sheepfoot, or other "pointless" neck-sized knives?

gadgetgeek · Sep 15, 2015

So due to a recent change in SOP where I work, I'm looking into smallish fixed blades that don't have a distinct point. So sheepsfoot, santoku, or similar blade styles. Light and cheap is the key. So far the only knife I've seen that really fits is the crkt keydashi, which while not ideal, could be very handy for food prep, and basic fire-work. (and cheap) My other option is to pick up a mora and nip the end, which is sort of the baseline, cheap, light and compliant. Are there any options that I've missed? I'm kinda leaning towards the mora as its a known quantity, but the keydashi's odd appearance has the benefit of being less "knife-y" (I work with kids)

Main uses are food prep, fire-prep, and as a general sharp object for assorted emergency type situations. stainless is ideal given I work near salt water often enough, but not critical to the solution. The situation is far less than ideal, but it is what it is.
any thoughts? is a new style mora 546 my best choice?

Chris Larrikin · Sep 15, 2015

I don't have personal experience with them but I am currently looking at a Boker Gnome and Boker Rhino. Both look mostly point-less. What is your budget?

gadgetgeek · Sep 15, 2015

budget is cheap, numbers don't mean much as I have to be able to get it here in australia. right now shipping and the exchange rate are killers, but a US street price of 25$ would be a good starting point. 45$AUD would be my upper limit here. I just spent too much on nice knives.

i have a gnome, and it would work, its a little small, although thanks for bringing it to mind, I'll keep it in mind as it would work very well for some things around work.

average gimp · Sep 15, 2015

Cut down a Mora Electrician?

Ausseknifeknut · Sep 15, 2015

The boker rhino is a fun toy , used the hell outta mine cutting boxes and strapping at work

baldtaco-II · Sep 15, 2015

Uber-cheap and light: I'd reshape a Victorinox or Swibo. If it is going to spend the majority of its working like doing food then I'd load upon that. The ability to cut woody root vegetables well and not be a carrot flicker is something I'd find import. Equally important would be clearance for the hand above the cutting surface. I hate having to cut off the edge of a board to get round that. I also find those plenty tough enough for non-kitchen applications. I've used the biggest offerings as machete / Brush Demons. I've never broken one doing that despite the superior slicing geometry. There might be a Mora that could compete as a cooks knife, but I haven't seen it, and it would probably cost more.

Cheap but nicer: I suspect the Boker Plus SanYouGo ticks your wants. First link I pulled up was $39.95, so it is likely that with a bit of effort one could trump that. For the efficiency and safety a wide blade offers doing kitchen prep I'd be forgiving of the lack of ability to carve chess pieces out of sticks well.

Carrot cutting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fcZhOUGFHA&feature=player_detailpage

Closer look - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O69LzfnETwA

neeman · Sep 16, 2015

average gimp said:
Cut down a Mora Electrician?

Why cut it down
It comes with a sheepsfoot for splicing and stripping cable

gadgetgeek · Sep 16, 2015

that Boker ticks all the boxes, save the budget. If I see one I'll certainly be tempted, it looks like it would be very versatile, but all the options I found off the top were killed by the shipping. But I'll keep an eye out.

Anyone know of anything similar to the MSR Alpine kitchen knife? due to the cascade designs cartel, I don't see any for sale in australia for a reasonable price but that might be a great option as well. or a similar setup.

average gimp · Sep 16, 2015

neeman said:
Why cut it down
It comes with a sheepsfoot for splicing and stripping cable

Cut down the handle--the OAL is a little long and much too thick for neck carry.

neeman · Sep 16, 2015

average gimp said:
Cut down the handle--the OAL is a little long and much too thick for neck carry.

I think you find it quite difficult to successfully cut down the molded handle without ruining it

gadgetgeek · Sep 17, 2015

I'm talented at ruining things, so I'd manage. interesting thought.

gadgetgeek · Sep 18, 2015

Anyone know of any knives similar in design to the Tops Backwoods skinner? looks ideal save for the extra complications and the cost.

Chignecto Woodsman · Sep 18, 2015

Isn't it basically an ulu with a knife handle? May be prohibited in your country, and won't do fire prep quite as good. But excellent for food. Something in this shape would be a compromise:
http://fishcreekalaska.com/images/bristol_bay_ulu_knife_mermaid_bone_maynard_linder.jpg

There is also a Mora chisel knife. I want to get one of those.

http://www.moraofsweden.se/construction/morakniv-chisel

elof_alv · Sep 19, 2015

This will fit your budget and size requirements i think: http://www.knifeblanksaustralia.com/apps/webstore/products/show/4276391

gooeytek · Sep 19, 2015

Spyderco Enuff. You can get it in a Sheepsfoot pattern, and in H1.

gadgetgeek · Sep 19, 2015

Thanks for that link Elof_alv. Looks like a good start for what I'm needing.
Gooeytek, would love to go for the spidey, but its a bit on the $$ side right now.
Chignecto, I think its just daggers that are not good here, but lawful excuse covers a bunch. I've wanted an ulu for a long time, but most of the ones I've seen just don't look good to me, either weak spots, or very big, kitchen style stuff. might have to design and get a custom done someday when I have dollars.

Ausseknifeknut · Sep 20, 2015

How much is your budget mate ?

gadgetgeek · Sep 20, 2015

45$AUD for the right knife, 20$ gets me a mora to put to the grinder, so its gotta be better than that.

22-rimfire · Sep 20, 2015

Victorinox makes a kids knife, a starter knife that has no point. I believe it's fully serrated. Probably would work.

With what you said about "budget", I would probably go with a Mora and nip the point or a cheap kitchen knife. Not much around that can compete with that kind of cost.

All the sheepsfoot or wharncliffe blades I own still have a point. It may not dominant the knife, but there is still a point that could be used for piercing.

gadgetgeek · Sep 20, 2015

I kinda want one of the my first swiss armies, but I'd give it to one of my co-workers just to annoy him! I think a modified mora will be the solution. I'm also looking at folders and it looks like a spyderco roadie might find its way to me. I could take the tip off an opinel, but I just don't want to.