Opinel or Douk-Douk for PSK, or a different CHEAP folder?

stingray4540

stingray4540

Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
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Well, I'm still working on getting my PSK complete, and as far as a knife goes, I was going to make a small fixed blade, but I just realized, that it's illegal to carry a concealed fixed blade in CA!:eek: So now I gotta figure out what I'm gona do.

I was thinking of going with an Opinel, but I've heard some bad things about the wood swelling, and the last thing I need in a survival situation is to not be able to open my knife.

Some of you might want to suggest a SAK, but it's gotta be cheap I'm already having a hard time finishing my PSK, because I gotta spend money on a few more things, so I don't think I'll be able to get a $30 knife, that will get almost no use, past my wife.

The only other cheap option I can think of is a Douk-Douk, unless you guys have any other suggestions.

Or is there a way to ABSOLUTELY guarentee that an opinel wont swell?
 
Search the archives I think I remember someone soaking the handle in linseed oil? There are plenty of good cheap fixed blades. I remember reading alot about the gerber LCD I think it was called. Alot of backpack sites state they use this type of knife. There is the bucklite, and for all intends and purposed if you go to a hardware store they usually sell cheap fixed blade knives. Just remember you get what you pay for if you do not get a respectable brand.
 
You should be able to find a decent SAK for less than a Douk Douk. Even cheaper going used via felinevet.

Byrd knives can be found for the same or less than a Douk. And if you really want to pay bottom dollar, The new-ish Cold Steel Kudu is a really good value for a large, locking stainless pocketknife.

Also, I personally wouldn't worry about having a fixed blade in a PSK, unless it's being carried on your person everywhere. Unless, of course, you're somehow prone to attracting police attention.
 
stingray4540 said:
Or is there a way to ABSOLUTELY guarentee that an opinel wont swell?
Click to expand...

No.

In another thread I described how I've fooled around with Opys on and off for 20 some years. I tried the linseed soak, the helmsman spar urathane sealer, vasoline in the joint. You can slow it down, but if you're in wet conditions and its a survival senerio, sooner or later you are going to find yourself with a knife you can't open.

I very rarely bother with an Opinel anymore. I have one in the kitchen junk drawer for opening packages and mail, but it never leaves the house. For a survival kit, I think it has too big an achilies heel. Plus it takes up alot of room with the round handle.

The douk-douk is a good rugged knife with no weather or water problems, as is a Victorinox alox solo. Smoky Mountain Knifeworks has a good selection of the aluminum handle saks like the alox solo, the settler, and the alox bantam which is an unbelievable flat package that has a two and a half inch knife blade and a combo tool that is screwdriver/cap lifter/can opener that will also work on phillips screws in a pinch. The douk-douk or the alox bantam are so flat they will take up very little room. About as flat as a box cutter. I've used both to clean pan fish and general cutting jobs around camp. The thin blades cut very well. Both do well on fish and small game, and are easy to rinse out in a creek because of the simple all metal construction.
 
I've had an Opinel open in my pocket which makes it a non-carry knife for me. If you're serious about the S in PSK you'll find something more substantial. I just bought a Kershaw 1550 & 2420 (used) for less than $30 (for the pair) including shipping on eBay. There are plenty of deals out there, just be patient. Craigslist and garage sales offer lots of opportunities.
 
Gerber makes a small, flat lockback knife with black handles that I have used and carried, it is a perfectly fine GP knife. I just looked and found several on ebay for under 10 dollars with a few dollars shipping, IMO much better than a opinel for your purposes. Chris
 
stingray4540 said:
Well, I'm still working on getting my PSK complete, and as far as a knife goes, I was going to make a small fixed blade, but I just realized, that it's illegal to carry a concealed fixed blade in CA!:eek: So now I gotta figure out what I'm gona do.

I was thinking of going with an Opinel, but I've heard some bad things about the wood swelling, and the last thing I need in a survival situation is to not be able to open my knife.

Some of you might want to suggest a SAK, but it's gotta be cheap I'm already having a hard time finishing my PSK, because I gotta spend money on a few more things, so I don't think I'll be able to get a $30 knife, that will get almost no use, past my wife.

