The Everything Duty Knife... Does it Exist???

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gringoing

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Jun 18, 2011
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So all, I am on a hunt for the everything duty military duty knife. Everyday I bring with me a little Spyderco Salsa that is a sweet little EDC knife but its time to step it up and get something a little more serious. So many things have been going across my mind as far as what I want out of a knife and the uses and tasks I will be putting this blade through. This is what I am wanting first off a duty knife something that can cut through the tough stuff when I need it to. Secondly I am looking for something I can peel and orange, cut a sandwich, and slice the top of a banana all without mangling up the food product at hand but I also dont need to make a meal with it. I would also like something that if I needed to I could use in a self defense purpose without second guessing that it would do the job. Most of all I want it to be highly corrosion resistant. There are a few knives I have been thinking about but I have no experience with the maker. The two I am thinking about are Emersons the first the Endeavor and the second is CQC-10 and they seem like they might meet this ideal but what do you think is there anything better. Maybe I am being to narrow minded when it comes to the brands but thats what I am here to ask and find out. Let me know thanks a lot. :D
 
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Doubtful. A knife that slices and penetrates well will not do well for prying and batoning. Likewise, a knife good for the latter two aren't good for the former. Best to get two to cover all the angles. A spyderco Para2 for EDC, and an XM-18 if you feel you might need to pry a tank open.
 
Well Im not looking for so much batoning and prying if you looked at what the uses where. I guess I just want something versatile but not so much so that its a leatherman. If I am going to use it to cut a banana in half I dont want banana pudding when Im done but Im also not going to be making fruit salad. If I want to cut some boxes open and to slice open envelopes and packages I dont want to have a paper shredder but I also wont be cutting apart 20 refrigerator boxes a day. If I am going to use the knife to defend myself, GOD FORBID, I dont need a meat cleaver or a switchblade but I also dont want to be wishing I had bought something better. I guess this is just how I feel and I hope something out there exists that wont rust or pit at the sight of water.
 
Everything duty knife? Sounds like most of my knives. I've used my Kershaw Cyclone, for example, to do a ludicrous number of things, from all kinds of food prep to opening steel cans to hammering tent pegs. I used my Manix 2 for limbing small trees, food prep, prying, and even threw it once or twice. It doesn't seem to me to be that difficult to find one general-use knife that can suit all of your needs.

Keep in mind that there are tons of folks out there who only use one knife ever - we knife dorks who own more knives than we can count are the minority.
 
If you want a tough EDC that'll go through the wringer if you need it but can also slice your sandwiches, why not get a small fixed blade?

 
Seriously, you will get more use out of a Victorinox Soldier (the old one) than a zombie-killer knife. Then a beater K-bar type knife for the heavy duty stuff. Maybe $75 for both. The SAK will definately get the most use.
 
I have the CQC10 and I can vouch for it. It's a heck of a tank and the chisel edge (not grind) makes it an outstanding slicer. Extra comfortable handle, useful blade shape, lock is well-built, very good steel (HT is spot on), grippy G10. I like the wave (some don't). The pivot was loosening fast at first, but a little teflon tape solved the "issue" in no time. I'm very satisfied with this knife.

Free knife pron:
CQC10_03.jpg
 
I think you have the right idea with Emerson. They're tough knives but also have thin enough blade stock that you can use them for the sort of food prep stuff you mentioned. And it almost goes without saying that they're a knife that you could count on in a self-defense situation.

Some of Benchmade's models could also be a good fit. I'm partial to the Presidio (my favorite Axis Lock Benchmade). I only have the manual version of the Presidio (model 520), but since you're active-duty military the automatic version (model 5000) would also be an option.
 
I think that if you want a big, tough blade, I would go for the ZT 0200. IF YOU KEEP IT SHARP, then it will be able to slice reasonably well, but it will excel at the rougher tasks that have to be done. I have chopped small trees down with it, dug holes, and generally abused it. it is solid. it is very comfortable, the 3D handles, besides being cool, are very grippy, the steel is nice, and it is overall a good value. if you are looking for something more slicing focused, then go for the spyderco military.
 
TwinStick said:
Order a $60 Becker BK2, then reprofile the blade &/or convex it, making the sides of the edge thinner. It will cut & slice like nobodys business & you can still pry with it because it is a 1/4" thick. There you have it.

Is it tough ? Check this out: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/839944-BK2-test-the-final-part-(LOTS-of-pictures)
Click to expand...

He said he was going to peel fruit and such with the knife; don't you think the BK2 is not the greatest choice for that? Plus it's not stainless, which he said he wanted.
 
I read "everything duty military duty knife in the very first sentence." So that is my recomendation for what he asked for. I was a soldier as well & WISH i could have carried a Becker BK2 everyday. I am also in LE & WISH i could carry that as well, but i cant. Is it more knife than you will USUALLY need, probably, but it is better to have it & not need it, than to need it & not have it. Ever try breaking out a vehicle window with a 1 ounce folder ? Or prying with it's blade ? A BK2 will laugh at you & ask for more. I'm just sayin.
 
I understand, most of the time it's just so much easier to carry and use a pocket knife :) I usually have an Umnumzaan or a BM Rift on me and I've never been left wanting anything more...
 
Look at a Spyderco Endura or Delica
Look at a Kershaw Blur.
Look at a Benchmade Griptilian.

There are variants of each of these, any basic model will do fine.
These companies also have many other reliable choices.

The correct answer to your question, of course, is GET A SMATCHET !!! :D
 
Hello Gringoing!

I don't think you'd be disappointed by an Ontario RAT-1: great slicer with that full-flat grind, stainless AUS 8 steel, solid build, good handle. You can probably find one for around $30 online, so it's not a huge loss if you decide it doesn't do the trick. I'd also recommend the Spyderco Endura 4 or, if you want to go cheaper, the Byrd Cara Cara 2. The Cold Steel American Lawman also looks promising. The Benchmade 710 is very popular as well.

However, if you want to go top-drawer, check out the Spyderco Para-Military 2 or the Military... superb!

Good luck! :)
 
You have to determine where you want to make "the compromise."

You will be able to find many knives that can do everything you want, however they may not do everything equally well. Once you can decide what you value most in a blade design, then you will be able to choose the best knife for you.

The result of many of us trying to figure out what "this knife" is, is an ever growing collection/ accumulation of knives.

Welcome to the search, and the forum.:)
 
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