Non-Pocket Knives

[ShelterGirl]

So, I don't carry knives in a pocket, I carry my knife in the large back pocket of a messenger bag. It's maybe 8" across, so it can fit a small hatchet, and I already carry an assortment of other weighty tools and supplies, so weight doesn't particularly matter to me either. So I carried the biggest fattest 15$ tanto that I got from a friend, and it was mostly fine. I used it when I occassionally needed it and kept it sharp with my kitchen knives and I still like how indestructible it is. It weighed a little over 8oz, was a little over 9" half serrated very tactical. With a big fat like 5/8th of an inch thick handle, and extremely textured g10. I like the bigger handle, it fills my hand and leaves a fair bit sticking out the back that I would use as a mini hammer. Well, now I'm processing a lot more cardboard, breaking down a lot of plastic waste, and opening a lot of packaging, and it's a lot more work to use my old fav. So I look around, I'm looking for a knife that's like my old one, big and black and scary, but that ppl say cuts well. I also liked the sound of a titanium handled knife b/c... idk sounds cool. So I pick up a Kizer Sheepdog XL Titanium (KI5488A1). It's a super cool knife, fun to play with, but it's maybe a little to tall for me. The blade is thin and I bet it cuts well, but the handle is thin too. This is kinda a dealbreaker. It just doesn't feel comfortable, and it also seems slick. In the comfort of my kitchen its great but out in the snow with oily hands... not gonna work.

So, what are some big knives with thick hand-filling handles, but thin slicey blades?

Here's a pic of my old beater

 

[kobold]

CRK Inkosi and Sebenza maybe?

 

[bikerector]

A Buck 110 variation comes to mind for handfilling and cutting well, but not ti handles

Spyderco manix lw and manix 2 are very slicey and have big handles. I think there are metal aftermarket scales available.

I know there are ti options of the spyderco military and paramilitary 2.

WE knives likely has options as they deal with a lot of ti, but many are also flippers, which I don't prefer, so I don't look too much myself.

Several lionsteels would be good on the handle side but the edges are often thick from the factory, so they need sharpening out of the box.

Are you considering small fixed blades? They may have the better ergos you're after.

 

[HwangJino]

I agree that a manix 2 fits the bill.
I have large hands, and they fill my hand. The blade is thin like most spydercos. Plus the lock is really to fidget with.
Can't find mine, might get another one someday.
But I can't see it replacing my pm2 with Ti scales. Great cutter and also feels good in my hands.

 

[cutchu]

Not sure of the size relation of the knives below, to the one you are showing in the OP, but maybe:
Spartan SHF
ZT 308
Curtiss

I do not own any of these but they seem like they might be in this category:
Cold Steel (multiple large models)
Benchmade full size Adamas
Off-Grid might have some candidates

There is also a thread in this sub-forum that is specific to large knives.

Go Large--The BF Big Folder Thread

Hi All. I picked up another large folder Saturday--the Spyderco Police 4 in K390. I've been posting pics of it on several forums here, and thought that we could use a thread for pics and discussions of particularly big folding knives. My usual carry size centers right around 3.5-3.75 inches...

www.bladeforums.com

 

[Shorttime]

I'm going to waffle around a couple of requirements.

Cold Steel 4Max, or 5Max. Both are big, and there are a variety of color choices, both blade and slabs. My experience with the "Scout" version is that the texture is like dull 80 grit sandpaper. I can't say for sure how it would react to a fine coating of viscosity. If you're willing to pop for the Micarta slab version of the 4Max, that problem should go away.

They will never give that satisfying "CLACK!" that you get from a metal frame knife.


Grayman Knives used to make a pair of folders. I believe the "Satu" is the bigger one? You'll have to be fast with the "buy now" button, they're only on the secondary market: no new stock.


Extrema Ratio, an Italian company. Big, clacky folders, and the ones near the top of the range are pretty tough. You haven't said how much you're willing to pay, so I'll happily suggest $300-$500 knives, all day!


