Pocket knife similar to but better than Gerber Bear Grylls Scout knife?

JGAN said:
Been checking these out, and I really like the look of those Ontario and Kershaw knives guys! Curious though, are there any suggestions for lockback knives?
Click to expand...

The cold steels mentioned are lockback and they use the same steel as the ontario. Not sure who does a better HT though but both are tough as nails and make great working knives
 
I think you need a combination of tools including a sharpened 5 in 1. I would start with a Vic SAK of your choice, probably the larger 111mm size (one handed Trekker is good). But I would not do a lot of prying with one. Again... multiple tools needed here.

I use my Razel for scraping. Have a the small folding one and the medium sized ringed razel (CRKT version) fixed blade. The little one works for light touch up jobs and the bigger one for larger scraping jobs. I absolutely would not use it to turn screws or pry a nail out. But with all things, it is a matter of need and choice. I don't particularly like to use the Razel for general cutting. I've cut myself a couple of times due to there being two sharpened edges, but it will certainly work.

The Ontario RAT or ESEE folder mentioned above would be a reasonable choice. Budget is the key on what is available.

You basic Buck 110 would work pretty well. But a one handed opening feature would probably be better on a ladder where hands are a premium.

You mentioned "get it sharpened"..... I hope you are sharpening your knife yourself. If not, learn. You can take along a diamond sharpener with your tool bag and touch up your knives quite easily on the job.
 
JGAN said:
Requesting the knowledge of BFC for help recommending a knife for me. I work as a house painter in NY (which I'm sure has some annoying laws on assisted knives, so bear in mind) and need an upgrade for my knife I use. Currently I just have a Gerber Bear Grylls Scout knife I picked up a while back at Walmart, and it has worked great. However, because I put it under pretty tough daily use, the blade steel just isn't holding up for me and I really have to get it sharpened every week or two.
Click to expand...


22-rimfire said:
You mentioned "get it sharpened"..... I hope you are sharpening your knife yourself. If not, learn. You can take along a diamond sharpener with your tool bag and touch up your knives quite easily on the job.
Click to expand...

^^^ THIS ^^^

For a working knife, IMO you have 2 choices.

The first is to get an expensive knife with a super steel that is so hard to sharpen that you put it off or you end up taking it to somebody else to get it sharpened.

The second is to get a reasonable mid-grade steel and learn how to put a decent working edge on a blade. With diamond based stones, really, this is very, very doable now.

I don't push a knife as hard as you do and can't imagine going weeks without touching up the blade (non-super steels). I carry a DMT credit card stone and just a few swipes will put a hair popping edge on decent mid-grade steels.
 
There's no benefit to having a sharp 5 in 1.... If you need to scrape paint off that's already peeling, you should be using an actual paint scraper...
16603121.jpg


I have accidentally sharpened my 5 in 1 by scraping stuff off concrete block walls. Then something as simple as scraping a bump off drywall ends up gouging it like crazy. My advice, keep the 5 in 1 dull.
 
Just to clarify quickly, I do use proper tools like 5-in-1s, scrapers, and sanders. I'm just saying that my knife gets pulled out pretty often for small spots that might have been missed if I don't have a proper tool immediately handy. I'm not using it to scrape down whole houses or anything where proper tools wouldn't do a better job.
 
Maybe you need to take a different approach. I suggest making the 5 in 1 your 'edc' at work. Buy those painter pants and use the right leg side pocket. It's made just for the 5 in 1.

I've been painting for years, and only in the last year or two have started carrying a pocket knife with me as well.
 
Good point about the 5 in 1 tool. I honestly don't understand what all the features are for. I have one. I sharpened the front edge a tad for scraping, but it is not enough to cut me unless I really screw up.

Added: I was not familiar with the BG Scout knife (folder) and looked it up. This thing costs like $10. I feel sure the quality is appropriate to its price. I can see whay you might want another or better knife.
 
Last edited:
I wear painter pants, but I use that right side loop for a caulk gun so that pocket isnt very useful. Normally I will carry my 5-in-1 in my back pocket if we are prepping.

