It's a tool, isn't it?

[Cvrobinson]

Blade profile, type steel, preferred scales, lock type, size knife, pocket clips, preferred sharpening angle/method have all been discussed here in such general parameters that not much is established except opposing opinions.
A knife is a tool, some are a melding of art and function, others a cheap product intended to lure those in need of a cheap tool, and the vast majority, a tool designed to do a range of cutting chores.

The style clip, the blade grind, lock, steel,etc are all specific to a type knife and it's intended use.

I've worked with tools all my life and I know when it's a POS. You know when a tool is at the edge and it's "time to get a bigger hammer" Let's judge on the intended usage of a knife, not the inability of say a leek to puncture tires. Those are both boa's in the pic , but each designed for different uses.

So let's hear it, but knife specific, on knives you've used, not what a friend of a friend said, not what y-tube said, just in your hand use. What you like, what you don't, what you spine whack, and why, etc. Most important, why is the knife you edc in your pocket and if you lost it would you buy another?

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

Knives as tools that I use regularly:

Spyderco Endura: It's comfortable, ambidextrous, lightweight and relatively inexpensive. It also slices through 3" foam with ease and with brightly colored handles, tends not to scare people when other knives of its size might. I just bought another in ZDP-189.

Spyderco Urban K390: It's small, extremely lightweight, doesn't have an unnecessary lock to fiddle with, ergonomic and holds an edge forever. It also doesn't scare people.

Various Victorinox SAKs: They're lightweight, easy to carry, cut up my lunch, cut loose threads, trim my mustache, pry things open, tighten screws, etc. It's an SAK!

Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2: It's gorgeous and perfectly manufactured. It's my favorite Spyderco to behold... but it does scare old women in banks and the exposed liners gave me a blister the last time I used it for an extended period. I had to use more force, despite cutting a soft material, because the hollow grind had more wedging issues than the Endura's ffg.

 

[SharpieB]

Knives as tools that I use regularly:

Spyderco Endura: It's comfortable, ambidextrous, lightweight and relatively inexpensive. It also slices through 3" foam with ease and with brightly colored handles, tends not to scare people when other knives of its size might. I just bought another in ZDP-189.

Spyderco Urban K390: It's small, extremely lightweight, doesn't have an unnecessary lock to fiddle with, ergonomic and holds an edge forever. It also doesn't scare people.

Various Victorinox SAKs: They're lightweight, easy to carry, cut up my lunch, cut loose threads, trim my mustache, pry things open, tighten screws, etc. It's an SAK!

Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2: It's gorgeous and perfectly manufactured. It's my favorite Spyderco to behold... but it does scare old women in banks and the exposed liners gave me a blister the last time I used it for an extended period. I had to use more force, despite cutting a soft material, because the hollow grind had more wedging issues than the Endura's ffg.

Exact same here except I don’t have an Urban. My orange Endura 4, SAKs and GB2 get used the most with my Benchmade Griptilian and Spyderco Para 3 a close second.

All of my knives are tools. None of mine stay in their boxes or in a safe/display case and all get used. That’s why I haven’t pulled the trigger on a Medford or Hinderer yet. Amazing stuff, but I am worried that I would end up too paranoid to use them.

 

[SW-EDC]

I use my knives. I've learned that you can't take them with you when your gone so, why be worried to use them? The only one that doesn't get regular use but would if legal to carry where I'm at is my Rat Worx mini MRX. This is the most precision knive I own and built like a tank.
Even the 2 NIB discontinued ones I'm starting to carry where I was apprehensive in the past to do so.

 

[115Italian]

I use the heck out of my Emerson roadhouse. I own a landscaping company and its with me everyday. I love the partial serrated chisel edge tanto. Its great for cutting and slicing plastic pots to remove bushes, shaving down stakes for trees and light pruning of flowers and trees. Easily sharpened. The 154cm steel takes a beating and comes back for more. The handle offers one of the most secure grips I ever had in a folder.

