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I'm right there with you! I do indeed like pulling a pretty knife out of my pocket that can do a decent day's work much more than one of my old mules.
Robert
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Inexpensive traditional folders for EDC
- Thread starter csmats
- Start date
I'm right there with you! I do indeed like pulling a pretty knife out of my pocket that can do a decent day's work much more than one of my old mules.
Robert
Lots of great comments, everyone, thanks for the benefit of your knowledge and experience. Like Henry Beige I'm finding I like the Opinels best. I'm using the No. 6 Carbone as part of my little project (EDC pocket carry) but the No. 8 Inox jmh33 brought up and convinced me to buy as a car knife is a peach, too. The stainless sharpened up just as well as the carbon steel and the larger handle feels real good in my hand. The Sodbuster Jr. CV and the RR1357 are about tied and the MAM Iberica is still very nice but the handle is a tad small and it's probably me but I can't seem to get the steel quite as sharp as the others (even though I've only stropped the Sodbuster and RR1357 while taking both the No.6 and Iberica to the Sharpmaker). On the other hand the Iberica sits the nicest in my pocket to the point that I worked it into my office EDC rotation with my pen knives and GEC #25 Easy Open. I have a Buck 302 on order and am looking into trying some of the others Henry suggested, so I have more fun to come. ; )
Regarding the price/function/utility calculus, of course I still love my GEC's, my Cases and various other more expensive pieces, but this little project has really opened my eyes to the pure price/function/utility side of the equation. Those $10 Opinels are just so versatile -- you can even julienne veggies and fillet fish with them -- while the Rough Rider RR1357 has been an absolute revelation to me in how far Chinese knives have come over the years in quality construction, design and materials. In short order I've reached the point where I enjoy carrying the inexpensive knives as much as the "nicer" knives because pure functionality at a rock bottom price is such a beautiful thing in its own right. Sounds like others feel the same.
Regarding the price/function/utility calculus, of course I still love my GEC's, my Cases and various other more expensive pieces, but this little project has really opened my eyes to the pure price/function/utility side of the equation. Those $10 Opinels are just so versatile -- you can even julienne veggies and fillet fish with them -- while the Rough Rider RR1357 has been an absolute revelation to me in how far Chinese knives have come over the years in quality construction, design and materials. In short order I've reached the point where I enjoy carrying the inexpensive knives as much as the "nicer" knives because pure functionality at a rock bottom price is such a beautiful thing in its own right. Sounds like others feel the same.
Henry Beige
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Now to try some Moras....
Will Power
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- Jan 18, 2007
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I got this the Christmas before last. Cost me 25 USD and that includes postage to Europe, it was sold as a second but I really cannot find anything wrong with it, what a revelation: all stainless construction, Buck's nice sharp 420, durable Dymonwood scales, decent snap&pull. Good long knife but not heavy in the pocket.
The reason I got this was because a Forum member had very kindly given me one of these in Yellow delrin. It got lost when the kitchen had minor flooding and I was mortified especially when I found out Buck no longer makes the yellow ones, still looking mind...
The reason I got this was because a Forum member had very kindly given me one of these in Yellow delrin. It got lost when the kitchen had minor flooding and I was mortified especially when I found out Buck no longer makes the yellow ones, still looking mind...
Henry - I have the Mora Companions, two in carbon and one in stainless. Haven't used them as I got them to stuff in my emergency kits, with the stainless one way at the bottom of one kit as a last resort corrosion resistant knife that will never see the light of day unless it's total desperation time. They're so light they just disappear. I play with one of the carbon steel ones a bit, though, and man they must be among the best knives dollar for dollar in the world. They come screaming sharp and despite the 3/4 rattail tang the YouTube videos show them getting abused in all ways imaginable and still holding up. It's unreal. Beyond kitchen knives I don't have much day-to-day use for fixed blades (except for playing with them and admiring them which, darn it, is half the fun of knives anyway!) but I love the Moras. Now dang it all, Henry, you've got me thinking about some other Moras, like the Classic No. 1 and No. 2 that I've been looking at for a long time....
Will - I have a black sawcut Valox 302 on order for my little project that should have gotten here days ago. I'll have to check on that. I was hoping to carry it around in my pocket, cut some cardboard and whittle some wood with it this weekend. That's a nice one you got as a second, though, especially that you can't tell where it's a second.
Will - I have a black sawcut Valox 302 on order for my little project that should have gotten here days ago. I'll have to check on that. I was hoping to carry it around in my pocket, cut some cardboard and whittle some wood with it this weekend. That's a nice one you got as a second, though, especially that you can't tell where it's a second.
Will Power
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Thanks, it's one of those knives I would never sell, trade and would hate to lose. Makes it even more appealing that's it's a modest knife, but I've found those to be some of the best! Just like non pedigree animals, pleasant.
Regards, Will
Regards, Will
I don't know when a thread goes zombie around these parts, but I'm the OP so I suppose I have some leeway.
I figured I'd give a final assessment of the five knives I selected and played with over the past few weeks. In order of my personal preference:
1. Rough Rider RR1357 (China) - This knife has been a revelation. Because of my initial bias against Chinese knives, I subjected this piece to a harder workout than the others (although still well within pocket knife EDC uses). But the things that swayed me weren't performance, although for a Chinese knife going against American and European knives, it performed well. For about $10, I got jigged bone (as opposed to synthetic or plain wood), grooved bolsters, a polished blade of good steel (although the Case Sodbuster Jr. CV blade was polished best and the steel was better), comparable fit and finish, and most significantly the liner lock. A medium-sized pocket knife of classic style and materials that locks positively. Nice. For $10 with very good fit and finish -- Super nice. Overall, this is the best knife to me and I love carrying it rotating with my more expensive EDC's. (2nd least expensive knife of my selections).
