Need help with fixed-blade edc/utility knife

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Blktiger0

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May 19, 2013
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As a heads up, this is my first post and I'm new here, so bear with me

I'm currently searching for a new edc knife to replace don't SOG Magnadot I use now, which was a gift. I just can't seem to get it to get it to keep an edge, and the serrations get in the way much more often than they are useful. In addition, I would like to buy something that is good quality and exactly what I want versus something shoddily made.

I plan on using this knife as my daily carry, and want something I can rely on and that I won't need to sharpen once or twice a week. I work in a factory that makes diesel engines for large trucks and machines, so keep in mind that this may be used for some prying on occasion and that it will be in a fairly rough environment.

I'm looking for a fixed-blade knife that has a blade anywhere from 5 - 6 inches long. I want something full-tang, for sure. I don't want a partially serrated blade, I would prefer straight. I tend to prefer clip points or drop points, and I don't want a tanto. I don't have a steel preference, but I want something that will perform well in my environment, hold an edge very well, and that isn't overly difficult to get sharp. Carbon steel and Stainless are both acceptable, as I can clean it daily at work, but it would still prefer if the Carbon steel has some sort of protection everywhere but the actual cutting edge, although it's not absolutely crucial. I don't really have a handle preference, but keep in mind that I work in a greasy/oily environment, often with gloves on, so something that is easy to clean and that doesn't slip easily would be important. I'm not that concerned about looks or cool factor, but if it just doesn't appeal to me visually, I'm not going to buy something I'm not completely satisfied with.

Finally, my budget is $30 - $130, although I would stretch it some for something absolutely perfect. I'll definitely be buying this new.

I spent quite a bit of time the past few days scouring countless (probably 30 or so) manufacturer websites looking through their products. After much consideration, I narrowed my findings down to 9 knives, which should give an idea of my taste:

Scrap Yard Knife Company SYKCO 511

SOG Seal Pup Elite

Kershaw Roughneck

Ontario SK-5 Blackbird

Ontario RAT-5

Ontario SP15 LSA

KA-BAR Short Black KA-BAR

Condor Toloza

Buck Special

If you have any experience with any of these, please share it. I'm pretty new to knife steels, brands, and quality, so anything I can learn will be of value.

Thanks ahead of time for any help you can give, and sorry for the novel-sized post
 
Well, after reading through multiple reviews and narrowing it down, it seems like it's between the SOG SEAL Pup Elite, Short KA-BAR, and Condor Toloza, unless anyone has any extra suggestions for the list.

Any comparison between the three would also be much appreciated.
 
It's hard to beat a pile of Mora knives for general utility work. Expect to pay about 6 -10 bucks a pop for the utility model.

They come sharp out of the box, are inexpensive to replace, and the models with plastic handles and sheaths mean they are not scared of dirt and oil. They will also scare management less than a SOG Seal knife.
 
Blktiger0 said:
Well, after reading through multiple reviews and narrowing it down, it seems like it's between the SOG SEAL Pup Elite, Short KA-BAR, and Condor Toloza, unless anyone has any extra suggestions for the list.

Any comparison between the three would also be much appreciated.
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My experience with Condor has been less than good. I have had two different models, neither of which I have any longer. Some people swear by them, but I was disappointed in quality and durability.

The SOG Seal Pup Elite is a good knife. I like mine, although it never seems to be the knife of choice when I go to carry a fixed blade. Not that I have an issue with it, but I usually pick up my Buck or my Muela instead. But I like the knife, well built, solid, does the job.

I have no experience with the short Ka-bar.

sideways said:
It's hard to beat a pile of Mora knives for general utility work. Expect to pay about 6 -10 bucks a pop for the utility model.

They come sharp out of the box, are inexpensive to replace, and the models with plastic handles and sheaths mean they are not scared of dirt and oil. They will also scare management less than a SOG Seal knife.
Click to expand...

sideways is right. For a working fixed blade, the Mora is hard to beat. I have a couple that I use often around the house. Cheap, sharp but unimpressive visually - which can be good or bad depending on what you want. They are good knives. One lives in my tool box. [Edit: One caveat - I don't like the Mora Classic as it has no hand guard and your hand can easily slip onto the blade. The Mora utility knife is, IMHO, a much better choice.]
 
