Looking for a knife. specific needs

I

ichbinbir

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Mar 31, 2014
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Currently carrying a Kershaw OSO Sweet with 8Cr13MoV steel. It's my EDC and I abuse it at work at it has become clear that the blade cannot keep up. The edge became dull and chipped very quickly (I'm sure I need to learn to take of my next knife better).
I'm a commercial/industrial electrician. Stripping large copper wire the blade often bites into the copper and causes some of the chipping. Also cutting duct tape and rags away from a pull forces my knife over steel bailing wire which really damages the blade. I Also cut everything from rope to cardboard.
I've even gone so far as to use my folded knife as a sort of hammer (which has held up very well, props to Kershaw on the solid build).
That being said, I've read a lot here on this forum and am leaning toward S30V for the blade. I've narrowed my search to the Kershaw Blur and Buck 847 Vantage Force Pro.
Are these good choices? Is there something else in that price point that could suit my needs (I realize there are better choices if I was willing to spend more, but I'm not able to spend a whole lot more right now)?
Thank you for the input!
 
What is your price and size limit? If price isnt an issue, get something with D2 or 154CM. Theyre pretty tough.
 
I think those are good choices. I believe the Buck 847 is approaching a price point where there are some really nice knives, such as the Spyderco Manix 2 S30v.
 
You could have a better tool for your uses and spend less! Much less!

I'd suggest one of those folding razor knives. Aluminum handle that takes a lot of punishment, replaceable blades that strip wire well and cut anything, plus cheap as hell! I think it would serve you better than any knife.
 
Size limit is no more than 5" folded and between a 3-4" blade (no serration). Would like to get away with less than 100, could be talked into as much as 150. Also, along with recommendations, places to find then would be great! I'm not looking for a utility knife as I have a replaceable blade utility knife, but I carry a pocket knife because it is usually more convenient.
 
Hey ichbinbir - the Volt IS a nice knife! I was being serious. Especially if you can find one like this....

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I looked up the Volt and it's the same steel as the knife I have now and I'm not impressed. Not that I have much to compare against other than coworkers' knives.
 
Just read up on the D2 blade of the Benchmark 710 and a review claimed that it rusted. I do tend to sweat quite a bit at work and I don't think that's conducive to a rust prone metal...
 
The pic I posted is a special edition of some sort. They are getting scarce. It is definitely not 8Cr13MoV steel.

That Buck looks like it would do the job and can't go wrong with Paul Bos' heat treat. You might also give the Kershaw Rake or Junkyard Dog a look. Also the knives made by Kizer are worth a look (made in China, but they are Quality with a capitol Q). One of them would serve you well. Good luck on your search.
 
Although I personally am not the world's biggest Blur fan, an S30V Blur would be probably serve you well, and you might find Kershaw's lifetime sharpening service to be quite a benefit. Personally, I spent a whopping $12 to get a Kershaw One Ton on clearance from Cabela's and use that as my "hard use" folder (mainly because it was so cheap) and although its hardest task to date has been cutting various computer cables (CAT5, VGA, etc.) it shows absolutely no wear. While it's the same steel as the OSO Sweet (my wife has one) and numerous other knives I own, it has held up better when performing the same tasks.

If I was going to shell out money for a hard use working knife, I'd use the S30V Blur as a baseline and do some bargain hunting if going much higher. I recently picked up a Benchmade Adamas folder in D2 that would withstand plenty of abuse, but I don't think its size and handle shape are what I would want for the kind of work you described. Something in the Hogue EX series might be to your liking, specifically the drop point EX01 with "G-Mascus" grips vs. the aluminum variety. Kizlyar makes a number of folders with D2 blades right around $100, but I have no experience with them yet. Might be worth checking out.
 
ichbinbir said:
Size limit is no more than 5" folded and between a 3-4" blade (no serration).
Click to expand...

It's at the lower end of your size range, but how about the Kershaw Camber (3" blade, 4.2" closed)? S30V steel and anodized aluminum handle.

EDIT: I guess the Camber's not released yet. You'll have to wait!
 
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I'm very interested in the zt 350 and found the blems from kershaw guy for 95. Is there somewhere else I can look? Google searched for zt 350 blem and he was the best price I could find. Just wondered if there was a hidden gem website that isn't in the top Google results... Thanks all for the feedback!
 
That's a good find. The kershaw blur isn't even in the same ballpark as the 350 when it comes to hard use trust me I have both.
 
i think that's the best price you're going to get. They have them on the big river site brand new for a little over $100.
 
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