Knife Suggestion for a Farmer

sharp_edge said:
ZT 0909 is too heavy. Plus, there have been multiple reports that the lock on it will disengage from slight spine tapping (read this ongoing BF thread).
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My take on this weird phenomena of people bashing the backs of their open knives is that it may have an effect on a titanium frame lock with a slim slick steel lock bar insert. The 0909 doesn't have one. I bashed the heck out of my 0909 and it doesn't budge in the least. I will try to do this on an 0801, 0808, 0452cf, 0450, etc... when I get home. I guess I have survived this long because I typically put force on the other side of the knives when I open it or cut stuff. Embrace the lock stick?
 
22-rimfire said:
I like the Benchmade axis lock.... strong, proven design, and so convenient.... easy open and easy one hand closing.
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Search for Axis lock failure or similar. You guys sure this isn't just a FOLDING KNIFE limitation issue? I bet if you take a box of folders with liner locks, Axis, compression, etc... and throw them full force across the yard at a board a lot will close up. Solution: don't do that. Or buy a TRI-AD or fixed blade?
 
jmh33 said:
OK.. Gotta say it... SAK Farmer!!!! :p John
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Agreed.

farmer.jpg
 
I have to admit that the Manly Wasp would appeal to me as a modern hard use sodbuster design. If you need a one hand open design, Steel Will have some appealing and wallet friendly hard use knives such as the Cutjack in D2 that might suit.
 
As mentioned earlier, something like an PM2 or Manix would serve you well I think OP. The Endura would be a bit of a better slicer (not that the aforementioned aren't good already), but it may not be as well suited for the heavier cutting tasks you get into. .... About that ZT 909, I love that knife, but I did the spine tap experiment and mine too failed. Although, it took considerably hard taps. I can't see this ever causing a problem in my uses however, so I bought a second one. ANYWAY, it's probably too heavy for you OP.
 
Bradford Guardian 3, I think it would be the right size and shape, good edge holding and the belt sheath keeps your pockets empty and it would carry comfortably and accessible/no need to dig into pockets with dirty hands. (I don't mind getting my hands dirty at work but sticking my grimey dirty hands in my pockets to fish out something is bleh.)
 
nezzman said:
Hey all, I have been looking out for a new knife lately, and have a budget of around $100-$200.

I want this knife to be a user, and there are a few points I like in a knife.

- I like to be able to fit it in my pocket and not be weighed down
- The ability to carry out farm tasks, such as cutting bailer twine, opening bags of meal, opening fertiliser bags, cutting bandages off cows feet, cutting plastic piping and so on.

I have a few knives on my radar all of which are from Benchmade.

Please help me decide on what to buy, it's keeping me awake at night haha.

North Fork

I like this knife, but am worried that it may be a little bulky and the scales will not hold up (I know you can get it in G10, but I don't know if I like them)

Bugout

Looks perfect, but I have read it is a little lightweight and possibly fragile. Would it be up to the tasks I do? How much flex is there really in the handles? How strong is the blade?
I have also read it feels cheap, if I am spending $100 plus on a knife, I don't want it to feel or look cheap.

Foray

My only worry about this knife is that it might be a bit thick, other than that, it looks great. Perfect size of pocket, deep carry clip, and looks sweet!

Talk me into one, and out of the rest lol.

Thanks
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So you are looking specifically for a folding knife I assume? My suggestion for a real working knife for farm life is almost always going to be a small fixed blade like the Bradford Guardian 3.5.

For a folding working knife I highly recommend the Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2 or if you can find it the gayle bradley 1. Just be aware that the m4 steel is not stainless and can rust so needs care. Also it can be hard to sharpen.

In lieu of that you could check out the Spyderco Shaman or Manix 2 which are also excellent knives and come in a variety of stainless steels.

However it seems you like Benchmade in which case I agree with the above a Benchmade Contego which also comes in m4 but you can get it coated for rust protection. The modified sheepsfoot (they call it a reverse tanto) would be great for getting under bandages on a cow’s leg. It has a good stout tip too.
 
crufflers said:
My take on this weird phenomena of people bashing the backs of their open knives is that it may have an effect on a titanium frame lock with a slim slick steel lock bar insert. The 0909 doesn't have one. I bashed the heck out of my 0909 and it doesn't budge in the least. I will try to do this on an 0801, 0808, 0452cf, 0450, etc... when I get home. I guess I have survived this long because I typically put force on the other side of the knives when I open it or cut stuff. Embrace the lock stick?
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Good to know that your 0909 does not fold. I also respect that you only put force on the edge of your knives no matter what. At the same time, no need to ridicule others who encounter force on the spine of their knives either intentionally or accidentally, especially with folders advertised as built like a tank, hard use, and tactical.

