Seeking Opinions.

JD Mandrell

JD Mandrell

Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
18,423
I'm working on a small PSK, sort of like a "altoids tin" kit, but a little larger. Most of my time 99% is spent in urban areas, and I am trying to decide what knife to put in it. I already have a mini-griptilian that is setting around not doing anything, and I almost always carry EDC something larger, so do you folks think a mini-grip would be good for a small kit, or should I put in something a little "beefier"?

p.s. The kit will also include a SAK Vic' Fieldmaster.

Thanks!
 
What is the maximum length you can store? Throwing in a fixed blade may not be beefier, but definately stronger and simplier. Then again, as I am sure you know, the best blade is the one you have with you when you need it. :D
 
The BM should do fine I'd think. But, if you are already placing a SAK in the kit, I don't think I'd put another folder in. Is your EDC a fixed blade?
 
Thanks guys, my current EDC is a Benchmade 732BT Ares, the kit will be inside my small daypack, but I want a micro kit that will fit in a pocket on the daypack, but can be taken out quikly and hung around my neck.

I will also have a larger kit in my car, with a fixed blade in it.

This kit really won't work with a fixed blade, a knife that large will defeat the "micro" idea.

I have a full size Griptilian on the way, (won an ebay auction after starting this thread tongiht), so I may see it I can work with it, they are large, but so light it might work. I love the mini-grip, ut it is sorta small.
 
Yep, that's why I asked about having a FB close to hand. Much better survival blade, but as an urban kit, the folder would be more low keyed. I like the Griptilian, just havn't gotten around to getting one yet. When you get your kit put together, put up a thread on it. I'd like to hear and even see what you did.
 
Quiet Bear said:
Then again, as I am sure you know, the best blade is the one you have with you when you need it. :D
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Respectfully, QB, clearly no. No matter how many times that old chesnut is repeated, it's just wrong. A craft knife with a scapel blade is not the "best" tool to build a shelter or hack though thick brush just because that's all you have.

The "best" blade is the blade you took with you (to be sure) because, upon careful study (and here he is!), you discovered it would best meet the needs you would likely encounter and some needs more extreme than that.

The most you can otherwise say about what's at hand is that it's .................................. what's at hand -- good, bad, or worst for the job. The idea is to do better. That's why he's here to get your advice.
 
I carry a large SAK with a saw and it is 5X more utilitarian than a folder. It saws trees up to 3 inches in diameter easily and fits in your pocket nicely and low key. I do however carry a folder EDC as well but it is for personal defense and is not carried for survival purposes as its utility is very limited.

Your BM is a nice folder and will do well for you but it is not and was never designed as a wilderness survival utility blade.

For hard core wilderness use a large 7inch folder with a good reputation is hard to beat but is not easily carried EDC for obvious reasons.

All this being said I do agree with the "best blade is the one you have on you" philosphy and because of that I recommend the SAK with saw as not everyone can or will EDC a 4-9inch fixed blade and could find themselves with the need to saw trees or limbs for various reasons.

I mean a chainsaw, axe and saw are the best tools for the bush but nobody carries them EDC either . ;) One must hedge their bets and carry 100% of the time tools that can do at least a minimum job when its needed and least expected. When knowingly going into a situation that has a known risk factor then sure bulk up on the blade and tool department but that is not possible for most day in day out.

Skam
 
skammer said:
All this being said I do agree with the "best blade is the one you have on you" philosphy and because of that I recommend the SAK with saw as not everyone can or will EDC a 4-9inch fixed blade and could find themselves with the need to saw trees or limbs for various reasons.
. . . One must hedge their bets and carry 100% of the time tools that can do at least a minimum job when its needed and least expected. When knowingly going into a situation that has a known risk factor then sure bulk up on the blade and tool department but that is not possible for most day in day out.

Skam
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Again, you illustrate the lack of value in the old chesnut. It adds nothing to the analysis. Yes, I know what you mean and you give good advice. Some may not understand. Why not say what you mean. That is probably something like: "Have the best knife/tools with you that you can afford/select because that is liable to be all you have to accomplish survival. Trouble comes unannounced." You can probably improve on that, but not by saying over and over, "The best is whatever you have."
 
Thomas,

I think I got my point across just fine but thanks for elaborating for me.

Skam
 
The SAK in the kit was specifically chosen because it has the saw blade, but in my original post I stated that 99% of my time is in "urban" areas, to be more specific I am hardly ever more than 5 minutes from a building. While I have lots of information on shelter construction, I am not really that concerned about "wilderness" shelter stuff. The kind of micor kit I am talking about simply can't contain a 7 inch fixed blade.

I think skammer has a good idea though, maybe a large SAK folder with saw...2 birds with 1 stone.
 
The Last Confederate said:
...my time 99% is spent in urban areas...I already have a mini-griptilian ...I almost always carry EDC something larger...The kit will also include a SAK Vic' Fieldmaster
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IMHO the mini-Griptilian, EDC, SAK, and eBay Griptilian give you more than enough blade choices for the urban micro-kit. Since you EDC a folder, the Grip and Mini-Grip strike me as a bit redundant. The SAK would bring added versatility offered by the other tools. In an urban environment, tools like the screwdrivers and scissors start coming into their own over field/woods tools like the saw. My opinion would be to carry your daily larger EDC and stash the SAK Fieldmaster in the kit.