I actually own a whetstone, but I have never really bothered to learn how to use it because taking my knife to the chef supply was only a couple bucks. I suppose I will have to learn though if I get a real knife.

I'm liking the Cold Steel Mini Recon 1 right now, but I haven't heard a lot about it compared to the regular Recon. In terms of size, would anybody be able to post a photo of the two side by side, open and closed? Thanks!
 
He's got a 5 in 1 tool guys, back to knife recommendations. (we're so helpful on this board that we apparently will actually turn away a member from buying a knife if we can give them a more sensible choice, BladeForums:rolleyes: We should be a company store)
I imagine a tanto blade would actually be very good for scraping, good choice. I hear mixed reviews about cold steel, most of them are on the positive side though.

http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/RECON.20_1.20_SERIES/RECON_1_SERIES.aspx

ColdSteel.jpg
 
I think the tanto blade design might be really useful in your application and it would be a reasonable step up. My only Cold Steel folder is the Tuff Lite and I really like it.
 
Last edited:
sweet_hitch-hiker said:
Folding razel wouod be best imo
Click to expand...

That would be a good option too, I think CRKT made one in his price range, but it is disco'ed (I think). Only other Razel folders I think are either customs or the new midtech, both way over budget unfortunately.
 
If you can find a CRKT Razel, that would probably be ideal. if not i would go with an Ontario Utilitac II Tanto. Ideally though I think getting something in S30-V or at least 154CM steel would be best for what you are looking to do with it. That kicks the price up a little though. However it will stay sharper longer and won't be a PITA to sharpen.
 
The Razel looks pretty big, correct me if I'm wrong?

I was looking at the Dozier, and I can't find any photos of it closed? I'm curious because I was wondering if it has a clip. Very attractive for the price though!!
 
The Dozier does have a clip. It's a nice knife and pretty inexpensive. I keep one in my work bag that serves as a beater/loaner. It's a good enough knife to where I can have a reasonable level of confidence that it will serve its function well, yet inexpensive enough to where if it gets lost or destroyed, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.

Here's a pic I took of it with the RAT-2 and Zancudo some time back:
DozierFH_RAT2_Zancudo_800x493.jpg


Here's another of it next to a Cryo that shows the pocket clip on it. It is reversible for left or right handed carry (tip up only).
DozierFH_Cryo_closed2_800x490.jpg
 
flarp said:
The Dozier does have a clip. It's a nice knife and pretty inexpensive. I keep one in my work bag that serves as a beater/loaner. It's a good enough knife to where I can have a reasonable level of confidence that it will serve its function well, yet inexpensive enough to where if it gets lost or destroyed, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.

Here's a pic I took of it with the RAT-2 and Zancudo some time back:
DozierFH_RAT2_Zancudo_800x493.jpg


Here's another of it next to a Cryo that shows the pocket clip on it. It is reversible for left or right handed carry (tip up only).
DozierFH_Cryo_closed2_800x490.jpg
Click to expand...

I asked for recommendations on a beater replacement not too long ago and the Zancudo, Dozier, and Cryo all topped the list. I'm going to get one of those myself very soon.
 
I second the Utilitac or something from Cold Steel. I don't know how you use your 5-in-1 but I wonder if stropping it would help at all, unless you are super hard on it. Stropping your knife might help too. If you wanted to spend a lot I'd suggest something in the Gerber military line like the DMF or 06 but they're pretty expensive and being automatic might be an issue for you. There are "civilian" versions but I don't think the steel is quite up to par, or at least not much better than what you already have.
 
I have a leatherman crater c33tx,it's awesome. Was never a big fan of 420hc steel but it works decent,they have an attached screwdriver flat & phillips plus carabiner(bottle opener) and pocket clip USA made-I have tried to put it back in my locker at work ,so I can use one of my other knives but then I will need one of the tools(you can use the screwdriver to open paint cans) and I just end up putting it back in the pocket,I wish a lot more people would give this knife a try It really is an excellent buy <$30.
 
If you are down with serrated edge, I'd get a se spyderco salt 1. Tough as nails, very tough steel, superb edge retention and completely rustproof.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top