Wander Tactical. More of the same, more of the monies, and a lot of "greebles" on these. If you like sleek, stealthy knives, Wander Tactical is probably not your jam. On the other hand, they are big.....


Miller Brothers Blades, T1 model. Are you ready to throw money at a company with both hands? From all I've heard, they're legit, and you do get more knife for your money with them.


Edit: Forgot about Medford Knives. Big framelocks, cleaner design philosophy, compared to Wander or Miller Bros. Lots of reds and blues though, so if you're really set on a black/black color scheme, Medford may not have a lot to offer.

 

[whereismyknife]

I'm going to give you completely different advice. Maybe what you need to do is carry the knife that you have been comfortable with and used to for so long. If you are looking for a very cheap and relatively quality model that is very similar to your old knife, the knife you should look at is Schrade SCH301.

 

[Shorttime]

I'm going to give you completely different advice. Maybe what you need to do is carry the knife that you have been comfortable with and used to for so long. If you are looking for a very cheap and relatively quality model that is very similar to your old knife, the knife you should look at is Schrade SCH301.

Suggesting "buy less knives"?!

Heresy!

 

[ShelterGirl]

A Buck 110 variation comes to mind for handfilling and cutting well, but not ti handles

Spyderco manix lw and manix 2 are very slicey and have big handles. I think there are metal aftermarket scales available.

I know there are ti options of the spyderco military and paramilitary 2.

WE knives likely has options as they deal with a lot of ti, but many are also flippers, which I don't prefer, so I don't look too much myself.

Several lionsteels would be good on the handle side but the edges are often thick from the factory, so they need sharpening out of the box.

Are you considering small fixed blades? They may have the better ergos you're after.

So I'm not all that worried about titanium handles, I just had never owned anything made of titanium. It does seem good for opening bottles, or thwacking clips out of place, but plastic handles would probably do these things just fine as well

Moreso I'm just looking for a rounded handle

Fixed blades would have me covered here, but I worry about sheathing it. I don't think I have anywhere good to mount a sheath, so it would be a two handed thing.

I handle a lot of dogs, and while I certainly don't like having to draw a knife in one hand while holding a leash in the other, it does happen on occasion, and I would not want a puppy jumping all over me while trying to sheath a fixed knife

The manix and the military both look like pretty good knives to me so far. And I like to buy American. I haven't heard of lionsteel I'll check those out. The we knives thing, well they're civivi right, and they must spend a lot on YouTubers. But their handles seem as flat and thin and uncomfortable as anything I've seen

I am pretty used to a flipper, as my last knife didn't open that smoothly and required a fair wrist flick to open, but I'm not too picky about opening methods. Or closing methods really, the one thing I just don't think I'd trust is a button lock

Oh and for budget I'm looking to spend 250 total max, used or not

 

[ShelterGirl]

I'm going to give you completely different advice. Maybe what you need to do is carry the knife that you have been comfortable with and used to for so long. If you are looking for a very cheap and relatively quality model that is very similar to your old knife, the knife you should look at is Schrade SCH301.

This is what I'd prefer most. I still love my little crappy knife, as most of the things I need a knife for, it does just fine. Except cardboard. So like we're getting in 20-30 boxes a week, and they want them packed into empty food and litter bags, which basically requires flattening the box and then slicing it lengthwise. My old knife is awful at this, it tears more than in cuts when used like this and if I have to do it my wrist usually hurts at the end of the day. Lately I've just been using a razor knife

Edit: Also oh wow, that Schrade is remarkably similar to my current knife... And it's 20$...

 

[Alberta Ed]

Check out Cold Steel's offerings. Spyderco's Military would be another good choice. Back when I was toting a briefcase there was lots of room for my CS original tanto, although I never had an opportunity to use it in board meetings.

 

[bikerector]

So I'm not all that worried about titanium handles, I just had never owned anything made of titanium. It does seem good for opening bottles, or thwacking clips out of place, but plastic handles would probably do these things just fine as well

Moreso I'm just looking for a rounded handle

Fixed blades would have me covered here, but I worry about sheathing it. I don't think I have anywhere good to mount a sheath, so it would be a two handed thing.

