i need a new work knife...

allyourblood

allyourblood

Joined
Sep 3, 2003
Messages
2,432
my M16-12z liner-lock is no longer reliable, and i am terrified by it. i'm gonna see if CRKT will let me ship it back to them for servicing, but in the meantime, i'll be without a decent work knife.

preferably, i'd like a 4" or under folder, but a fixed blade might do if it wasn't ridiculous in size (again, 4" at the most). i want to keep it under $40. also, i don't want a glorified box-cutter (when i asked this question many months back, that was what most of the suggestions were). i want a heavy-duty bad-boy of a knife.

any and all suggestions are welcome, even if they don't meet my requirements exactly. lastly, don't bother suggesting another M16: if CRKT fixes it, then i'll still have one. and if they won't... well, then i'll just move on (as far as my work knife is concerned). thanks very much, gang!

abe m.

edit: oh yeah, and no tantos!!
 
Depends on the kind of work you do. I work on Industrial electronics and machinery.

A stockman and/or a SAK do most of my work-related cutting chores. I cut tape, strip wires, open boxes, trim plastic, slice bagels, scrape gunk, cut shrink tubing, all kind of stuff. Usually oily and gunky environments, too. I use Old-Timer, Case, and Buck stockmen, and a SAK soldier and Explorer the most. Been using a Case sodbuster lately with good results, and have used a Buck 112 quite often. The Buck is nice, because when my hands are gunky, I don't have to reach in my pocket at all like I would with a pocket or a clip knife.

I also have an M-16 that I used to use at work, but the clips always seem to get in the way, and after I scratched my truck, I tend to shy away from them. M-16 is a nice, fun knife, though. :)
 
Entry level Spyderco is the way to go here. I would suggest a Calypso jr, or a Delica, but they are all great.

Or if you wanna go really cheap: Kershaw Vapor. For $20 bucks I give it great remarks! It doesn't compare to the entry level Spyderco's though.
-Kevin
 
For all the crap I do at work, I use a Kershaw Chive or a Leatherman Squirt, and they work fine for everything... as long as your work doesn't include skinning a water buffalo or some other "heavy duty" activity...

If you feel the need for a "heavy-duty bad-boy of a knife" under $40, I'd go with a Spyderco Endura if you can find one at that price... also maybe a CRKT Crawford Casper. A fixed blade that would be a fine work knife (AND VERY CHEAP!) would be the CRKT Ryan Plan B - they are a GREAT design, decent materials, pretty nice carry system, and cost around 20 bucks!

Good Luck.:)
 
Spyderco Delica or Native. Two of the best bangs for your buck out there.

Paul
 
I have a Delica but like the more rugged feel of the Spyderco Native.

If you can find a way to spend about $100, the Benchmade 710 or 806D2 AFCK would fit your "bad boy" knife. Take a look at the New Graham site.

Good luck,
Rich
 
I recently got a A.G. Russell Featherlite, with general purpose aus-8 blade. So far its been great. $35. Initially I didn't like the lock but after a few days I love it. Really light (about 1.5oz) but still plenty long (3" blade).
 
to give you all a better idea of what i'll use it for: mainly i need it as my "eraser", for shaving wood from stakes, when i write on it with a felt-tip marker and need to remove it. also for cutting flagging (though this is easy anyway), rope, and wire.

bwb, that Featherlite looks interesting. is it really all that rugged, though?

the native's looking like the one to beat. i've been kind of wanting one of those anyway, so i might just have to go with that. however...

bladefighter, that CS Masterhunter looks pretty good! i don't even own a fixed blade (other than kitchen knives!), so maybe i want to ditch the folding scenario altogether.

maybe i'll just buy one of each knife suggested, and then let my wife punch me in the neck! she'd probably punch me and still make me return 'em all.

abe m.
 
Originally posted by allyourblood
to give you all a better idea of what i'll use it for: mainly i need it as my "eraser", for shaving wood from stakes, when i write on it with a felt-tip marker and need to remove it. also for cutting flagging (though this is easy anyway), rope, and wire.

bwb, that Featherlite looks interesting. is it really all that rugged, though?
Click to expand...

I haven't had any problem with it, Zytel handles are pretty strong. I don't exactly use it as a prybar or anything... but don't see any reason why it wouldn't be rugged. However, do note that it isn't real huge and I carry it as an EDC, not as a work-only knife (though I don't have a work-only knife). I recieved it for Christmas so I havn't had a chance to test longevity. In searching Google Groups and this forum it is reported to hold up decently.

I don't have experience with the Spydercos, the look of them never really appealed to me. Maybe it is, unfortuantly, because I see too many knockoffs that the Spydercos look cheap to me. :(


maybe i'll just buy one of each knife suggested, and then let my wife punch me in the neck! she'd probably punch me and still make me return 'em all.
Click to expand...

hehe. A.G. Russell's policy is great for returns... and if it isn't rugged enough.
 
I've been using an A.G. Russell Featherlite as my work knife daily for several years. I cut cardboard, string, plactic wrap, and nylon strapping regularly. It has help up great.

Paul
 
I'll expound on what Steve1701d said.... for a hard use worker, sorta close to your price range, I'd recommend the Queen winterbottom cattleking stockman. It is the bigger size, has 3 D2 blades and just feels right in the hand. You may need to reprofile the edges, but Queen is improving on their QC. The D2 seems to hold an edge for quite awhile, and with 3 blades to choose from, it will be quite some time till you have to touch them up. Besides, it is fairly sheeple friendly... shouldn't scare most people at all. This is my favorite of all my stockman knives I own, and also the one I reach for when I know I need to count on a knife.
 
With your lock issues, why not go fixed balde?

* Greco (www.grecoknives.com) is selling 3" blade neck knives (1/8" thick x 6.75" overall) in your specified budget. I have one. Like a folder, it's not for chopping, but it sure cuts and holds an edge.

* Want a larger handle? Queen Cutlery has a 4100 Series hunters
-- d-2 blades under $40.00.

* Iiasakki Finnish puukkos can be had under $40.00 (www.ragweedforge.com or www.memoriesoffinland.com)

Try one in your hand first if you can.
 
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