Knife For a Farmer

One handed? Gloves? Sounds like a Military to me!

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I love multi-tools but hate the blades on them. Ugg.

Still, if he's not a knife guy, it might be the most important starting point. I would at tools with externally accessible knife blades, like the Sidekick. That gives him a blade and a saw without opening the tool.

Another approach would be a good sturdy pocket knife combined with a multi-tool that is more of a do all tool (less of a knife). A full sized Sodbuster, an Opinel N9 or a ESEE Zancudo (or similar) for pocket carry and Rebar (better tool tool) might be a good combo.

I love fixed blades but find it's a step up in terms of cultural commitment, so to speak. Mora, Marttini (Lynx Lumberjack), Buck Bucklite Max, Buck 113 any of the smaller Beckers or ESEEs... many nice options. My daughter found the following online. "if you're going to be weird, do it with confidence." I think that's needed for carrying a fixed blade. People will notice. Got to be cool with that. Opinel or Sodbuster is more stealthy.
 
If he's farming and doesn't have a knife...... would he be willing to carry something on his belt? IF so, get him a multitool and call it a day. IF he'd rather have a pocket knife, get him a SAK Farmer or a Sod Buster and call it a day.

He's not a knife guy, he doesn't even carry a knife now even though he could use one. Keep it simple.
 
If it were me, I would go to work on a farm with a Spyderco Gayle Bradley or Spyderco Military. I would look for a steel that is reasonably tough, and big enough to work while wearing gloves. Can't really argue with anyone's personal choice, that is just what I would do.
 
American Lawman and a multi tool; Victorinox Huntsman (if he does not need pliers) or a Leatherman Charge TTI (if he needs pliers)
 
I have been thinking about this thread, and I have something to add. I grew up working on a dairy farm until I went off to the USMC in 1976. However, not all farming is the same. But, I cannot imagine a farmer of any kind not carrying some kind of a knife. Crop farmers can go to Florida in the winter, but in the spring, summer and fall, everyone I knows carries a knife. Food and fiber animal farmers must tend to their animals every day, regardless of the weather, dairy farmers must intensively tend to their animals every day, regardless of the weather. There are sacks to open, twine to cut, manure spreaders to fix, bailers to get unplugged and re-stringed, barn cleaners to replace links in, feed to be mixed with supplements (minerals and micro-nutrients) added, animals to be bred, cows to be milked, twice a day, and the list goes on to approach infinity. And when the temperature outside gets below zero, something is broken every day that must work for that day. I know a married couple that did this for fifty years, and never missed a milking, ever. They both carried a knife, I know this for a fact. I worked in ranching situations in the Southwest, and everyone carries a knife, I've seen shrimping boat operations along the gulf coast, and everyone caries a knife. I cannot imagine this thing that you speak of, a farmer without a knife. You need to help this man! Email me your address and I'll send you a knife to give to this man.
 
Ive lived and worked on a farm for a while, and what comes to mind for your friend would be either a ontario utilitac II of whatever flavor, or a ontario rat 1. Along with that a Leatherman sidekick should work. That would give him a large stout one hand deployable folder, and a multitool with pliers, screwdrivers, and a saw.
 
Leatherman and a izula 2 is my vote but if he would not carry the izula then maybe a case sodbuster. If it has to be one handed opening then a buck 110 with the thumb stud attachment with a leatherman as well
 
McVeyMac said:
I have been thinking about this thread, and I have something to add. I grew up working on a dairy farm until I went off to the USMC in 1976. However, not all farming is the same. But, I cannot imagine a farmer of any kind not carrying some kind of a knife. Crop farmers can go to Florida in the winter, but in the spring, summer and fall, everyone I knows carries a knife. Food and fiber animal farmers must tend to their animals every day, regardless of the weather, dairy farmers must intensively tend to their animals every day, regardless of the weather. There are sacks to open, twine to cut, manure spreaders to fix, bailers to get unplugged and re-stringed, barn cleaners to replace links in, feed to be mixed with supplements (minerals and micro-nutrients) added, animals to be bred, cows to be milked, twice a day, and the list goes on to approach infinity. And when the temperature outside gets below zero, something is broken every day that must work for that day. I know a married couple that did this for fifty years, and never missed a milking, ever. They both carried a knife, I know this for a fact. I worked in ranching situations in the Southwest, and everyone carries a knife, I've seen shrimping boat operations along the gulf coast, and everyone caries a knife. I cannot imagine this thing that you speak of, a farmer without a knife. You need to help this man! Email me your address and I'll send you a knife to give to this man.
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That's incredibly generous! If you really do want to do this I promise I'll pass it along to him.

He works on a 'teaching' farm. They are an, "Organic family farm that is run as an educational non-profit organization. We have been teaching ourselves and others how to live more sustainable lives through gardening, animal husbandry, food preservation, and other skills of simple living."

I'm pretty sure this is why he's been able to get by without having one, that being said I agree with you completely and that's why I set out on this mission!

If he's farming and doesn't have a knife...... would he be willing to carry something on his belt? IF so, get him a multitool and call it a day. IF he'd rather have a pocket knife, get him a SAK Farmer or a Sod Buster and call it a day.

He's not a knife guy, he doesn't even carry a knife now even though he could use one. Keep it simple
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You nailed it!

I'm shying away from the sodbuster at this point for no rational reason, it's just not what I want to give him.

