Reliable Sturdy Knife? For Working/Camping

C

Curkz

Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Messages
18
Hey guys im doing work atm with an electrical company. So i'm working with gyprock and i need to be able to cut through it for powerpoints and open the boxes undo screws etc. Now i am not sure on what to get because i really have no idea when it comes to knives i usually go for what looks good say something like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/High-Quality...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

But then after its blunt its basically useless. So i am willing to fork out about $200 AUD for a decent branded knife.
The closest thing i've found is this

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BRAND-NEW-SM...yZ109721QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It needs to be a foldable one as i cant have a giant dagger on my belt... or in my pocket.

So can someone recommend me something? Swiss army knifes are way too weak for cutting through the wall... even a stanley knife sucks

Cheers Curkz



Warning if my Thread doesn't make sense its because im a n00bie and i have probably put this in the wrong section Sorry Admin/Mods/Everyone!
Thanks
 
You should be looking into a multi-tool. My all time fav is the Leatherman Supertool but they no longer make them. Take a look at a Leatherman Wave or Sog Powertool. Can't beat the screwdrivers and pliers for doing electrical work.
 
I've given this a bit of thought and I have a few suggestions. If you want something for sawing but aren't concerned about stabbing anything your best bet would be a so-called 'rescue' knife such as cold steel's LSR or spyderco's rescue knife. I've never cut any gyprock so I'm just guessing here about what would work.

A more traditional knife that might work well would be something like cold steel's recon-1 folder. The number of sturdy 3-5 inch folding knives available is just staggering, so the clearer you can detail what it is you want the better suggestions you'll get. I'm sure you'll be able to find the right tool in no time.

I know a lot of people on this forum aren't big fans of cold steel, but most of their knives that I know about are pretty reliable and affordable beaters.
 
jeez thanks for all the replies guys that was bloody quick!. Basically i want a knife that does it from A-B and that i can sharpen it so it wont be blunt like some cheap crappy knives on ebay.

Something that i can also use in an emergency would be nice so when im at the beach i can strike the magnesium fire starter without the blade snapping and i can cut branches with...

So yeh i might get 2 knives 1 for work and 1 for the bEach and fishing....

Cheers guys

Keep the replies going

PS i dont really care about size as long as its not like a giant samurai sword.
 
For your line of work , get a good multitool , Leatherman for example.
leatherman.jpg


You'll have actual screwdrivers , pliers and a decent knife to use , plus whatever other tools are in your particular model.

Then if you want just a all around good work knife to compliment your multitool I would recommend a Benchmade mini Pika
1170199594_knife_4148.jpg

Razor sharp , great 440C steel , cost effective and rugged but not for use as a screwdriver ! That's what your multitool or screwdriver is for. :)
 
You're doing electrical work, and you're not allowed to carry a fixed blade? Anyway, I'm assuming "gyprock" is the same thing as drywall, so I'm gonna go against the forum norms and suggest a non knife solution.

A. A drywall saw
or
B. A cordless rotary tool with a drywall cutter.
 
Victorinox Alox Electrician Plus (http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=doityourself&product=53952&)
if you didn't need to go through the dry wall then I would suggest the version without the saw. You can use the awl to make a hole and then use the saw to cut to size. I know you said the Swiss Army Knives are way to weak, but the Alox models have blades almost 50% thicker than the regular SAKs. The Victorinox Alox models are the toughest non-locking folders I have every seen/used. Compliment it with a good Multi-tool (I like Leathermans, but Vic and SOG make good ones too)
 
If you have bought into the usual electrical tools, a pair of mutlipliers is redundant - and without insulated handles, kind of an awakening when you try something you shouldn't have.

Gyprock is a horror for most regular knives - a good sheetrock blade is the old standard utility knife, which you can now find in a dozen styles, both traditional and folder. The replaceable blades make for a much longer lasting tool in the work day, rather than struggling with something already too dull at 10AM. Titanium coated replaceable blades last a lot longer and are a better RC hardness for sheetrock - "rock" is what is it made of, and that stuff is a good 15 points harder than the average knife.

