Looking for advice on a dedicated knife to melt packaging

[ruins]

Greetings.

I'm looking for a dedicated knife to precision open packages. Cardboard boxes, hard plastic, any and every sort of packaging. I want to be able to easily cut off cardboard flaps/tops, cut as precise an outline as possible in hard plastic packaging etc, melt through soft plastic etc

I've got stanley knives that do well, of course, but I want something more rugged, personal, and... a bit of fun.

I first stumbled on the Kizer Fire Ant, which looked really awesome to me, but then I watched some reviews and was quickly turned off, as high quality is very important to me as as well.

This lead me down quite a rabbit hole and I've now watched lots and lots of reviews on youtube and read a fair few threads here as well.

As far as style, I ended up being a big fan of the para3/pm2. I thought the "smock" was awesome (aside from the carbon fiber) and looked like sooo much fun on the fidget side of things.

But ended up wondering if a Yojimbo 2 might be the ultimate knife for my needs. The thing is, there are things I don't like about it. I don't like how "weapony" it looks, how delicate the tip looks... I don't hate it outright, though, and if it's the best knife for the task, I'll happily grab one.

I want something that will do the tasks I need with buttery ease, but also something that is tough and will last a long, long time. Fun to fidget with is a welcome bonus.

If the Yojimbo 2 is better than anything else I'll grab one. But if there is something cheaper that is just as good for my needs I am very much open to suggestions. Am I overthinking this and would most high quality knives melt through packaging and I should pick on design most of all? I really have no idea.

I am in Australia, which may limit my choices too. Budget can stretch to $250-$300AUD, but would prefer less.

 

[fishface5]

Wharncliff delica?

 

[Korean Hog]

Wharncliff delica?

I had the exact same thought. If you want more choices than that, I'd say any of the wharncliffes from Spyderco would make you happy.
I agree the Yojimbo 2 might look a little scary to some people, but also, I think it might be bit bulky for precision/ packages.
The wharncliffe Delica is the first thing that popped into my mind after reading your post.
See, if you can hunt one down in HAP 40, the thing will cut nearly forever.

 

[Arathol]

Spyderco Kiwi if you can find one...

 

[BitingSarcasm]

If you are looking for the wonkiest fun knife that destroys packaging, the one I use is the Cold Steel Black Talon 2. The tip punches through those damn clamshells like they are saran wrap, then you can push and pull cut with as much detail as you want. I haven't met the packing material that can even slow it down. A bit more sedate choice that also lasers through is the Cold Steel Tuff-Lite series. They have wharncliffe blades like the Delica mentioned above, but they aren't as nice. But that means you can pick up a Tuff-Lite 2.5" or mini Tuff 2" for about $30 each. They hold an edge, are easy to touch up or resharpen, and the mini in particular is a very public-friendly knife. They aren't "quality" as in pretty, but they are "quality" as in they do the job extremely well.

 

[FrannaM]

Cold Steel Tuff Lite. Excellent utility knife and tuff as nails.

 

[ruins]

Thank you for the great responses everyone. The Delica Wharncliffe blade looks great - is it possible to get that blade on something with a handle more like the para3? I don't know how customizable these things are, but that would be pretty perfect. I really like the handle/lock/one hand operation of the para3/p2 style handles.

I haven't seen anything about the Kiwi or those Cold Steel blades, but I am checking them out right now!

 

[DangerZone98]

Does it have to be a folder or are fixed blades okay? On the cheaper side of folders, the Cold Steel Tuff Lite will serve you well. If you want something with better edge retention, the Yojimbo 2 is the way to go.

My go-to utilitarian, sheeple-friendly, pocketable fixed blade is the ESEE Izula. The drop point blade will have no trouble with packaging, plastics, or binding.

Happy hunting and welcome to Blade Forums!

 

[DangerZone98]

Thank you for the great responses everyone. The Delica Wharncliffe blade looks great - is it possible to get that blade on something with a handle more like the para3? I don't know how customizable these things are, but that would be pretty perfect. I really like the handle/lock/one hand operation of the para3/p2 style handles.

I haven't seen anything about the Kiwi or those Cold Steel blades, but I am checking them out right now!

Get the Para 3 LW then! Affordable, decent steel, great ergos for the size, fantastic blade shape and cross-section. Another excellent choice. Sadly, I don’t think we have the Para 3/PM2 in wharnies yet.

Your choice man. Just happy to share my two cents.

 

[lieferung]

Keep in mind that anything you get will eventually need sharpening.

The Spyderco QBall is basically like a wharncliffe Delica with a better handle. But it's hard to find and quite expensive. I don't know for what purposes you'd want to "precision" open packages, but for packages in general I've found serrations to eat through them. Maybe a combo edge?

 

[FrannaM]

The AUS8a steel on the tuff lite really surprised me. Way better than the aus8 on my rat1.

 

[dirc]

the spydy dragonfly2 will excel for this - and the exclusive has the pakkawood handles and hap40/sus blade

 

[anthonycastorena2014]

Keep in mind that anything you get will eventually need sharpening.

The Spyderco QBall is basically like a wharncliffe Delica with a better handle. But it's hard to find and quite expensive. I don't know for what purposes you'd want to "precision" open packages, but for packages in general I've found serrations to eat through them. Maybe a combo edge?

This is a great suggestion! Theres a wall for sale right now and the guy still has it. I thought about picking it up last week.