The standard answer is usually "get a Mora" but seriously, get a Mora! Spend $20 on the Companion HD and use it with abandon.
 
I'm considering buying a Mora from a friend at work, but my first impression of his was that I didn't like the sheathe at all and that the blade looked and felt awkward with how big the handle is in comparison, and he has the thicker version.

It also bothers me that Mora doesn't list any name for what steel they use

I'm going to be borrowing his Mora to test-drive this weekend, and if I like it and it satisfies my needs, then my search is over and I'll buy it, but the experience I had with it so far left me wanting much more from a knife.

In comparison to a $10 folder I had on me that I have put a convex edge on, and a $40 folder a third co-worker was carrying that is made by Camillus from AUS8, the Mora came in last place when attempting to cut through about 1.5" thick of cardboard taped together. It was cutting about as well as my folder, until, in its cheap glory, the locking mechanism failed and it folded backward on me. I attempted to continue cutting with less pressure, and got a little bit further than the Mora, then gave up. The Camillus had little issue beating both knives with the factory edge still on it.

I still plan on giving it a fair shot, but my first impression left me skeptical at best.
 
Not much point in buying a used Mora... you start with a dull knife and any imperfections introduced by the person sharpening it. The test is biased but go for it if it helps.

Remember that for slicing stuff thinner is better, the 2mm thick models like the clipper and utility will have an edge when cutting cardboard, or even the 1.5 mm scout version though that one is quite small. Really the best cardboard cutter I have found is a box cutter.
 
Check out the Becker Tweeners as well. I little less than a 5 inch blade on the 16 and 17 but excellent reliable knives with a great warranty.
 
the scandi grind will sometimes bind up a bit more with cardboard than something like a FFG folder. A comparable FFG is thinner for most of the knife, and thickens much more slowly compared to the Scandi's sudden jump up in thickness. Are you sure his knife wasn't dull also?

I've been pretty unimpressed by any Camillus folder I've seen. Not bad, but for the same price you can get much better Spyderco or Kershaw. YMMV.

EDIT: you said he had a "thicker version"? I'm not familiar with the thicker ones. I believe your general Clipper, 711, etc models are around 2mm thick at the spine... That's thinner than most modern folders you will find. That might also explain the binding up in cardboard. IMO a Scandi shines on a thin knife where it can still slice reasonably well, once you start upping the thickness, that main grind thickens up so quickly it will wedge more than slice.
 
the CRKT Razel. I carry a custom version of a Razel for my work EDC fixed blade and its my Favorited go to knife.
 
If it has not been said, and I know it is smaller, but you cannot go wrong with an ESEE 3 or 4, or a Becker Tweener, model 16.
 
I'll check out the Beckers, and I've already looked at the ESEE stuff a few times, and I want to say price was the deciding factor there.

The Mora had just been sharpened, and I think it was a 3mm. I can't help but feel you get what you pay for with a knife that's less than $20, and I want something reliable that I'm going to be completely satisfied with every time I pick it up and that is going to easily last me for years
 
I forgot to mention, I'll check out the Razel and that Spyderco, too

I would like to add, if a Scandi grind isn't good for cutting cardboard, what exactlt would make it a good choice for me? :P In factories, cardboard is a common material we have to cut, as well as plastics, cloth, some twine, plastic banding (or maybe metal, though I would likely grab tin snips for that, unless it was for some reason an emergency), and wiring. If the grind doesn't lend itself to cardboard, it's probably not the best knife for me, as I also enjoy my Amazon Prime membership :3

SaintlyBrees, can I ask which Condor knives you had? I'm new to them as a brand anyway.

So far the Seal Pup Elite seems to be my choice, with only it, the Short KA-BAR, and the Toloza left in the running, though I haven't had a chance to look into the suggestions yet today. I'll probably do that on break and after work (I work midnights).