 

[Lapedog]

My favourite “tool”’knife is also a favourite self defense knife knife. The Cqv7 is that perfect balance for me. Mine is reground to a true V edge (which turned out to be mostly pointless.) so it doesn’t pull the knife to one side when cutting. I don’t need to make straight cuts anyway often so for me chisel grind or chisel edge is actually fine. Emersons are true tactical knives because they feel just at home in self defense as they do as a tool. The ZT Emerson feels much more like a tool first when I pick it up.

 

[GermanyChris]

I carry a Knife Art large Sebenza 21 Insingo every day I only change it up when I'll need a fixed blade then it's another CRK. If I lost either or both I would buy the exact same versions of both and do the exact same modifications.

 

[SpySmasher]

So let's hear it, but knife specific, on knives you've used, not what a friend of a friend said, not what y-tube said, just in your hand use. What you like, what you don't, what you spine whack, and why, etc. Most important, why is the knife you edc in your pocket and if you lost it would you buy another?

I carry my cold steel 4Max in case I am ever caught on a sinking ship and need to throw something overboard to lighten the weight.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

I carry my cold steel 4Max in case I am ever caught on a sinking ship and need to throw something overboard to lighten the weight.

Don't forget, it can also be used as an anchor.

 

[M. Johnwell]

The two knives I’ve carried the most (and can give the most in-depth reviews for) are my superblue stretch and my carbon fiber cpm m4 pm2.

The stretch was my first Spyderco (and one of my first good knives) and it really gave me a lot of respect for the frn spydies. I beat that poor thing and it took everything I threw at it, including using the spine to crack stubborn pistachio nuts. As a cutting tool, it is phenomenal. Very slicey, and the handle is very comfortable. The only negative is that after thousands of times of being opened, used, and closed it has developed slight blade play and the jimping has lost its grip. More than once I’ve debated getting another.

The Spyderco pm2 came a few years later. I held off getting it because I was worried it would be too big to carry. However, once I started carrying it, the knife made perfect sense. The ergos are good, the lock is intuitive, everything about it is dialed in for use. I’ve used it to cut down small saplings, to field dress game, and after thorough cleaning, to prepare food. For any knife related task, the pm2 is my favorite. Furthermore, I carried it exclusively for over a year, and it is in basically the same condition as it was when I got it, just with a bit more patina. If I lost my pm2, I would be hesitant to buy another. However, this is because the version I have now is my “grail” pm2, and its no longer in production. I wouldn’t want to “settle” for something else in a pm2, even though s30v is arguably the best version.

 

[whitty]

I rotate my carry a good bit but if it goes in my pocket that means it is going to get used for whatever task is in front of me that a knife needs to be used for. Most of my daily knife use is cutting up boxes, tape and general in store use. I also will use the same knife while camping to prep dinner, cut up fatwood for a fire or just to whittle on a piece of wood. I always have a Hinderer Half Track in my pocket and then for harder task I typically rotate between a ZT0456, Southern Grind Penguin, ZT0801Ti and a Hinderer Jurassic. The ZT0456 and Jurassic probably get the most use. I have always loved the 456. It takes a beating and keeps on ticking, it stays damn sharp and it feels great in my hands. The Jurassic I like for the same reasons but I really love the drop edge on it for harder cuts.

https://flic.kr/p/CNLqqt https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

 

[Todd21969]

All my knives are tools. My preferred knife is the Spyderco Military.

First and foremost are the ergonomics , I find them perfect. Especially since I work with my hands and wear gloves at work.

They are also wicked slicers, easily cut through anything I need them to. I have one in S30v and one in CTS 204p. Both are easy to sharpen on a Sharpmaker.

I have only had the 204p since Christmas ( a gift from my awesome wife) and I am loving the CQI improvements and the edge it will take and hold. I have had the s30v for over three years.

I do own other knives and carry them as well but always have a Military with me. If I lost one I'd replace it.

Standard Military on left, KW exclusive on right.