I used to work at the assembly line at GM. I used the ever loving hell out of a Byrd Rescue. I literally didn't sharpen it once and my gosh I cut a ton of boxes. Over a years worth or slicing flaps and cutting down the box when I was done. They're like $25. The tuff lite is also a great option.

In other news there are a ton of delicas that have been "grind modded". Lockback but a good mix of the delica and the para.

 

[Fixall]

Wharncliff delica?

That's literally the first thing that popped into my mind when I read the post too, lol.

R ruins I highly recommend the Delica Wharncliffe. Preferably in HAP40 if you can get it. If not... There may be an S30V version floating around still. Barring that, the VG-10 version is no slouch either.

If you really like the handle on the Paramilitary 2 or Para 3, you could always have @BOOMER52 here on the forums make you a set of his awesome Lil'Para scales and you'd still be under $200 when all was said and done.

 

[anthonycastorena2014]

That's literally the first thing that popped into my mind when I read the post too, lol.

R ruins I highly recommend the Delica Wharncliffe. Preferably in HAP40 if you can get it. If not... There may be an S30V version floating around still. Barring that, the VG-10 version is no slouch either.

If you really like the handle on the Paramilitary 2 or Para 3, you could always have @BOOMER52 here on the forums make you a set of his awesome Lil'Para scales and you'd still be under $200 when all was said and done.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

Greetings.

I'm looking for a dedicated knife to precision open packages. Cardboard boxes, hard plastic, any and every sort of packaging. I want to be able to easily cut off cardboard flaps/tops, cut as precise an outline as possible in hard plastic packaging etc, melt through soft plastic etc

I've got stanley knives that do well, of course, but I want something more rugged, personal, and... a bit of fun.

I first stumbled on the Kizer Fire Ant, which looked really awesome to me, but then I watched some reviews and was quickly turned off, as high quality is very important to me as as well.

This lead me down quite a rabbit hole and I've now watched lots and lots of reviews on youtube and read a fair few threads here as well.

As far as style, I ended up being a big fan of the para3/pm2. I thought the "smock" was awesome (aside from the carbon fiber) and looked like sooo much fun on the fidget side of things.

But ended up wondering if a Yojimbo 2 might be the ultimate knife for my needs. The thing is, there are things I don't like about it. I don't like how "weapony" it looks, how delicate the tip looks... I don't hate it outright, though, and if it's the best knife for the task, I'll happily grab one.

I want something that will do the tasks I need with buttery ease, but also something that is tough and will last a long, long time. Fun to fidget with is a welcome bonus.

If the Yojimbo 2 is better than anything else I'll grab one. But if there is something cheaper that is just as good for my needs I am very much open to suggestions. Am I overthinking this and would most high quality knives melt through packaging and I should pick on design most of all? I really have no idea.

I am in Australia, which may limit my choices too. Budget can stretch to $250-$300AUD, but would prefer less.

If you like the Smock but not the carbon fiber, take a look at the 20CV version, which uses plain black G10.

 

[anthonycastorena2014]

If you like the Smock but not the carbon fiber, take a look at the 20CV version, which uses plain black G10.

I just learned of this knife as well. Its like smooth g10. I heavily prefer the look of the g10 version over the carbon fiber.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

I just learned of this knife as well. Its like smooth g10. I heavily prefer the look of the g10 version over the carbon fiber.

Same. And considering it's got a more high-end steel for the same retail price, I wish I'd waited and gotten that one instead. Not sure I'd get enough selling the CF version to have an upgrade to the 20CV version work out for me.

 

[anthonycastorena2014]

Same. And considering it's got a more high-end steel for the same retail price, I wish I'd waited and gotten that one instead. Not sure I'd get enough selling the CF version to have an upgrade to the 20CV version work out for me.

You could trade it for something else then buy the 20 cv lol thats what I inevitability end up doing as soon as a 2.0 version of something comes out. Yolo man.

 

[DocJD]

Greetings.

I'm looking for a dedicated knife to precision open packages. Cardboard boxes, hard plastic, any and every sort of packaging. I want to be able to easily cut off cardboard flaps/tops, cut as precise an outline as possible in hard plastic packaging etc, melt through soft plastic etc

I've got stanley knives that do well, of course, but I want something more rugged, personal, and... a bit of fun.

I first stumbled on the Kizer Fire Ant, which looked really awesome to me, but then I watched some reviews and was quickly turned off, as high quality is very important to me as as well.

This lead me down quite a rabbit hole and I've now watched lots and lots of reviews on youtube and read a fair few threads here as well.

As far as style, I ended up being a big fan of the para3/pm2. I thought the "smock" was awesome (aside from the carbon fiber) and looked like sooo much fun on the fidget side of things.

But ended up wondering if a Yojimbo 2 might be the ultimate knife for my needs. The thing is, there are things I don't like about it. I don't like how "weapony" it looks, how delicate the tip looks... I don't hate it outright, though, and if it's the best knife for the task, I'll happily grab one.

I want something that will do the tasks I need with buttery ease, but also something that is tough and will last a long, long time. Fun to fidget with is a welcome bonus.

If the Yojimbo 2 is better than anything else I'll grab one. But if there is something cheaper that is just as good for my needs I am very much open to suggestions. Am I overthinking this and would most high quality knives melt through packaging and I should pick on design most of all? I really have no idea.

I am in Australia, which may limit my choices too. Budget can stretch to $250-$300AUD, but would prefer less.

I like hawkbill , hook type blades for this work . Some examples :