2. Opinel No. 6 Carbone (France) - A beautiful, lightweight knife that fulfills all the roles of a pocket knife, prepares food very well, plus it locks (and locks pretty cool). The steel sharpens easily and razor sharp. The handle fit my hand best. Made my regular EDC rotation. (1st least expensive)
3. Case Sodbuster Jr. 3137 CV (USA) - This is the workhorse knife. Bigger, stronger, tougher. The Case CV is sharp, strong steel, and patinas beautifully. You can't compare it directly to the Opinel No. 6 blade because the blade profiles are so different, at the very opposite ends of this class. This knife is the quintessential EDC for a workman, hence the name. But the grind makes it passable for food prep as well. I put it in the front pocket of my main outdoors kit. If I was a workman and more of a regular outdoorsman instead of a desk jockey and weekend BBQ guy with a honey-do list this probably would have been my #1 EDC from this group of knives. (4th least expensive)
4. Buck 302 Solitaire (USA) - The variety of knives in this class is trippy. This one is a bit longer than the Sodbuster but a lot slimmer. Still hefty enough, though. I'm a California boy so Buck knives are part of the lore. Buck 420HC is good steel, among the best for a guy who just wants a knife with solid performing, easy sharpening steel that fits the pocketbook. This is a classic that if you needed a knife and found it you would be very happy. (5th least expensive)
5. MAM Iberica (Portugal) - It maybe wasn't fair to put this knife in this class. Length and other dimensions, it fit, but the svelte handle (skinny end, flat sides) made it much more of a gentleman-sized dress pocket knife, without the refinement materials-wise. Construction similar to Opinel except liner lock vs. collar lock. Opinel collar lock slightly more positive although slightly more unwieldy. Opinel handle much more hand-filling. But the MAM Iberica rides very nicely in slacks pockets. And notwithstanding the handle the blade performs close to the Opinel. Think sitting at an office desk and slicing a juicy orange to eat while working. No peeling, no undue working, because the blade is big enough to neatly slice an orange into eighths. Made my office carry rotation. (3rd least expensive)
If Case would make a lockback Sodbuster Jr CV in antique jigged bone (or better yet, antique jigged green bone) I'd buy about a hundred of 'em.
I figured I'd give a final assessment of the five knives I selected and played with over the past few weeks. In order of my personal preference:
1. Rough Rider RR1357 (China) - This knife has been a revelation. Because of my initial bias against Chinese knives, I subjected this piece to a harder workout than the others (although still well within pocket knife EDC uses). But the things that swayed me weren't performance, although for a Chinese knife going against American and European knives, it performed well. For about $10, I got jigged bone (as opposed to synthetic or plain wood), grooved bolsters, a polished blade of good steel (although the Case Sodbuster Jr. CV blade was polished best and the steel was better), comparable fit and finish, and most significantly the liner lock. A medium-sized pocket knife of classic style and materials that locks positively. Nice. For $10 with very good fit and finish -- Super nice. Overall, this is the best knife to me and I love carrying it rotating with my more expensive EDC's. (2nd least expensive knife of my selections).
2. Opinel No. 6 Carbone (France) - A beautiful, lightweight knife that fulfills all the roles of a pocket knife, prepares food very well, plus it locks (and locks pretty cool). The steel sharpens easily and razor sharp. The handle fit my hand best. Made my regular EDC rotation. (1st least expensive)
3. Case Sodbuster Jr. 3137 CV (USA) - This is the workhorse knife. Bigger, stronger, tougher. The Case CV is sharp, strong steel, and patinas beautifully. You can't compare it directly to the Opinel No. 6 blade because the blade profiles are so different, at the very opposite ends of this class. This knife is the quintessential EDC for a workman, hence the name. But the grind makes it passable for food prep as well. I put it in the front pocket of my main outdoors kit. If I was a workman and more of a regular outdoorsman instead of a desk jockey and weekend BBQ guy with a honey-do list this probably would have been my #1 EDC from this group of knives. (4th least expensive)
4. Buck 302 Solitaire (USA) - The variety of knives in this class is trippy. This one is a bit longer than the Sodbuster but a lot slimmer. Still hefty enough, though. I'm a California boy so Buck knives are part of the lore. Buck 420HC is good steel, among the best for a guy who just wants a knife with solid performing, easy sharpening steel that fits the pocketbook. This is a classic that if you needed a knife and found it you would be very happy. (5th least expensive)
5. MAM Iberica (Portugal) - It maybe wasn't fair to put this knife in this class. Length and other dimensions, it fit, but the svelte handle (skinny end, flat sides) made it much more of a gentleman-sized dress pocket knife, without the refinement materials-wise. Construction similar to Opinel except liner lock vs. collar lock. Opinel collar lock slightly more positive although slightly more unwieldy. Opinel handle much more hand-filling. But the MAM Iberica rides very nicely in slacks pockets. And notwithstanding the handle the blade performs close to the Opinel. Think sitting at an office desk and slicing a juicy orange to eat while working. No peeling, no undue working, because the blade is big enough to neatly slice an orange into eighths. Made my office carry rotation. (3rd least expensive)
If Case would make a lockback Sodbuster Jr CV in antique jigged bone (or better yet, antique jigged green bone) I'd buy about a hundred of 'em.
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Adding something substantive such as what you just posted is always acceptable, even if added to an ancient thread.
Adding froufrou comments to a thread which is more than 6-months old will usually raise an eyebrow. (froufrou = something on the order of "nice knife.")
Adding froufrou comment to something even older will usually result in the comment getting moved off line.
Adding froufrou comments to a thread which is more than 6-months old will usually raise an eyebrow. (froufrou = something on the order of "nice knife.")
Adding froufrou comment to something even older will usually result in the comment getting moved off line.