Why carry a multi-bladed knife

[Shoki]

You don't need a reason to like any knife. In my safe, I've got a Case Trapper sitting next to a Benchmade Mini Reflex and literally on top of a rainbow anodized Spyderfly.

 

[Kbrasmodeler]

Hey, Gator97 and Marcinek,
Maybe you could stop derailing the thread with petty arguments about your opinions, and just state your opinions.

 

[Gator97]

Hey, Gator97 and Marcinek,
Maybe you could stop derailing the thread with petty arguments about your opinions, and just state your opinions.

Hey, Kbrasmodeler, I did state my opinion quite clearly, but happy to rephrase/expand. I'm not so sure how it was derailing, I guess that's your opinion, but whatever.

1) There is nothing wrong liking Case or whoever else's knives. After all collecting is about getting things you like.
2) Steel in case knives is indeed inferior compared to many modern folders.
3) Ease of sharpening is overrated, with minimal sharpening skills and proper sharpening equipment majority of the production knives are very easy to sharpen.
4) Locks are safety feature and are nice to have, even if you are super careful, never make any mistakes and "only cut"...

 

[marcinek]

Hey, Gator97 and Marcinek,
Maybe you could stop derailing the thread with petty arguments about your opinions, and just state your opinions.

Sure. I'll refer back to the first post I made in this thread.

Why carry a multi-blade knife?

1) They cut things well.
2) They don't have inferior steel.
3) If you are cutting (not stabbing) you don't need a lock.
4) Dust can be eliminated by the recently-discovered technique of blowing into the knife. There's probably some YouTube vids on proper technique.

 

[rocker786]

thanks guys, i just wanted to end my tactical phase and you've given me plenty of reason to

 

[Shoki]

Hey, Kbrasmodeler, I did state my opinion quite clearly, but happy to rephrase/expand. I'm not so sure how it was derailing, I guess that's your opinion, but whatever.

1) There is nothing wrong liking Case or whoever else's knives. After all collecting is about getting things you like.
Agreed
2) Steel in case knives is indeed inferior compared to many modern folders.
Do you have some proof?
3) Ease of sharpening is overrated, with minimal sharpening skills and proper sharpening equipment majority of the production knives are very easy to sharpen.
I rather like being able to hone up my 'inferior' carbon steel knives on the edge of my car window when my Sharpmaker is miles away.
4) Locks are safety feature and are nice to have, even if you are super careful, never make any mistakes and "only cut"...
It's also nice to not have to unlock a blade after nicking off a thread or opening a package

So I guess the only thing still in question is how you came to determine that Case uses inferior steel. If it's just your opinion, that's fine. It's my opinion that SOG folders are ugly but I won't go presenting it as fact or argue about it.

thanks guys, i just wanted to end my tactical phase and you've given me plenty of reason to

Congrats but don't go selling off your tactical folders just yet. If you're like me, you'll end up missing them and just buy more.

 

[vwb563]

SO WHY DO I WANT ONE SO BAD!?

Probably because a good stockman will do 99.99999% of your daily cutting needs. And by the way, they are not made of inferior steel and a lock is not needed as long as you remember to use the knife for cutting, not stabbing, not prying, not chopping, and not drilling.

 

[crom]

I don't consider Case's CV steel or 1095 by GEC,Schrade etc. to be inferior steel because it won't hold an edge like the newer steels. Especially when you factor in price savings, materials required to sharpen etc. I can buy some cheap stones and a Croc stick for $30 to keep 1095 happy. Some of the newer super steels require diamond stones and hones, they're significantly more expensive. I have modern tactical style knives, some in super steels, I dig them too.

 

[hardheart]

If you want to end your tactical phase, then that is the only reason you need. Other than legality, a stockman isn't going to get you any practical benefits over a one hand locking knife. But don't try to play that kind of game with yourself, get the knife you want because you want the knife.

If you want 1095 for some reason over a steel with more toughness, wear resistance, or corrosion resistance, you can get a Roper with a pocket clip, one hand opening, and a lock. If you want jigged bone, you can get a sprint Delica. If you want multiple blades, you can get a Dyad, Wings, Crosslock, etc. If you want a thin blade, you can get it with just about any opening method, handle material, blade steel, or shape that is out there. I just received two scout pattern slippies and four TL-29s, yet they haven't driven me to throw something like my blade-locking, pocket-clipping Spyderco Walker in ZDP-189 and carbon fiber in a trash compactor.

So, the advantage would be less likely violation of local law or private party policy. IMO, anything outside of custom is pretty reasonably priced, but Case would be a fairly standard choice.

ETA- and no one likes to hear something they use and enjoy being called inferior. It should be clarified that it can be looked at a couple different ways. In use, 1095 is not inferior in its ability to complete the tasks that would be performed with the stockman with the time and effort generally expected. In measurements of physical properties, then yes, 1095 is inferior to a lot of stuff. That is why we have a lot of stuff to begin with in the realm of steels. These different alloys are formulated to do things well, to do things better than other, older alloys. 1095, 1095CV will get the job done most of the time, so they aren't lacking most of the time. But I don't know why someone would pick it over L6 or A2, before we even look at the stainless super alloys.