I handle a lot of dogs, and while I certainly don't like having to draw a knife in one hand while holding a leash in the other, it does happen on occasion, and I would not want a puppy jumping all over me while trying to sheath a fixed knife

The manix and the military both look like pretty good knives to me so far. And I like to buy American. I haven't heard of lionsteel I'll check those out. The we knives thing, well they're civivi right, and they must spend a lot on YouTubers. But their handles seem as flat and thin and uncomfortable as anything I've seen

I am pretty used to a flipper, as my last knife didn't open that smoothly and required a fair wrist flick to open, but I'm not too picky about opening methods. Or closing methods really, the one thing I just don't think I'd trust is a button lock

Oh and for budget I'm looking to spend 250 total max, used or not

Given your budget, I would try out a spyderco for sure. I find them to be uglier, in general, compared to other big American manufacturers, but they normally do ergos well, and many have slicey full flat grinds. That's their bread and butter, along with trying out new designs and steels (heavy on R&D).

Civivi is WE's budget brand. WE is in a different league from civivi, focusing on higher end materials, constructions, and more complicated designs. Civivi is usually $50-$100, WE is usually $200+. Contouring costs money which is likely why civivi's are just flat slabs with rounded corners. Thinness also wins out in ease of carry, so many of their customers prefer thin handles. Their product diversity isn't so great though, looking at it from a genre standpoint. Most are thin, lightweight EDC knives. Anyway, probably not for you, which is fine.

Cold steel has a few good options too. A recon tanto might be a good fit, but should be plenty of others.

 

[ferider]

Spyderco Military or Manix XL.

Or the ZT308 if you don’t like the Spyderco look.

 

[whereismyknife]

This is what I'd prefer most. I still love my little crappy knife, as most of the things I need a knife for, it does just fine. Except cardboard. So like we're getting in 20-30 boxes a week, and they want them packed into empty food and litter bags, which basically requires flattening the box and then slicing it lengthwise. My old knife is awful at this, it tears more than in cuts when used like this and if I have to do it my wrist usually hurts at the end of the day. Lately I've just been using a razor knife

Edit: Also oh wow, that Schrade is remarkably similar to my current knife... And it's 20$...

Then buy a schrade and a millwaukee fastback. Fastbacks is incredibly useful thanks to its replaceable blades (and the part that allows you to carry spare blades) also, playing with button lock is quite fun. Interestingly, red is the color that people are most comfortable with. I think it reminds people of something about health, it makes them feel safe. Put your old knife on a nice shelf. Let it become a conversation piece in your collection.
I recommend this because I think buying a knife to cut cardboard is a bad idea. You will need to sharpen the blade as it dulls and over time the blade will become quite bad. An easy-to-use utility knife like Fastback makes more sense.

 

[ShelterGirl]

I'm going to waffle around a couple of requirements.

Cold Steel 4Max, or 5Max. Both are big, and there are a variety of color choices, both blade and slabs. My experience with the "Scout" version is that the texture is like dull 80 grit sandpaper. I can't say for sure how it would react to a fine coating of viscosity. If you're willing to pop for the Micarta slab version of the 4Max, that problem should go away.

They will never give that satisfying "CLACK!" that you get from a metal frame knife.


Grayman Knives used to make a pair of folders. I believe the "Satu" is the bigger one? You'll have to be fast with the "buy now" button, they're only on the secondary market: no new stock.


Extrema Ratio, an Italian company. Big, clacky folders, and the ones near the top of the range are pretty tough. You haven't said how much you're willing to pay, so I'll happily suggest $300-$500 knives, all day!


Wander Tactical. More of the same, more of the monies, and a lot of "greebles" on these. If you like sleek, stealthy knives, Wander Tactical is probably not your jam. On the other hand, they are big.....


Miller Brothers Blades, T1 model. Are you ready to throw money at a company with both hands? From all I've heard, they're legit, and you do get more knife for your money with them.


