knife advice

I looked over a couple of the M16 series knives yesterday at the store. They appear to be made very well for the cost. The liners are much thicker than any other linerlocks I looked at in that price range, Blade was nice and sturdy, and the fit any finish wasn't bad. I was real tempted to buy one but it makes me look like a dork when I tell people I make knives and then it ends up I'm carrying some production peice :rolleyes: :D
I understand not wanting to spend too much since it might get lost etc. but look at it from the other possibility. You might end up having it for a long time :D You want it to be something you'll enjoy using.
 
basjoo said:
not2sharp, Got one! great little tool that I use at work for the craft stuff we do, cutting boxes and related jobs. Again, not another tool I want to carry around on my belt all day. Nobody seems to mention tanto blades. Any down side to the design? Seems the tip of the blade would be very strong, the front edge could be kept sharp enough to push cut roots etc. Opinions?
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Aren't tanto blades generally thicker? For plants I would think a thin blade (partially serrated endura in VG10) would be best. A flat ground blade (the victorinoxes and some smaller spydercos - endura is sabre) is a very clean slicer.
If you need to dig with it, by all means get a tanto or something thick.

I think you could benefit from serrations, but if clean cuts are important, plain or partial is really the way to go.

My Cybertool 41 SAK main blade (flat ground and sharpened by me) was used to prune a plant in the office. The owner of said plant wanted to use a scissors, but I sliced the stalks with only the weight of the knife so clean and fast that said owner was speechless.
:D
 
Thanks again for all your generous advice. Although everyones recommendations were excellent in their own context I've decided to try a cold steel large voyager tanto (I don't know...the tanto blade just speaks to me!? (thanks selfinflicted)). Inexpensive, right size, good reputation. Talked to a knifeknut acquaintance at a party and he invited me to go to a big knife show nearby in march so, Matt Shade, I may end up with the "other possibility". I owe you all. basjoo
 
If its going to get monged up all the time how about a PAcific Salt from Spyderco, rust free's a guarantee and the handles are bright so if you drop it its not going to stay lost for long.

C91BK_L.jpg


They do make bright handles too :rolleyes:
 
basjoo said:
Thanks again for all your generous advice. Although everyones recommendations were excellent in their own context I've decided to try a cold steel large voyager tanto (I don't know...the tanto blade just speaks to me!? (thanks selfinflicted)). Inexpensive, right size, good reputation. Talked to a knifeknut acquaintance at a party and he invited me to go to a big knife show nearby in march so, Matt Shade, I may end up with the "other possibility". I owe you all. basjoo
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That ought to serve you well. I generally don't have much to say about cold steel knives because I hate the hype behind them, but by all reports they are good knives for the price and perform pretty well. Good choice, let us know how you like it :)
 
After my last post about choosing the cold steel large voyager tanto I found a good deal on a crkt m-16 04z: AUS6M blade, zytel handles (you're right, now I'm conflicted!?) Since I can't find these locally to personally handle them, does anyone who has have an opinion on which would be the most durable (not so much edge strength as pry bar type strength)? thanx
 
It seems like the CRKT M16 line would be good for you. I have used one for about a year now and love it. Try the 3.13" tanto blade with partial serration and the zytel handle.

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3905

If you want something a little bigger try the M1 lightfoot. I just got one of these. It is pretty dang rugged, and really easy to open one handed. It has the "american tanto" blade.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=BR3GUE9NPUH28NKCFV6DGAH38EK61RV6
 
No folder makes a good pry bar, but if I had to, I'd probably pick thick liners +Zytel (M16) scales over just zytel scales (Cold Steel). The M16 knives are built surprisingly stout for the price.
 
CRKT M-16 is a helluva choice for a folder. My best friend works construction hand has been carrying the smaller model I gave him a couple years ago constantly. It's been to every end of Alaska, made meals, cut wire, driven screws, pried,sharpened pencils, cut rope,fended off pitbulls,trimmed fingernails, opened mail, skinned wire, and every thing else under the sun without a problem. It's got a relatively thin edge for this style knife, so it shouldn't be too brutal on the plants. all factors told, and acknowledging that no knife is gonna score a perfect ten in all categories, I think that's about the best choice you could make for a folder.

That being said...I can't help but to be curious about the fixed blade sheeple issue. I just can't imagine people being so skittishly afraid of a fixed blade. people afraid of Puukos? A drop point blade or maybe a CRKT Stiff Kiss tanto? it just seems unimaginable! But, bear in mind...I'm in a state where I can carry a matched set of .44 mags and a bowie knife into the grocery store concealed or open without fear of repercussion, so perhaps that explains my naive perception.

Anyhoo, besta luck to ya' an' let us know how it works out, eh?
 
Apparently Alaska is still frontier country - I like it :) - if it weren't so DAMN COLD I'd move there & join you amigo :D

I have yet to get my first CRK&T blade yet but own several Cold Steel models. In spite of the hype, I have decided to stick with CS due to QC issues I have heard about on this forum & the fact I buy on-line mostly (you don't get to make sure you've got a 'good one').

To compare the two brands, I find the fact that one of them torture tests their product & publishes the results telling. CS is known for making a tough knife with a strong lock for a good price that is always razor sharp out of the box. You may not like their marketing & some of their folder designs are kinda bland in appearence (not all of them but some) but you won't find more knife for the money IMO.

As for a politically correct yet agressive cutting folder, I am impressed by my $20 CS Trail Guide; 3.75 in blade, extra strong lock and Carbon V steel!!! I picked up 3 of them around this time last year & gave 2 away as gifts. The knife has totally exceeded all of my expectations, especially for a $20 folder and its wide, thin carbon steel blade is a very agressive cutter. For the price you just can't beat this knife :)
 
basjoo said:
After my last post about choosing the cold steel large voyager tanto I found a good deal on a crkt m-16 04z: AUS6M blade, zytel handles (you're right, now I'm conflicted!?) Since I can't find these locally to personally handle them, does anyone who has have an opinion on which would be the most durable (not so much edge strength as pry bar type strength)? thanx
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I would not buy any CRKT knife with that bladesteel. Their AUS-6M is garbage. Their AUS-8 is much better.
If I was wanting a tanto with good materials, I'd order a AG Russell Strike Force for $79.

btw, the Cold Steel Trailguide JGD mentioned is a good knife, IMO. Prone to rust, but a good steel, and good blade design. I fixed up one of the small ones for a coworker, refinishing the blade, and reprofiling the edge, and would buy one in a second if I didn't have "enough" knives already.
 
Ok guys, Cold Steel Voyager Tanto it is. The m-16 looked nice and the price was good but all the holes in the scales would pick up a helluva lot of mud (which a lot of times I work in). I also like the somewhat squarer (is that a word?) front end of the Cold Steel. Thanks again for all your help, you're a great group of people here.
 
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