PSK knives, looking for some advice

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
1,421
I'm moving from altoid tin to a GSI Lexan XS Gear Box:

I've got TONS more room, which is great. I've already got it cram packed, but I've got a lot of stuff that I'm going to eliminate.

I'm wanting to pack a real knife in my kit. Should I go for a SAK or a real knife? A folder or a fixed blade? I'd love to squeeze in a new Becker Necker, but I don't think it will fit with the sheath. And, that's pretty big. I'll always have at least one good knife on me if my PSK is on me. So should I go some small and versital? Or a small stout fixed blade? Or a high quality folder?

I've thought about a few different saks, micro-leatherman, mini-grip or a knife similar to a leek or a Gerber LST, or small spyderco. I like the looks of gossmans PSK (which I don't know if it will fit), and the Buck Hartsook.

What would you pack, knowing you'll likely have at least one good blade outside the kit, and knowing that you've got a fair amount of room to work with?

L!
 
For a small, inexpensive fixed blade, I'd take a look at the CRKT/Krein Dogfish. Smaller than the Becker Necker. Larger than the Buck Hartsook, and better steel than the Gerber LST Jr. or LST Magnum Jr. (even though I still have a soft spot for my LST Magnum Jr.).

You could always get one of the Frost Cobbler blades for $7.50 from Ragnar, cut the handle, regrind the spine to give it a bit of a drop point to take some length off the tip. You could customize it to fit the GSI and still have a darn good knife.

I really like my Leatherman Squirt P4 too. Take a look at 'em.
 
Vic Farmer would be perfect. Hugely reliable and tons of tools (actually that's not right, it just has a few tools that are exactly the ones I want). The Newt Livesay psk knife is pretty solid too, I've got one.
 
Last edited:
If you are looking for a simple, no-nonsense folding knife, light weight, stainless blade, no tool kit included, slim and lightweight, and you like the old LST design, you might consider one of these:
ae6u1l.jpg

A Schrade "Lightweight" with Zytel handle. Less than $15 and still available. Most have black handles, but they were made in most colors like this orange (made for Home Depot), green, yellow, red and blue.
 
Farmer is looking pretty nice, I didn't realize how much smaller it was vs. the OHT. Hum, both are $21 via Amazon, I might just get both!
 
i would personally put a tool type of knife in there if i had a dedicated cutter along with the kit anyways. something like a leatherman or a SAK.

the gossman PSK, in my limited experience, is very nice. you can email scott for dimensions, i know he makes a couple different sizes.

as was mentioned, opinel is great too.

i have only handled these, not used them, but i was very impressed with the ergonomics of the boker subcom series of folders. they are very flat, but since they are so wide they are easy to get a good grip on. light and not too expensive either.
 
I just received this one from Stomper and like it a lot - its under 6". He calls it - A Kit Knife.

DSC_0037-4.jpg


DSC_0039-2.jpg
 
naked said:
Farmer is looking pretty nice, I didn't realize how much smaller it was vs. the OHT. Hum, both are $21 via Amazon, I might just get both!
Click to expand...

GET BOTH! Those are my 2 edc blades, at that price i would buy 6 of each, but that's just me.
The farmer has sak quality in a much tougher package, the OHT is no slouch either, it has serrations but they are great on this knife.

LM squirt is a good bit of kit but the blade sucks, keep it on the keychain.
the buck hartsook is ok, but it's a bit thin, I would prefer my barkie micro slither, like a micro canadian with only 2 finger holds.
 
Any Mikro barkie would be a good choice but one no one mentioned for a folder is the Spyderco Ladybug.
 
Echoing what ours have stated, the Vic farmer would be great, also the Barkie PSK, Scott's PSK is 6 inches OAL.
 
And yet another vote for the Vic Farmer :thumbup: The blade is a good deal sturdier than the plastic scaled 91mm Vics and the saw is no joke. Heck even the bottle opener could come in handy for opening a cold one after you get rescued or rescue yourself :D
 
I have a mini multi tool in mine and I usually have a fixed blade on my side. I like the Lexan box you got there. I just picked this one up for just over $5 and am putting my kit together.
 
bladz said:
I have a mini multi tool in mine and I usually have a fixed blade on my side. I like the Lexan box you got there. I just picked this one up for just over $5 and am putting my kit together.
Click to expand...

Nice! I think I like the latch on the Pelican cases better, but this one seems to seal up just as well. I also like the the seal on these GSI boxes are just a seal, and not a full tray like the Pelicans. I was tempted to get the bigger GSI box, but thought I should try to aim as small as I can. Mine is packed now, but I've got a lot of things to take out, and a lot to put back in!
 
Ordered a Silver Farmer today! 19 from amazon, looking forward to checking it out, just need to make a little more room in my psk. My space blanket takes up so much room!
 
Good choice! I was going to suggest small and versatile, since you will already have a main knife with you. The Farmer, or any SAK, is sturdy and useful enough to provide a lot of utility, but it is also cheap enough that you won't mind packing it away in a box indefinitely. My personal choice to back up a main knife is a multitool, since the pliers/wire cutters make it easier to harvest man-made materials that you find.

I don't know how those guys can take it, the ones who banish really nice, expensive knives to BOBs and PSKs.
 
IUKE12 said:
Echoing what ours have stated, the Vic farmer would be great, also the Barkie PSK, Scott's PSK is 6 inches OAL.
Click to expand...

Yup, this is my choice as well. Scott's PSK is a wonder, and I had Scibeer make a thinner version of the farmer, a Woodsman. Just blade, woodsaw, and awl. Makes a really good combo. Of course you could always get one of Scott's strikers, sharpened to round it all out. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top