Toolbox Knife

[aznpos531]

So instead of buying more replacement blades for the box cutter in my toolbox I've decided to get a knife dedicated for the toolbox. Yes sure I could probably use the knife clipped to my pocket for the job but I can't pass on an excuse to get another knife can I?

I'm thinking of a fixed blade but not entirely opposed to folders.

Keep in mind that it will be sitting in my toolbox and will probably get banged around a bit. Thus, it shouldn't be anything I would be heartbroken over should it suffer any cosmetic damage (can't be too pretty) nor should it be so fragile (or cheap) that being in the toolbox with other tools will damage its functionality.

Doesn't need to be too large but should have a stout blade to take on tough tasks.

I'm budgeting about $100 for this knife

Most of the small fixed blades (like the ESEE Izula) from the major knife manufacturers are on my radar currently and hopefully your suggestions will help me narrow things down.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

 

[NJBillK]

Bk24, izula sized but d2 steel. Once sharpened and convexed it will hold up nicely to a Bunch of different tasks.
I use mine for landscaping/fences, digging in dirt, cutting sod, pruning small limbs, scraping caulk, cutting vinyl, you name it. I end up sharpening it every 5 days or so, depening on useage, YMMV.

 

[pinnah]

Mora Companion for fixed.

Opinel 9 for folder.

 

[addylo]

Opinel. Use the $85 you'll save on a really nice meal.

 

[klute]

I have a BC795DP - Bear & Son TAC II in my box and it's there mostly due to the sheath. The locking hard material sheath makes it a breeze to handle and store I just click it into the sheath when im done and throw it into the drawer, no worries.

 

[jac_solar]

Maybe a Mora with a scandi/hollow grind for wood and lighter tasks that require a sharp blade, and something with 1/4" or thicker stock with a convex or a wide angled secondary V-grind for more heavy duty tasks.

For heavy duty knives;

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON...-marine-raider-fixed-9-34-blade-kraton-handle

Ontario SP10 Spec Plus Marine Raider

• Blade Steel: 1095 Carbon Steel
• Blade Length: 9-3/4"
• Blade Thickness: 0.250"
• Overall: 15-1/8"

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON...ife-8815-inch-Flat-Ground-Blade-Kraton-Handle

Ontario Gen II SP50

• Blade: 8.815"
• Overall: 14.649"
• Blade Thickness: 0.25"

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON...fe-9436-inch-Saber-Ground-Blade-Kraton-Handle

Ontario Gen II SP53

• Blade: 9.436"
• Overall: 15.25"
• Blade Thickness: 0.25"
• Made in USA

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...Blade-Kraton-G-Handles-Leather-Cordura-Sheath

KA-BAR 1277 Large Heavy Bowie

• Blade Length: 9"
• Overall Length: 14-1/4"
• Edge Angle: 20°
• Blade Shape: Clip
• Grind: Flat
• Steel: 1085 Carbon Steel

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...-Combat-Bowie-Knife-9-inch-Carbon-Steel-Blade

KA-BAR BK9 Becker

• Blade Length: 9" 1095CroVan
• Overall Length: 14 3/4"
• Blade Thickness: 3/16"

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ON...ival-10-inch-blade-cordura-and-leather-sheath

Ontario SP8 Machete

• Blade Length: 10"
• Overall Length: 15-1/8"
• Blade Material: 1095 Carbon Steel
• Blade Grind: Flat
• Blade Thickness: 1/4" (6.4 mm)

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...-Carbon-Steel-Blade-Rescue-and-Tactical-Knife

KA-BAR BK3 Becker Tac Tool

• Overall Length: 12 1/2"
• Blade Length: 7"
• Blade Thickness: 0.230"
• Blade Coating: Black Epoxy Powder Coat

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CN...n-Steel-Blade-Hardwood-Handles-Leather-Sheath

Condor Tool & Knife CTK255-10HC Heavy Duty Kukri Knife

• Blade Length: 10"
• Thickness: 5/16"
• Overall Length: 14-1/2

 

[SadSappySucker]

110. End of story. I've used in construction for a while and the only drawback is the thin tip. It can even be one hand opened with a little practice(and a few bights).