I like the Griptilians I have, but for a micro-kit where space will be tight, I find their rounded handles "fluffy" compared to flatter knives like Alox SAK's. That said, the oval'ish cross-section of their handles makes them more comfortable to me than the flatter knives. Plus I find the checkering on the Grip scales to be very secure, albeit a bit more aggressive than I might prefer.
 
RokJok said:
IMHO the mini-Griptilian, EDC, SAK, and eBay Griptilian give you more than enough blade choices for the urban micro-kit. Since you EDC a folder, the Grip and Mini-Grip strike me as a bit redundant. The SAK would bring added versatility offered by the other tools. In an urban environment, tools like the screwdrivers and scissors start coming into their own over field/woods tools like the saw. My opinion would be to carry your daily larger EDC and stash the SAK Fieldmaster in the kit.

I like the Griptilians I have, but for a micro-kit where space will be tight, I find their rounded handles "fluffy" compared to flatter knives like Alox SAK's. That said, the oval'ish cross-section of their handles makes them more comfortable to me than the flatter knives. Plus I find the checkering on the Grip scales to be very secure, albeit a bit more aggressive than I might prefer.
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Thanks RokJok, my original thinking on including a second sturdy lightwieght folder in the kit was that if I end up with the kit alone, I would have the SAK and a locking blade also, I'm starting to think the lockable SAK with saw would make a lot of sense, (and Hey an excuse to buy another knife!).

p.s. I took the time to read your Japan trip page, I'm jealous! I am a japan nut also, ever since seeing Shogun as a child, Japan is one of my dream trips someday.
 
The Last Confederate said:
p.s. I took the time to read your Japan trip page, I'm jealous!...Japan is one of my dream trips someday.
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Thanks, amigo. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime. Hope you noticed the "Picture Gallery" button in the table of contents section. ;) The thumbnails in the gallery can be clicked for 1024x768 size pics.

Considering this is to be an urban kit, lightweight machinery repair type tools would seem a likely priority over woodcrafting tools. Consequently, mini-multi-tools might bring you lots of useful bang per cubic inch of space.

I'm thinking particularly of mini's from SwissTech like the Screwzall, MicroTech, or MicroPlus, as well as SeberTech mini's like the M2, M3, or M4. Or you could go slightly larger with Leatherman Squirt models. However, I found the Squirt P4 plier jaws flexed alarmingly side-to-side on a wire-bending job. So I grabbed the Sebertech M4 and its jaws didn't flex on the same wire-bending job. FWIW, the M4 jaws are almost twice as wide as the Squirt P4 jaws IIRC.
 
No I missed the photo gallery RokJok, I will go back. I actually have a Seber M2, surprisingly tough for a keyring tool. It was an "impulse" buy, several months ago my local Wal-Mart put them on clearance for $2.00 and I thought for that I would give one a try. Not sure it's big enough for real serious stuff. Hmmm might have to work it in, or upgrade to a SAK with a locking blade, wood and metal saws and pliers.

Maybe one of these? They might make really good urban kit knives?

http://www.victorinox.ch/newsite/en/produkte/taschen/inhalt2.cfm?pid=0-9064

http://www.victorinox.ch/newsite/en/produkte/taschen/inhalt2.cfm?pid=0-9043
 
I recommend the hunter model or preferably the Fireman model of locking SAK.

The reason for this is simple, they both have a second cutting blade in case the primary blade breaks. They are the only large SAK's with a Saw and 2 blades as far as I know.

Not only that they have all the gear I need and non I don't.

http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?code=0.8383.3&shop=SK

http://www.swiss-knife.com/EN/sk/sports_knives/hunter.html

I got my fireman model off e-bay for half price, they do come up now and then.

Skam
 
Thanks for the links Skammer, those models don't have the philips screwdriver, and that's always been a sticking point with me and SAK's. I gotta have a philips. One could for sure break a SAK blade, but in my experience it's not easy. I gave it away to a freind, but I had for many years a Picnicker model with the early side-lock on it and beat the crap out of that knife, even hacking down 2-3 inch diameter saplings, (for some odd reason I test lots of knives with that method) I feel if a folder can take that it will hold up pretty good under normal use. Prying of course would be the BIG no-no! (found that out the hard way once)

Wow I'm getting worked up now, I haven't bought myself a new SAK in awhile, I buy them as gifts alot.
 
Last Confederate, Check out the Vic' Locksmith as another contender.
http://www.knivesplus.com/victorinox-knife-vn-53845.html

It's got a locking large blade, wood saw, Phillips screwdriver, and even a metal file/saw for ya, plus the usual accessory tools. IMHO if that animal had on it the little scissors I use so much on my other SAKs, it would be the perfect SAK. :cool: Oh...and a sewing hole in the awl too, but that can be added with a drill press pretty easy. While I like the Locksmith as is, as well as the models that you & Skammer linked, I think they are too big for a micro-kit that would be "hung around the neck" and where space/weight will be at a premium.

(edit to add) SeberTech M2's at Wallyworld for $2 each?!?!?! :eek: :eek: Man, I hope you cleaned them out at that price. ;)
 
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