Perfect Landscapers Knife

A

Acetylene

Joined
Aug 22, 2010
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I asked you guys what you thought would be the perfect landscapers knife, given some of my preferences, back in December and we came up with a Spyderco Gayle Bradley so I bought one. I do love this knife, but it may be too nice to use the way I do. I have noticed that my Tenacious has developed some small rust spots and a slight patina on it despite my best efforts so I don't think the M4 would like this wet, dirty, acidic environment. The obvious new solution would be something in H1. The problem is I don't like the thin feel of of my Endura or Harpy. Which is what I think a Pacific Salt would feel like. I love the size of the gripson the Tenacious -the heft and width are nice. Anything like this in maybe G10/H1? If I could get an affordable H1 Para I would think I'd died and gone to heaven. I do like Spyderco, but am open to all brands.
 
How about a Benchmade like the 100SH20 fixed blade or the 111H20 folder made with X15T.N steel. It is very similar to H1 steel (but not the same) and is also pretty-much impervious to water corrosion.

I like yellow handles, easier to see if dropped, and you can get it with partial serration, which may be useful for a landscaper.
 
CWL said:
How about a Benchmade X15T.N steel. It is very similar to H1 steel (but not the same) and is also pretty-much impervious to water corrosion.
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I've never even handled one of those but I do remember reading that their steel is much more prone to corrosion than H1, I think they've changed steels on that twice since switching from H1 but don't quote me on it.

I had a H1 spyderhawk, loved it, might not be the best shape for landscaping but... what is it that is really cut as a landscaper, branches, grass, hose kinda stuff? for that it would work great (except the grass, use a lawnmower or something)
 
ZT 0300
Tough as nails, and the coated S30v blade won't rust on you
 
Have you thought about a fixed blade? Seems like a folder would be dirty all the time.
 
Yeah, a fixed blade would be a much better choice from a practical standpoint, but I find I am using a blade all the time throughout the day so it needs to be with me and a fixed blade on the belt is too much for some of my clients. A yellow handled Aqua Salt would be perfect...if it folded up. I spend the day cutting straps, twine, belts, cardboard, plastic pots, adhesive tubes, bags of fertilizer/concrete/sand/etc, zip ties, hose, sod, peat, roots, branches, fruit (everyday), sharpening stakes, chamfering PVC, etc. The ZT 0300 would be a nice choice, but it is about twice what I can justify spending.
 
I got a Byrd Crossbill in G10 a while back for next to nothing, I love it for cutting hoses, tubing, wiring, etc that I wouldn't want to mar up my other blades. That coupled with something like a sodbuster or another cheap beater would work nicely methinks.
 
I am usually a Spyderco guy, but that BM 111H20 folder has me thinking. Anyone have any exposure?
 
I went through the same search a couple of years ago and I ended up with an esee izula worn horizontal on my belt. The knife is not at all scary, can take a beating, is easy to keep sharp and relatively inexpensive. If you wear your shirt untucked it is invisible, and even with a tucked in shirt it blends in nicely with your belt. I also found it really nice to free up the pocket space for all the little things that a landscaper accumulates, ie plant tags, trash from beds, twine etc..
 
The obvious choice is a Sod Buster, plain and simple. It screams landscape hence the name, LOL.

Ok, so much for pragmatism, try a BM Griptilian, 154 CM no stains nor rust, great user, clean with soap and water, and you are good to go. The handles are grippy even if hands are slippery with mud.
 
I used to do a lot of landscaping and also wholesale nursery work. edit ( OP I just read your 2nd post & sounds like your dealing with all the same stuff I was. With the exception of carving, your mad if you arn't packing serrations here!)
Over time I tried out all of the knives I own and nothing came close the SE Millie when working in the mud and with foliage. The main points to note were:

  • The open design made for easy cleaning after it was caked full of a days worth of mud.
  • The over sized nature of the handle lent itself very well to gloved use in comparison to the Para which 'til this day still lives in my pocket.
  • The high riding clip provided easy access at all times.
  • The serrations (if kept sharp) easily coped with everything from sun brittled plastic pots, small branches to finely trimming off the sunburnt edges of damaged plant stock.
The GB was just released near the end me doing this sort of work, I did give it a brief workout for a couple of weeks. It will handle all the abuse, it will patina quickly in that environment. Aside from that, generally speaking did quite well here. Although personally I felt it was much more at home used as a dedicated push cutter, better suited to whittling and carving etc.

