Small blade, first choice?

[lonestar1979]

Spyderco ladybug old style in aus6 is on my keychain and performs like keychain scalpel...excellent little knife,bought it on clearance sale 20yrs ago,pryed with it and used it as screwdriver...this knife is awesome and super light.Also i have classic alox on keychain ,those 2 are my edc ,thats all.I like classic,but the blade is too thin,too slim,ladybug cam be opened one handed and closed,lock on it is pretty strong.I reground it,put it flat on stone,then after gave it secondary invisible bevel on sharpmaker,it whittles hair,and holds edge pretty good and is easy to sharpen.Wish i can put some of my case knives on keychain.

 

[Mongo]

On multi-blade knives, I like to leave one of them reserved for tasks that require something "scalpel sharp". I keep the pen blade on my Peanut and the spey blade on my Stockmans scary sharp. The main blades usually see the brunt of the work.

 

[lambertiana]

I tend to use the small blade first. It really comes down to having finer control, and if the small blade is enough to get the job done, I use it. I usually only use the large blades when they are needed, such as when cutting fruit or sandwiches.

 

[Corso]

Small knife definatly

small blade not so much

tend to leave them razor sharp and ready if needed

 

[Getting older]

My executive came from second hand store,is scalpel sharp small blade.It's the one I usually go to first,trims hang nails and cuticles wonderfully.The large blade well the key ring nub sometimes impedes the grip that's being used

 

[Wild Willie]

I personally go for the main blade on whatever I happen to be carrying. My brother on the other hand always uses the smallest blade possible... That is if he has a knife on him at all, his excuse is that I always have one.

 

[lonestar1979]

I have alox classic along with ladybug on keychain and those are only knives i iarry most times and they do all the tasks needed except fóod cutting for which i use victorinox paring and boning knives.

 

[Old Hunter]

A Stockman has always been my first choice in a pocketknife (in my post-Boy Scout life). I use the Sheepfoot a lot, opening boxes but as a DW salesman for nearly 37 years I use that blade to score and then snap drywall whether I’m demonstrating or checking our products (or our competitors) - cannot do without that blade when I’m on a job site. Most of the Sheepfoot blades on my knives show their use. I use the Main Clip for opening envelopes, digging into joint compound or plaster, cutting twine or line, and for cutting my food when I need it (no, I’m not the fussy type about sanitation of the blade, but I wouldn’t cut a pork chop to eat right after I cleaned a fish with the blade either). I use the Spay blade but have to admit being a bit perplexed by the design over the years - jumped on the first couple Stockman knives I saw with Pen secondary blades in lieu of Spays. OH

 

[hornetguy]

I tend to use the secondary for work/cutting tasks and save the larger for "clean" tasks like foodish stuff

 

[GaiusJulius]

I used to always carry a multi blade knife, and would find myself analyzing which blade was “better” for a certain task. But if I were to be honest the little pen or coping blade would do 95% of what I needed. Then I started carrying a single blade and the question became moot.

 

[CVamberbonehead]

I often use the smaller blades too. A pen blade is all you need sometimes. I just try to pick the right blade for the job generally.

 

[JaxBaron]

No, I rarely use the secondary blade. I usually reserve them so they are razor sharp if needed.

 

[chuck4570]

Primarily I use single bladed knives, multiple knives in different sizes though. But when I do carry a multi bladed knife I usually use the primary blade, but secondary blade is always sharp.

 

[Student762]

To offer an alternative explanation, from a pseudo-psychological stand point.

Most of the stockman type knives I've seen have the sheepsfoot riding quite high, making it easier to access. Could just be your brain going to the path of least resistance.

As to the question you posed, it depends on the knife for me. SAKs, I always go for the pen, my GEC two blade jacks, always the main. Can't explain it.

 

[screened porch]

I wonder if its some subliminal thought process to preserve the main blade, or some unconscious evaluation of that small blade is all thats needed?

Both of these for me. Except not unconscious or subliminal, I guess. One thing I like about a stockman is I can use the spay and conserve the two blades I like more.

 

[Blake the Blade]

Been Carrying a Spartan at work since Christmas, and yes it's the small blade that carries out all except the largest cutting tasks. Prefer to leave the large blade for food if possible, large spear point great for apple work. Don't pry with either blade, use the flat screwdriver for that instead.
20200312_144349 by Mark Saunders, on Flickr

- Mark

 

[Lansky1]

Love the little wharncliffe on this one ...

 

[urbantrapper]

My senti

I'm a devout stockman user, because I thoroughly enjoy using the "right" blade for the job. I wouldn't say I use the smaller blade or blades the most, but the sheepfoot does do a lot of box opening and cutting. The clip main gets used for food prep and opeing larger envelopes. I've never been much of a pen blade guy, but for the third blade I really like the pen clip, as found on this 1999 S&M.

My sentiments echo these of black mamba. As a multi blade fan I tend to go for the best blade for the job, however preservation is high on the list as well. In general I will not use a blade if I feel it will abuse the knife or cause it undue wear and tear. I too use my clip primarily for food prep and it really shines at that task. I prefer the thinner muskrat style clips on my stockies.

 

[cut it out]

I also always use the small blade or the sheepsfoot if it has one. I save the main/bigger blade for food.

 

[black mamba]

Nicely done, Lansky, a worthy combo!