Edit: Forgot about Medford Knives. Big framelocks, cleaner design philosophy, compared to Wander or Miller Bros. Lots of reds and blues though, so if you're really set on a black/black color scheme, Medford may not have a lot to offer.

Honestly the sound that my knife makes when it opens is amazing. So like there's a lot of resistance in it so you have to flick your wrist to open it right, so that thick blade slams into place with a big loud metallic clink that you can hear across the room

I don't really care about color much, my old knife just happened to be black. I think a coated blade is cool, as I work with a lot of hydrogen peroxide which I assume would mess up an uncoated blade but I have no idea to be honest. If I could pick any color I'd probably want a purple handle and black blade.

All those knives you posted are very cool, expensive, and unavailable, except for the cold steel. Will they mess up a stack of cardboard? While I like my old overbuilt knife, the thick blade is what's making work hard. I hadn't really considered them because of the back lock, are they one handable? They're right in the sweet spot of my price range, and they look pretty cool too I guess

 

[ShelterGirl]

Then buy a schrade and a millwaukee fastback. Fastbacks is incredibly useful thanks to its replaceable blades (and the part that allows you to carry spare blades) also, playing with button lock is quite fun. Interestingly, red is the color that people are most comfortable with. I think it reminds people of something about health, it makes them feel safe. Put your old knife on a nice shelf. Let it become a conversation piece in your collection.
I recommend this because I think buying a knife to cut cardboard is a bad idea. I will need to sharpen the blade as it dulls and over time the blade will become quite bad. An easy-to-use utility knife like Fastback makes more sense.

Putting the old knife on a shelf is definitely part of the plan. It was a gift and I've put it through so much that I'm a little attached to it. I would also be horrified to lose it. Sharpening isn't a problem for me, I already have kitchen knives I'm gonna sharpen anyway, so adding pocketknives to the stone isn't a big deal.

Oh, it's a button lock utility knife? That's fairly smart. I sorta thought the utility knife market was married to being obtuse and unwieldy.

Your logic is remarkably difficult to argue with, and affordable. The problem is I got a buncha christmas money I kinda wanted to spend lol

 

[DMG]

How about a Hogue Ritter or a Griptillian?

 

[stevejams]

when I first started getting into knives, I was a bit of a box slayer myself, whilst also having a very limited budget. Kershaw always did me well. As I’ve progressed in my knife collecting/using I’ve acquired a more expensive taste, but still always enjoy my kershaws. I make it a point to only buy models made in the states, but those are some of the best in my opinion. The leek is a classic box murderer, although definitely a lighter duty knife. The blur is a bulkier, still budget friendly option. They make one in s30v which should keep you steady for a while without needing a sharpening. One of my personal favs, the bareknuckle, can be found on the aftermarket, usually at a reasonable price

Edit:these are all “pocket” knives (they even come with a clip!) but all still very edc friendly. To stick with the kershaw theme, they offer the “federalist” which is a slip joint without a pocket clip to my knowledge. No experience with it, but seems nice, has been on my radar

 

[whereismyknife]

Putting the old knife on a shelf is definitely part of the plan. It was a gift and I've put it through so much that I'm a little attached to it. I would also be horrified to lose it. Sharpening isn't a problem for me, I already have kitchen knives I'm gonna sharpen anyway, so adding pocketknives to the stone isn't a big deal.

Oh, it's a button lock utility knife? That's fairly smart. I sorta thought the utility knife market was married to being obtuse and unwieldy.

Your logic is remarkably difficult to argue with, and affordable. The problem is I got a buncha christmas money I kinda wanted to spend lol

You misunderstood, I say use a collector's greatest weapon: buy a separate knife for each job. This way, you'll have a nice knife that you won't have to ruin (for example, Hogue, cold steel or Civivi are a good start.) And you'll get less tired with that cardboard job. Also carrying two knives is better than one Share your choice with us.

 

[SharpBits]

Take a look Cold Steel 4 Max Scout, Cold Steel Talwar 4, ZT 350, or Spyderco Shaman for starters.