when hijackers used box cutters...) to be displayed. Third, as long as I have worked in construction I have never quit being amazed at how fast tools (especially an attractive one like a cool knife) grow legs. If I drop my tool bags and run to the lumberyard, I want my stuff to be in the bag when I get back, and I don't even want my knives borrowed.

Personally, I have never needed a fixed blade. With utility knives and sharp blades, recip saws, circular saws, oscillating saws, etc. all at my finger tips it is easy to only lightly mistreat a knife as heavy cutting chores are more easily handled by the correct tool.

I like the suggestions from the guys for good quality knives you can rely on that do a good job on site. The ZT350 is indeed a winner (and then some), and when I got my RAT1 I used it for nearly 3 years non stop since I was so happy with it. Plenty of handle, just the right amount of blade, and if desperate I can put a rough edge in it with a piece of wet-n-dry sandpaper. Despite all the variety of chores, and cleanup to remove caulk, tar, adhesives, etc. with charcoal lighter fluid, my ZT and RAT are still locking up tight.

Buy a knife that could get torn up (wait until you see what you will be doing with it) and then make a decision to get something better if you want. I still like a good, inexpensive knife in my rotation lineup ready for some real work, one that I won't get bent if something happens to it. Nothing beats that sickening feeling of tearing up that mirror finish, foil thin-razor edge when cutting cardboard and you hit a large, hidden staple. Your blade looks like Alfred E. Neuman's smile...

Robert
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i agree on the fixed blade stance, thats why ive always been hesitant because to non knife people they can be intimidating. after so many people said they used one i kinda started to rationalize it but im glad to see someone who has the same thoughts as me
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I think every contractor has a couple of prized "good" tools to personally lean on when need be and a mess of disposable ones that will end up lost, walk off, or end used like a hammer regardless of what its intended role is by the employees.
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Ahhhhh…. the voice of experience. Over the years I have worked with guys that didn't actually steal something, but took it anyway. I have a tendency to work with some of the same guys over and over, so they stick something in their truck or in their tool bags at the end of the day intending to give it back to me later. Then we don't see each other for a few months, and the tool is misplaced. Regardless, gone. Then of course, there is "hell, he has a few of these, he should let me have this since I am using it on his job" kind of guys.

So I have "Dad's tools" that are my carpentry tools no one else can use, and I have a set of common tools like hammers, drill drivers, impact drivers, a couple of circular saws, recips, etc. No one is allowed to use my personal tools unless I am standing there watching, and then only for a minute or two. I have noticed that they baby the tools they buy pretty heavily, but in the name of "getting' the job done" they can be pretty rough and careless with mine.

Knives are no different. The most they get from me is a utility knife if they need to borrow one.

Robert
 
I concur on the tools grow legs idea, not really stolen but not here anymore either. I wouldn't recommend a fixed blade even though I have carried one a few times on the job, too much attention and the next town over (college town) has an ordinance on fixed blades. Also the 1" or so chisel style stiff putty knife is a most versatile tool and will be a "buy an extra one this time" item. The husky ones sold in the paint dept. at the Depot have a lifetime warranty;). As for boots, comfort is often based on dryness and goretex is not your friend. I wouldn't buy the best boots you can find until you get a feel for wearing boots all day every day. It helps to have two pair you like so one can dry out while you wear the other. And steel toe is to be avoided unless required. If I carried a fixed blade I would go for the ESEE3 hm over an Izula/Izula2 just for the extra handle size.
 
If you want a knife other than a a utility blade, I have one piece of advice to go with the tasks you will be doing. Get a Wharncliffe or Sheepsfoot blade (and a prybar). Ignore the other blade shapes. Seriously. For construction you need utility with precision. And try to avoid thick blade stock if plan to score sheetrock or other harder material.
 
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I’d like to recommend the KA-BAR Jarosz folder. That thing is a tank and I doubt you could break it unless doing something very foolish. The steel is AUS 8, so not the best, but you could do worse. It’s a thick blade yet still comes to a sharp point and thin edge due to a good hollow grind. Good size blade but squeezed into a pretty compact size. A bit heavy but feels very reassuring. I forgot to mention it’s very affordable as well.
 
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I would probably go with an Olfa razor knife and a Mora.

If you lose or break them, you won't really care.
 
update: i start landscaping with them tomorrow and am either going to be doing framing or trim work once im in florida. once i have the money i think im going to try and get an EDC3 or a good folder that was recommended (whichever comes first) i also picked up work pants from tractor supply went for the $25 work pants rather than the $14 as the $14 felt really thin and not that strong.
 
baldegale said:
update: i start landscaping with them tomorrow and am either going to be doing framing or trim work once im in florida. once i have the money i think im going to try and get an EDC3 or a good folder that was recommended (whichever comes first) i also picked up work pants from tractor supply went for the $25 work pants rather than the $14 as the $14 felt really thin and not that strong.
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The extra thick Dickies work pants are my favorites, I think I got them at Walmart. They're the only ones that survived my encounters with rice cutgrass, at about $25.
 
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