Lately I've been getting more into modern folders, but now I feel I'm shifting back to SAKs again. I've been thinking about what I use my knives most often for and what I look for in the knives I carry...
-Corrosion resistance (Important because I'm very active in the summer and sweat a lot)
-Easy sharpening / ease of reprofiling
-Thin blades with good geometry behind the edge
-Versatility
-Durability
-Ability to be used in a SD scenario (Had two close calls with dogs lately and prefer pocket sized defense items to a walking stick or similar item. Prefer carrying something with other utility uses rather than a can of mace or something that adds more bulk to my pockets)
And my main uses...
-Food prep (Chopping veggies and slicing meats while cooking, cutting breads and fruits while out etc)
-Opening boxes and packages and breaking them down for the trash
-Various outdoors uses such as whittling, prepping fish and small animals, making shavings etc.
Modern folders don't seem to make much sense for me when I look at these lists. What seems to fit the best is a locking SAK. More versatility than any single bladed knife, probably the most corrosion resistance outside of Spyderco's H1 line, great blade thickness and geometry, takes a whole 5 minutes to reprofile and sharpens up very easily etc. Wouldn't be much use for stabbing at a dog, but kept sharp I'd imagine it could slice them which might scare them enough to get them away from me.
I think I'll keep my Buck Hartsook in my wallet for dirtier tasks or cuts where a smaller knife is more practical, saving the SAK blade for food as much as I can. I don't get fast food or anything, I just bake my own bread and bring fruits and veggies with me in the car or on my walks, so a dedicated food knife is nice to have.
I have lots of nice one handed folders now that I've taken the time to reprofile and customize to my liking, but now I'm thinking I'd rather just go buy the button lock SAK model for 25$ at the camping store near my house. Hmm, might see something of mine on the trade forums in the next week.
-Corrosion resistance (Important because I'm very active in the summer and sweat a lot)
-Easy sharpening / ease of reprofiling
-Thin blades with good geometry behind the edge
-Versatility
-Durability
-Ability to be used in a SD scenario (Had two close calls with dogs lately and prefer pocket sized defense items to a walking stick or similar item. Prefer carrying something with other utility uses rather than a can of mace or something that adds more bulk to my pockets)
And my main uses...
-Food prep (Chopping veggies and slicing meats while cooking, cutting breads and fruits while out etc)
-Opening boxes and packages and breaking them down for the trash
-Various outdoors uses such as whittling, prepping fish and small animals, making shavings etc.
Modern folders don't seem to make much sense for me when I look at these lists. What seems to fit the best is a locking SAK. More versatility than any single bladed knife, probably the most corrosion resistance outside of Spyderco's H1 line, great blade thickness and geometry, takes a whole 5 minutes to reprofile and sharpens up very easily etc. Wouldn't be much use for stabbing at a dog, but kept sharp I'd imagine it could slice them which might scare them enough to get them away from me.
I think I'll keep my Buck Hartsook in my wallet for dirtier tasks or cuts where a smaller knife is more practical, saving the SAK blade for food as much as I can. I don't get fast food or anything, I just bake my own bread and bring fruits and veggies with me in the car or on my walks, so a dedicated food knife is nice to have.
I have lots of nice one handed folders now that I've taken the time to reprofile and customize to my liking, but now I'm thinking I'd rather just go buy the button lock SAK model for 25$ at the camping store near my house. Hmm, might see something of mine on the trade forums in the next week.
