Looking for sturdy work knife

T

TrueBlade1

Joined
Mar 22, 2014
Messages
40
Hi again,

I'm looking for a 3'' blade (pocket sized) tactical folder to use as my EDC. And I thought I could use some suggestions from some of you pros.

My Requirements:
1. Great ergonomics including raised thumb grip with gimping and index finger choil.
2. Sturdy blade preferably drop point.
3. Durability, something I can use daily.
4. Good handle material with good grip
5. Decent locking system, doesn't have to be 1st rate.
6. Pocket clip.
7. Under 50 bucks

Basically all the qualities I love in my Kabar Mule but in a smaller EDC size. Index choil and thumb grip with gimping are important to me as I have large hands and I find that strait-line shaped knives don't fit well in my hands.
Looking forward to seeing your suggestions.
 
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Blade just a bit longer but, it's one heck of a knife and right about your $$ point as well,
Cold Steel Code 4 Spear Point folder with the TriAD lock system.

Code4.jpg


Several dealers have them in stock, Blade HQ is out of the Spear point right now though, but, here is their video review;

[video=youtube;VU8bOTRwdHs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU8bOTRwdHs[/video]

Arrived very sharp, I've recently touched it up and it's amazing how good an edge it takes.
G2

Edited to add, that while it looks pretty slick/smooth, the angle of the handle spine and the grip makes it lock into your hand very good, I was worried it would be too slippery but I don't find that to be a problem.
 
Gary,
Thanks so much for your post. I shall have to get a Code 4, looks like a great knife.
P.S. I just ordered one for myself. I love how the code 4 is so streamline thin yet such a strong solid knife! Thanks for posting the video that sold me LOL!
Thanks again!

I deal with American Knife and Sword, online company they ship in 2 days and their prices are cheaper than other sites I've seen.

Also I really appreciate that you are a Christian and you wear it proudly.
 
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You're most welcome, and also, welcome to the forums too :)

I've owned a LOT of knives over the years, this is a pretty cool one and at the price, it's very nice.
G2

Edited to add, glad the video helped, they do a decent job of showing the knives off there. Also before a moderator hits you up, they frown on putting in other distributors in a post that are not someone that is a sponsored dealership here, just trying to help keep those that are attract more business that way since they support BladeForums with their membership.

and as the other two guys mentioned the Rat 1, never had one of those, might also be something to look at one day too. There are a LOT of knives out there, they keep making them, we keep buying them ;) makes the world turn right ?
 
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Of the Cold Steel knives I'm more of a Voyager fan, but my current fav (though the point might be a bit delicate) is the Hold Out series. Very light and strong.
If a better steel is important to you, I'd suggest the Delica from Spyderco.
 
I love my code 4, its very slim and although it's a little big for a 'pocket knife' it doesn't get in my way when bending and crouching. I think my next knife will probably be the American Lawman just because of how tough it looks and the G 10 handles.
I will have to say that I like the clip on my Kabar Mule better than the Cold Steel clip, because the Kabar clip is longer and more flexible, I can clip it securely to my heavy work belt with ease, and I have to adjust the Cold Steel clip for it to go on my belt.
 
Nice glad it's working for you, I sliced up some carpet today with mine.

The AL is also very good the G10 is quite grippy
G2
 
Kershaw JunkYardDog v.2.2 is my favorite work-knife, less than eighty bucks.
 
Hey Seno and Dr_Frosg8,
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into the Delica, I know Spyderco makes great knives, good idea about getting a pre-owned one.

I just went out and did a little field test of my own with the Code 4. I had some grape vines and shrubs that badly needed clipping ( 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick, fairly woody stems) and my Code 4 held up very nicely, I didn't feel any buckling of the lock at all, and my combo edge worked great on the tougher woody stems. I will always get a combo edge blade if at all possible. The serrations work like a small hand saw very effectively for outdoor/yard work.
 
Sonnydaze,
I agree with you that Kershaw makes good knives. I always have my black colt II in my tool box, works great for an inexpensive knife
 
Heres a video of my American Lawman;

[video=youtube;OFZivrI5RgY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFZivrI5RgY[/video]

The serrated edge that CS does cuts pretty well but can be hard to sharpen the smaller grooves

G2
 
Hey Gary,
Great video. Btw what knife sharpener to you recommend? Honestly all I have is a whetstone, and Im getting tired of ragged blade edges. Is there one you would recommend that is a little cheaper than Spyderco's?
Thanks
 
Sharpeners are a life unto itself, you could spend quite a bit on different types. The Sharpmaker has the benefit of being fairly easy to master, lacking in setting initial bevels, but you can get diamond sleeves to help if needed, of course, those aren't inexpensive either.

I've owned a lot of different things over the years, but I keep going back to free hand sharpening, I recommend Norton stones but with that you would certainly need to apply yourself to learn how to do it properly.

There is a section on the forums that provide a lot of info regarding sharpening Seen here

Here's my 'travel kit' for when I'm away from home;

Lighter fluid to clean the Norton stones, see the teardrop shaped things and also I have a Spyderco DoubleStuff stone, the medium and fine grit are glued back to back, I clean those off with a Rust Eraser thingy...


sharp_travel_kit.jpg


you can do a google search on Norton sharpening stones. I recommend that you use the stones dry, and clean them off with lighter fluid, just works better for me.

G2
 
Gary,
Thanks so much for the info, I will get a Norton's stone. Also thanks for being such a good teacher.
 
It's almost an art form in sharpening, as you'll come to find out, but one that provides you a life long service once you've gotten it down. You'll see threads on sharpening with the bottom of a coffee cup for instance, I've used that a couple times while without stones to touch up someone else's knife, surprised them to see that it actually got their knife sharp, as the bottom of the cups often have the ceramic left raw and that provides an aggressive sharpening surface, not the most consistent of surfaces but it can be used when in a pinch.

In my travel kit photo, there is one other of the Norton's that isn't pictured, the Coarse stone, you can get all three grits. I use the rounded sides for more aggressive removal and then move to the flats for the final sharpening, you can get a shaving edge with the Fine India stone, just takes patience and time. Key thing is to get the burr along the entire edge, this shows that you've reached the very edge of the bevel.

As usually recommended is to start on a knife that's not expensive, just through the learning curve at least.
Good luck!!!
G2
 
I have been most impressed with the Colt Steel Tuff Lite at about $30. The knife fits like a glove.

I use a Norton India Stone with coarse and fine grits at home for non-super steels. They are very inexpensive at under $20. I use WD40 as my lubricatant versus lighter fluid. Seldom use the coarse side however. My knives seldom get that dull.
 
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