Bo
 
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I vaguely recall the original thread. A Rat-1 folder would do the job for cheap, but edgeholding is way less than the GB or the Military. Open construction in a folder seems like a must for your uses.

I agree with those who say a fixed blade makes more sense. Are you sure a yellow Aqua Salt is out of the range of reason for your customers? After all, it is a tool of your trade. If you get one, definitely go serrated and get a Sharpmaker to maintain the edge.
 
Thank you for your suggestions. I will investigate each one. I agree that SE is important and corrosion resistance is a must. It also needs to hold an edge under hard use. Is the Millie going to give me the corrosion resistance I need? The Aqua Salt was my first choice, but I think walking around outside a doctors office with a fixed blade may be innapropriate. Also I dont want to have to remove it every time I run to a big box store or Taco Bell.
 
I just moved from Orlando, I went everywhere with a fixed blade. The ESEE/Ka-Bar Escabar, BK-11, Izula, Bark River IMP, Bumblebee, PSK, can all fit in your pocket. If you get a Concealed carry Permit, then you can hide it under your shirt, or horizontal.
You do landscaping, get a corona pruner bag, andhide a fixed blade in there.
I was working around banks, while they were open, and carried a Boker Cop Tool and a Klein electricians knife on me all day long, never a problem. I carried them openly, no Concealed carry.
 
What kind of client would have a problem with a working man using a working man's tool? Sheesh. If it were me (and I do a fair bit of yardwork and the like myself, although not professionally anymore), I'd just pick up some cheap SS Mora's and when I leave one in a hole, on the tailgate, or whatever, no big deal. They are cheap and I could afford to keep 5 or 6 in the toolbox for when I do lose one or break one or whatever.
 
I know a little about FL law pertaining to weapons and the laws pertaining to knives are a bit of a gray area. That being said, FL is still a mostly conservative state, as are most of the cities in it. If you were dressed like a gangbanger, showing colors, I imagine a Mora might get you arrested at Taco Hell. But some dude in a landscaping t-shirt and cut off jeans isn't going to get a second look.

Acetylene said:
Thank you for your suggestions. I will investigate each one. I agree that SE is important and corrosion resistance is a must. It also needs to hold an edge under hard use. Is the Millie going to give me the corrosion resistance I need? The Aqua Salt was my first choice, but I think walking around outside a doctors office with a fixed blade may be innapropriate. Also I dont want to have to remove it every time I run to a big box store or Taco Bell.
Click to expand...
 
I agree. I graduated from the Police Academy in 1992 and do have a Concealed Weapons Permit so I understand the limits of what I can do, but I am hoping there are plenty of quality folders that can do a good job as well. I was at the Master Gardeners class at the county extension agents office yesterday and had no qualms about carrying the Bradley, but would have felt like the Aqua Salt might have been a bit much in a classroom setting or in a clients home reviewing our portfolio or in a real estate office submitting a proposal, etc. I have found that not everyone shares our love of all things blade related and I want them to feel comfortable with me so that they will give me money :) Being discreet is as much about revenue and client retention/recruitment as it is convenience and don't want to take off/switch/be without a blade under certain circumstances each day. A folder can reside in my pocket all day waiting at the ready, but not be obnoxious. On a side note, I do carry a S&W M&P .40 in the truck and occassionally will have a Kel-tech PF-9 on my person during working hours, but it is dependant on location, loiterers, neighbor dogs, etc.
 
have you considered a 'Hawkbill or Pruning' style pocket knife? Case, Schrade, Camillus, Camco all sell them. I'm sure there are several China or Tiwain companies that make them too - Sheffield brand comes to mind from Lowes. ???
 
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