trying to be creative-UDC

[hardheart]

Lots of threads bout choices for leo, fire, military; got me wondering if there is a certain set of criteria that differs blade choices somehow from EDC. EDC can be a bit of a misnomer for some, who choose to have knives for work and knives for recreation, and may switch midday after clocking out. So, could there be a UDC-Uniform Duty Carry?

Including skilled labor with the above mentioned, are there any criteria you feel are more important in a working blade in manual labor and more hazardous conditions over less tool oriented jobs or casual activity?

fixed/folding
should it lock
handle material
blade/handle size
steel type
profile
multi-tool/additional features other than the main blade
etc?

If people who worked SAR, mechanic shop, warehousing, city police, so forth asked for recommendations; would you say SAKs, Fehrman, William Henry, Leatherman, Mora.....

It may seem like common sense, but maybe not so much. Someone may say get a fixed blade to remove a failure mode. Someone may say get an SAK for ease of carry and versatility. Some may say stainless for low maintenance, others may say low alloy for greater toughness. Do you need visibility, refined ergonomics, chemical resistance, or something else in the handle design?

How do you match the tool to the job, and would/do you carry it in the off time as well? Could UDC actually be differentiated from EDC?

 

[hardheart]

hmm, I went kind of broad there, maybe I should have put this in general...

 

[Buck268]

Well, back when I was in the tree removal business I carried a Gerber Paraframe II combo edge every day. Not the greatest knife, but sturdy enough to unscrew gas and oil caps from saws, big and tuff enough to cut climbing and tag lines. Rust resistant enough to carry every day and in all weather... Just needed resharpened every 5 minutes or so

That said, my Native is far superior to that knife, but I miss the blade shape. That stout drop point was great.