 

[SurfingSalmon]

I'm currently in the same boat as OP right now. Really starting to get into traditionals, specifically Case knives. I'm very excited to see patina start building up on my new Peanut in CV! Still love my modern folders, too. Just carry both

 

[The Government]

What can a modern single bladed folder do that a GEC stockman can't do better?

Is there really any doubt that having multiple blades is not more advantageous?

Is the steel difference between modern and traditional knives really enough to close the difference between the multi-blade advantage?

 

[Peruna1998]

From what I know, as usual it's plain carbon steel, 10xx series, and pretty soft at that, 54-55HRC... Compared to modern alloys used in modern folders that IS inferior.

Interesting. GEC runs its 1095 to RC 57-58, as does Queen. Queen also uses D2. Canal Street uses a version of 154CM. Lastly, Buck's Bos treated 420HC is fairly renowned for its cutting edge. I bet you I can sharpen a Buck 303 faster than you can an ELMAX ZT.

 

[Gator97]

So I guess the only thing still in question is how you came to determine that Case uses inferior steel. If it's just your opinion, that's fine.

There isn't much to determine, as per Case website, they use 420 stainless, 1095CV and ATS-34. While ATS-34 is still premium steel level, 420 and 1095 hardly qualify. Also as per Case - "Case tries to stay between 50-60."
I'd assume ATS034 as their premium line gets that treatment, but in some cases my initial 55HRC estimate can be too generous.

Probably because a good stockman will do 99.99999% of your daily cutting needs.

And there are tons of people who are against knives altogether, because in your daily needs you do not need a knife, because they do not carry one...

And by the way, they are not made of inferior steel and a lock is not needed as long as you remember to use the knife for cutting, not stabbing, not prying, not chopping, and not drilling.

And you do not need to wear a seat-belt, as long as you remember not to get involved in accidents. Correct? After all, 100 years ago cars didn't have seat-belts(and many other things), and it still worked "fine", why bother today.

What can a modern single bladed folder do that a GEC stockman can't do better?

Cut better for one Retain sharp edge longer too.

Is there really any doubt that having multiple blades is not more advantageous?

None, and I doubt anyone argued against that, granted all of the blades we're comparing are made out of the similar or identical alloys. Otherwise, I'd rather have 1 good blade vs. 10 Pakistani knockoffs.

Is the steel difference between modern and traditional knives really enough to close the difference between the multi-blade advantage?

That is a personal choice each one of us has to make, but it has no effect on actual steel properties, just like the price.

I don't consider Case's CV steel or 1095 by GEC,Schrade etc. to be inferior steel because it won't hold an edge like the newer steels. Especially when you factor in price savings, materials required to sharpen etc.

Steel has fixed and finite properties. Price and savings are not steel properties, they are artificial/subjective, controlled by tons of factors, but not physics or chemistry. Steel properties do not change, prices and savings change, sometimes daily.. Those factors do play role in decision making, for the final product you're buying - knife.

P.S. - Since inferior is deemed as derogatory, I'll rephrase as - there are other alloys, superior to 1095 and 420...

 

[vwb563]

there are tons of people who are against knives altogether, because in your daily needs you do not need a knife, because they do not carry one...


And you do not need to wear a seat-belt, as long as you remember not to get involved in accidents. Correct? After all, 100 years ago cars didn't have seat-belts(and many other things), and it still worked "fine", why bother today.

Ok???? That makes absolutely no sense. :-/

 

[me2]

The stockman knives (and other traditionals) I've carried cut better than my modern folders. I carry both frequently. There have been some instances where my Benchmade simply could not make the cut, while my Schrade Peanut did. This was overall geometry. I know of no modern (tactical) folders with full flat ground blades 0.01" behind the edge with 1/16" or less spines.

 

[Gator97]

Ok???? That makes absolutely no sense. :-/

Which part? No need for safety features as long as you "remember" to use the item correctly? Yeah, makes very little sense... Or - Steel A can do all I need, hence steel B can't be better?

 

[brandonc]

Does anyone really limit themselves to one knife?

I carry a locker, usually a ZT, AND a slipjoint, either Case or USA Schrade. The locker is for quick cuts or hard use, and I do use it hard. The slipjoint is for delicate or prolonged cutting such as food work or breaking down large amounts of cardboard. Slipjoints have a definite advantage for pure cutting and are more ergonomic. No clips or screws to hurt your hands and most are all rounded on the corners.

As far as steel, a sharp knife is sharp and a dull knife is dull. You can whittle with a Case knife for hours without worrying about the edge. If it slows down just strop it on your belt and get back to work. However trying to cut sheetmetal or cinderblocks is going to dull any knife.

 

[hardheart]

Does anyone really limit themselves to one knife?

Yes, millions of people.

 

[crom]

My $8 Opinel will out slice anything in the tactical category, that isn't subjective that's a fact and it's plain old carbon steel.

 

[hardheart]

depends on what you put in the tactical category, and which Opinel it is, there have been several knives with locks, clips, and one hand opening that had 2mm thick blades.

Blanket statements about anything being superior to another are just not going to be true, no matter what side of the argument.