- Joined
- Aug 9, 2007
- Messages
- 761
I'm a Calgary resident, and I've been looking for a new fixed blade for work. I do alot of outdoors stuff, very menial, mostly landscaping and property maintenance. (While I concede that the white-collar/flourescent-lighting lifestyle works for many, and is typically more lucrative, I for one can't take it.)
Anyhoo, mostly I've been carring an old CRKT M21-SF Folder, or sometimes my Sebbie, which I love to bits. Still, there have been plenty of instances when something larger and stronger would have worked a lot better. Something that can chop through planks and downed tree limbs, and something sturdy and heavy enough to hammer when it has to.
The local knife stores have been unreasonably tolerant of me, ceaselessly perusing their inventory without ever actually buying anything. I must be one of their most indecisive customers. Shopping online is good, but it helps to actually hold the knife you plan on buying. I've narrowed it down to just a few options, some of which I've actually owned before, but I think I need help to decide. I want to make an early decision so that when my paycheck comes, I can make a decisive purchase. Here's what I was thinking of:
Cold Steel Laredo Bowie (SK-5)
The most economical option. Living in Calgary, I'm ashamed to say I dig a knife with a bit of cowboy style. Every time I visit the store, I fall in love with this knife - more so than any of the others - but every time I leave, I am stricken with doubt. I work within city limits, so I *really* worry about my ability to explain to a curious cop why I would need to carry a ten inch pigsticker like this one.
Chris Reeve Pacific
The clip-point is good, the knife has an ideal size and a wonderfully capable feel. The handle has sort of a faux-subhilt design, which makes it more of a fighter without actually being a fighter. Plus, there's a glass breaker, which I always wanted to have on a knife.
Chris Reeve Project II
Another Chris Reeve masterpiece, but with a hollow handle that can accomodate a hone and a first-aid kit, or maybe a couple of joints - one of the benefits of working outdoors
. My only qualm is that the handle is a little too ka-bar; there's no sure way to orient the blade without actually looking at the knife, which I'm not sure is acceptable in my line of work.
SOG Super Bowie
Another cowboyish bowie, and one of a reasonable size. Few knives look as elegant as this one, and the blade geometry is impeccable. The spine has that typical SOG double-curve (which might not work so well for hammering) and I'm skeptical of paying so much for AUS8, but I'm still really attracted to this knife. The split-bullet moniker really did it for me.
TOPS Tom Brown Tracker
I used to own this knife, but recently I culled my collection and I only have a few folders left; I'm not sure if I regret selling this one. I found it worked adequately, and as 4" blades go it's a hell of a chopper. The sheath offers horizontal waistband carry, which is discreet, and my favorite. I'm also in no way worried about explaining it to police, since it's small and looks more like a tool than a weapon. But I have a few small reservations about the blade geometry. Also, on an aesthetic level, I can't figure out if the knife looks mean, or just plain goofy.
And there it is. If anyone has some experience, or a valuable opinion, I'd love to hear it, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Like a said, I'm a notoriously indecisive person, especially since I like expensive knives but can scarcely afford expensive knives.
Thanks a bunch for any help.
Anyhoo, mostly I've been carring an old CRKT M21-SF Folder, or sometimes my Sebbie, which I love to bits. Still, there have been plenty of instances when something larger and stronger would have worked a lot better. Something that can chop through planks and downed tree limbs, and something sturdy and heavy enough to hammer when it has to.
The local knife stores have been unreasonably tolerant of me, ceaselessly perusing their inventory without ever actually buying anything. I must be one of their most indecisive customers. Shopping online is good, but it helps to actually hold the knife you plan on buying. I've narrowed it down to just a few options, some of which I've actually owned before, but I think I need help to decide. I want to make an early decision so that when my paycheck comes, I can make a decisive purchase. Here's what I was thinking of:
Cold Steel Laredo Bowie (SK-5)
The most economical option. Living in Calgary, I'm ashamed to say I dig a knife with a bit of cowboy style. Every time I visit the store, I fall in love with this knife - more so than any of the others - but every time I leave, I am stricken with doubt. I work within city limits, so I *really* worry about my ability to explain to a curious cop why I would need to carry a ten inch pigsticker like this one.
Chris Reeve Pacific
The clip-point is good, the knife has an ideal size and a wonderfully capable feel. The handle has sort of a faux-subhilt design, which makes it more of a fighter without actually being a fighter. Plus, there's a glass breaker, which I always wanted to have on a knife.
Chris Reeve Project II
Another Chris Reeve masterpiece, but with a hollow handle that can accomodate a hone and a first-aid kit, or maybe a couple of joints - one of the benefits of working outdoors
. My only qualm is that the handle is a little too ka-bar; there's no sure way to orient the blade without actually looking at the knife, which I'm not sure is acceptable in my line of work.SOG Super Bowie
Another cowboyish bowie, and one of a reasonable size. Few knives look as elegant as this one, and the blade geometry is impeccable. The spine has that typical SOG double-curve (which might not work so well for hammering) and I'm skeptical of paying so much for AUS8, but I'm still really attracted to this knife. The split-bullet moniker really did it for me.
TOPS Tom Brown Tracker
I used to own this knife, but recently I culled my collection and I only have a few folders left; I'm not sure if I regret selling this one. I found it worked adequately, and as 4" blades go it's a hell of a chopper. The sheath offers horizontal waistband carry, which is discreet, and my favorite. I'm also in no way worried about explaining it to police, since it's small and looks more like a tool than a weapon. But I have a few small reservations about the blade geometry. Also, on an aesthetic level, I can't figure out if the knife looks mean, or just plain goofy.
And there it is. If anyone has some experience, or a valuable opinion, I'd love to hear it, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Like a said, I'm a notoriously indecisive person, especially since I like expensive knives but can scarcely afford expensive knives.
Thanks a bunch for any help.
:thumbdn:
