Knife Suggestion for a Farmer

For light weight and slicey I would look at a 940 or 943. Super light weight and the blade is thin enough to get behind the bandages easily
 
Lots of options...
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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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For serious tasks use a small fixed blade like an izula or bk14
They fit in the pocket are not too expensive and are way tougher than any folder
 
erhodes said:
For light weight and slicey I would look at a 940 or 943. Super light weight and the blade is thin enough to get behind the bandages easily
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Yep, I was thinking 940 since he mentioned doing the nasty.(prying)

The 943 is a no brainer combined with some type of small prying device. I get these free from Sherwin Williams.
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The ZT 0804cf is not on your list or a Benchmade, but is available at SMKW for $200 right now and is one of the best large folders out there with one carbon fiber scale and one black washed Titanium.
 
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Mid size: American lawman, Paramilitary 2, Griptilian.
Larger but still easily carried: Recon 1, Military, Rat 1 (with d2).
All fine for outdoor work.
 
Hi N nezzman ,

great initial selection – since I own two out of the three on your short list (North Fork and Bugout – can’t comment on the Foray) I briefly also wanted to weigh in here.


North Fork: It’s a great knife, and I actually prefer it to the Mini Grip. It fits into my hand well without being overly bulky in the pocket, and the edge geometry works very well for a work knife. And don’t worry about the handle – Dymondwood is very durable, it consists of layers of wood impregnated with resin. So no swelling, discoloration etc. The North Fork is the knife that I have in my pocket when I head out into the field (I’m a forester)…

Bugout: Also a wonderful option – slightly longer blade than the North Fork, and more slicey. And it is super light and disappears in the pocket. This is my EDC for days in the office.


Since you also pry with you knife once in a while, I would go with the North Fork because of its more substantial blade stock. Also, the drop point without swedge should be great for your cutting tasks (bandages), and the slight recurve works wonders for cutting rope and twine.


Generally, I also agree with you on going with a locking folder. I also have a Sodbuster and like it quite a bit, but for harder use I prefer a locking folder. The big plus of the Axis lock for me is that is ambidextrous. In work uses I find that I often make cuts with my weak hand, as I use my strong hand e.g. for holding something down while making the cut. In these situations it is ideal for me to being able to open and close the knife with my left hand.


As others have mentioned already, if I need to optimize easy carry and tip strength (prying) I go with the 940 (plus it looks cool). If I need something a bit bigger the fullsized Grip is my choice (although it is also bigger in the pocket). So overall I’d say: Check out the North Fork, amazing little knife!

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nezzman said:
Looking over the suggestions I can say the following.

I'm not a big fan of the Spyderco blade shape, the only one I really kind of like is the Manix 2.

As for a SAK, I don't want to be carrying bulk around in my pockets.

Non locking - No go, I like my fingers, and cows tend to kick when trying to take bandages off their feet, which makes the knife fold sometimes.

Leatherman - Have 2, never carry them (One lives in my car, the other in the man drawer in the kitchen)

Fixed blade - I don't want to have a sheathed knife, anything on my belt annoys me when wearing overalls or waterproof trousers.

The spec I need is -

  • 2.8-3.5 inches or thereabouts
  • Locking
  • Folding
  • Not too big or bulky
  • Has a pocket clip
  • Decent steel (cutting sh*t off cows tails dulls a knife pretty fast)
  • Stainless
  • Drop point, or something I can use to poke holes in things...

I wouldn't say the knife gets "heavy use" but I do pry open those security tab things on drums to get the lid open... My Kershaw Leek handled it, until the tip bent, so something a bit beefier will hold up.

Thanks again for all the replies!

My search continues lol
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Buck 345

RAT 1 or 2
 
I love this thread, so I'll use it as an excuse to show off a Stockman and share a story I've shared in other forums.
My father gave my great uncle this 65-69 Stockman the year I was born. My great uncle carried the knife everyday for 34 years. He always used the sheepsfoot blade to cut bulls in the spring and the spey blade for general use. My father estimated the sheepsfoot blade had castrated roughly 800-900 bulls. I'll take it out of the box just to feel his presence. He was as much like John Wayne as these parts ever knew, he even looked a little like The Duke, in my eyes anyways
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Mainerd said:
I love this thread, so I'll use it as an excuse to show off a Stockman and share a story I've shared in other forums.
My father gave my great uncle this 65-69 Stockman the year I was born. My great uncle carried the knife everyday for 34 years. He always used the sheepsfoot blade to cut bulls in the spring and the spey blade for general use. My father estimated the sheepsfoot blade had castrated roughly 800-900 bulls. I'll take it out of the box just to feel his presence. He was as much like John Wayne as these parts ever knew, he even looked a little like The Duke, in my eyes anyways
vkDul3A.jpg
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Welcome to BF and thank you for sharing. That's just the kind of reminiscing that I think Horsewright Horsewright can appreciate. :)
 
My pick is a serrated edge Caribbean in sheepsfoot blade. A leaf shape blade might be better for you tho.
 
Thread's 2 years old, guys. The OP, an agricultural farmer, seems to have given up after everyone kept suggesting any knife except the three he had narrowed it down to.

Then, Mainerd resurrected and hijacked it to talk about his great uncle's trapper, which he used on a ranch. :-\
 
I agree with PWatkins.......Get a Ontario RAT1 in D2 steel you won't be disappointed. The money you save get something fancy.......for the getting dressed carrying.
 
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