Knife Blades: Cutting Implements Or Something Else?

R

RedLynx

Joined
Aug 5, 2011
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Sorry guys, with the recent threads waxing philosophical over pocket clips and locking mechanisms, I just couldn't resist. :D

They've sparked interesting conversation though, not making fun of anyone here, just had to put it out there.
 
I was thinking about doing an "or something else" thread but you beat me to it. Tip of the hat to you sir, well done.
 
RedLynx said:
Sorry guys, with the recent threads waxing philosophical over pocket clips and locking mechanisms, I just couldn't resist. :D

They've sparked interesting conversation though, not making fun of anyone here, just had to put it out there.
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Good for you, RedLynx! :D And yes, I've seen knives used for all kinds of non-cutting chores . . . fingernail cleaning included. Why some manufacturers even gloat over what their knives can do that have nothing whatever to do with cutting. The notion of a sharpened pry-bar comes to mind . . .
 
bld522 said:
Good for you, RedLynx! :D And yes, I've seen knives used for all kinds of non-cutting functions . . . fingernail cleaning included.
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It makes me wonder about the screwdriver function of a tip... I've never done that myself, but a lot of tips seem thick enough to withstand that.
 
Well the multi-tool is the ultimate expression of what a "knife" can do. I wouldn't leave home without one.
 
Screw driver, paint scraper, can opener...sometimes I even use mine to (gasp) spread peanut butter.

Eta: I've even used mine in an emergency situation where I had to scrap dog poop off my shoes.
 
So it goes without saying because I'm on the forums, I have a knife on my every day in some capacity. While the important things is that I have a cutting implement on me, I do have some philosophies the around buying decisions the OP discussed. Some of my philosophies or preferences around this include:
1. I work in an office so my knife needs to be no longer than 3.25" because I don't want it to be noticed
2. Because I don't want it to be noticed I don't want anything that looks aggressive, dangerous, thick, intimidating, any of these things
3. One handed opening is just as important as one handed closing. It needs to do easily both. (At this point I've eliminated most slip joints, these get carried on weekends and holidays)
4. Has to have deep pocket carry, again don't want to be noticed.
5. Needs to fall in my price range of 0 - $70. Though my job is decent my partner is in grad school so I'm sort of the sole provider. Most Knives I buy are close to $30

End result?
Just picked up a buck vantage select. I like buck, it's not terribly long, I'm a big fan of their 420hc, and the price is right. Also, a pretty innocuous knife that won't draw a lot of attention.

Addition: There are SO MANY great knives you can find in the $10 - $70 price point. I buy about a knife a month and it would take me years to get through a list of knives in the price point at that rate.
 
...and speaking of pry bar.... Some idiot tried to fix my kitchen sink faucet the other day, and turned off the water to the dishwater instead of the main supply. Then the idiot yelled for my wife to help while I ran outside to dig in the pine bark, then the soil, then a few inches of sand until I got to the iron lid of the large pipe containing the water main turn-off.
Couldn't get the iron lid off using just the "finger-hole" in the lid, so used my knife as a pry-bar as well as a shovel for quite a long few seconds. Here's a pic or two. Not highly recommended, but that's why I always carry a good folder...

Considering that the knife saved the day, and perhaps my life, I'm sure that Chris Reeve would say "Job Well Done." :)

 
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It's a worry stone for me, I'm constantly feeling how smooth the bone is on a 100+ year old knife, feeling the same spot that 1 or even possibly more people have rubbed the same knife in the same spot.

What was he thinking, was he considering where to start storing this year's hay as he cut the twine on the end of last year's hay? Maybe he was debating whether he really wanted to use spey blade to castrate o that bull, as he rubbed the smooth bone scale he decided, let junior do it. :)

Maybe while negotiating a large livestock deal he sat there rubbing the smooth bone while dickering over the fate of this year's goats.
 
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Balls Deep said:
So it goes without saying because I'm on the forums, I have a knife on my every day in some capacity. While the important things is that I have a cutting implement on me, I do have some philosophies the around buying decisions the OP discussed. Some of my philosophies or preferences around this include:
1. I work in an office so my knife needs to be no longer than 3.25" because I don't want it to be noticed
2. Because I don't want it to be noticed I don't want anything that looks aggressive, dangerous, thick, intimidating, any of these things
3. One handed opening is just as important as one handed closing. It needs to do easily both. (At this point I've eliminated most slip joints, these get carried on weekends and holidays)
4. Has to have deep pocket carry, again don't want to be noticed.
5. Needs to fall in my price range of 0 - $70. Though my job is decent my partner is in grad school so I'm sort of the sole provider. Most Knives I buy are close to $30

End result?
Just picked up a buck vantage select. I like buck, it's not terribly long, I'm a big fan of their 420hc, and the price is right. Also, a pretty innocuous knife that won't draw a lot of attention.

Addition: There are SO MANY great knives you can find in the $10 - $70 price point. I buy about a knife a month and it would take me years to get through a list of knives in the price point at that rate.
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This is also my preferred price point although once in a great while I can go a bit higher. We think alike. :thumbup:
 
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