Why carry a multi-bladed knife

[The Government]

The answers "both" or "all" actually represent 95% of all thread solutions on bladeforums.

How did I forget that?

 

[brandonc]

Yes, millions of people.

Virtually every household in the world has at least 2 cutting implements. And most of us knife enthusiasts carry at least a keychain SAK and a clip knife.

 

[hardheart]

I doubt anyone on this forum is qualified to make or confirm either of those statements. If you want to change from knives to cutting implements including scissors, shears, saws, snips, clippers, etc, I suppose it does drastically increase the numbers. Though a search would provide several results showing BF members who either own no knives with clips or who do not have a keychain SAK. I don't have a knife on my keychain.

 

[vwb563]

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?

I never said that locks aren't nice to have on a knife just not a "must have" as long as you use a knife correctly. I also never said steel B can't be better than A. Only that A is good enough for 99.99999 % of most tasks. I've been using knives for um,,,around 40 years now. I kinda know what I'm talking about when I say these things. I'm not just guessing! :-/

 

[TheSharpStuff]

Its called your common sense.
You are starting to figure out that if you have to HAVE a lock, you are a little boy that dont know how to use a knife. That for a long long time, farmers didnt have these folding prybars, they had sodbusters, peanuts, and stockmen knives. Deep down you know that that side of you that wants a "hard use knife" is living in a mall ninja fantasy and that you need a knife, not something to pry open doors and chop down trees.

 

[vwb563]

Its called your common sense.
You are starting to figure out that if you have to HAVE a lock, you are a little boy that dont know how to use a knife. That for a long long time, farmers didnt have these folding prybars, they had sodbusters, peanuts, and stockmen knives. Deep down you know that that side of you that wants a "hard use knife" is living in a mall ninja fantasy and that you need a knife, not something to pry open doors and chop down trees.

I couldn't have said it better SharpStuff!

 

[Magnaminous_G]

Well, I personally may be a knucklehead, but I'm not that young at 33... okay, younger than some of you guys.

I carry modern and traditional knives, and I don't see the need for a quick-deploying ninja blade myself, but I do really like a locking mechanism. There are plenty of traditional "trapper" style backlock knives that fit the bill. I found myself accidentally closing my SAK classic on my fingers all the time. Possibly because of how tiny the blade was and probably my own fault for lack of skill, but I still like a lock.

 

[vwb563]

Well, I personally may be a knucklehead, but I'm not that young at 33... okay, younger than some of you guys.

I carry modern and traditional knives, and I don't see the need for a quick-deploying ninja blade myself, but I do really like a locking mechanism. There are plenty of traditional "trapper" style backlock knives that fit the bill. I found myself accidentally closing my SAK classic on my fingers all the time. Possibly because of how tiny the blade was and probably my own fault for lack of skill, but I still like a lock.

Magnaminous I like a lock also but it's not something that a knife must have for me to use and enjoy it. That's all I'm trying to say. And I will also say that being able to pull my clip knife from my pocket, open it with one hand, make the cut, close it with one hand, and return it to my pocket all with one hand is nice but also not a must have feature for me to use and enjoy a knife. But that's my humble opinion.

 

[hardheart]

It would be so much better if there weren't little boys making locking knives so other little boys can buy them. Children like Michael Walker, Chris Reeve, Sal Glesser, Blackie Collins, and all those other 'boys' who were so immature to think of developing locks for folding knives. Or maybe they aren't boys, maybe they're money-grubbing snake oil salesmen who developed locks where there is absolutely no use for them.

 

[me2]

My common sense tells me that if there is a lock on something, I should be able to act as thought there is a lock on it. It also tells me that locks will have a limit, and to be careful with that knife until I reasonably know that limit. And finally, it tells me that I should be able to do things with a knife with a lock that I can't with a knife without a lock. Otherwise, whats the point?

 

[Goosey]

It would be so much better if there weren't little boys making locking knives so other little boys can buy them. Children like Michael Walker, Chris Reeve, Sal Glesser, Blackie Collins, and all those other 'boys' who were so immature to think of developing locks for folding knives. Or maybe they aren't boys, maybe they're money-grubbing snake oil salesmen who developed locks where there is absolutely no use for them.

Haha!

 

[Gator97]

Its called your common sense.
You are starting to figure out that if you have to HAVE a lock, you are a little boy that dont know how to use a knife...

I couldn't have said it better SharpStuff!

I am really puzzled... Doesn't your common sense tell you that ACCIDENTS HAPPEN, no matter how good you are with your knives, and other tools? So, by your logic, seat-belts are only for those who dunno how to drive, or have a deathwish? Helmets are only for those who don't have fast enough reflexes? Really?

...That for a long long time, farmers didnt have these folding prybars, they had sodbusters, peanuts, and stockmen knives. Deep down you know that that side of you that wants a "hard use knife" is living in a mall ninja fantasy and that you need a knife, not something to pry open doors and chop down trees.