So rather than go with the crowd here, who would get you electrocuted or have you destroy a good knife, use the other tools for what they are designed for, and look at what interests you for a carry knife. From the two links, I'd say looks are more of what you have in mind - the stilletto is way too steep a grind for sheetrock, and too thin for prying. The other is a bit on the fantasy side for shape and would get uncomfortable quick with the horns and stuff, but has much more of the style blade you need - a drop point.

Look for a good ATS 34 grade locking folder with a G10 grip, easy to open, carry clip, and tough handle - like a Spyderco Manix, Buck Strider, along those lines. The non conductive scales will let you work with some confidence you won't ground a 220 line, and the blade will keep an edge when the utility blade isn't where it should be.

Multipliers are nice, pocket knives can sure grow to an obsession, but good working tools designed for the job will always get 'er done better than a substitute. Which leaves nicer choices for you.
 
I was an electrician for 20 years.

I am not sure you need a knife!!

For sheet rock....
Get a Stanley folding saw ($15) where it uses the blades for a Sawzall.
Get sheet rock blades.
Best is a $10 sheet rock saw with a fixed blade, will work much better.

BUT
If you are working, then get tools for work.
Buy a set of screwdrivers.
Lineman 9" pliers, Diagonal cutter, Needle nose plier, and a flat stripper..
And Electricians Jack knife with a blade and screwdriver, or a box cutter
And a sheet rock saw.
Put is all into a work pouch with a belt.
All of this for less than $100


If you need to open the occasional screw then a Leatherman is fine.
If you turned up on my jobsite and intended to work with a leatherman, I would send you home.
 
I agree with the others....no blade is going to withstand much sheetrock cutting without getting dull plenty fast.
A saw is better.

Here's one that I recommend:

Victorinox Jumpmaster....
Besides the usual SAK tools, you get a locking large blade, a serrated blunt-tip blade, and best of all, a large SAW.

Good luck,
Allen


knives144.jpg
 
I'll have to agree with a dedicated sheetrock/gyprock saw for doing that kind of work...

On the other hand, if you want a very polite looking, very tough, very good quality knife for work, you could do a lot worse than one of the Graham Brothers' Razels.

The base model is the "Pocket Utility Razel" http://www.grahamknives.com/gallery.htm

Yes, it's a fixed blade, but it can fit in your pocket, and it's not some big scary "Rambo knife" (or Crocodile Dundee knife ;))
 
ok guys thanks for the replies ive decided against using one for work... Ill just punch the holes out with a screwdriver and hammer or chisel. So now i am looking for a fishing/camping knife are there titanium models that are cheaper then $200 AUD? If so can someone link me to them and recommened me whats good and whats not good?
 
Will your fishing/camping knife need to be a folder or will a fixed blade work as well? Will you be cleaning the fish you catch with the knife as well as doing heavy camp stuff with it?

It was recently mentioned to me that the Buck 102 and 105 are pretty good at multitasking.
 
Hi Curkz,

What do you mean by "titanium models"? A knife with a titanium blade?

Thanks,
Rich
 
Curkz said:
ok guys thanks for the replies ive decided against using one for work... Ill just punch the holes out with a screwdriver and hammer or chisel. So now i am looking for a fishing/camping knife are there titanium models that are cheaper then $200 AUD? If so can someone link me to them and recommened me whats good and whats not good?
Click to expand...

Check out the Spyderco Pacific Salt....it cannot rust and you can get one in high visibility yellow (easier to find if you drop it in the forest).

Of course, if you don't mind a little more weight and you want to go with something a bit more "traditional"....
The Alaskan Guide Buck 110 (from Cabela's for less than $70.00 US dollars) can't be beat!

knives223.jpg


knives228.jpg
 
The Leatherman Charge XTI is the best super tool I've ever owned. It's 154CM knife blades are far better than the regular "Stainless" crap you usually get in a multi-tool. They take a good edge and hold it for a dang long time.

Plus it's got a crimper tool built into the pliers. It works pretty good too.

leatherman_xti_2.jpg
 
yes by titanium i mean blade. Guys if you are recommending me knives are there some shops that u can suggest that you have had good deals with and fast shipping via USPS. ? Thanks for all the replies i would probably be doing more heavy stuff rather then filleting the fish...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top