When to reach for the main blade?

[matt1987]

What kinda size are you using

a blade length anywhere from 3" to 3-1/2"

 

[foxx]

Depends on what needs to be cut. My folder is the go to, then the larger fixed.

 

[viva la]

i don't carry a backup...

and my reg edc is a microtech. the most i have gotten for a "look" is people asking where they can get such a cool knife

 

[Dorito Monk]

I only have one blade. This simplifies the issue: When I need to cut something, I don't have to worry about which of the twenty four knives I'm carrying I should reach for. I just go for the one.

 

[knarfeng]

Lets say your out and about on the town and while in one of the stores there is something that needs to be cut Do you pull out the main blade or do you reach for the back-up? why?
I would have to say I usually reach for the multi-tool:barfmy back-up) in public because I'm trying to be polite. Unfortunately this is not nearly as convenient and I'm getting tired of taking the time to reach for the smaller less menacing blade.
There are a lot of variables to this like where you live and where you are at the time but in general around strangers are you confident enough to reach for the main blade?

Help me get over my phobia or let me know I'm not alone

I suppose a lot depends on what you are carrying as a "Main Blade". If your main blade is a large tactical folder, using a smaller secondary blade for a small cutting job is not only more discrete, it's likely easier to use for that precise cut.

On the other hand, if your main blade is a smaller knife to begin with, then you have more options.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

My excuse is that " its just my cowboy knife"

Excellent!

 

[Slowrid-Der]

In my opinion you should never use your main blade unless absolutely necessarily. Your main blade should always be extremely sharp and ready for action.

Why dull your main blade with daily tasks?

 

[TyFrameLock]

Anyone ever offended by you using the knife?

I havn't even gotten a worried look. And to be honest, even if I did it wouldn't stop me from carrying or using my knife in public.

 

[XanRa]

In my opinion you should never use your main blade unless absolutely necessarily. Your main blade should always be extremely sharp and ready for action.

Why dull your main blade with daily tasks?

Because sharpening it is a regular part of knife maintenance

 

[Bill1170]

In my opinion you should never use your main blade unless absolutely necessarily. Your main blade should always be extremely sharp and ready for action.

Why dull your main blade with daily tasks?

Because it is a tool for daily tasks that need doing? I know how to sharpen it, too.

 

[macmiddlebrooks]

I carry a Victorinox in my LFP and a large folder in my RFP and just tend to use whatever is most appropriate for the task. For example, if someone needs help cutting a piece of food or opening a package/envelope, the thin blade of the Vic is perfect for the task. For tasks that are more demanding in terms of robustness, wear resistance of the steel, and so forth -- or when I only have one hand free -- I'll use my main folder.

+1.....sounds just like me.

 

[timberweasel]

Perhaps it is inappropriate to snap-open a huge overkill blade for a minor task, but I think getting the 'stink-eye' from sheeple is preferable to getting a 'seriously, dude, wtf' look of amusement from another fella who knows better and sees me whip out a pair of scissors from my man-purse...

Just sayin'...

 

[Slowrid-Der]

Because sharpening it is a regular part of knife maintenance

Absolutely, sharpening is a part of maintenance. The issue is most people do not sharpen their knife everyday. During that time in between sharpening, a need for a very sharp blade may manifest and instead of having it at the ready, the main knife has been dulled by daily use.

I prefer to keep my main blade extremely sharp and use a secondary utility blade for daily tasks. Therefore, I am never without a perfectly sharp blade.

That is how I do it. Am I incorrect in thinking that way?

 

[Slowrid-Der]

Perhaps it is inappropriate to snap-open a huge overkill blade for a minor task, but I think getting the 'stink-eye' from sheeple if preferable to getting a 'seriously, dude, wtf' look of amusement from another fella who knows better and sees me whip out a pair of scissors from my man-purse...

Just sayin'...

I don't know, how about instead of whipping out a military or a BM710 for small cutting tasks, you reach past your main blade and pull out a mini grip or dragonfly? Amused dude will know you still have a main knife in your pocket by the tell tail clip. And the fact that your daily use knife is no slouch my have him rethinking his carry decisions.

 

[JAB]

In my opinion you should never use your main blade unless absolutely necessarily. Your main blade should always be extremely sharp and ready for action.

Why dull your main blade with daily tasks?

What happens when your secondary blade gets dull and you need to cut something? Do you then use your main blade (I suppose one could argue for using a tertiary blade in that instance...)?

 

[timberweasel]

I don't know, how about instead of whipping out a military or a BM710 for small cutting tasks, you reach past your main blade and pull out a mini grip or dragonfly? Amused dude will know you still have a main knife in your pocket by the tell tail clip. And the fact that your daily use knife is no slouch my have him rethinking his carry decisions.

Maybe my last post was a little tongue-in-cheek, but all my folders are sub 4" blades. In fact, the Dragonfly 2 is often my 'main blade'--quite fond of it. My backup Vic Rambler always rides on the keychain and it's mostly there for the tools. I do admit, I like my Kiwi 3 also when carrying something like my Para 2--smaller, yes, but the Wharncliffe blade is also a very purposeful option.

 

[Slowrid-Der]

What happens when your secondary blade gets dull and you need to cut something? Do you then use your main blade (I suppose one could argue for using a tertiary blade in that instance...)?

Or a fourth...

I sharpen my secondary every 2 to 3 weeks or sooner if it calls for it. The only time I have used my primary is when I forgot my secondary. I am not apposed to using it when needed, I prefer not to in order to keep the blade extremely sharp at all times.

When I do use my main blade, I sharpen it as soon as possible. I am more flexible with my secondary blade. I never let it get dull but it is only as sharp as my primary before the first use after sharpening.

 

[gajinoz]

It is interesting to see that the standard of discourse in GKD has not altered during my absence.

.

 

[midnightreport]

I carry a Victorinox Tinker in addition to my primary EDC blade (currently a Spydie Stretch), and I do tend to reach for the SAK when I'm in a more public place, unless the situation requires a bigger blade or it's more convenient/necessary to use a one-hand-opening knife, in which case it's easy for me to say that A) my knives are tools not weapons, and B) the situation dictated the tool I chose.

 

[bobusx]

What I find interesting is how many people call their larger knife a "main," or "primary," blade, while mainly or primarily using their "secondary," or "backup". My current setup is a Case Black G10 Mini-Trapper as my go to knife, unless I am cutting something where I am concerned about it closing on my, like a tough clamshell or nasty cardboard, in which case I usually use my CRKT Eros, or my UKPK, depending on which I decided to carry with me. So right now, my Mini-Trapper is my main blade, and my Eros or UKPK are my backups.

My reason for using the traditional for basic tasks is mostly because half of my work is done in office, and even in the military, a lot of in office people get kinda touchy about knives, especially one hand openers. I have gotten a lot of "is the legal!!??" questions whenever I used a larger 1 hand opener for basic tasks at work.

I am also about to go to the UK for a 3 year tour, and locking blades are illegal to EDC, so the UKPK and Mini-Trapper combo give me a nice variety of nice knives, while still providing some safety (the UKPK is almost impossible to close on your hand once its open), and a more traditional friendly knife for a public that is notoriously knife adverse.