What else do we use folders for?

S

SurfingSalmon

Joined
Jan 11, 2011
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Hey guys, sorta simple question here, but the thought just came to my mind and I felt like asking it!

Besides opening letters and boxes, cutting fruit and other foods, and slicing paper into a billion tiny pieces, what else do we use our EDC folding knives for?


Often, I find myself cutting those threads that pop out of clothes a lot (I hope someone knows what I'm talking about). Those are just really pesky, and they might snag on, let's say, furniture or something.


And, I don't mean like survival situation applications like feathering or splitting or batoning wood, just those quirky things you tend to do with your folder on a regular basis (that's reasonable e.g. not prybar-usage [though I'm still interested in hearing stories of that too :D])
 
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Mine get a lot of use cutting wood in tight places and shaving bits of paint or caulk from buildings when there is just a little to do so it does not warrant getting out the specialized tool.
 
Anything that needs to be cut. As you said little pieces of clothing bothering me/strings etc. I fish a lot so soft plastics/braided line/flouro gets cut often too. Mostly enjoy looking for things to cut...
 
I work in lawn care so I cut open a lot of bags of fertilizer, cut rope, dig up weeds, cut small branches etc....
 
I tend to eat with my edc knives at home, especially when I eat meat. As OP already stated: threads -I hate those things-! I also open my mail with smaller ffg pocket knives. I might as well dos ome chores around the house with it. SAK to file my nails when they're ripped. The tweezers get used a lot as well, sometimes for chores I never assumed I'd need them for. For example, two weeks ago I used the tweezers to retrieve an SD-card (that was too small for the slot, sigh) that was stuck in a laptop of one of the fellow students in a group assignment. Strangely enough, none of thz female co-students had tweezers on them so I offered mine.
 
I occasionally use the spine of a folder to scratch things (itches, lottery tickets, sticker residue, etc.)

Spydercos generally are the best for this due to the large hump caused by the opener.
 
I use ceramic blades and TiN coated blades as finishing steels to sharpen other knives. You need to know the hardness pecking order to avoid unwanted scratches.
 
I do not buy a knife if I don't intend to use it. My edc folders get worked, process cardboard, cut open boxes, cut rope, zip ties, twine, pallet wrap, more cardboard, pry nails out of pallet jack wheels, then I might clean it on my pants and slice an apple :).
 
I use it to cut stuff :D No really, it depends on the day. Some days I don't use it at all, other days I don't bother putting it back in my pocket because I use it so often.
 
I find myself just sort of fondling my folders. Turning them in my hand, slowly rotating them absently maybe while sitting down talking on the phone. Sometimes I just reach in my pocket and check that I have one for peace of mind. Sort of like a "Worry Stone".

Oh yeah, and for those little threads too.
 
Cutting, of course. Scraping. Prying. Hammering. Wedging. Cutting again. Prying. Pushing. Scraping. Notching. Scratching. Drilling. Cutting.

Andy
 
I use mine for cutting things :D

Lately I've been helping my brother insulate his shop. Which started out as an old hog barn. Nothing is square and all the wiring was done by a drunk amateur. So I've been cutting lots of expanding foam, and R-Max insulation. Also skinning wire since it always seems like there's something that needs rewiring or an extension cord that needs splicing, ends need repair etc. Of course breaking down boxes to use as fire starter since the shop is heated via wood stove. The screw drivers and pliers on my leatherman come in handy too.

At my last job I was always using my folder. Scraping gaskets, cutting new gaskets, cutting line, opening boxes of parts, cutting templates etc. And of course showing off to the bikers and young kids.
 
unit said:
I occasionally use the spine of a folder to scratch things (itches, lottery tickets, sticker residue, etc.)

Spydercos generally are the best for this due to the large hump caused by the opener.
Click to expand...

Oh wow, I would have never thought of that, that's pretty interesting!

matt1987 said:
I use it to cut stuff :D No really, it depends on the day. Some days I don't use it at all, other days I don't bother putting it back in my pocket because I use it so often.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's my situation most of the time, too.
 
opening packages, cutting rope, cutting cardboard to secure parts for shipping, rubber hoses, rubber weather seals, cutting small tree branches to clear shooting lanes during bow season,pallet wrap , hay bail wrap, twine

it is pretty hard on a pocket knife. i have a coldsteel recon 1 i cant get play out of anymore. and it was in the pocket for 10 months straight. i have enjoyed a ffg manix 2 with bd30p steel and it has done good since christmas........ i think i will have a SmF lego in the pocket soon
 
Cleaning and processing squirrels, ducks, geese, deer, cutting rope, twine, string, opening boxes and processing cardboard, opening bags of seed, fertilzer, packs of chemical warmers, snacks in the deer stand so its quiter than ripping them open, etc.
 
I've used several of my folders ( Delica 4, Douk-Douk, Cold Steel Voyager to name a few) for field dressing and skinning in the field due to the fact that A. nobody I was hunting with ( these guys were noobs ) had a sharp knife and I offered to dress the animal or B. I left my fixed blade at home or camp either because of forgetfulness or I felt it was to darn heavy for an extended trek on foot. They aren't ideal but with proper cleaning afterwards they can suffice in a pinch.
 
Everything all of you guys have mentioned, except for the dog crap scraping (ew, way to ruin a perfectly good knife... Though I've used knives to put a point on a stick for that purpose).. Oh, and opening the caps on long-necks which don't twist off... :)
 
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