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bluecow

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WHAT IS THE BEST POCKET KNIFE AND WHY?

I'll start. The pruner/hawkbill/utility. the shape of the blade is the best for long cuts and so works as well as any for shorter cuts also. ok so it don't stab all that well, yet in 50 years of carrying a pocket knife I can't remember of ever having to stab anything. using the back of the blade no pocket knife can scoop out as much peanut butter from the jar. the back side of the curve work well for a small spatula. not great i admit but try doing that with a spear point. it rides vary nicely in the pocket, with the blade down it acts like a keel on a ship and keeps the knife steady and in the right direction. lastly when its 20 below, snowing, and you are got lined rag wool mittens on your hands, with all that blade standing out there you can still pinch open the blade. try that with your SodbuterTrapperStockman;)

 
The pruner sure doesn’t win any popularity contests, but I also like it quite a bit. I typically don’t use folding knives for food but I’m sure it would slice up an apple just fine.

I don’t have a picture of my around the house beater, but here’s the fancy version of my most used pocket knife. I love that it has a very fine point. It also rips through packaging and cardboard with ease.

veoegl.jpg
 
This is my EDC. I always say it is the knife that will ride in my pocket every day until it fails, or I find something I like better. In 5+ years I haven't changed yet. This is a photo from when it was new. It doesn't have as much pizazz now, but it never fails me.
front.jpg
 
draggat said:
The pruner sure doesn’t win any popularity contests, but I also like it quite a bit. I typically don’t use folding knives for food but I’m sure it would slice up an apple just fine.

I don’t have a picture of my around the house beater, but here’s the fancy version of my most used pocket knife. I love that it has a very fine point. It also rips through packaging and cardboard with ease.

veoegl.jpg
Click to expand...
what a beauty
 
Disadvantage of the hawkbill pruner is it is more difficult to sharpen than a sheepsfoot or lambsfoot pruner, or a Wharncliffe.
I prefer the sheepsfoot or Wharncliffe for long or intricate cuts. (I've never had a lambsfoot, so I don't know how much I would like it over those two.)
The patterns I feel "naked" without are the stockman. (I like the blade selection.) 4 blade Scout/Camp knife (it gives me a spear point blade when needed, and an awl ... I use the can opener and screwdriver/cap lifter blades, too.) and a SAK "Signature" on the keyring. (Mainly for the ink pen, scissors, and toothpick.)
I carry all three as my EDC.
 
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As much as I don't want to say it(because I hardly ever carry mine), I think redsparrow is spot on with the SAK. It's versatility is unmatched in its weight class. Sure, I could open a can with a plain old knife but imagine the damage that'd occur. The SAK can do that as well as a million other tasks without any trouble at all. It's just so damn useful, haha.

I only have a Super Tinker and while I use it just about every single day, I almost never carry it outside of my home. For people that do carry theirs I'm betting it's probably the best knife for daily chores.
 
"Best" is hard thing to nail down, what with subjectivity and all. (Though, an noted above, you could make a really strong case for the SAK).

For my purposes, I've found that a single spring, two blade knife suits me best. I've had the 2015 forum knife in my pocket every day since I managed to snag one earlier this year. And I nabbed a GEC Churchill to keep as backup in case anything should happen to the forum knife. Finally, I've got an GEC Esquire for occasions that call for something small. All have one blade with belly and one blade with a straight edge, and that combo is pretty much all I need.
 
Twenty years ago I'd have said 93mm SAK (Wenger Soldier/SI Alox)
Twelve years ago,Stockman
Ten years ago, Sodbuster Jr.
Eight years ago, Victorinox Alox Farmer
Six years ago, Mini Copperlock
Four years ago, Sodbuster/Sodbuster Jr.

Today, I have to say the Swiss Army Knive. The 84mm Victorinox specifically. The Recruit handles just about any task I run into. My Cadet is what brought me back to the SAK.
 
This one. The Camillus C4 camper.
  • It doesn't rust on me.
  • Nice full grip for long days of work, but doesn't need a belt pouch.
  • Using the bail means it never gets lost.
  • Delrin covers won't crack
  • Easy to sharpen
  • No nail-breaker blade pulls
  • Two wickedly useful blade shapes.
  • Duh, it's got a wood saw!!! How cool is that?!?!?!
  • Cap lifter for a brew at the end of the day.
  • The Phillips driver is remarkably useful

GDbdrfRh.jpg
 
The one I have on me...... Which is most consistently a Case Peanut. Small, slim and the thing just zips right through most anything with that slim blade. I found that it's really quite impressive once you learn how to keep the blades sharp.

At one time, I felt that a 4" closed knife was the bare minimum. Thanks to Carl (@jackknife ), I've learned the error of my ways.

"It doesn't have to be big, just sharp."

The way the Peanut is made, it just lends itself to slicing.
 
This is a fun thread! No doubt everything suggested is the absolute best. I "liked" every single one of them. Now, thanks to you guys I have to get out my Vic electrician, my large stockman, my sodbuster and my 74 stallion in ebony, while locating a Camillus C4 camper!!! :eek::confused:;):D
 
Best ?

I would have to say that based on cost, utility, quality, and function alone the best would have to be :

The Vic recruit.
Now I can't call it the best overall because it doesn't have the carbon steel and natural covers to scratch that real old school old / old world itch, however if I wasn't a knife nut it could easily be the one and only knife in my pocket.



Honerable mention would go to the case splitback half whittler.
I'm just going to call it a great knife that I really love, not the best or my favorite just one that stands out which I really really like.


Btw red is actually one of my least favorite colors, but some of my favorite knives happen to be red.
I've accepted that just like tool boxes knives will often be red, so I just go with it.
 
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+1 on the Peanut, Woodrow! It's kind of like a hot hatchback. Small, efficient, nimble, affordable, low upkeep, more capable than people give it credit for, and after a while of using it you think, "Man, this thing can do anything!"

I've carried a Peanut everyday for the last 3 years or so; it's never left me wanting more. Sure, I compliment it with other knives for daily carry, but that's just because I'm a knife knut and I like pocket jewelry.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
The one I have on me...... Which is most consistently a Case Peanut. Small, slim and the thing just zips right through most anything with that slim blade. I found that it's really quite impressive once you learn how to keep the blades sharp.

At one time, I felt that a 4" closed knife was the bare minimum. Thanks to Carl (@jackknife ), I've learned the error of my ways.

"It doesn't have to be big, just sharp."

The way the Peanut is made, it just lends itself to slicing.
Click to expand...

+1 The Peanut

or the Pen Knife

Different time, different place, I would give a different answer, but a small pocket knife is my 90% solution.
 
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