SnG, Para-military or?? for a hard use knife

DaveReb

DaveReb

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I'm an Electrician and my company finally just landed a job too carry me over the winter...YAHOO!!!!. The job is from the ground up, and going to start this fall/winter. It will involve alot of underground and outside piping, so I'm looking for a knife to handle the extremes of a NE Ohio winter, along with exposure to dirt, mud, and water. I know the SnG is up too the task, I've owned a couple, but due to short work weeks this summer, I was forced too let them go:grumpy: these have some strong robust blades that IMO can take just about anything. I've also owned a few P-militaries over the years, and while I think they are good work knives the thin tip concerns me. I owned a S30V version and the very tip chipped off cutting thin plastic sheeting:confused: Maybe I just had a bad one, so I'd definitely like to hear about others using the P-militay for a hard use knife. I'm also open to input on other knives that might fit the bill. What I am looking for would be a fairly light weight ~4.5oz+/-oz, Full size G10 handle, open construction, a thick blade, i don't need a slicer for the work this knife will be seeing, with a sturdy lock. I'd also like too keep the blade length as close to 3" as possible, but not exceeding 3.5". As I mentioned I have owned SnG's before and it is the knife I would buy, however I'm not sure I can afford a new one at this time...so cheaper alternatives are definitely a :thumbup: right now!!

TIA
Dave
 
I would use a fixed blade for a hard-use knife. You might want to check out the RAT Izula and the Bark River Necker. Both are very cheap - in the $60 to $70 range.

If you still want a folder then check out Ken Onion's Zero Tolerance knives. They look like the beefiest folders on the market and have very strong tips. ZT models are also significantly cheaper than Strider offerings.
 
I found the ZT´s to be very large (ok, just one look and no interest). So i would recommend to look for a HK 14205, wich has a thick blade and strong tip.

Stronger tips are offerd by the Priptilian 551 or the Presidio 520.

Or the newer 760 LFTi from BM is a nice frame lock too.
 
First choice, Sodbuster or electricians knife.
Second choice, Para!
 
Blop said:
I found the ZT´s to be very large (ok, just one look and no interest). So i would recommend to look for a HK 14205, wich has a thick blade and strong tip.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking, the HK 14205. It has a thicker blade than most Benchmades and should hold up well plus it has the AXIS lock which is a big :thumbup: in my book.
 
I think the ZT0500 would be your best bet, esp. if you are going to be wearing gloves, plus, the price is right. I suspect this will get shot down, so, my second recommendation would be to go with a nice small fixed blade. I am thinking you might be able to contact someone like PML and bounce ideas off him. He might be able to come up with something cool and work specific on the tip design, a comfy choil and the flat tip screw driver point he puts on the back end would be nice. He may also be able to work in a wire stripper or something you might have an idea about...... Heck, if you had one of the makers come up with something cool they might namer it after you. I can see it now.... the DaveReb Snowy Electrician....;)
 
D1omedes said:
I would use a fixed blade for a hard-use knife. You might want to check out the RAT Izula and the Bark River Necker. Both are very cheap - in the $60 to $70 range.

If you still want a folder then check out Ken Onion's Zero Tolerance knives. They look like the beefiest folders on the market and have very strong tips. ZT models are also significantly cheaper than Strider offerings.
Click to expand...

I'm not really interested in fixed blades as I'm not into belt sheaths. I'll also be wearing bibs or coveralls so something I can clip to, or drop in a pocket would be a better way to go
I also took a look at the ZT line and blade lengths were either too long or the knife is heavier than I care to carry. I'm also not into AO's at all...

Thanks
Dave
 
Ritter Grip.

Tough!

Now in high viz orange in case you drop it.

OrangeRitter004.jpg
 
Blop said:
I found the ZT´s to be very large (ok, just one look and no interest). So i would recommend to look for a HK 14205, wich has a thick blade and strong tip.

Stronger tips are offerd by the Priptilian 551 or the Presidio 520.

Or the newer 760 LFTi from BM is a nice frame lock too.
Click to expand...

I always liked the 14205...but I don't like lots of "extra parts." Specifically omega springs...mainly because they are concealed, so cleaning and rust is could be an issue. If I remove the scales to clean and lube the springs my warranty is shot., and if a spring breaks, however unlikely, I'm forced to send the knife in for repair. So while I really do like the Axis lock, I haven't owned one for quite some time, because BM won't provide owners repacemant springs.

The lum is a great suggestion only my blade length is 3.5" max.