 

[EricV]

Izula would be great since its super quick to sharpen and very tough with a great sheath.

Even check out the makers section here, small carbon steel fixed blades are all over the place. I would just get one with a kydex sheath for the retention.

 

[abcdef]

If you really want to spend $100 on a toolbox knife, I am sure the forum makers could provide a really nice custom. You should also take a look at the G L Drew "Ultra Light" in the For Sale: Custom Knives (Individual) section and save yourself 10 bucks.

 

[smith357]

Which toolbox? The carpentry box, plumbing box, auto box, or machinist box . Different jobs require different tools.

 

[EChoil]

I've found the best tool box knife to be an original HEST fixed blade by Rowen. Plus it's one of the best little knives ever.

Alternate--BK-11/14.

Folders--RAT or Utilitac

 

[pinnah]

110. End of story. I've used in construction for a while and the only drawback is the thin tip. It can even be one hand opened with a little practice(and a few bights).

I still own and love a 110 (2 dot, from the 70s) and it's a wonderful hunting, fishing, meat knife. But my Opinels are a heck of a lot tougher. I've killed of Buck lock backs (including the Ecolite version of the 112) in less than a year using it for "toolbox" shop and property work. The Opinel's lockring construction is just tougher than the lockback design, ime.

With a bit practice, the Opinel is very easy to one hand open and close. No back spring means no bites.

I have a Buck 500 in my pocket as I type this, so I'm not anti Buck. But the Opinel is a much better toolbox type knife IMO.

 

[james terrio]

A heavy 9" camp knife is probably not the way to go for a toolbox knife

Bk24, izula sized but d2 steel.

That's a great choice. The extra wear-resistance and corrosion-resistance of a higher alloy steel will definitely be a good thing in a dedicated toolbox knife that's probably going to be neglected for days or weeks at a time, and used for some fairly rough tasks.

Keep a small diamond "stone" in there with it, perhaps one with a coarse/fine side.

A toolbox knife would be one of the very few instances where I would consider a partially-serrated blade.

Kydex or similar zero-maintenance material is the best choice for a sheath in this case.

Having said all that, a $15 stainless Mora would work pretty well, too. Buy 2 or 3, I promise you'll find uses/homes for them (tackle box, kitchen beater, garden shed, survival kit, glove box, etc etc)

My personal shop knife is a full-tang model in CPM-154 that I broke on purpose during testing. I never even bothered putting handle scales on it. I reground the "tip" to a chisel for scraping stuff and using it like a wharncliff style blade. It works so well, I've often considered making more like it.

 

[B34NS]

My fave toolbox knife has been the Survive! necker. Certainly saved me on razor blades and box cutters.

 

[billym]

What will you be cutting most often? The Utility knife you plan on replacing is probably the right tool for the job. I love my regular knives but wouldn't trade out the Utility knives in my tool boxes.

 

[RamZar]

Cold Steel Tuff-Lite Series with blade lengths of 2"-2.5" for about $25-$30.

 

[eschwebach]

I use a Mora Clipper for my tool box knife. Works great. The plastic sheath keeps it protected from banging around with the other tools.

 

[djtSA]

not to rain on anyone's parade , but pick the tool for the job (or toolbox in this case).
buy more blades for the cutter ..... never got the idea of using a knife for jobs designed for a box cutter

 

[collim1]

CRKT Edgie. Cuts cardboard and plastic sheeting like it's angry. I got one years ago when I got tired of replacing razor blades.

Not useful for much else but it's great for cardboard. Twenty bucks so you won't mind it getting lost or banged up.

 

[KAEDC]

Cold steel Recon 1, 4" combo in CTS-XHP or Ontario Utilitac for folding. TOPS Mini-Pry for fixed.