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Patski

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Feb 25, 2014
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I've been lurking around here for sometime, since my interest in knives was renewed last fall by a friend around a campfire during our last camping trip.

I've always carried a knife on me since I'm 15, but my EDC old folder is starting to feel the years and I'm in need of a new one! Tried a few ones in the last few months and didn't found the comfort of my old folder in the new ones...

My Opinel feels too big in my pocket, my Delica 4 scares people away, and I can't really carry my ESEE-4 around...

So i'm looking around for the "perfect" knife to replace my old!
Found myself a love for drop points, but it's not very common in the price range i'm looking into...30-40$...maybe a butterbean or a workman? Maybe a sob buster Jr? Saw a lot of kissing crane knives, but are those good?

Seems I can't put a pic! But it's an old keenedge from Japan...
 
Patski said:
CV or SS? I've the black one got SS
Click to expand...

Personal preference really.
There are a lot of people here who prefer steel that sharpens finely and easily, even if it rusts - like CV or 1095. My choice for sure.
 
Try a Douk Douk or Mercator K55K to start you off on the addiction. :)
 
The 3137 Sodbuster JR. and 3138 Sodbuster, are really good general use knives. The JR. is a better pocketknife for most people it seems IMO. The Buck 301, is a good, utilitarian pattern too. Not to mention the Mercator Black Kat Knife.
 
Welcome aboard.

I'm partial to the Buck 303 and 301. I carried a 303 every day for more than a decade and never felt under equipped. During those years I had both outdoor and indoor jobs.
 
In addition to the Case Sodbuster, Queen makes a Sodbuster variation (Country Cousin) that can probably be purchased in that price range. GEC makes one too (Bullnose) but it runs a bit more. In my opinion the Case is probably the best value. That said, the GEC Bullnose is my favorite but again, more expensive. Best of luck in your search, and welcome to the forum.
 
Hi, and welcome!
Nothing against sodbusters but...if I were you, I'd get an Opinel in the size you prefer.

Fausto
:cool:
 
I'm a huge Opinel fan and like Fausto, would recommend looking at the Opinel N6 or N7, as they are closer to traditional (read as, small) pocket knives.

But, as much of a fan as I am of Opinels, they aren't everybody's cup of tea. While they can be used in friction only mode, IMO, they come to life locked and the lock adds a step to open and close. It took a good year of carry for that step to become 2nd nature and unoticeable, but if your muscle memory is tied to slip joints or lockbacks, a slip joint or lockback might be more to your liking.

Since you've raised the issue of carry comfort, I find that lateral profile can matter as much as weight and length. Opinels are bearable (for the size) due to their light weight. But I generally find a flat profile, single blade knife like a Buck 501 or similar to be about the most easily carried. I find the squarish lateral profile of double spring slip joints to be much more noticeable, even when small like in the size of a Peanut. Different pants. Different legs. Different results.

Lastly... if you are into DIY modification, you can flatten the side of an Opinel with the use of a sanding block. I can live with a non-flattened N8 or N9 in my pocket, but I've flattened others. Here's a flattened and shortened N10 I did a long time ago to give you an idea. If you consider your current Opinel as a salvage project with nothing left to loose, you might give it a go. Also note, that like you, I prefer a drop point. Easy and common mod to Opinels. Padded vice and about 10 minutes of file work.

Opinel #10 (modified) by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
Very nice Opinel you got there! I actually have 2 of them, a #7 carbon steel and a #8 stainless! The #8 has a damaged handle, the wood feel dry and chip easily! I'm waiting for spring to come so I can sand it outside!

I kinda like the sod buster...but I might look for a nice Canoe as well!
 
Welcome to the sickness! Sodbusters are great knives, especially the ones in CV. It's really great to see all the new members around here lately.
 
I like the new knives, but there is something in the old designs that the new ones don't have...I find new knives colder, more lifeless. Doesn't mean they aren't good, they are probably better for hard work. But for EDC, nothing like an old classic
 
Take a look at Case's Texas Jack pattern 62032. A very nice size that should be "friendly" to other folks. You can get one in CV or Tru-Sharp SS. An example:

TexasjackOG001.jpg


This one in olive bone and Tru-Sharp. One of my favorite case patterns. Good luck on your quest!

Ed J
 
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