The only other cheap option I can think of is a Douk-Douk, unless you guys have any other suggestions.

Or is there a way to ABSOLUTELY guarentee that an opinel wont swell?
Click to expand...

Sorry for jacking this thread, but why don't you just carry your fixed blade unconcealed? That's what I do. Never had a problem, and I don't care if some idjit gives me a look...who cares? In fact I carry concealed a lot too. Just wear what you want. It's no big deal.
 
Stingray, check your email.
 
I don't think that I paid more than $15.00 shipped, for a new victorinox Hunter SAK w/saw on ebay and after doing a couple minutes of browsing, I must have seen 50 Vic SAKs that will sell for under 10.00.
 
mmc said:
Was it locked?I always lock mine in the closed position.
Click to expand...

Some don't lock. Others don't lock closed. I have a No 6 that locks closed, but will still open enough in your pocket to poke you.
 
Kiahs: Check your email. Thanks.

Little hairy Ape: I usually carry either a Wave or fixed blade on my belt, or both, when I go hicking/camping, etc. So, it's not really a big deal, but I would like something in my PSK for backup, in case something happens to my sheath knife. I would rather not risk getting something on my record for something so stupid. I'd like to apply for my CCW sometime in the future.

Thanks everyone, for the advice and the hints on were I can get a cheap SAK, I will definately look into them, and hopefully I'll figure something out.
 
I like Douk-Douks but for around the same price you can get a new SAK. You can get a Victorinox Alox Farmer for around 20$ new on ebay, try felinevet. The Farmer is a high quality knife that will last you a lifetime!
And of course there are tons of used Victorinox's at ebay for well under 20$. I picked up a bunch of Vic Huntsmans a few months back all less than 10$ each. The huntsman is my all time favorite non-alox SAK. It has everything you need without any extraneous cr*pola.
 
stingray4540 said:
Kiahs: Check your email. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Your Welcome.

A better cheap option would be a Kissing Crane Sodbuster or a Boker Gaucho Sodbuster if you like a thinner blade. The KC is around 6 bucks and the Boker is 13 if I remember correctly.

Stingray, you got mail.
 
Wow guys, I'm overwhelmed. Thanks for all the input, suggestions and offers. I have a lot to consider now, so I guess I'll be looking into them. Thanks again everyone for all the help.
 
Also check out the Mercator(black cat k55k), it's close to a douk-douk but locks. The Eka/Normark Big swede line is nice and can be found for $10-20 sometimes.
 
I have a mercator , and an opinle , they are great slicers , but for something that you can give a bit of abuse to , Okapi , its cheap , and the blade is to me stronger than the other two .
 
i love the thin convex edge of the opinel, and have never had a problem with it opening on me or the lock failing or being able to get it open.

the only complaint i have is that once i had it in my pocket when i was helping my uncle to dig a trench to lay the plumbing from the garage to the tank. i did not use it at all that day, but when i went to do something that night with it, i found that there was grit under the locking ring and it was nearly impossible to turn. it took about a total of a half an hour of working it and blowing air into it to get the grit out.

in a survival situation that could cause some real problems.
another consideration is that the opinel is carbon, which could be a problem for storing the knife in a kit. you have to think about rust.

i have seen the Victorinox farmer, with a blade and a saw and an awl, for about $20.
that would be good becuase of the stainless and aluminum construction which is good for storage because it won't rust or anything. also the edge won't degrade from moisture in the air, so it will still be sharp when you pull it out to use it.

vic SAKs are great. i can't speak to wenger, but i have heard that they are just as good.
 
JMHO, but a Douk Douk hands down. I've been carrying one for months now (since Christmas), and the thing is.... the size. They're so slim and easy to carry. Edited to add: Carbon steel blade. Saks are 420.

WINNER!!!
 
Get a Kissing Crane Sodbuster. SMKW offers them with carbon blades and your choice of either a plastic handle or a wood handle. The synthetic is $6.99 and the wood is $10.99. They have brass liners so there is no swelling issue. They are slipjoints, but the backsprings are very strong. Plus, they're utilitarian and sheeple friendly.
 
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