Need Fixed Blade Advice

sting7777

sting7777

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Jan 26, 2004
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My wife works in a R&D lab where she has to do the following:

Cut slabs of rubber 1/4 to 1/2" thick of various durometer
Pry said sheets of rubber off of metal sheets
Slice thinner rubber material as it rolls by on a mill

I'm thinking a sharpened prybar approach with a flat ground/sabre ground blade so its strong but can still slice.

Lookinf for all of your helop on this one as I am a folder guy and I don't even know where to start on fixed blades...

Thanks! :D
 
sounds like a Becker to me. :D They are tough and economical. Excellent value.
 
What kind of rubber? How soft?
If possible, describe how she's cutting-at an angle, or is the blade going in perpendicular to the material being cut, is it on a flat surface, or "freehand"?
Is the rubber loose, or under tension?
Need more details. Cutting soft rubber can be a lot different from other materials.
Depending on how it's being done, it can be very easy, or a tremendous pain to work with. Any old knife might be fine, or you may need to pay special attention to the type of grind. Depends.
 
sorry - I thought I was pretty explicit about that.

Various durometers. So there is not exact softness - she works in a lab where they mix up different batches every day - anything from neoprene to much harder rubber. And she needs to cut in the air while the material rolling by on the mill, but also while its on the flat metal sheets. Most cutting will be perp to the material - but sometimes she needs to scrape, pry, or cut away rubber around a central piece. Rubber is obviously under tension while on the mill and loose when on the flar metal sheets.

So far I am looking at the BK-10
 
thanks. that looks like a good choice as I can get her a couple and not worry about them getting banged up. Any reason to get one over the other in terms of handle material or manufacturer or shoudl I just get the #1?
 
I have actually gotten plastic handled cheapies, the clippers, but the blade is the same and the wooden handle will be comfortable. Go with the Mora #1.

She probably knows how to use a knife :) but so did my daughter, who was amazed at how well the clipper sliced through everything. (Including-- good grief -- a live wire. Nice chunk burned out of the edge.)

These are the perfect extra knives to toss in a tool box or with camping gear.
 
Jussoyaknow, I have problems with the sheath of my Mora #1. It's rigid plastic, and doesn't seem big enough for the blade. I really have to wedge the knife down into it, and it still sometimes pops loose. This could very easily be a problem just with my knife (never heard this complaint from anybody else), but be aware.

I _love_ the model #711, though (down further on the same page). Ugly as sin, but very comfy in the hand, excellent cutter, and much more secure sheath. I'm gonna have to give that Clipper a look, too. Looks much "sleeker".

I should mention that I _love_ the #1 itself. It's probably my favorite fixed blade to use. I just don't trust the sheath. It might be worth giving the #22 a try (top of the page); it seems similar, but with better fit-and-finish, and a more flexible leather sheath. Good luck!

[edited to add:] Whoops! Upon closer examination of Ragnar's site, it turns out that I have the "#S-1" laminated steel version. The sheaths are different, and the standard #1 sheath looks a tad more secure. So what the hell do I know? :cool:
 
thanks for the info - I figure that its going to be a miracle if they actually put the knife in the sheath versus just leave it laying on the workbench anyways... :rolleyes:
:)
 
Walking Man said:
It sounds to me like her employer should buy her the knife!?!?!??!!!?!?? :confused:
Click to expand...
For all we know, he does, and she wants a real knife, instead! :D

When I started working for the Postal Service, they supplied a knife very similar to the Mora #1, a short, narrow, high carbon blade, but with a squared wooden handle. I still have one. Highly patinaed blade. They were lying around the cut-open tables for anyone to use. Very handy.
 
exactly - the knives they have in the lab are old crappy rusty dull knives. I thought it would be ncie to pick her up somethign to make the job a bit easier...

sort of how your empoyer probably proives you a chair - but not necessarily a comfy one right? :)
 
Talking 'bout sharpened prybars... check out these Graham Razels.

razels5.JPG
 
I've got a small razel. It would be ideal for the job, but it does cost a bit more than the Mora. I think it may have been Ken Fisher who said he used his razel for cutting thick rubber tubing -- front edge down on the tube and push.
 
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