Need a new EDC

C

Codey

Joined
Sep 22, 2006
Messages
28
I'm looking for a new EDC for work to replace my Small Sebenza. The Sebenza is a great knife, but I recently discovered it is not as well suited as I would like to the harsh work environment that a drilling rig in Northern Canada offers.

Last time out to work I was welcomed with -40c weather that revealed some issues. First, it froze shut and proved quite difficult to open due to the small thumb stud. When the blade finally broke free it was very stiff opening and closing, possibly due to the effects of the cold on the metal, I'm not sure. The there is the whole freezing metal and bare skin issue that makes use more than uncomfortable. I'd like something that wouldn't have these problems and the Spyderco Military looks like a contender, but tip down only carry is a huge turn off for me.

I'm looking to spend around $300, anyone have any suggestions?
 
Wow, -40 degrees! Interesting question; looking forward to the replies you receive here.

Haven't dealt much with those kind of temps; my max I guess is about -20.

One thing is that I think I'd go with a Spydie hole over a thumbstud.
Another: no assisted opening.

I think I'd lean toward a fixed blade, actually.
 
I thought about a Strider, but large choils have proven to be frustrating at work. I've tried fixed blades, and in order to have a blade large enough to be useful the knife is too big to comfortably carry in the pocket.
 
Codey said:
I thought about a Strider, but large choils have proven to be frustrating at work. I've tried fixed blades, and in order to have a blade large enough to be useful the knife is too big to comfortably carry in the pocket.
Click to expand...

What size blade are you looking for?
 
Codey said:
I'm looking for a new EDC for work to replace my Small Sebenza. The Sebenza is a great knife, but I recently discovered it is not as well suited as I would like to the harsh work environment that a drilling rig in Northern Canada offers.

Last time out to work I was welcomed with -40c weather that revealed some issues. First, it froze shut and proved quite difficult to open due to the small thumb stud. When the blade finally broke free it was very stiff opening and closing, possibly due to the effects of the cold on the metal, I'm not sure. The there is the whole freezing metal and bare skin issue that makes use more than uncomfortable. I'd like something that wouldn't have these problems and the Spyderco Military looks like a contender, but tip down only carry is a huge turn off for me.

I'm looking to spend around $300, anyone have any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Your suggestion of a Spyderco Military is a good one, as it has been designed to operate with gloves on. In addition, it is available in D2, S30V, BG-42 and S90V. The BG-42 and the S90V are the most desirable for edge holding and for the carbon fiber handle.

Another less expensive option would be a Ritter Grip, which is tough as nails.
 
in -40 deg C, if a Sebenza is going to freeze shut, I think just about any folder is just as likely to freeze shut...
Any reason you can't carry a fixed blade in a sheath on the belt?
 
I'd like a blade around 4 inches. I realize that other folders will probably freeze shut as well but something that offers more purchase than a small thumb stud would help things immensely, especially if it could be opened with gloves on. Holding a titanium slabbed knife that cold is not much fun.

Fixed blade on a belt is out as I can't wear a belt on the outside of my coveralls, and the cold weather pants I wear underneath don't have belt loops.
 
I have not handled a military but the tip appears to be rather fine and I imagine that could be an issue in a work knife. You may consider one of the enduras with the g-10 handles. I agree with the others that have suggested that the spyder hole is what you are looking for. It is especially friendly to use with gloved hands. I use a caly III daily with gloved hands and have no issue deploying the blade.
 
Yes, how about this one?

62kgblog.jpg


The Cold Steel Rajah (above) might be just what you're looking for. Or there's the Voyager:

Knives_2.jpg


If you like S30V, there's always the Spyderco Native:

SpydercoNative_1.jpg


If you're looking for something with serrations, I like Spyderco's and Cold Steel's.

SpydercoSerrations.jpg


Spending $300 on a knife that won't freeze may be a bit difficult in that you'll probably want a good synthetic grip material. The Spyderco Military is a little larger than the Native, but I'd probably want a large folder on a drilling rig.
 
Hmm I think any folder would have issues in those temps. I still think a fixed blade would be the way to go. You could sew something on your clothes to hold the knife and sheath perhaps?
 
Thinking this through a bit, I'd recommend the Fallkniven F1.

Tough as all get-out, blade 3-3/4 inches, knife & Zytel sheath could fit in a large pocket,
great steel.
San Mai construction offers reduced brittleness in the extreme cold.

IIRC it is designed as a survival knife for some of the Swedish military; they know a thing or three about cold weather use.

With the freeze-up problems the OP described with the folder, I'd just stay away from folders in those conditions. Moreover, you're ultimately dealing with a pivot pin...

I have my F1 here in front of me and can see it would be easily "pocketable" in any of my winter coats.
 
Oops, realized just after I posted that my neck knife idea wouldn't be too safe working around machinery..
 
rifon2 said:
Thinking this through a bit, I'd recommend the Fallkniven F1.

Tough as all get-out, blade 3-3/4 inches, knife & Zytel sheath could fit in a large pocket,
great steel.
San Mai construction offers reduced brittleness in the extreme cold.

IIRC it is designed as a survival knife for some of the Swedish military; they know a thing or three about cold weather use.

With the freeze-up problems the OP described with the folder, I'd just stay away from folders in those conditions. Moreover, you're ultimately dealing with a pivot pin...

I have my F1 here in front of me and can see it would be easily "pocketable" in any of my winter coats.
Click to expand...


Totally agree. In those conditions you don't need a folder, you need a fixed blade.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
RAT cutlery RC-3 is a possible option for a tough, extremely functional fixed blade. It is easy enough to edc in a larger cargo type pocket (3.5" long with just the right sized handle) The kydex sheath it comes with fits the knife perfectly and is actually pretty streamlined. It is a great blade!
 
IF th OP absolutely has to have a folder, I think one with loose tolerences would be less prone to freeze up. In this case, cheaper may be better. Also I wouldn't recomend any kind of lube as they will also freeze in cold weather.
 
If you're dead set on a folder, you'd probably be very happy with the Ritter Grip suggested above. It's a similar blade profile and the same steel as the Sebenza, and has a Noryl GTX handle instead of an all metal one.

Of course, being OK with a folder and getting away with it not freezing shut depends on how deep and well insulated your coverall pockets are.
 
The MUDD is the most glove friendly folder I've ever used.The monster thumbstuds are usable with gloves and the side switch is another glove friendly feature of this knife. I've been using the daylights out of my Hawk MUDD this winter - the Kershaw MUDD would run you a chunk less than your budget - the Hawk MUDD probably a chunk more than your budget.
Also have to freely admit I have no idea how the lube in 'em would deal with -40F and personally am not eager to go anywhere that cold to find out.Anybody at Kershaw able to speak authoritatively on the lub freeze subject?
 
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