I don't get that part either... If you are good with knives, you gotta live in 19th century, otherwise your hidden inner mall ninja self takes over? Can't I have high performance, thin blades in 21st century, preferably made from 21st century materials? Is that really necessary to cling to 100 year old stuff because they worked a century ago?

 

[Goosey]

I don't get that part either... If you are good with knives, you gotta live in 19th century, otherwise your hidden inner mall ninja self takes over? Can't I have high performance, thin blades in 21st century, preferably made from 21st century materials? Is that really necessary to cling to 100 year old stuff because they worked a century ago?

It kind of reminds me of the milsurp guys who tout the effectiveness of, say, an old Mauser or Lee-Enfield as equal or superior to that of the "spray and pray" automatic rifles of today.

 

[brandonc]

I doubt anyone on this forum is qualified to make or confirm either of those statements. If you want to change from knives to cutting implements including scissors, shears, saws, snips, clippers, etc, I suppose it does drastically increase the numbers. Though a search would provide several results showing BF members who either own no knives with clips or who do not have a keychain SAK. I don't have a knife on my keychain.

I was obviously referring to the fact that most BF regulars edc 2 blades, typically a smaller one and a larger one. And that normal people understand that different tools have different purposes. Slipjoints, especially multi-bladed ones and lockers have different advantages. It is a good Idea and my suggestion to the OP to carry both. Also to carry a fixed instead of a lock-blade whenever possible because if you think you need the strength of a lock, you should be carrying a fixed blade.

Doesn't your common sense tell you that ACCIDENTS HAPPEN, no matter how good you are with your knives, and other tools? So, by your logic, seat-belts are only for those who dunno how to drive, or have a deathwish? Helmets are only for those who don't have fast enough reflexes?

Do carry a helmet or safety glasses to wear before you cut something? If you are worried about a slipjoint injuring you by closing before use, you shouldn't be carrying a knife anyway. Any folding knife can fail. People get cut by mechanical locks being clogged by debris. Do not use a locking knife as a crutch for bad technique. Remember non-locking Swiss Army and traditional slipjoints are the most common in world.

It kind of reminds me of the milsurp guys who tout the effectiveness of, say, an old Mauser or Lee-Enfield as equal or superior to that of the "spray and pray" automatic rifles of today.

The Mauser 1898 style action remains the most reliable repeating firearm ever. That does not mean that it is the best at everything such as accuracy, capacity, ROF etc. As Slipjoints are not the best at everything but still work best for certain things like having a selection of blades or tools in one package.

The answers "both" or "all" actually represent 95% of all thread solutions on bladeforums.

How did I forget that?

:thumbup: I am surprised how many members of a knife forum are against slipjoints in general.

 

[TheSharpStuff]

As to the seatbealt thing, think of it this way, a slip joint is a seatbelt, needing to have a lock is like wanting a four point harness just for commuting back and forth to work.

 

[hardheart]

:thumbup: I am surprised how many members of a knife forum are against slipjoints in general.

Who are these members? More often I see traditionalists against knives that lock or have alloy steel. After all, people who use locking knives are uncoordinated idiots who should wear a helmet and safety glasses before cutting something.

SAKs are pretty popular, including on BF, those are mostly slipjoints.

 

[Gator97]

Do carry a helmet or safety glasses to wear before you cut something?

What does that have to do with the subject of discussion which was "locks are not necessary, and only needed for little boys who dunno how to use a knife"?
However, if you check out more "rigorous" knife test videos, operators in them do wear safety gear...

If you are worried about a slipjoint injuring you by closing before use, you shouldn't be carrying a knife anyway.

Actually, I am concerned with closing "during" the use If I am not concerned then what? I'm an expert automatically?
And out of curiosity, how is that affecting a chance of an accident happening? Do you believe accidents only happen to those who are concerned/unsure?

Any folding knife can fail. People get cut by mechanical locks being clogged by debris. Do not use a locking knife as a crutch for bad technique.

So, because a safety device can fail, let's skip all safety measures... Fascinating Again, accident is an accident, can happen to anyone.

Remember non-locking Swiss Army and traditional slipjoints are the most common in world.

And before the invention of the locks they all were slipjoints... And before the invention of many other safety devices it was all "just fine" without them and so on... How is that an argument against use of locks.

I am surprised how many members of a knife forum are against slipjoints in general.

I don't think stating that locks improve knife safety is same as "against slipjoints". Point is, slipjoints with all their pros, do have their cons as well, one of them being lack of the locking mechanism. And for the record, I do have a few slipjoints, including a custom form Chuck Gedratis for which I had to wait few months.

 

[hardheart]

I think I need to get rid of my 14 or so slipjoints and get friction folders. I'd hate to be criticized for carrying knives that used spring tension to help keep the blade open/closed and most certainly for demonstrating a lack of manual dexterity so high that many I own have half-stops.

 

[Gator97]

BTW, when checking out custom slipjoints, one of the highlights form makers was the strength of the spring. I guess that was for those concerned, inexperienced citizens.

 

[Melvin-Purvis]

If you need a lock on your knife, you'd better make sure you get one that bends in the middle...that is all.