Something occurred to me... agree/disagree?

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Jan 23, 2011
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I was writing a review of the Buck 303 Cadet, and came to this realization:

The only thing I might argue against this knife is that its utility might be limited compared to a Swiss Army knife. However, the gap might not be as big as one thinks. Can you open cans with the 303? Yes; it's not great for the edge, but it is possible. Can you turn screws with it? Given there are three blades, I venture that either the spine or tip of one can turn a screw in a pinch. How about opening a bottle? If you know the trick using a lighter, you can use the 303 in the same fashion.

Do you agree? Or disagree?
 
I don't necessarily disagree with everything you offer... Except the screwdriver thing, that thought makes me cringe a bit.
In a pinch, I said, in a pinch. ;)

I don't know if you have seen Fritz Lang's M. The protagonist gets out of a jam by turning screws with is pocket knife.
 
In a pinch, I said, in a pinch. ;)

I don't know if you have seen Fritz Lang's M. The protagonist gets out of a jam by turning screws with is pocket knife.
I haven't, but I have seen Insomnia, and that made me cringe... I like Anton Chigurh's approach in No Country For Old Men. Pocket change can do more than buy a soda.


Edit to add: I suppose, were I in dire need of turning a screw I'd use whatever I had at my disposal.
 
Agree to a point, but using a blade as a screwdriver is an excellent way to break the tip.
If you don't want to carry a SAK, why not carry a 4 blade scout or DEMO/G.I.Utility knife (or 5 blade scout with a phillips screwdriver) with your 303?

Personally, I believe the Scout/Demo/G.I. Utility knifes have a better can opener than the SAK, AND, the punch/awl/reamer is on top, making it MUCH more functional/handy. (YMMV)
The Marbles MR289 G.I. Utility Knife (identical to the old Camillus (and other contractors) issue Demo Knife, but has match strike pulls and lacks "CAN OPENER" stamped on that blade) costs under $7.00 (plus shipping, depending on size of order.)
 
Agree to a point, but using a blade as a screwdriver is an excellent way to break the tip.
If you don't want to carry a SAK, why not carry a 4 blade scout or DEMO/G.I.Utility knife with your 303?

Personally, I believe the Scout/Demo/G.I. Utility knifes have a better can opener than the SAK, AND, the punch/awl/reamer is on top, making it MUCH more functional/handy. (YMMV)
The Marbles MR289 G.I. Utility Knife (identical to the old Camillus (and other contractors) issue Demo Knife, but has match strike pulls and lacks "CAN OPENER" stamped on that blade) costs under $7.00 (plus shipping, depending on size of order.)
Thanks for your reply. I do carry an SAK. I was just thinking from the perspective of if all you had was a stockman knife, what could you do?
 
Thanks for your reply. I do carry an SAK. I was just thinking from the perspective of if all you had was a stockman knife, what could you do?

Way back before I became a knife nut, I carried a stockman as my true EDC. Every single day, my Buck 301 was in my pocket. It served me through the last year and a half I was in the army, and for about 24 years after that as a married man, employed as a machinist, and soccer dad with mini van going to soccer, Lacrosse, Girl Scouts, cub scouts then boy scouts, and dad taking family on outings ranging from day trip to the zoo to canoe camping.

I sometimes needed a small screw driver, or can opener. I kept my issue P-38 in my wallet, and many times the P-38 did screw driver duties and than made sure my family ate after opening cans with it.

Stockman (or whatever dedicated knife you have) teamed up with a P-38 will do a heck of a lot. If you have a Sears 4-way keychain driver in your wallet as well, then your in high cotton.
 
There is one screw I have turned hundreds of times with the sheepsfoot on a 34OT. The screw that connects the base of a tripod to the removable mount for my spotting scope or chronograph. I would open the blade and use the end of it where the spine rolls over to the point to tighten the screw. It didn’t have to be super tight so it worked perfectly for that task.
 
Please don't use a knife blade as a screwdriver or can opener. Yes it might work once or twice, but in my opinion that is bad practise and misuse of a tool. There is a reason the fine folks in Switzerland invented SAKs. Put 'em in your pocket and be ready and happy 🙂
 
I keep a p38 on my key ring and it has worked as a Philips driver a few times.

They work for Phillips screws, flat screws, can opener, bottle opener, light prying for opening small cans of putty, shoe polish that doesn't have that twist gizmo, small scraper, and box opener. Leave it to GI's in the field to put things to use that they weren't designed for.
 
Thanks for your replies, everyone. You have confirmed my idea.
I take good care of my knives, and I always have a Classic on my key ring. I also have several SAKs that I love.
Have a good day 👋
 
I agree with the 1st sentence .
But only 70% to 80% with the following sentences as I would never use a blade for any of those functions but you did list the pros and cons so can accept your argument
 
Thinking about this, I came to the conclusion that there is absolutely no excuse for using a knife for can opening or screw driving. First, its going to break your knife. Maybe not the first time, but the second or third time you'll have an instant sheep foot conversion of what ever blade shape you had a moment ago.

Second, theres still the flat little 4way keychain screw drivers and P-38 that will fit in your wallet. Sear's may be out of business, but googling "keychain screw drivers install yielded up a 4-way driver that looked like the Sears, made by Western, for all of two dollars. A little file work and the two smaller bits can be shaped for flat Phillips work. Of the P-38, there seems to be gobs of them on the market.

If one doesn't want to carry a SAK, and insists on a traditional pocket knife like a Buck cadet, I can't see why you would not just drop a 4-way screw driver in your wallet. Or a P-38. They take up almost no room, and will save your knife from serious damage.
 
I've seen a couple of fellows open up a can with a knife blade and while they were successful in the endeavor, I couldn't help but cringe with the thought that they might slip up and suffer a serious injury someway. Maybe in a survival situation 3,000 miles in the bush, but a different tool for the job might be better,
 
I was writing a review of the Buck 303 Cadet, and came to this realization:

The only thing I might argue against this knife is that its utility might be limited compared to a Swiss Army knife. However, the gap might not be as big as one thinks. Can you open cans with the 303? Yes; it's not great for the edge, but it is possible. Can you turn screws with it? Given there are three blades, I venture that either the spine or tip of one can turn a screw in a pinch. How about opening a bottle? If you know the trick using a lighter, you can use the 303 in the same fashion.

Do you agree? Or disagree?
You CAN do these things, but why damage a knife when you don't need to?
 
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