I'm in the market for a knife and need help

A

alesic

Joined
Feb 1, 2013
Messages
1
Well a little back story here. After Hurricane Sandy I went with Samaritan's Purse to do relief work. I went up with few cheep box cutter and a cheep folding knife that uses the same razor type blades as a box cutter. I used them for everything and anything for over a month. I cut wet carpets and drywall anything, I went through countless blades and honestly I got really tired for changing the bladed and the folder type blade kept coming out from the easy change blade fixture thing.

So now I am looking for a real knife that will take any cutting that I throw at it. When I say heavy duty work I mean it, but i also don't want to have to sharpen it all the time. So I need help I would like a folder but I know a folder that can handle everything I will throw at this knife will be hard to find so I am prepared to go for a fixed blade but it will have to be relativity small in size like 3" or 4" I'm expect that such a knife will not be cheep but I am a college guy so I don't have hundreds of dollars to spend but I am willing to spend a reasonable amount. Unless it's supper cheep I would really like to have a 100% warranty meaning they will fix or replace the knife even when I do stupid stuff to it which I hate to say but I will do stupid stuff.

So any help here would be greatly appreciated!
 
I think the ESEE Izula 2 would serve you very well! 1095 steel holds a holds a great working edge and it's easy to sharpen:) Lots of colors too.
 
As long as you use the knife what it's for(working and cutting things) I don't see you having any issues with the warranty.

For the kind of work you mentioned a folder will do you just fine.

It'd be nice to know a budget number that you can't go above.

But going on "Not super expensive, but good steel and heavy duty" The first two knives that came to mind were the ZT 0350 and ZT 0200.
The 0350 which is assisted(you can remove that if you don't want it) and has excellent s30v steel that is perfect for a working EDC. Holds a good edge, takes a great edge, and will keep going long after it loses the shaving sharp edge. It's not a super large knife but you don't need something oversized for it to be able to handle anything. This option from ZT is good for lighter tasks as well as the heavier ones. This knife is a little TANK.

The ZT 0200 is a BIG knife and can also handle everything you can throw at it. It also has a great steel that will hold an edge well, is a little easier to sharpen than s30v, but holds it's edge for just a little less time than s30v. It's really not noticeable. The knife is a manual flipper with a thick liner lock.

In my opinion both knives can handle anything you can throw at it, have a good steel, are extremely solid, and are just great beefy hard use knives.

You are compromising nothing by going with the ZT 0350(smaller) as it has a slightly better steel, is just as tough, and is actually more pocket friendly.

Oh and Kershaw/ZT has one of the best warranty services around. They will send extra parts, clips, screws and such when you need them. And if you start to have an issue, just send the knife in and they'll have it back to you in a timely manner all fixed up and ready to go. =]
 
ZT 0350 or 0550 might suit you well, if you're planning on abusing the knives somewhat. The S30V and S35VN steel in the 0350 and 0550 respectively will hold an edge for a long while. ZT's customer service and warranty is one of the best in the business. They'll even do blade replacements (for a charge) if you manage to break the blade itself.

Benchmade Large Griptilian is another good hard-use knife. Some don't like the plasticky feel of the handles, but they are very strong. Benchmade warranty will also cover blade replacement for a charge.

Another thought if you're going to be doing stuff other than just cutting... perhaps a multi-tool? Leatherman Charge ALX or TTi are some good picks. They have 154CM (ALX) and S30V (TTi) steel for the main blade. The variety of implements that might give you some versatility so you don't have to abuse the blade itself for non-cutting tasks. Leatherman's warranty covers just about any damage you can cause to their tools (broken blades or other implements, rust, etc.).
 
Hello Alesic!

It looks like You are doing a very important work!
All knives will need sharpening, there's no way around that!

A knife with a good steel at a fair quote suitable for Your needs, has to be a Mora knife.
Their laminated carbonsteel models comes to my mind.

Get the Mora Classic #2 in laminated steel and a good but simple sharpening stone.
A Fällkniven DC3 stone is small and compact to carry.

This setup will give You 5 to 10 years of daily use at a cost of 15 + 15 USD = approx. 30$ total.

If rust is a concern for You, there are stainless models also but the carbon steel models are harder and have better edgeholding.

For really tough work there is the new Mora Robust with thicker blade and edge, but when You get the hung of it, the laminated will give You the best service.

Regards
Mikael
 
I'll leave the knife suggestions to others, but I have some other suggestions instead. If your knife is your only tool on hand, then you're going to find yourself wanting to use it for tasks that knives aren't meant to do. A good multi-tool like a Leatherman, or even just a Victorinox Pioneer/Soldier and/or a small prybar (or prybar multi-tool) is far better than a knife blade for prying out carpet staples, screws, nails, etc. Also, don't pooh-pooh on replaceable blade utility knives. I'm not saying you shouldn't have a "real" knife, but when it comes to drywall or carpeting, these are a better choice than an expensive knife that you will have to resharpen if you use it to cut those materials. If I were doing relief work like you were, I'd have a few different knives, as well as my Leatherman, my SAK, and I'd buy a cheap prybar and a utility knife as well. It's good to have a knife that can handle everything you throw at it, but just because it can doesn't mean you should if there's a better (and cheaper) tool for the job.
 
Planterz said:
I'll leave the knife suggestions to others, but I have some other suggestions instead. If your knife is your only tool on hand, then you're going to find yourself wanting to use it for tasks that knives aren't meant to do. A good multi-tool like a Leatherman, or even just a Victorinox Pioneer/Soldier and/or a small prybar (or prybar multi-tool) is far better than a knife blade for prying out carpet staples, screws, nails, etc. Also, don't pooh-pooh on replaceable blade utility knives. I'm not saying you shouldn't have a "real" knife, but when it comes to drywall or carpeting, these are a better choice than an expensive knife that you will have to resharpen if you use it to cut those materials. If I were doing relief work like you were, I'd have a few different knives, as well as my Leatherman, my SAK, and I'd buy a cheap prybar and a utility knife as well. It's good to have a knife that can handle everything you throw at it, but just because it can doesn't mean you should if there's a better (and cheaper) tool for the job.
Click to expand...

Sound advice! A multitool would probably be in your best interest, OP. Leatherman has a decent selection.
 
A good multitool or if u r set on a knife then you cant beat the Ontario RAT1 folder for the money. It will take anything you throw at it and then some more.
 
If you are going to use it hard, I think a small fixed blade is the way to go. My suggestions would be, a swamp rat rodent solution or rodent 4, if you would rather have a rubber handle than micarta then a scrap yard 311 or 411 would work well.

Both companies from the busse family and have the same great warranty which basically is they will replace it or fix it unless you were actually trying to break it.
 
Last edited:
I know this probably wont go over well but it sounds like what you need is just a better utility knife and maybe a mulitool like others are suggesting. I love my fixed blades and folders but I use my utility knife all day everyday. Best bet is a replacable blade. I would never recommend craftsman for anything else but the folding utility knives work very well for 10-15$. One of those and a pocket of blades and you'll be better off than having to go sharpen a folder, even if you change 10 cheap utility blades in the same amount of time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top