Utica Rope Knife

jstrange

jstrange

Joined
Mar 31, 2012
Messages
3,379
So I ordered one of these with pretty low expectations because I have never heard much about them and they are very cheap. Bought it from Knife Center, but they were out of stock so it took about a month to get. Finally got it today and I have to say I am impressed.

Now don’t get me wrong, this is no show piece, but it is mechanically sound. It came very sharp with a centered blade and a very strong pull with half-stop. It also has an old style liner lock which I was not aware of when I ordered. I am not sure what blade steel it is other than it’s supposed to be carbon. If it holds a decent edge I will be very happy.

My only criticism would be that the brown plastic covers are a bit ugly, but I don’t care, this is a true working knife. It just feels extremely tough and robust. No wobble at all and the liner holds it open as a back up for those times that you might over do it.

I will say the impitis for this purchase was the BF forum knife not being specked out as I had hoped. I went looking for something a little more utilitarian and low and behold I found this one. The icing on the cake is that this knife is US made and comes in under $30!

Give one a try you may just get a nice surprise.

Here’s a crappy pic from the website as I don’t know how to post my own:
UT11151803.jpg
 
How long is it? I might have one or mine might be a smaller one.
I love Utica, being a Utican. Nice to see them get things right.
 
It’s a biggin so that may turn some people off. It’s listed as 4.5” and it’s really wide when folded due to the blade shape. Doesn’t feel overly heavy for as large as it is though. I am reading a book about the USS Essex right now so this knife makes me want to climb up the mast and cut down some rigging damaged by cannon fire. ;)

Here’s a cool pic I am shamelessly stealing from someone:
utica_rope_1.jpg
 
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So I looked back at the site and it says “high carbon stainless”, but nothing specific. Unfortunately, looks like it might be an unspecified 420 steel based on the specs of one of their other knives. Probably should have had better reading comprehension. Probably why it’s so cheap. Oh well, can’t win them all.
 
jstrange said:
So I looked back at the site and it says “high carbon stainless”, but nothing specific. Unfortunately, looks like it might be an unspecified 420 steel based on the specs of one of their other knives. Probably should have had better reading comprehension. Probably why it’s so cheap. Oh well, can’t win them all.
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Give it a chance , it might surprise you.
 
I forget if it was their website or their catalogue that at one time claimed their flagship traditionals were made of 1095 high carbon stainless. Maybe somebody who didn't understand or wasn't paying attention did an incorrect cut-and-paste.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Nice knives for the money, they still make the electricians knives for Klein.
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Which would explain why I’ve never seen a Klein that did not have impressive quality.
Here is a Klein (Utica?) that i bought specifically to mod. It had been a hawkbill pruner/linoleum knife that had been butchered and brutalized by a bench grinder. Ugly as sin and dirt cheap. But made for a fantastic sheepfoot rope knife. View attachment 1108447
 
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