- Joined
- Apr 7, 2003
- Messages
- 2,315
Hiya folks, I have some odd parameters and am looking for some suggestions. My wife is the head grower in a wholesale greenhouse growing annuals and perennials. One of the tasks she has to perform is dividing plants, which involves cutting the root system of a plant in half to make two smaller plants. Soo... in discussion with her, I've identified some needs regarding this knife.
1. relatively pointy, so it can be worked in between the roots/stems of the plants
2. relatively long, so it can be used to divide larger plants (I'm thinking at least an 8" blade)
3. Fairly sturdy because it might be used to pry a bit on stubborn plants
4. No sharpened swedge, nor a thinned one. One of the ways to split a stubborn plant is to push the knife through, then push down with one hand on the handle and the other on the end of the blade.
5. Relatively rust-resistant steel, since this is a "workin' knife". Also fairly wear resistant, as it will be cutting through soil.
6. Available new, or easily found on the open market.
She's used a variety of knives in the past, from an assortment of old kitchen knives (not very sturdy, ends are kind of thin to push on), to my EK bowie (blade was a little short, narrowed swedge was uncomfortable to push down on). What we're currently eyeing would probably be WAY overkill, and that's a Busse Fusion Battle Mistress. Others in the past have recommended various Swamp Rat offerings, but those aren't available right now, and quite frankly, I don't feel like spending the "collectable" premium on the used market. I had high hopes for the Fallkniven A2, but the swedge took it out of the running.
Quick note about my wife... she's 5'9" and does a lot of physical work, so she's not a little dainty girly-girl. In other words, don't fail to suggest a knife because it's "not a girl knife".
(I once tried to get some advice for buying her a folder in a local knife shop. I told the guy that she was almost my height, what she did for a living, and that she really liked my AFCK, but he kept suggesting tiny little brightly-colored knives. Quite frustrating.)
Thanks in advance!
1. relatively pointy, so it can be worked in between the roots/stems of the plants
2. relatively long, so it can be used to divide larger plants (I'm thinking at least an 8" blade)
3. Fairly sturdy because it might be used to pry a bit on stubborn plants
4. No sharpened swedge, nor a thinned one. One of the ways to split a stubborn plant is to push the knife through, then push down with one hand on the handle and the other on the end of the blade.
5. Relatively rust-resistant steel, since this is a "workin' knife". Also fairly wear resistant, as it will be cutting through soil.
6. Available new, or easily found on the open market.
She's used a variety of knives in the past, from an assortment of old kitchen knives (not very sturdy, ends are kind of thin to push on), to my EK bowie (blade was a little short, narrowed swedge was uncomfortable to push down on). What we're currently eyeing would probably be WAY overkill, and that's a Busse Fusion Battle Mistress. Others in the past have recommended various Swamp Rat offerings, but those aren't available right now, and quite frankly, I don't feel like spending the "collectable" premium on the used market. I had high hopes for the Fallkniven A2, but the swedge took it out of the running.
Quick note about my wife... she's 5'9" and does a lot of physical work, so she's not a little dainty girly-girl. In other words, don't fail to suggest a knife because it's "not a girl knife".
(I once tried to get some advice for buying her a folder in a local knife shop. I told the guy that she was almost my height, what she did for a living, and that she really liked my AFCK, but he kept suggesting tiny little brightly-colored knives. Quite frustrating.)Thanks in advance!
Might be worth a try. I'm thinkin' about one for my canoe myself.