At this point I've narrowed it down to the following:

Vic Farmer ALOX

#23 pioneer, single clip(drop?), bocote

#15 farm boy, clip and sheepsfoot, gabon

#92 Eurkea, ebony

Can anyone comment on the pull of the #23? I've heard they can be real nail-biters.
 
I have a GEC #23 and the pull is just fine; strong but okay. I bought the #23 because in the outdoors I really like a hand filling slip joint. It is that! I decided it was too heavy for pocket carry but okay in a leather sleeve. Still heavy. Better in a belt pouch. I got a GEC #42 (Missouri Trapper) and like it better for a working knife. It is still heavy and I recommend a pocket sleeve. But works well with that.
 
justsomedude said:
That's incredibly generous! If you really do want to do this I promise I'll pass it along to him.

He works on a 'teaching' farm. They are an, "Organic family farm that is run as an educational non-profit organization. We have been teaching ourselves and others how to live more sustainable lives through gardening, animal husbandry, food preservation, and other skills of simple living."

I'm pretty sure this is why he's been able to get by without having one, that being said I agree with you completely and that's why I set out on this mission!



You nailed it!

I'm shying away from the sodbuster at this point for no rational reason, it's just not what I want to give him.

At this point I've narrowed it down to the following:

Vic Farmer ALOX

#23 pioneer, single clip(drop?), bocote

#15 farm boy, clip and sheepsfoot, gabon

#92 Eurkea, ebony

Can anyone comment on the pull of the #23? I've heard they can be real nail-biters.
Click to expand...

I live amongst the Amish, not much simpler or sustainable than that. And they carry knives as well. Small pocket slipjoints, but they are tools, not weapons. I do not want to take your thunder as I know that you want to give your friend a knife. But, I am willing to send him a multitool that has seen some use, but is still quite serviceable. He probably has never given any thought to carrying either, so he might need to ease into it to see what works for him. Seriously, email me and I will send it.
 
I don't think anyone has mentioned it but the Buck 110 works well as a working knife. They are too big for pocket carry but work well with the belt pouch they provide. Big knife; maybe a bit heavy for these days with all the light moderns that are available, but still a great knife.

To me a working knife will tend to be a bit larger than your typical pocket slip joint (3.5" closed length) as you might need to apply some real pressure cutting at times. Hence I like a 4" closed length which is still regarded as a large pocket slip joint. A really good knife might be one of the ZT's, but I consider them a bit expensive. But they are good knives for a modern.

I dislike carrying a multi-tool other than a Vic SAK. My favorite SAK is the Adventurer model which is the larger 111 mm size and a two layer. Use that knife a bunch as I carry it every day.
 
Interesting info on the heft of the 23. Don't suppose you know how it compares to the Northwoods 44 which I hear is pretty slim?

Unfortunately I can't find a 42 or 73 with the right combo of handle and blades.

McVeyMac, I don't seem to be able to get in touch with you! My email address is in my profile and pm is enabled...
 
justsomedude said:
That's incredibly generous! If you really do want to do this I promise I'll pass it along to him.

He works on a 'teaching' farm. They are an, "Organic family farm that is run as an educational non-profit organization. We have been teaching ourselves and others how to live more sustainable lives through gardening, animal husbandry, food preservation, and other skills of simple living."

I'm pretty sure this is why he's been able to get by without having one, that being said I agree with you completely and that's why I set out on this mission!



You nailed it!

I'm shying away from the sodbuster at this point for no rational reason, it's just not what I want to give him.

At this point I've narrowed it down to the following:

Vic Farmer ALOX

#23 pioneer, single clip(drop?), bocote

#15 farm boy, clip and sheepsfoot, gabon

#92 Eurkea, ebony

Can anyone comment on the pull of the #23? I've heard they can be real nail-biters.
Click to expand...

A Sodbuster or Sodbuster Jr. would be easier to open with gloves on. They really are great knives even if they are inexpensive..... The Case Yeller CV ones come with extra mojo. ;) Those other knives are great too.

As cheap as the Sodbusters are.... get him both and tell us which one he uses more after about 6 months. :p
 
Is this meant to be a surprise?

If so, and meaning no disrespect at all, the line up sounds like list of knives that you like and want to give to your close friend. This is entirely reasonable, imo. This is keepsake giving, imo. If this is the direction you're leaning in, pick a pattern that you love or carry and explain that to him. Whether he carries it or not, he may keep it and always think of you. Heaven knows, I've gifted a lot of Opinels and Micras in this fashion.

If it's not a surprise and he's new to knives, you might sit him down at the kitchen table, spread out several knives and talk through their pros and cons. Let him pick according to his fancy. Knives that get used are sort of like shoes. Very hard to pick out for a friend. Tastes just differ. Obviously, he'll need to rely on you in terms of questions of utility.

Anyway, this is how I tend to gift knives. Hope this helps.
 
We live on a family farm. Just give us a well made stockman and a good pair of pliers.:thumbup:
 
Lol, it is not the amount of land that defines what he needs, its what he does daily and what is he going to do with the knife. My family owns 1100 acres in the region of Maniwaki Quebec and I worked on my family's farm for 19 years, that land belongs to my grand-father and is father and the father of my grand-father. We've had it for 6 generations. Every person has different needs and tastes. Buy him what you want to buy him. A Vic Farmer would do great. Happy shopping.
 
This is why I came here, you guys are great!

You're right Pinnah, I was letting my own tastes influence my decision too much.

I got him a Case Sodbuster and McVeyMac has very generously volunteered to donate a Leatherman MT.

I'll try to let y'all know how he likes them!
 
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