What To Bring To Work?

^Learn a skill and trade instead of going into a huge amount of debt for a college degree? Crazy talk!

I'd bring the para 2.
 
John_0917 said:
Those without college degrees consistently have higher unemployment rates than those with.
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And what about skilled labor like a good welder?







The 0560 would be a nice choice, but it's hard to go wrong with several of the OP'so choices.
 
John_0917 said:
Why not go to college and start a real career that won't destroy your body?
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Why not do what you love as opposed to doing what society and your parents said to do...

Become a welder then make a nice industrial/modern chandelier and sell it to Johns co worker and make him self conscious about not making enough to afford it.
 
John_0917 said:
Why not go to college and start a real career that won't destroy your body?
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Then who would do all the real work? What do you do? Chance are the OP will not only make more income then most, he will also receive excellent benefits, retirement funding, and retire earlier.
 
wtlj said:
Then who would do all the real work? What do you do? Chance are the OP will not only make more income then most, he will also receive excellent benefits, retirement funding, and retire earlier.
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Since you asked, Terry, I'm an attorney, and my practice is predominantly focused on employment related issues, about 70% of which are representing plaintiffs in wrongful termination and discrimination related cases.

In any case, regarding the OP's question, an Ontario Utilitac is an excellent value for a hard use folder.
 
wtlj said:
Then who would do all the real work? What do you do? Chance are the OP will not only make more income then most, he will also receive excellent benefits, retirement funding, and retire earlier.
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Couldn't agree more. I can't tell you how many people I know who finished college and are still flipping burgers. Also, destroy your body? As a welder myself, I've never been in any position to strain myself. Barring extreme accidents like explosions, I can't think of a situation where any of your body would get "destroyed". All the strict safety laws/rules see to that. Although arguably breathing certain fumes from welding could be hazardous.

About the OP's question: none. As another commenter said, there will be a lot of grinding dust all over the place. And as an apprentice, you'll likely be doing a lot of that grinding. Even if you won't be, the friction of grinding causes the leftover particles to become slightly magnetic. Can't tell you how many knives I've jammed up with that dust, even in my pockets. Gave up and started carrying a small fixed blade. You'll regret bringing all those nice knives into that environment.

.. good for the woods and cardboard but not for industrial work.
 
John_0917 said:
Since you asked, Terry, I'm an attorney, and my practice is predominantly focused on employment related issues, about 70% of which are representing plaintiffs in wrongful termination and discrimination related cases.

In any case, regarding the OP's question, an Ontario Utilitac is an excellent value for a hard use folder.
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Plaintiffs as in workers, or plaintiffs as in corporations? Just wanted to ask before I commented further....
 
John_0917 said:
Since you asked, Terry, I'm an attorney, and my practice is predominantly focused on employment related issues, about 70% of which are representing plaintiffs in wrongful termination and discrimination related cases.

In any case, regarding the OP's question, an Ontario Utilitac is an excellent value for a hard use folder.
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I appreciate your response sir but you only answered half my question...
Who do you propose to perform the building trades? Should we give that up to illegal immigrants as well? Many don't see the big picture in our current economical conditions.
 
I would choose the 560, Elmax steel is tough, easier to keep an edge, good to use with gloves on, good edge retention, and if you do any prying, shouldn't get broken. That's if you don't get too bored and try something stupid. Even though the Strider is a good choice, it's more expensive, has a better HT and will take more time to keep a good edge. I'm betting, by the end of the day, honing your knife will be the last thing on your mind. Hopefully by the end of the job, you'll have learned a lot, those welders can be buttholes at times and you can learn from them.
 
You have a very nice selection to choose from...I'd go with the PM2.
 
I would go with 0300,0560, and SmF. Personally i would grab the 560 for the elmax and the fact that its been calling my name for the past couple months :).
 
K..... So as far as our off topic discussion as to what to do when we grow up.... everybody's right.

I'm a machinist, a skilled trade I suppose. I'm 59.

They do treat us shop grunts worse and we make quite a bit less than middle level office folks whose skill level seems about comparable to mine.

I'm finding it hard to continue to do my job and am assiduously watching my weight and doing a mild workout tri-weekly where my only goal is to continue working with no (more) injury. It *has* been hard on my body.

but

I'm idly looking for another job and get an interview every month or two. At my age this is only because kids have not wanted to go into fields where they work with their hands (because of the previously mentioned bias against us shop grunts). This has created a shortage of skilled tradesmen and a glut of office folks.

This is sure to change as businesses adapt and, well because things change.......... so

I tell my daughter to go to school to do something she loves. Then, even if the marketplace does not favor her at the moment she will have what's important.
 
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Aias said:
I'd say the smf; good with gloves on, it's meant to be used pretty hard, and if you wreck it, Strider should make it right per their warranty. A back-up should the smf need service makes sense.
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^^^ Knows Stuff *** Always keep a rock solid warranty in your back pocket. Outside of having it stolen or just losing it on the site you are completely covered. It's a different animal but it's the same reason I use Bushnell Binoculars. I can take a pair of Shmidt and Benders that are the absolute finest piece of glass available (damn well should be for $2,500 in coin) but the hassle of the warranty makes it a no-go. With Bushnell...no questions asked. We fix it or send new....Happy Days
 
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