Thanks for the input
Dave
 
T.K.C. said:
Out of those two, I would get an SNG. I wouls also get the SNG CC.
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I think your suggestion is right were this post is l.eading...no CC for me, or anything too new or pretty. I'd rather get a nice gen5 user that someone all ready broke in, then I won't have any problem digging in the dirt with it:eek:

Dave
 
If dirt and such is an issue, then you should consider one of Spyderco's Salt series knives. H1 steel doesn't rust, they have no liners (thus easy to clean), light, inexpensive and come in serrated versions.
 
spiralarchitect said:
I think the ZT0500 would be your best bet, esp. if you are going to be wearing gloves, plus, the price is right. I suspect this will get shot down, so, my second recommendation would be to go with a nice small fixed blade. I am thinking you might be able to contact someone like PML and bounce ideas off him. He might be able to come up with something cool and work specific on the tip design, a comfy choil and the flat tip screw driver point he puts on the back end would be nice. He may also be able to work in a wire stripper or something you might have an idea about...... Heck, if you had one of the makers come up with something cool they might namer it after you. I can see it now.... the DaveReb Snowy Electrician....;)
Click to expand...


If the ZT500's blade was more in the 3.25"-3.50" range, I'd definitely give it a try, but as it stands, it's bigger than I want to carry. the thing that draws me to the SnG and P-Military is there lighter weight. Plus both have a fairly simple proven lock, that are easy to keep dirt free.
The custom knife idea is a good one but more for a general purpose electricians knife. I don't really need screwdrives, and stripping notches for the underground/outside work. But for most of the other work, a small fixed blade, sized like a BRKT Mini Canadian, with a small hawkbill blade, maybe some type of screwdriver attachment in the handle with exchangeable tips, philips and slotted similar to the LM Skeletool...hmmmm your getting me thinking....lol

Dave
 
Spyderco delica or salt 1 would be pretty good options in my opinion. They both have thicker tips than the para. Between the para and the sng, I would choose the sng. The para is a phenominal knife, and one of my favorites, but if you are going to be using the tip for heavy use, I would feel much more comfortable with the sng. One of my only real gripes with the para is that needle thin tip, but many love that feature.
 
Bax Axe said:
Between the para and the sng, I would choose the sng. The para is a phenominal knife, and one of my favorites, but if you are going to be using the tip for heavy use, I would feel much more comfortable with the sng. One of my only real gripes with the para is that needle thin tip, but many love that feature.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I was going to say.
LOVE the Para but for hard use I'd go SNG.
 
DaveReb said:
If the ZT500's blade was more in the 3.25"-3.50" range, I'd definitely give it a try, but as it stands, it's bigger than I want to carry. the thing that draws me to the SnG and P-Military is there lighter weight. Plus both have a fairly simple proven lock, that are easy to keep dirt free.
The custom knife idea is a good one but more for a general purpose electricians knife. I don't really need screwdrives, and stripping notches for the underground/outside work. But for most of the other work, a small fixed blade, sized like a BRKT Mini Canadian, with a small hawkbill blade, maybe some type of screwdriver attachment in the handle with exchangeable tips, philips and slotted similar to the LM Skeletool...hmmmm your getting me thinking....lol

Dave
Click to expand...

I work about 60% inside and 40% outside and I usually carry a 6-7 in FB when out on a farm. That size, with the right sheath, fits fine in a jeans pocket and works even better in Carhart work pants or Overalls. Hope you find what you are looking for. :thumbup:

Edit to add: an assortment of 1/4 inch hex bits in a rubber carrier in your pocket and any piece of steel (knife or otherwise) with a corresponding hex hole and a couple of notches for some O-rings to hold the bits can be worth their collective weight in gold sometimes. The great thing is that you can get almost anything you might need driver wise in a 1/4 inch bit.
 
DaveReb said:
I think your suggestion is right were this post is l.eading...no CC for me, or anything too new or pretty. I'd rather get a nice gen5 user that someone all ready broke in, then I won't have any problem digging in the dirt with it:eek:

Dave
Click to expand...
I understand completely.
 
Spyderco Manix 2 is your knife! For the $80 price you are going to be extremely impressed. Has the choil of the SNG, bombproof lock, G-10 scales with open construction, weighs about 5oz.

In short, it is exactly the knife you are describing and you won't be disappointed!
 
Biginboca said:
Spyderco Manix 2 is your knife! For the $80 price you are going to be extremely impressed. Has the choil of the SNG, bombproof lock, G-10 scales with open construction, weighs about 5oz.

In short, it is exactly the knife you are describing and you won't be disappointed!
Click to expand...

The Manix 2 maybe the one to try before I go and plink down a bunch of cash for a SnG...maybe I can find someone to trade their big Manix 2 for my itty bitty G10 Dragonfly 2

Thanks for the input
Dave
 
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