If every citizen of the United States received a standard issue knife...

SAK? How about an American knife?
I believe in freedom of choice, but we have to set limits. Pick a sodbuster, a trapper, or a stockman
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I dreamed a dream where the Demo did not have broken springs
And there where was a quality knife like a scout, camper, or 'pioneer' that had varied colored scales and could be standard issue knife
 
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Victorinox Rambler SAK. Scissor, phillips head, flat head, bottle opener, wire stripper, nail file, blade, toothpick, tweezer. 2.25" and 0.8 oz. Everybody's keychain would have this. And as long as you paid your taxes every year, you'd get a lifetime supply of replacement tweezers and toothpicks. :D
 
manowar669 said:
Yep, or maybe one of these:
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Yup, the demo knife would do well. It's the original "hard use" knife. When I joined the army they were handing these out in the supply room of our engineer outfit. Nobody abuses a knife like a 19 or 20 years soldier in the field. Therse things held up pretty good. And it probably wouldn't cost anything, because knowing the government, they probably still have a billion of these still in some warehouse someplace.
 
Opinel/Mora combo. Everyone needs to learn about fixed blades, and the value of a lock on a folding knife. Cost effective as well. Many people, including some on these forums, would do well to learn that a knife doesn't have to be overbuilt or oversized to tackle whatever task you set it to.
 
Why a SAK of course. If the tools are good enough for the BSA, they're good enough for me. Be prepared.:)

 
leghog said:
No need to dream. Just open only one tool at a time.
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And when they come from the factory with the springs pre-broken? What then? ;) Also, there's no reason the spring should break even when opening multiple tools at once...I've never heard of it happening with SAKs etc. The problem, to my mind, is clearly that they overharden the springs.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
And when they come from the factory with the springs pre-broken? What then? ;) Also, there's no reason the spring should break even when opening multiple tools at once...I've never heard of it happening with SAKs etc. The problem, to my mind, is clearly that they overharden the springs.
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Then what? Toss it and get another. They were cheap issue knives.

Might be no reason for the springs to break (but there is a reason - likely the heat treat), but they do break (though I've never had one break), so open only one tool at a time. Not like you can use two of the knife's tools simultaneously anyway.
 
The answer to all questions is generally Opinel, sak or Mora. This time I have to say stockman since we're talking 'Merica.
 
I agree with a few others that I would choose a sebenza, not just because of the usual reasons of quality, workmanship etc. The idea of how it came to be in is the essence of American dream, a individual immigrated to America, set out to start a business and has made important contributions to the knife industry. So I believe a issued knife should have some cultural significance as well.
 
leghog said:
Then what? Toss it and get another. They were cheap issue knives.

Might be no reason for the springs to break (but there is a reason - likely the heat treat), but they do break (though I've never had one break), so open only one tool at a time. Not like you can use two of the knife's tools simultaneously anyway.
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Actually...they aren't all that cheap. Wholesale cost on them alone is/was about $34. I don't know about you but I can't afford to keep throwing away that kind of money until I get one good one. As previously mentioned I stopped carrying them in my shop because literally about 1 in 12 wouldn't have anything obviously and critically wrong with it. That means that one "pretty ok" knife basically cost $408 without any retail markup. Not even close to worth it. :p The old Camillus ones were a different story, but I'd be surprised if they were really much cheaper when you account for inflation.
 
If those demo knives were actually military issue, it doesn't surprise me they were of questionable quality. I've said it before, and other service members/vets will likely agree, but just because the military uses it doesn't make it great.

Also, on the post where it was suggested firefighters should be issued the TL-29, I would disagree. I have my grandfathers TL-29 from the 70's and I wouldn't want to use that at work. While wearing turnout gloves that knife is literally impossible to open.
 
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I have no friggin clue how to answer this question.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Actually...they aren't all that cheap. Wholesale cost on them alone is/was about $34. I don't know about you but I can't afford to keep throwing away that kind of money until I get one good one. As previously mentioned I stopped carrying them in my shop because literally about 1 in 12 wouldn't have anything obviously and critically wrong with it. That means that one "pretty ok" knife basically cost $408 without any retail markup. Not even close to worth it. :p The old Camillus ones were a different story, but I'd be surprised if they were really much cheaper when you account for inflation.
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It was a government spec'd and issued knife, and this thread is about the government issuing every citizen a standard issue knife. No reason to reinvent the wheel.

NSN: 5110-00-162-2205. Listed at about $20 each.
 
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leghog said:
It was a government spec'd and issued knife, and this thread is about the government issuing every citizen a standard issue knife. No reason to reinvent the wheel.

NSN: 5110-00-162-2205. Listed at about $20 each.
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I realize that. I like the pattern, and stated as such. However, the execution of the ones that were available up until recently that were made by OKC were of unbelievably shoddy quality and I'm saying that's poor economy. Same knife, made so it doesn't come pre-broken, and I think it'd be great for the premise of this thread.
 
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