Looking for a recommendation for a work knife

I would have recommended Cold Steel Recon 1 but just got a brand new one with vertical blade play. Did some search and found this seems not to be uncommon with tri ad lock.:(

Heck I still recommend it. You can buy two with $200. Chances are you will at least get one with no blade play;)
 
If your open to a small fixed blade, check out Anza. They are not pretty, but the maker is a nice guy who takes old files & turns them into sharp rugged knives that are almost unbreakable. I needed a 2.5 inch fixed blade for Chicago & he made me one for $30 that is as rugged as my Busse Mean Street which cost a great deal more. I was working a convention booth for some Italian Cheese importer & they had brought in $5000 worth of huge cheese wheels for people to sample. They neglected to bring anything to cut the cheese with & I gave them a steak knife which bent halfway through the 1st cut. I reluctantly said OK, I'll let you use this, but I want it back. That little knife tore through those huge cheese wheels like they were butter. They were here for 3 days & tried a few different knives but the only one that really worked was the Anza. When they left they offered to trade me 1/2 a cheese wheel (value $200+?) for it but I declined. By the end of the show I'd sampled so much cheese, I didn't have a taste for any for a good two months. LOL
 
Forget Cold Steel. They market all their knives as a "weapon".
The RAT1 with D2 or AUS 8 will do everything you need your knife to do on the job. For that matter, so would a Buck 110 or Old Timer 7OT, which is what I used when I did landscaping. As an added bonus, when you carry your knife in a belt sheath/pouch instead of a pocket, you're less likely to lose it while mowing, weed eating, trimming bushes, and etcetera.
A small 3 or 4 inch fixed blade would also be a good alternative to a folding knife.
 
GB940Rookie said:
The Manix 2 would do nicely. I use the LW in BD1 steel. It’s a great working folder. Many blade and scale materials to choose from. XL size available. For the tasks you described, I’m thinking one of the G10 versions.
Click to expand...

How you liking that bd1 steel? I find it takes a rediculously agressive edge super easily.
 
GB940Rookie said:
I like it. Easy enough to sharpen and holds an edge decent enough for my uses. A fine knife for the $$. I got mine before the price increase.
Click to expand...

Me too. I kind of like it better than s110v for how easily it sharpens up. It seems to take a toothy edge very well.
 
Lapedog said:
How you liking that bd1 steel? I find it takes a rediculously agressive edge super easily.
Click to expand...
I found this to be the case as well, but I also found it to lose its edge quickly. It is like M4 bumped up to 2x or 3x speed, takes a Great edge Very Very quickly but loses it quickly too, high stain resistance aids to the keen edge maintaining due to it not degrading due to atmospheric conditions.

I would find this edge characteristic ideal for a self defense/last ditch item, that being said, I do not carry such an item. I carry a knife for daily utility. For EDC use, I prefer wear resistance and toughness around AEB-L, S35VN, 52100, M4, M2, and LC200N as near ideal. They are quick enough to sharpen, stain as little as I prefer, and have enough toughness to keep an edge through my daily misuse. I understand that 52100, M2 and M4 are tool steels, and prone to patina/corrosion, but it is at a slow enough rate that I do not worry about it.

I am also fond of PD-1/Cruwear/3V, and V4E/4V.
 
Last edited:
Benchmade Adamas Folding knife that acts like a fix blade and it comes with a nice Belt sheath .
 
abbazaba said:
Just sticking with your gut choices, the Manix2 Backlock spent some time as my beater and it was great. If you like those ergos, go for it. I love the 0562, but the pointer blade shape and ergos of the Manix wins for beater duty IMO. However, the 0801BW has been my spring cleanup beater in the yard lately... It's been great but the ergos can't touch the Manix if you like them, and bearings probably aren't ideal in general. Really boils down to taste.

f5Ks3aW.jpg

ba2EOJQ.jpg
Click to expand...
Is the backlock version as smooth as the ball bearing version in terms of how it flies open?
 
Thanks guys for the suggestions. Seems it's mainly cold steel, fixed blades and a couple rooting for the 0562 or manix. I'll think about it!! I'll give updates when I make a decision.

EDIT: I know a fixed blade would be best, I just don't carry them though. Personal choice I guess. Unless I'm camping or going fishing or hunting.

I had a cold steel recon 1, and a cold steel code 4, and they are absolutely beasts but sometimes it feels like they're trying too hard. I know I'm stubborn and picky. As for the lw manix and buck 110, they're good choices but I really like to take apart my knives if I have to clean them!!!

Thanks for taking the time to help me out
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top