Knife recommendation for Utah Work Crew

E

ExtraTang

Joined
Jun 17, 2015
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57
Hey folks,
I'm going to be in a conservation work crew in Utah this summer for about 12 weeks. I will mainly be doing trail maintenance, construction, and invasive species removal in the backcountry.

I'm looking for a folding knife to carry in my pocket, as fixed blades are banned. The blade should be at least 3.25 inches and the locking system robust. It should also be able to be opened quickly with one hand and provide a good grip. Bonus points if it is made in America!

Hoping that you guys could help me. Thanks!
 
A price range would help and what you plan on mainly going to use the knife for. Never rule out knives not made on US soil. The Rat 2 is a great knife for the monies and takes an easy edge. It will require field maintenance/touchups.

Here's the Ontario Rat Model 1 and 2.

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Thanks for replying so quickly. My budget for a knife is about 150$. I appreciate foreign built knives- I carried a recon 1 for several years.

I see using it for opening packages and processing food, as well as cutting thick rope and processing small pieces of wood for a fire.
 
I see you've owned a Recon 1 previously. Checking out Cold Steel's offerings would've been a suggestion of mine. Specifically, the Recon 1 and American Lawman.

Spyderco Manix 2 or Paramilitary 2, Benchmade Griptilian are a few that come to mind off the top of my head...
 
You didn’t specify maximum blade length, or hand size. If large, spyderco military in cts-204p is $179, a little over your range, and the benchmade contego, both knifeworks exclusives at amazing prices. If your hands are smaller, the pm2 is at your price range, the manix 2 or native 5 are also great!
If you’re processing your own firewood, the fixed knife prohibition should be disregarded at camp, or you might consider bringing a light tomahawk, the the cs trail hawk(is only 19-25 dollars but needs a few mods and sharpening to be useful). I’m pretty sure batoning with a spyderco voids the warranty. The only folder I’ve seen successfully(as in, no broken lock)baton is the tops/buck csart, (not the responder, with strap cutter)with a very thick blade of 154cm steel. This one is usually about $100. The buck open season skinner in s30v is a nice folder with sheath as well.($85)
 
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Spyderco Endura 3.81" blade in orange handles $80. Not made in USA but Japan. Spyderhole is easy to open even with gloves. Lock back is solid lock. Probably not on par with the Triad lock but a Spyderco is easier to open with gloves on imo.
SOG Entrenching tool $25 (or something similar).
Bahco Laplander folding saw $25

These 3 tools should cover your needs and still under budget. Even if you decide to go with a Cold Steel Recon knife, still on budget.
 
Buck Vantage Force Pro is made is the U.S. with S30V blade steel, can be had for around $90.
Spyderco Manix 2 G10 - U.S. made - $120 or so...
Benchmade Freek - U.S. made for around $130.

I went with all U.S. made knives.

Can't recommend a Benchmade with G10, because it's over the $150 budget, nor can I recommend the plastic scaled models within budget. Crooked River and Mini-Crooked River are also out of budget. But in my opinion either one of the Crooked Rivers or a Grip G10 would be a great choice for a little more cash.

Of the ones I recommended, I would go with the Manix 2 G10 unless cost is a driving factor, in which case the Buck Vantage Pro would carry the day.
 
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Protech Rockeye, TR-5, or TR-4. All their knives are good.
Spyderco PM2, Manix 2, or military. Really any spyderco you prefer. They are all good. Byrd is their budget brand, good knives as well.
Real Steel Sea Eagle
Benchmade Griptilian, Rift, Adamas, Reflex, 940, etc. (whatever model you prefer)
Cold Steel Recon 1
 
gazz98 said:
Spyderco Endura 3.81" blade in orange handles $80. Not made in USA but Japan. Spyderhole is easy to open even with gloves. Lock back is solid lock. Probably not on par with the Triad lock but a Spyderco is easier to open with gloves on imo.
SOG Entrenching tool $25 (or something similar).
Bahco Laplander folding saw $25

These 3 tools should cover your needs and still under budget. Even if you decide to go with a Cold Steel Recon knife, still on budget.
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Great excuse to buy a XHP Recon1 while you can.
 
I wouldn't put too much money into the knife until I had a good idea of what abuse, limits, etc. are. Losing equipment is always possible in situations like that. Especially something new to you. I'd take a Endura or other lockback if it was me. Even something like a Gerber in 154cm with a belt sheath.

Joe
 
rje58 said:
Buck Vantage Pro is made is the U.S. with S30V blade steel, can be had for around $90.
Spyderco Manix 2 G10 - U.S. made - $120 or so...
Benchmade Freek - U.S. made for around $130.

I went with all U.S. made knives.

Can't recommend a Benchmade with G10, because it's over the $150 budget, nor can I recommend the plastic scaled models within budget. Crooked River and Mini-Crooked River are also out of budget. But in my opinion either one of the Crooked Rivers or a Grip G10 would be a great choice for a little more cash.

Of the ones I recommended, I would go with the Manix 2 G10 unless cost is a driving factor, in which case the Buck Vantage Pro would carry the day.
Click to expand...


Buck vantage pro (larger blade) would be closer to $60. Unless you mean the vantage pro force. I have 2 of the vantage pro 347, both had problems with washer, which is easy fix, so I paid $40 for 1and $50 for the other. I don’t have a force pro, but I really dig their open season folders in s30v.
 
Yonose said:
The group the op is going with is a conservation group. The organizers are I assume the kind of people who think knives are for mass murderers or opening bottles of wine. Haven’t you gone to a bar with a Mormon and wondered how they never seem to get drunk?
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I too live in Utah. I just don't see how the view a folding knife carried in a backpack, is somehow more acceptable than a fixed blade carried in a backpack.

However, I certainly don't claim to be omniscient. It's just that I would most definitely go fixed blade if possible; and I'm hoping the OP was misinformed somewhere along the way, so he can go fixed blade.

Either way, lots of great recommendations for folding knives so far.
 
Cold steel broken skull
BM contego has been a recent favorite for the woods
Spyderco millie is nice for the food prep but I wouldn't trust the tip into too much wood. Actually, same thing applies to the broken skull, it's just a lot cheaper.
Griptilian with drop-point is pretty decent in the woods
spyderco manix or manix XL could be great.

I have a preference for the 4" blades in the woods and the length is often nice for wood processing or light chopping like clearing vines or small brush. Fixed blades are better but the folders do pretty well if that's what you have.
 
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