Knife "features" I fail to understand

[Srtr]

I agree with most except the sharp spine.

It's super useful for more than just a ferro rod.

A good sharp spine can scrape wood dust from a branch, mush easier to get lit than feathersticks alone.

There's other reasons but I'm lazy and stupid so I'll just post that one

 

[Deino]

Sorry for the messy pic, have to hide the keys somehow.
I rarely carry both at once. Nevertheless, easy to attach and detach, modular if you will, I carry them the same way, so don't need to remember about small thing too much. Pocket clip is not secure enough and often times not very comfortable with the pants I wear.

 

[David Mary]

Someone just posted a pic of a knife with a bottle opener in another thread, and every time I see one, I think about starting a new thread. But I did a search this time, and I have this same thought exactly.

I don't understand why there's a bottle opening notch on so many products... I get that we're spoiled with twist offs here in the states, but why did the condor camp shovel I bought have a bottle opener? If I feel the need to open a bottle with a knife I'll use the spine or handle. It's not rocket science.

Thank you Wild Willie, for being an oasis of reason in the desert of pointless novelty.

 

[A.L.]

Also, why don't they just use a lighter? Ferro rod comes from factory just like the lighter does. If you really want to flex then make friction fire...

It´s all fun and games until your lighter drops on pile of snow during harsh winter granted that the lighter would even work in the first place. Matches are great but if I have third option I will rather take it. I do agree however that sharp spines are uncomfortable. I don´t like them so much because they chew up your thumbs.

 

[LostCause]

It´s all fun and games until your lighter drops on pile of snow during harsh winter granted that the lighter would even work in the first place. Matches are great but if I have third option I will rather take it. I do agree however that sharp spines are uncomfortable. I don´t like them so much because they chew up your thumbs.

Also, I'm yet to see ferro rod that comes without the striker.

Sharp spines would be well on knives with cross guards, as you won't be doing push cuts with those anyways...

 

[A.L.]

Also, I'm yet to see ferro rod that comes without the striker.

Sharp spines would be well on knives with cross guards, as you won't be doing push cuts with those anyways...

True, they do, but are often a lot more cumbersome and inefficient to use. Best idea would be to make one that would be effective.

 

[Wild Willie]

I like a flattened spine for mundane things like scraping grass off of lawnmower blades, and the dirt/wood that gets baked onto the teeth of my stump grinder. Plus they're handy for my drivewaycraft projects, like scraping the bark from the sticks I bring home to transform into barkless sticks for walking my dog.

 

[David Mary]

The dog has enough bark for both of you, I take it?

 

[Wild Willie]

The dog has enough bark for both of you, I take it?

She is a beagle...

 

[DMG]

Also, I'm yet to see ferro rod that comes without the striker.

Sharp spines would be well on knives with cross guards, as you won't be doing push cuts with those anyways...

I have bought many ferro rods without strikers. When they do come with strikers, I don’t carry the striker because I have a knife and I don’t want a random sharp-edged piece of hacksaw blade loose in my gear or pocket

If you are in a place/situation where there is a chance that making a fire will save your life/prevent frostbite then you should have 3 methods of fire starting.
Bic lighter
Wind/waterproof matches in waterproof case
ferro rod

usually with an old medicine bottle full of Vaseline soaked cotton balls.

This takes up less space/weight than my emergency cheeseburger and has helped me start fires with 2 feet of wet snow on the ground or after a week of rain.

 

[LostCause]

I have bought many ferro rods without strikers. When they do come with strikers, I don’t carry the striker because I have a knife and I don’t want a random sharp-edged piece of hacksaw blade loose in my gear or pocket

If you are in a place/situation where there is a chance that making a fire will save your life/prevent frostbite then you should have 3 methods of fire starting.
Bic lighter
Wind/waterproof matches in waterproof case
ferro rod

usually with an old medicine bottle full of Vaseline soaked cotton balls.

This takes up less space/weight than my emergency cheeseburger and has helped me start fires with 2 feet of wet snow on the ground or after a week of rain.

I didn't know that, but it's good thing to keep in mind.

People can really learn a lot on this forum. Thank you.

 

[Sibyrnes]

I like a lanyard on a big knife used for chopping in the field and on this baby. I can grab that lanyard and have my knife out of my pocket and deployed faster than Matt Dillon!


Seriously, what's wrong with a lanyard hole? If you don't need it don't use it.

 

[Greggy]

Well now it's going with me to the next BBQ... Thanks for the advice.

Add a lanyard hole and lanyard to the handle and stuff it in your pants. The ladies will be impressed.

 

[Floatingby]

1- Yeah, no, sharp spine are a failure point, and in a world where I can get 5 Bic lighter for $3.99, I just don't get the firerod thing either.

2-They're useful for woodworking(think wood chisel), but they're a pain in the neck to maintain, so not a fan either.

3- On a large knife that might be used for task like prepping firewood, they could be thought of as a safety feature. I fail to see the point on a pocket clipped folder though.

4-I would prefer more oval than round, if anything to feel the orientation of the knife without having to look. But they do sell round handled knives, so I'm sure some do like them.

5-Depend on the knife I guess. I wouldn't see the point of a guard on a swiss knife or a pen knife, might make sense to have one on a larger knife or "stabby" kind of knife; But I don't stab things with knives as a general rule, so what would I know anyway.

 

[ADBrown]

A lanyard hole with a lanyard attached is good if you’re working in an elevated position and don’t want to drop your knife or tools. Especially if other people are working below.

+1 As a former power lineman I can attest to the usefulness of a lanyard when using tools from an elevated work position. You don’t want to lose your tool (wrench, knife etc.), but more importantly you don’t want to to drop it on personnel who may be working below you.

 

[Mannlicher]

if you 'don't get' a feature, then don't buy that knife. Simple. Now, moving right along........................

 

[Bob Denman]

Add a lanyard hole and lanyard to the handle and stuff it in your pants. The ladies will be impressed.

Prince Albert?
At least they'll wonder about that piercing...

 

[Reswob]

I like a lanyard on a big knife used for chopping in the field and on this baby. I can grab that lanyard and have my knife out of my pocket and deployed faster than Matt Dillon!

View attachment 1841745
Seriously, what's wrong with a lanyard hole? If you don't need it don't use it.

It's subtle, but knives without that useless hole in the handle look soooo much nicer.

 

[Bob Denman]

It's subtle, but knives without that useless hole in the handle look soooo much nicer.

How they look is not the same as how they function.
Which is more important to you?

 

[Danny Linguini]

How they look is not the same as how they function.
Which is more important to you?

I’ll be honest, I’m a bit of both. #1 is it has to do the job I need it to do, but a very close #2 is it has to look good, too. There are tons of stuff I’ve looked at in the short time I’ve been into this madness that I’ll never want to own because of how they look. Too industrial, too military, too millennial, too bland. Yeah, I’m one of those people.