need help!!!

Zuluninja

Zuluninja

Tuquito Leather & Steel Works
Gold Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
2,759
Here's the sitch: I work for Uncle Sam as an agriculture inspector at a seaport, and the knives we get issued are sub-par for the work we do with them. We cut a lot of fruits and veggies searching for pests, but we also pry away at holes in wood, hack at pallets, etc. For years I have argued that it would be better to be supplied with a good fixed blade instead of cheapo folders that break apart after some rough use. Easier to sharpen, clean, maintain, and stronger = it will do the job required of it.

Now... we got a new officer handling the supplies, and she's been getting good stuff like Surefire flashlights and some nice sturdy backpacks, and she held an open ear to my wails. I'm also convincing a supervisor; this might roll in the right direction. My first choice would have been a 17 since I believe it would be able to suffer a lot of abuse, but the 16 has proven to be a tough beast too. And the 17 is gone. So... why do I need help?

Well, it's the sheaths. We use a dark blue uniform, and the tan sheath would be a rotund no-go. When I started wearing my custom sheaths at work I was quickly reminded of that, so only black sheaths for duty carry. Is there any way I can cry loud enough to Uncle E to get a run of black sheathed 16s??? My supervisor said we would need somewhere between 36-40 knives. Pleeeaaaaseeee????? I'm very close to getting them to give the green light to this.
 
I would honestly think it might be easier tk go with some BK11s/14s. I don't think a short run of tweener sheaths in blacl would be an option. You could purchase aftermarket sheaths, but then that is an additional expense. Julio (710) can do batch runs of kydex for you, but other than that maybe find a nice 3rd party option? If you don't wanna purchase the black leather KaBar sheath mentioned above.

That is my two cents anyways. I have seen a few nylon jobs out there that are pretty nice sheaths if you are into that sorta thing, persobally they have never been my style.
 
I thought about going with the 10. The 2 would be too much (we also need to cut things, not destroy everything :D). I thought about the short leather; dyeing would have to fall to me and see if I could recruit some cooperation. My concern with the short leather is that 1: it's an additional cost, and 2: It would be around an inch longer than the blade, might raise safety concerns. Or if a decent nylon black sheath could be found for a reasonable price, maybe I could keep nagging.
 
second vote for the 14.
or a navy Mk 1
I'll PM you with my 3rd choice.
 
mk1 was also on the suggested list submitted...decisions, decisions!! I guess I can't take pm's until I get my craftsman membership again, right?
 
Y'all need to pry crates open? :rolleyes: Well, sounds like a job for the venerable BK-3, aka sharpened pry bar. :D

I use my BK3s for cutting/chopping roots, digging holes in the ground, prying open small crates and cutting string/line/rope and other cutable stuff. I've used them to scrape gunk off flat surfaces kinda like using a putty knife.

Heck, I've even used it AS a putty knife.:eek:

And as a plus, the sheath is black.:thumbsup:
 
Some guys from the contraband enforcement team asked me about making then a chisel-like knife, and I pointed them in the direction of the 3. They really smash things open...we do some prying, but for heavy stuff like that we use crowbars, hammers and chisels. I doubt that my supervisors will go for that, they told me to keep blade size below 5" if possible (and they won't spend too much on a knife, either; they will go for the cheapest option). Again, all this is a wistful wish until it happens. I think I will switch my recommendation to either a 10 or a Mark 1.
 
I love my 16 but the 14 does just about everything the 16 can, the 14 is my EDC.
I wonder how hard it would be to find a sheath maker to get you a bulk price on kydex sheaths for the 16?
 
lol. I could offer myself to make the sheaths, if Uncle Sam pays for them :D that won't fly, though...
 
big reason for fixed over folding? safety!

how many people have gotten hurt with a folder failing?

it's think the BK2 or even the BK10 would do fine service, and the sheaths are black already.
 
zuluninja said:
mk1 was also on the suggested list submitted...decisions, decisions!! I guess I can't take pm's until I get my craftsman membership again, right?
Click to expand...
even the $10 basic membership will allow you a handful of PMs -- or send me an email, I misplaced yours.
 
Dyeing might be a real option. You could do them in batches with a big enough bucket, 10 or so at a time. Afternoon of work on a day off and I think you could pump out 40.
 
zuluninja said:
I thought about going with the 10. The 2 would be too much (we also need to cut things, not destroy everything :D). I thought about the short leather; dyeing would have to fall to me and see if I could recruit some cooperation. My concern with the short leather is that 1: it's an additional cost, and 2: It would be around an inch longer than the blade, might raise safety concerns. Or if a decent nylon black sheath could be found for a reasonable price, maybe I could keep nagging.
Click to expand...

Well you can always try for the Short Tanto with the basic black leather sheath.

https://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/70

Or with the hard plastic sheath.

https://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/238

Or you could even try the Mark 1.

https://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/122
 
The 10 and Mark 1 will be added to the list of suggestions; The thing about dyeing is that from what I've seen, leather dye works best, RIT is not as good as the leather dye, so they would have to be done one by one. In the end, if they see the light and give the go ahead, they will pick the lower cost option. I do like how the Mk 1 sheath looks.
 
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