Sheeple Friendly EDC/Backpacking knife

Munky88 said:
I would like to get a new EDC knife that is not too intimidating looking. I have been looking at the griptilians, and the lone wolf t-1 (with questions of quality) and was wondering if anybody had other recommendations of things to look at.

I would like a blade thats roughly 3 inches, although bigger or slightly smaller is also fine. Have maybe 100 dollars? preferably less. I want something thats rather compact and thin for pocket carry.
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The Mini Griptilian is my Trail knife. Solid, reliable, very lightweight. Weight does matter if it's swinging around clipped to your pocket seam long enough. In addition, the Griptilian is inexpensive enough not to worry about too much, available for about $60.00 online. Or if you want a blade steel upgrade, grab a Ritter Mini Griptilian, and still come in at about $100.00.

There are also plenty of Spyderco knives that have about the same footprint and fit the bill, including the Spyderco Caly 3. The Caly 3 is a bit heavier, but not by a whole lot, and comes in right at $100.00.

The Lone Wolf T1 is fantastic, well made and solid, but it's a heavy knife. However, The T1 and the full-size Griptilian are a little fat for extended pocket carry IMO.
 
For hiking how about a custom made fixed blade? I've been trying out several of them lately. Had this one on the trail w/ me today. http://www.workingknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=58 It is light in weight yet has good edge strength due to convex grind and David's heat treat of the 1095 high carbon steel. The belly and edge make it a great slicer for food prep and it comes scary sharp. The point lines up w/ the handle axis and rounded pommel making it a decent driller. It is also shaves fire sticks well. I even did some light wood splitting and batoning which I probably shouldn't have on a 3/32 stock blade, but it came out fine. The handle is a full length grip. I usually like a thicker/fuller grip, but the ergonomics make 4 position handling dextrous and secure. I wear it horizontal carry on my left front hip and so far none of the 'sheeple' have run in the other direction.:thumbup:
 
tapedeck74 said:
Who cares about sheep? Buy the knife you like. Some people are scared of their own shadows, why pander? Half the country's on anti-depressants and tranquilizers.
Anything blacker or bigger than a SAK tinker would be "scary" to some people. Forget the one hand opening SAKs too, or the Soldier. The most sheeple knife I can think of is the pink handled SAK Classic.

I apologize, I mean no disrespect, I just have a thing about giving in to the fears of ignorants.

On topic,
The Griptilian is a great knife, I have a 551, smooth and solid, though the handle material feels a little cheap if you're used to G-10 or Micarta.
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I'm not willing to put sheeple friendliness over function. But my function does not necessitate self defense or fighting. A knife that is clearly utilitarian. I should have been more clear.

for example, the SOG Mini-Vulcan looks like a good choice.
 
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Ah, i had overlooked spyderco previously. The Native looks suitable aswell. 50 shipping included (to canada)
 
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Coming back to swiss army knives: have you checked the Wenger's NewRanger series? They are available in 120mm size, which is much longer than the usual SAK, and they feel quite sturdy. When backpacking, having a (next to a decent blade) a corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener and some other tools in one package is pretty tempting.
Here is a Wenger Newranger clip 67 (120mm), but it's worth checking their full catalog as well for the other newranger models:

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Spyderco Delica 4 would be my first choice. Not very expensive, so if you lose it or its stolen, you can easily replace it.

-Extremely lightweight, but tougher than it feels. It feels like a toy in the hand, but don't be fooled.;)

-Has a 4-way pocket clip so you can carry it left or right handed, with the tip either up or down.

-VG-10 stainless steel. This is one of the best stainless steels out there IMO. Excellent edge retention and one of the tougher "super" steels. (It also happens to be my favorite stainless steel.)
 
I have a Lone Wolf T1 with G-10. I find it very comfortable in the pocket, and I have used it while camping without any problems. (I think Lone Wolf's Q/C issues were some time ago) It feels smaller in the pocket than a Griptilian, although a Griptilian is an excellent choice, too. Check out a Spyderco Delica if you can, very small, thin, and light.
 
Swamp Warden could make for a nice choice- the problem would be finding one.
SR101 Blade is just a tick under 3 inches; very capable, versatile knife that isn't likely to scare anyone.
 
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An orange Spyderco Rescue would also fit the bill and shouldn't scare folks....

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It also comes in black if the orange is too bright for you....

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Like some others have already stated, the large locking swiss army knives are also great.
Like this Victorinox Adventurer....

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I'm a fan of the Adventurer. It was my standard EDC until I bought the SOG Mini-Vulcan. It is thin enough to carry in your pocket and has the longer blade and basic tools that I find useful. The tweezers are important to me and I like the tooth pick as well. I used to carry the Tinker which is similar but smaller. This one is better for cutting. The tools that a lot of people are attracted to are the saw blade and the sizzors. I find neither particularly useful except when you have no other choice.
 
I've been using a blue Buck Twin Peaks and I really find it ideal for backpacking. Lighter than a multi-tool, it has all I need and nothing I don't. Plus it has two blades, one I keep for utility and one for food prep.
I'm always on the hunt for a practical, non-combat looking hiking/backpacking knife of good quality and this one has been the best fit so far.
 
I would recommend Spyderco Tasman Salt with Safety Yellow FRN. That has been used in several office environments to open boxes and no one has ever batted an eye.

I do believe it is due to the yellow handles, if this hookbill blade had black or metal scales, it would look much meaner. You may not need a hookbill knife, but yellow can make a knife 'disappear' in plain sight.
 
Opinels are great, bu they can swell. If your backpacking includes going thorugh potentially very wet areas, I wouldn't take the Opinel, or I'd treat it with some sort of oil.
Other than Opinels, one of the most friendly knives is the Case Sodbuster Jr.
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CV and yellow- doens't get any better than that.
If you must have a lock, clip, and flicker, the Minigrip is a great knife, and comes in freindly handle colors. If the design works for you, the Spyderco Native is also (I've heard) a great knife.
Both are very solid.
I agree that any SAK is pretty much great and sheeple friendly. The Farmer is very popular, right assortment of tools, but I prefer the Elctrician Plus with its smaller Wharncliffe blade rather than a can opener. The larger models are also very good. They have backsprings, but also locks. The liner locks are solid, but I like the push-down lock for ease of use.
 
What about a Spyderco Delica ? with the $ you have left you can get yourself a good Vic. S.A.K. & Mora !:thumbup:
 
When i go out in the woods and don't want to have a FB on my hip, i take a Griptilian and a Leatherman.

I personally would not go out without a one handed opening knife. Just in case one of your hands get injured.
 
Is there any reason why the Delica would be better for me than the Native? the native has a bigger blade, and smaller footprint.
 
Munky88 said:
Is there any reason why the Delica would be better for me than the Native? the native has a bigger blade, and smaller footprint.
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The Delica 4 will have a slightly smaller footprint than the Native. The Native has better blade steel, but a worse overall blade grind (thicker bevel with a very shallow hollow grind). Both are good knives, just choose the one you like better. The Native can be found at wally world for $40.

As an aside, if you use a firesteel, the jimping on the spine of the Native makes a terrific sparking tool.
 
For sheeple, I say the more traditional, the better. Seems to make them think of their grandpa or something.
 
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