Looking for an EDC to last a lifetime

A

areesej

Joined
Apr 17, 2013
Messages
3
I am new to Blade Forum, but am already excited by all of the information that is available. I am looking for an EDC to be used quite often. I work in produce and am constantly cutting tape, cardboard, rope, and produce. Does anyone have any recommendations for me? My only criteria is a wooden handle.
 
Wood handle--Your choice of any of the Opinel knives. Great slicers, inexpensive and can be easily modified to your personal likings.
 
Welcome

A bit more information would be very useful. Are you looking for a fixed blade or a folding knife? What's your price range? Any preference regarding the size?
As Whitedog said, Opinels have a wide variety of sizes, are great slicers and are cheap. And they have models with a pruning blade, which might be interesting for rope, produce etc.
 
Both knives in this link are available in different woods and will tackle anything you throw at them for the rest of your life :)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-of-GEC-s-53-79?highlight=rockgolfer+rambling

But really almost any of the knives you see on here can work for you. I honestly recommend that you start with the Rough Rider brand and buy a few that look interesting to you. Quickly you will find what you like and dont like but without the cost of buying a lot of different expensive knives ;). I learned the hard way and wish I would have done this at the beginning. They should make a starter set or something, put a barlow, stockman, congress, peanut and a small serpentine jack or something together. Get a chance to feel different frames, sizes and blade types to see what you like.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy :thumbup:

Jeff
 
Size: somethings that fits comfortably in my pocket. Price: Under$100. There are a few that I've been tossing around, but I just can't seem to decide. Kershaw Whiskey Gap, CRKT M4-02W, CRKT Delegate. I want a locking folder that I don't need to use 2 hands to use. Thanks for your help!
 
I'm moving this to the General Discussion sub-forum, since the knives you are interested in aren't really traditional. Good luck with your search!
 
If you want a knife that you will use frequently (as you describe) to last a lifetime, you need to spend more than 100.00 in my opinion.

I can see that you are new to knives and new to this forum. Read about some of the higher quality folders like Chris Reeve Sebenzas, which you can get used for around $300, and WILL last a lifetime. But don't buy from craigslist or ebay unless you can spot fakes. Best of luck.
 
You could take a look at the lone wolf "swale" or "trask" bolth have wooden handles and a quality steel....
 
Have a look at the benchmade bone collector. Great lock, great steel and it comes with a wood handle option. Should be able to find one around a hundred bucks.
 
Another vote for the Benchmade/Lonewolf Swale or Trask! I have the larger Trask and it is a stellar knife. The N680 blade steel is excellent and very corrosion resistant and fit and finish is great. :thumbup:
 
Welcome to BF. The more time you spend here, you will be surprised how much you can learn about cutlery. If you are truly new to studying blades, please take a little time before purchasing your "lifetime" edc. If you do not care about knives as a hobby, but just wish to buy a cutter for the decades right now; I believe most of the specific recommendations of others will suffice.

I've said tongue in cheek that the answer to all questions is - Opinel, Mora, or SAK (swiss army knife). Opinel has already been suggested, and is probably the best solution. They have wooden handles, can fold, and the blades are lockable. They come in every length you can imagine. You can get stainless or carbon steel. You should probably get stainless if you are working produce. They are inexpensive.

I have heard they are quite durable. That's right, I don't own one.

If you read enough stuff here you will find out why SAK and Mora are the other universal answers. Again, welcome.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
If you want a knife that you will use frequently (as you describe) to last a lifetime, you need to spend more than 100.00 in my opinion.

I can see that you are new to knives and new to this forum. Read about some of the higher quality folders like Chris Reeve Sebenzas, which you can get used for around $300, and WILL last a lifetime. But don't buy from craigslist or ebay unless you can spot fakes. Best of luck.
Click to expand...

This is perhaps the most confusing advice ever.
You can find many knives under $40 that should last you many many years, however a lifetime of actual use? Probably not.

OP: I will say this as an ex collector/user of swords which can be applied to knives.
If you find a antique in good condition, the simply truth is: It was not used. Usually for good reasons: Flaws, not functional, etc. It's a rare occasion when an antique is in good condition, and functional.
If you find a battered antique in terrible condition: chances are it was a great tool for someone and may have some great history but unfortunately is probably no longer safe to use.

