Is there such a thing? I have 2 gec 15 boys kinves, case tiny toothpick, old case 2 blade, buck 110 , 2 buck small stock mans, and just bought a case large copperlock. Looking for the ideal carry knife.
I am a RN in the ER, fire chief, avid hunter/ outdoorsman. I have a small 120 acre farm I am at in my little free time. Looking for something to do it all. If it exists. The large copperlock seems to fit the bill except that it is too large for me to carry while in the ER. 3" blade or shorter. But I have been know to turn my head on that one.
Maybe a clip on pocket sheath to wear inside the waistband on my scrubs.
Any suggestions?
Given that you hunt, are an outdoorsman, and do work on your property, it sounds like you need a stout knife with a blade in the 3" to 4" range. I suspect that your 110 is just about perfect except....
You also work in the ER and want something that you can pocket carry. There is also that bit about the letter of the law with a 3" blade limit...
Here are my folders in that size range and my thoughts on them...
Big folders by
Pinnah, on Flickr
I have a love/ambivalence relationship with the 110. It's so stinkin' heavy, even in a sheath. And the clip is too extreme. Still, it does great on game and fish and feels great in the hand.
The Schrade 51OT on the top is a fun knife but I can't recommend it. It carries in the pocket better than the 110, but the good ones (USA made with good 440A) are harder to find. Not at all people friendly either. But it's worth talking more about the pocket carry. The thinner profile and rounded bolsters make lay flat in the pocket and move freely. As weight goes up, I like the knife to be thinner with slicker bolsters.
The Opinel in the middle is #9. I use it for just about everything and it's as close to a do it all knife that I've found. I find that the super friendly looks make blade length issues more manageable. It's my most carried knife. The question I would have is how much you cut brush with your knife, versus how much you clean game. I use my Opinel in the kitchen and with care to keep the Vaseline in the joint (hair dryer), it can be washed under running water with no ill effects. But honestly, for dealing with blood and guts and meat, I prefer my 110. I can clean it with more confidence.
Where the Opinel excels is cutting brush. The design allows it to stand up to hard opening forces without developing blade play. Pretty much all lockbacks I've owned (except 70s vintage Bucks) have some vertical play and hard use makes it worse. If you want something first and foremost for hard cutting that will also handle food prep and some game cleaning, you might give the Opinel a close look. They carry quite well for their size due to their weight. I have XL hands and prefer the 9. The 8 is a good fit for L hands.
The bottom knife is a Buck 500 and might be something to consider along side of the Large Copper Lock if you prefer a lockback. It is much, much, much better in the pocket than the 110. Not even close. The blade is just at 3". The drop point is very useful. Many people clean deer with this knife. It's my most commonly carried lockback, by far.
The one pictured is from the 70s era (give or take) with 440C and micarta scales. The new ones have Buck's 420HC with Dymondwood birch. I prefer Buck's 420HC over Cases Tru-Sharp. They're close but the Buck steel is just a bit firmer. I like the look of the Case Large Copper Lock better though. The Buck 500 is traditional in the same way that a Burt Reynold big bird Firebird is a muscle car, you know what I mean. There's just a touch of modern menace in the 500. Just a hint of bling.
The GEC 42, like the big Case, is jus a tick over 3" in the blade. Another contender?
but you surely can get close to it 