Now back to the topic of this thread. OP - if you decide to buy a ZT 0909, there is one currently on sale here in the Exchange for $95. This is perhaps the lowest of the knife that I've ever seen. Disclaim: I have no connection to the seller whatsoever.
 
nezzman said:
Hey all, I have been looking out for a new knife lately, and have a budget of around $100-$200.

I want this knife to be a user, and there are a few points I like in a knife.

- I like to be able to fit it in my pocket and not be weighed down
- The ability to carry out farm tasks, such as cutting bailer twine, opening bags of meal, opening fertiliser bags, cutting bandages off cows feet, cutting plastic piping and so on.

I have a few knives on my radar all of which are from Benchmade.

Please help me decide on what to buy, it's keeping me awake at night haha.

North Fork

I like this knife, but am worried that it may be a little bulky and the scales will not hold up (I know you can get it in G10, but I don't know if I like them)

Bugout

Looks perfect, but I have read it is a little lightweight and possibly fragile. Would it be up to the tasks I do? How much flex is there really in the handles? How strong is the blade?
I have also read it feels cheap, if I am spending $100 plus on a knife, I don't want it to feel or look cheap.

Foray

My only worry about this knife is that it might be a bit thick, other than that, it looks great. Perfect size of pocket, deep carry clip, and looks sweet!

Talk me into one, and out of the rest lol.

Thanks
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Thank you for providing for us and forgive them...most of us are knife collectors. :D Recommending knives is also a hobby of sorts.

I don't own any of the three knives you specified. Two can be had in S30V and the third in 20CV. The 20CV is the better steel, but S30V isn't too bad either. They are all 3 to 3.25 inches long, so you are close in size. You pay a little bit of a premium for the 20CV Foray... but I like the steel more myself.
 
If you must have a Benchmade, I would recommend you opt for one of the 20CV Griptillians instead. Solid user, great axis lock and a little slimmer handle (I think) than the regular FRN handled Griptillians. Of course the regular 154CM models will not disappoint.

I'll have to echo what has been said a few times previously: a good quality stockman/trapper and a moderately sized fixed blade will probably serve you better than anything else. The fixed blade can be accessed & used with one hand and without having to worry about a lock failing. I've been partial to my Dawson, Anza, Esee, and Mora fixed blades for ranch work lately. As far as folders go, you cannot go wrong with a stockman or trapper from Case (in CV), GEC, or similar makers. The benefit of multiple blades is that one can be used for scraping or more "abusive" tasks while the other(s) can be used exclusively for slicing.

You have no shortage of options in your price range. Pick whichever one(s) fit your hands the best and enjoy.
 
b00n said:
Bradford Guardian 3, I think it would be the right size and shape, good edge holding and the belt sheath keeps your pockets empty and it would carry comfortably and accessible/no need to dig into pockets with dirty hands. (I don't mind getting my hands dirty at work but sticking my grimey dirty hands in my pockets to fish out something is bleh.)
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I think the bradford 3.5 might be better. There is no need for the extra concealability of the 3 in this role but much need for the far better finger protection.
 
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SYKCO 311 or BUSSE Mean Streets Ergo BG orange / black G10 (harder to lose it). I know someone who is selling one of each ;)
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I hav no shortage of fixed blades, BRKT B1LT, ESEE 4, LionSteel M1... Carrying a fixed blade isn't really an option, I have no need for something that big.

My current pocket knife is a Kershaw Leek. It has lasted 2 years fine, but the tip is bent, as I sometimes pry open drums and things. I don't trust the Kershaw for that anymore. It also doesn't stay sharp too long.
 
Around the farm with regular knife use, I would probably carry a second knife and that would be a traditional with two blades like a trapper.
 
Manix 2 lockback or CBBL

Cold Steel Recon 1 spear or American Lawman

Ontario Rat 1 d2

Benchmade Griptilian 551-1 20cv

Benchmade Big Summit Lake

GEC 66 Calf Roper Stockman (a favorite of mine)

GEC 71 farm & field Bullnose

Case Sodbuster cv

Case Medium Stockman cv


Above are some solid working knives in both modern and traditional choices
 
PWatkins said:
Get a rat 1 in d2 and save the rest of your money.
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This^^^^ 40 bucks for the Ontario Rat 1 is quite a bargain. I recommend the one with orange handles so it would be easier to find if you drop it.
Another consideration is the Spyderco Pacific Salt with fully serrated blade. The one with yellow handles would be a breeze to find if you drop it, plus the H1 serrations hold up extremely well with hard use. This one will run you around 80 bucks.
 
Haven’t seen anybody suggest a 940 yet. Fits the Benchmade bill, has a thick tip for prying, a lot of blade and a small package.
 
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