Knives that you tolerate

[Gary W. Graley]

Ever get that 'grail' only to find that it misses the mark in several aspects? But, you have wanted it for so long, searched for it for so long, that once it arrived it left you not breathless but a little sad? Besides the usual buyers remorse situation, I think most of us have had that, but just the hype skewed your view and now it has arrived you start to see things you ignored but knew that it would become an issue.

Boy have I ever done that, lately folks like to chime in on my 'latest' acquisitions and follow up with a PM with a dibs good friends all lol and they often guess correctly as my search for the knife is an on going journey. But the one folder that has been sticking around more is the Manly City knife, a mid lockback small folder, blade is just under 3" with the edge nice and thin.

For now, lets say, for today, I'm marking this Manly folder as THE knife...for me. So let the Vegas betting boards fire up and see what the odds are for it lasting.

While the steel is moderate but likeable, at 14c28n it takes a very sharp edge and with the blade being fairly thin to start and full flat grind down to a thin behind the edge, it cuts really well.

The handle is orange G10 with a deep pocket carry clip, contours of the handle suit my medium/large hands perfectly. As some recent folders the handle was a tad on the wide side.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

a wider handle limits my gripping the folder to do pull in cuts like on this foam, or an apple, but this one is just right.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Fingers fall into place to provide excellent control

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr


As for some that I had high hopes for, it is always a let down and then to try and sell to recoup at least what was spent is frustrating, but I put the losses down as a rental fee, so that lessens the sting just a bit

G2

 

[Alberta Ed]

I appreciate my humble Manly Wasp (12C27, 60 HRC) more every time I use it. Got it for a Scotland walking tour a few years ago (it's legal in Europe), but often as not I find it tucked into my pocket at home.

 

[eveled]

I always figure I bought it for a reason, if I sold it I’d end up wondering about it again and buying it again.

I’d rather hold onto it, and try it again later.

 

[ebidis]

I am in the fortunate position that there is an outdoor sports store in my local area that has a knife department with a huge selection of everything from cheap imports to high end production, and even some customs. I get to actually hold a lot of knives in my hand before I buy, so I know what I'm getting into.

However, I have had the same experience you describe a few times in the past when I have ordered knives on line.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

ebidis being not close to any reputable knife store is both a blessing and a curse for me lol
G2

 

[ebidis]

ebidis being not close to any reputable knife store is both a blessing and a curse for me lol
G2

I now what you mean. I often joke with the guys at the store that I should just have my paycheck sent directly to them.

 

[ktataragasi]

The City is a nice knife. I have it with the contoured g10 and s90v. I don't carry it enough but it has to compete with my Delicas and Chaparral. Going to try it more as I reduce my collection a bit more.

For me my delica seems to be the knife I want to carry most and think of using. For whatever reason I keep hunting for the next but never feel the same about the knives as I do the Delica.

Currently in the pocket.

https://imgur.com/33GsfEn

 

[Gary W. Graley]

I had the contoured S90 version which was very nice but found that this version has a better grip for my hands
G2

 

[ShaiHulud]

Opinel no.5 ordered from opinel direct. Took many moons to get here. Actually ordered 2, some things are better in pairs (like cats)
I was underwhelmed and let them get lost under papers that litter a desk I also don't like (its teal, but it's my wife's so ..)
To the point! I keep one in my backpack and one on my table to use for the house, and they are warming up to me and vice versa. Great knives and out perform many more "modern" options. Took a lot of "tolerance" to get to this point
So uhh --- now, I have two no.6s, four no. 8s, two no.9s, and one no. 10 coming

 

[ktataragasi]

I had the contoured S90 version which was very nice but found that this version has a better grip for my hands
G2

Now you hehe me curious about that version

 

[Gary W. Graley]

S ShaiHulud I agree about Opinel's and I've had a LOT of them over the years. My latest #8 has a padauk handle which I sanded the sides down flat to prevent it rolling in hand while using, it works a lot better in my opinion. This is used just for food purposes as that curve at the tip aids in cutting up food stuff.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

IMG_8326a by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Now you hehe me curious about that version

I don't have the 'better version' any more to do a direct comparison, but the handle is already pretty thin and the contouring makes it feel even thinner and for me it was just too slim.
G2

 

[ShaiHulud]

S ShaiHulud I agree about Opinel's and I've had a LOT of them over the years. My latest #8 has a padauk handle which I sanded the sides down flat to prevent it rolling in hand while using, it works a lot better in my opinion. This is used just for food purposes as that curve at the tip aids in cutting up food stuff.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

IMG_8326a by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2

They're definitely not for people who mistake their knives for shovels, but they're serious tools for hands with basic know-how

 

[Slice-E]

Say it with me now… Hello, my name is Gary W. Graley and I am a knife addict.

 

[Slice-E]

They're definitely not for people who mistake their knives for shovels, but they're serious tools for hands with basic know-how

I really like thin grinds and it’s a shame how few folders have it in the modern era. The Spyderco Watu cut like a dream because of the thin stock.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

At one time I had a nice collection of the Slim models, very sleek!







G2

 

[Slice-E]

At one time I had a nice collection of the Slim models, very sleek!







G2

Great pictures

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks Slice-E setting up for one of the photos I was cut by one of the blades, they were razor sharp!!!
G2

 

[DocJekl]

Ever get that 'grail' only to find that it misses the mark in several aspects? But, you have wanted it for so long, searched for it for so long, that once it arrived it left you not breathless but a little sad? Besides the usual buyers remorse situation, I think most of us have had that, but just the hype skewed your view and now it has arrived you start to see things you ignored but knew that it would become an issue.

Boy have I ever done that, lately folks like to chime in on my 'latest' acquisitions and follow up with a PM with a dibs good friends all lol and they often guess correctly as my search for the knife is an on going journey. But the one folder that has been sticking around more is the Manly City knife, a mid lockback small folder, blade is just under 3" with the edge nice and thin.

For now, lets say, for today, I'm marking this Manly folder as THE knife...for me. So let the Vegas betting boards fire up and see what the odds are for it lasting.

While the steel is moderate but likeable, at 14c28n it takes a very sharp edge and with the blade being fairly thin to start and full flat grind down to a thin behind the edge, it cuts really well.

The handle is orange G10 with a deep pocket carry clip, contours of the handle suit my medium/large hands perfectly. As some recent folders the handle was a tad on the wide side.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

a wider handle limits my gripping the folder to do pull in cuts like on this foam, or an apple, but this one is just right.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Fingers fall into place to provide excellent control

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr


As for some that I had high hopes for, it is always a let down and then to try and sell to recoup at least what was spent is frustrating, but I put the losses down as a rental fee, so that lessens the sting just a bit

G2

At this point, I am not taking bets against the Manly, because it really has been with you the longest as far as I can tell. This, despite the fact that I repeatedly keep trying to help displace that knife

 

[cbach8tw]

Gary, still got a folder to use even if still experimenting with small fixed blades. I am experiencing the same thing, like my small fixies but go back to a folder, usually my Opinel #6.