So asking for a knife to last you a lifetime means you will need to baby the knife. Actually using it for a lifetime means you will likely retire it WELL before your lifetime.
 
Buck 110, Bass Pro or Alaskan Guide version (BP uses CPM-154, AG uses S30V) plus a Kwik Thumb Stud? I've seen people open them one-handed just by getting good traction on the blade, but the Kwik Stud should make it open like many other modern folders. There are some techniques for one-handed closing as well, although I've never gotten the hang of it.
 
I disagree and think many knives can last a lifetime, especially with the uses you list. A knife isn't going to just fall apart if you take care of it. One of the biggest things that will kill one is not knowing how to sharpen or sharpening too much. If you grind the blade away more than is needed than it will get used up quicker. A knife with good blade steel should only need a real sharpening maybe once or twice a year. If you strop the blade and hone it after every couple days of using it, it will keep the blade shaving sharp and remove almost no metal. A strop can be really cheap and I suggest 1 micron diamond spray which a bottle should last 20 years if just stropping a couple knives. The diamond will keep even the newest super steels hair popping sharp. Just have to keep up with it and not let it get real dull so it needs major sharpenings often.

That said I also recommend the Benchmade Bone Collector in walnut scales. There is a big and smaller size and both should be available for under a 100 bucks if you go to a good online store.
 
I respectfully disagree. A Sebenza, used frequently, CAN last a lifetime, as you can send it to be refurbished every 5 or 10 yrs at a very reasonable cost. But you may not even need to do that if you keep it clean and sharpen it periodically. Just my view based on owning a couple of them. How is that confusing?

PS: But wood certainly will wear, and may need to be replaced. CRK wood inlays can be replaced if they wear out.

Luis G. said:
This is perhaps the most confusing advice ever.
You can find many knives under $40 that should last you many many years, however a lifetime of actual use? Probably not.

OP: I will say this as an ex collector/user of swords which can be applied to knives.
If you find a antique in good condition, the simply truth is: It was not used. Usually for good reasons: Flaws, not functional, etc. It's a rare occasion when an antique is in good condition, and functional.
If you find a battered antique in terrible condition: chances are it was a great tool for someone and may have some great history but unfortunately is probably no longer safe to use.

So asking for a knife to last you a lifetime means you will need to baby the knife. Actually using it for a lifetime means you will likely retire it WELL before your lifetime.
Click to expand...
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I disagree and think many knives can last a lifetime, especially with the uses you list. A knife isn't going to just fall apart if you take care of it. One of the biggest things that will kill one is not knowing how to sharpen or sharpening too much. If you grind the blade away more than is needed than it will get used up quicker. A knife with good blade steel should only need a real sharpening maybe once or twice a year. If you strop the blade and hone it after every couple days of using it, it will keep the blade shaving sharp and remove almost no metal. A strop can be really cheap and I suggest 1 micron diamond spray which a bottle should last 20 years if just stropping a couple knives. The diamond will keep even the newest super steels hair popping sharp. Just have to keep up with it and not let it get real dull so it needs major sharpenings often.

That said I also recommend the Benchmade Bone Collector in walnut scales. There is a big and smaller size and both should be available for under a 100 bucks if you go to a good online store.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure there was sharpening for just about as long as humans had knives. It is not a new concept.
It depends on the person too, I am sure a butcher can go through knives every few years while an office worker could keep theirs for a life time.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
I respectfully disagree. A Sebenza, used frequently, CAN last a lifetime, as you can send it to be refurbished every 5 or 10 yrs at a very reasonable cost. But you may not even need to do that if you keep it clean and sharpen it periodically. Just my view based on owning a couple of them. How is that confusing?

PS: But wood certainly will wear, and may need to be replaced. CRK wood inlays can be replaced if they wear out.
Click to expand...

I still don't think based on what I have done in testing edge retention that a knife can last a life time while being the only knife you use. (60 years+).

My unscientific estimates clock it in more at 16 years at best without having to hard use it, or abuse it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top