Pocket Knife: For all around purposes.

sambo. said:
word.

there's a lot to be said for the grand and ancient art of Nike-Do.

he who runs away today, lives to run away again another day! ;)
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It actually goes like this: "He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day."
 
The Spyderco Delica is a good folder. I have a couple of the Endura's which is a larger version. The Endura would be a better self defense blade but is a pocket full.

For hunting and fairly low budget, consider the Spyderco Moran which has about a 3" blade and all you need for most hunting chores. The steel is thin enough to use fishing even though I don't like a drop point design for fishing.

I have nothing bad to say about the RAT knives (from RAT Cutlery). If you lean toward the wide blade design I would choose the RC-3 for general use, or the RC-4 for more woods use. I have handled them many times, but have not used one. I read lots of good reviews about them.

For hunting chores, I honestly use a Case Trapper most of the time. Have the Spydie Moran and like it. I like the thin blade of the Trapper and it allows for detail work rather than the way I usually use a larger fixed blade. Field dressing chores are a finese kind of thing for me. I take a two knife approach to field needs, so I carry two knives and almost always just use the Trapper pattern. In my case it is a Camillus Remington Bullet knife in a Trapper Pattern that I carry hunting, but own several Case's. These aren't fighters. They are users.
 
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jeremy2792 said:
Wow. This forum was like a good night of trapping. Set the trap at night, and it's full of game the next morning. I am absolutely shocked how many great replies I got. I have been looking up all of these knives that you guys recommend.

So far, I have decided that I am going to get the ESEE RC-3 or RC-4. I can't decide which one would be more suitable for me. Which would be easier to skin a deer with, the RC-3 or RC-4 or do you recommend something bigger? Also, do you guys recommend a straight edge with no serrated blade, or a blade with the incorporated serrated blade towards the handle of the knife?

Again, all of your replies are very much appreciated.
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I like both the rc 3 and 4. The rc 3 is a little thinner so is a bit better slicer but is also a little shorter. For an outdoors knife, i would suggest the RC4 as it would be a little tougher and a bit better at tasks such a battoning. Id also go plain edge, as combo edges SUCK for carving as you mentioned you like doing.

As for the ZT line, I havent owned one, but I can say I am not a huge fan of the recurves or assisted open (although I havent looked into the model suggested).

For a folder id suggest the spyderco paramilitary--GREAT KNIFE :thumbup:
 
Generally speaking, which website would you say offers knives at the cheapest price and are readily available? A website that deals with ZT, SpyderCo, and RAT
 
What I meant is that knifworks is the best store when buying from overseas. But if you are in US it's still a very nice place to buy, I think. It is possible that other stores offer slightly smaller prices, but knifeworks customer service is really one of the best.
 
Why do I find it impossible to purchase a ZT0350? Every single website that I have checked is out of stock...?
 
I'd maybe get one of these.

Victorinox_Soldier_Knife.jpg


Victorinox Soldier's Knife. I really wish it had a small fine edge blade too...like the little one on the tinker. That would pretty much make this the perfect EDC knife. Maybe sissors too.
 
I am curious to know why the 0350 is impossible to purchase anywhere. Everywhere is out of stock, any recommendations?
 
I also agree on the 2 knife idea. Theres no one knife that can do everything having a fixed blade for hunting/camping and a smaller folder for edc use gives you the best of both worlds. The RC-3 and a Spyderco Endura/Delica would be hard to beat and would be well within your budget. As for the ZT 350 its a really nice knife but keep in mind that its quite a bit larger/heavier then your average EDC blade and the recurve blade may be a pita to sharpen. Just something to keep in mind :)
 
Are the recurved blades really that hard to sharpen? What about dropping it off at a knife sharpening place, I'm sure a professional could sharpen it pretty easy, right? I still haven't found a store in the US that has this knife available. I am thinking about just getting the 0200, but the 0200 is significantly bigger, isn't it?
 
They arent that hard to sharpen with some practice and the right tools but they are still more difficult then a non recurve blade. You could bring it to a pro to get sharpened when it gets really dull but youll still need to do the touching up yourself. The ZT200 is kinda big and heavy for an EDC blade, if you have your mind set on a ZT knife I would wait for the ZT350 its smaller and lighter and uses the better S30V steel.
 
hey jeremy, I have the ZT's and they are built like a tank but heavy and more suited to self defense first. Handles will give you hot spots with lots of use.

an rc-3 for fish and skinning is just about ideal, good thin profile for woodcarving and foodprep. If you like a little bigger and thicker the RC-4 is your ticket.
The spidie military will be far more functional than ZT's in the bush if your going folder.
The emerson commanders are a better choice than ZT for skinning and reg. chores with a big plus in defense with the wave and handle. Lighter too

recurves are not bad to sharpen just freehand with a ceramic stick or diamond rod, or carefully across the edge of a stone.
 
fsatsil said:
They arent that hard to sharpen with some practice and the right tools but they are still more difficult then a non recurve blade. You could bring it to a pro to get sharpened when it gets really dull but youll still need to do the touching up yourself. The ZT200 is kinda big and heavy for an EDC blade, if you have your mind set on a ZT knife I would wait for the ZT350 its smaller and lighter and uses the better S30V steel.
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Perfect, that is really what I was looking for as far as a comparison. Thank you. I have my mind pretty much set on the ZT's I love them. I just wish that I could hold on in my hand before buying, but the closest good knife shop is over an hour away.

Brad "the butcher";7888071 said:
hey jeremy, I have the ZT's and they are built like a tank but heavy and more suited to self defense first. Handles will give you hot spots with lots of use.

an rc-3 for fish and skinning is just about ideal, good thin profile for woodcarving and foodprep. If you like a little bigger and thicker the RC-4 is your ticket.
The spidie military will be far more functional than ZT's in the bush if your going folder.
The emerson commanders are a better choice than ZT for skinning and reg. chores with a big plus in defense with the wave and handle. Lighter too

recurves are not bad to sharpen just freehand with a ceramic stick or diamond rod, or carefully across the edge of a stone.
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I was thinking that the RC-4 would be small enough for fishing tasks, and yet big enough to skin a deer.

It seems as if the Spyderco Military is one of the most popular folders. It just seems like you get a lot more knife from the ZT0350 over the spidie mil. My buddy has the Emerson full size Commander and that thing is a beast of a knife he is a cop though, so for self defense and tactical tasks should be handled very well with the commander.

In your opinion is the Mini-Commander a better all around knife than the ZT0350? I prefer the lip assisted opening of the 0350 compared to the wave feature of the commander which that little difference wouldn't effect which knife would better suit me though. The weight of the knife also doesn't bother me. Which knife is overall a better knife, the 0350 or mini commander
 
I'm set on an extrema ratio bf2 with tactical handle and drop point for my all around carry. I just haven't bought it yet. $143
 
Lately I'm just crazy about my Spyderco Paramilitary in D2/G10.

Its just the perfect size, blade shape and materials for a general purpose pocket knife. The heat treatment of the D2 is first-rate and takes a great edge with no chipping etc.

I just couldn't be happier with a small folder.

Please let us know what knife you decide to get. Good luck!
 
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