Thanks for the input so far, and sorry I'm being a PITA about the Moras, I'm just always over-skeptical about anything that seems too good to be true.
 
Comparing a 3 mm at the spine mora to a 3 mm at the spine full flat grind or other grind, then the mora might not do as well on cardboard. However the mora models with a 2mm spine like the utility and clipper make the comparison less black and white. The angles are steeper on the scandi grind but you are moving less material through the cardboard at the spine. Remember for slicing thinner is better.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1037433-Nice-thick-vs-thin-comparison
If your friend is selling you a thick bladed mora then it is probably not a good choice for you. However as already mentioned they are cheap so you can buy a new one when they get messed up, made of plastics meaning they stay clean, and plenty sharp out of the box for utility work. Anyways, I'll stop trying to sell you on the mora knives.

My main gripe with my sog seal pup (the partially serrated, non elite version) is the finger choil in front of the handle. Because you can not make cuts with the base of the blade you end up losing power in your cuts, it's a stupid design flaw in my opinion.
 
Blktiger0 said:
I would like to add, if a Scandi grind isn't good for cutting cardboard, what exactlt would make it a good choice for me? :P In factories, cardboard is a common material we have to cut, as well as plastics, cloth, some twine, plastic banding (or maybe metal, though I would likely grab tin snips for that, unless it was for some reason an emergency), and wiring. If the grind doesn't lend itself to cardboard, it's probably not the best knife for me, as I also enjoy my Amazon Prime membership :3
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it's not necessarily bad for cardboard, but you have the thicker version and that will be outperformed by a thinner beveled pocket knife. the 2mm thick mora will work much better for cardboard. Onto your other concern, I see no reason a Mora won't last you for years. They are very well built. Of course, if you just flat out don't like it, then don't get it. But I would give a thinner version a try, IMO. If you do decide to give it a try, don't buy your friend's Mora. Go online and buy a clipper or 711 model.

People mentioned ESEE, I have the 3 model and it's very good. It's also around a hundred bucks... That's why I don't recommend it. I do not feel the price to performance ratio is there. If money were no concern they are fine, though.
 
I'll be looking into all of the recommendations in a few minutes, and I'll post back later this morning or in the evening when I wake up.

Sideways, that's actually why I want the Elite is for the straight edge and jibbing. My folder is serrated and I have the same problem: the serrations are right where all of my cutting power is, and take up more of my straight edge area than the normal blade. I really see no need for serrations, personally, but it's likely because I just don't do enough cutting that warrants a serrated edge.

If I go with Mora, I pretty much have to buy my buddy's knife, or I'll look like a massive ass. I told him I would try it out for a few days, and if I liked it, I would give him what he put in it for shipping and cost, since it's pretty much brand new. Really, if I like his, and it feels perfect and does what I want, I think it would be foolish to buy something else I haven't actually tried instead.

Enougj rambling, though. It's recommendation/window shopping time.
 
Of the knives you list I have the Seal pup and the SYKCO 511 I would suggest the 511 over the SOG if only for toughness and edge holding but the Sea pup is a nice knife also. I think You might want to try the Spyderco Street Beat or the Moran lightweight models great small flat grounf fixed blades in your price range.
 
I've looked through the recommendations, and I like the Tweeners anf the Steet Bowie, although I don't really get the giany cut out on it. The Streat Beat is extremely overpriced, imo, and the Razel isn't my thing. I gave the rest of CRKT's stuff a look, though, and I like the Free Range Hunter. I really like the Ultima, except for the serrations.

I also added SYKCO back in the running. Previously, it had been because of reading that their availability was sub-par and getting a generic page when tryingnto load their store, but after talking to a co-worker about them, he said it's best to just call amyway, although he said it takes like 6 - 8 weeks to receive after ordering, which is wildly unacceptable.

Does anyone on here have some experience with SYKCO that can chime in? If the steel and knife are worth the cost and wait, plus buying a separate sheath, then I'll gladly do it, but if not, I'm gonna stick to something else.
 
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