Work Knife

[allenC]

If you're determined to have a single blade knife, then the Military would be just fine.

But I would recommend a good multi-tool like the Leatherman Wave...
You get one-hand-opening for two blades: a plain edge bladed and a serrated edged blade...
AND pliers, a saw, a metal file, screw drivers, a bottle opener/can opener, and scissors.

 

[Old Biker]

Just about the fastest way I know, to dull a knife is to use it to cut cardboard. Get whatever knife you like, or keep using what you have. But for cutting a lot of cardboard get something like this.

If your boss doesn't supply you one and the replacement blades, they are cheap. I carry a Buck 110 on my belt, and a couple slip joint knives in my pocket, but I don't cut cardboard with them. I have a razor knife in my tool drawer for cutting cardboard.

O.B.

 

[Therom]

S30v from Spyderco and Benchmade is good to go (sometime more chippy at Spyderco) and it is more than what is required for a work knife

actually I am not too much fan of the steel hype when it comes to users

a good steel is a steel that can do the job without generating too much of a price increase or maintenance problems

I have a Bugout and a PM3 in s30v and I have not problems with them

I have put a PM2 in s30v to the test a couple of years ago and considering what it has gone through I have no problems anymore with what others consider “basic” or “has been” steels

in my experience s30v, 154cm, s35vn, Elmax, M4, M390, cts204p, 20cv, LC200N will not make noticeable differences when it come to standard use as far as the heat treat is well done

s110v and Maxamet have been another story ...

 

[Cursum Perficio]

The 2 folders I most often carry at work are the Manix 2 XL, and ZT 0562 (Elmax).
Really like the ZT, but for a lot of cutting it's hard to beat the Manix.
I keep a Sharpmaker in my work bag too.

Just got me a REX 45 Shaman so will be carrying that for a while now. When I got the 0562 I thought it might displace the Manix XL, but it didn't. Now I'm wondering if the Shaman will.

 

[metsfan]

I generally use either a ZT or Kershaw for my job and never had any issues with either. I work in maintenance so I subject my knife to plenty of ridiculous uses, some outside of their design purpose but they’ve performed well regardless.

The 393GL has a very acute tip so unless you’re thinking of prying with it, I think it’ll work well for you.

 

[Alberta Ed]

I did a bit of research and really like the looks of the Spyderco military. I've heard some good things about REX45 as a steel, but the REX45 military knives are sold out on my site of choice. Is the upgrade in steel worth the time, effort, and cost, or would I be better off just getting one in S30V or S110V?

Love my Military in S110V, but you need diamonds to sharpen it (and some time). I find a DMT 220 grit works best -- this steel seems to work best with a coarse edge. Check out this review: https://knifeinformer.com/spyderco-military-s110v-review/

 

[kvaughn]

Mora. All day long. Lots of models. Great handle ergos and tuff work scandi grind easy to sharpen. Functional sheath. Great price and easy to replace. Doesn't hurt so bad when it breaks or gets lost. Give them to you co workers. They sell them by the bucket in Sweden. The European hard work knife. Hard to beat for the value/price ratio.--KV

 

[Steely_Gunz]

If you're determined to have a single blade knife, then the Military would be just fine.

But I would recommend a good multi-tool like the Leatherman Wave...
You get one-hand-opening for two blades: a plain edge bladed and a serrated edged blade...
AND pliers, a saw, a metal file, screw drivers, a bottle opener/can opener, and scissors.

I think this is sage advice. As you are working as a temp, you may find yourself in an entirely different position with an entirely different company tomorrow. Your next job might require you to fiddle with stuff or you may be in an environment where a 3.5"+ flipping folder is frowned upon.

You might be surprised how a good multitool can augment your creative and critical problem solving skills.

I'm a contractor. When I'm on the job site I carry a ZT 303 or 350. Very solid, very handy, very tough. The recurve doesn't bother me as I have been sharpening khukuris by hand for about 18 years. My old man has carried some form or fashion of a Buck 110 for the last 4 and a half decades.

However, while my right pocket may have a ZT or a Chris Reeve, or a Spyderco of some flavor, my left pocket ALWAYS has a Leatherman clipped to it. The Wave is a solid choice. I have been carrying the P4 for a couple of months and find it a worthy EDC companion.

I wouldn't worry about edge retention. Keep your knife maintenance to "a stitch in time saves 9" mentality and you won't need to worry about it much. Learn to strop and steel and save the stone for when you really need to fix an edge and you'll find edge holding isn't as crucial as some make it out to be. Then again, part of my evening process is cleaning my knives/tools and giving them 30-100 quick licks on a strop.

Anyway, you are getting great advice here by all the members, and you seem to be a young man with your head screwed on straight Good luck!

 

[afishhunter]

My most used knife when I worked in the trades, was a lowly Stanley retractable blade utility knife/box cutter. Just like the one O Old Biker has in post 22.
From cutting/trimming drywall and carpet to breaking down "a few" hundred boxes a shift, and scraping a valve cover, water pump or oil pan gasket off (blade out of handle), strip electrical insulation ... it did it all.
Blade dull? change it for a sharp one. (5 spare blades in the handle, plus another 100 (less what was used) in the tool box. Mine is a tool-less "quick change" blade model)
I didn't want to use one of my "good" knives for those tasks. Drywall, linoleum, and carpet can be a mite hard on a blade.
I had (and have) no desire to sharpen the blades on my "good" knife/knives down to "toothpicks" and have to replace it in a year or two.

 

[JD Bear]

I'd consider things like weight, blade length, and general ergonomics first, then see what fits any criteria you come up with. Also, things change like Jake said earlier so what's good today might not be what you want tomorrow. For me, I never minded heavy knives and I still carry a Buck 110 or 112 on my belt everyday. But in my pocket it's a different story. I love my ZT 0566, but in my job wearing Dickies that thing would be banging against my leg all dang day (that's what she said) and it got pretty annoying. So I went with a BM mini freek lately and it's been alright. Got a Bugout coming so that'll be good in the summer. Your preferences will change so I'd look for a good middle ground and what will be versatile for you in different situations...

 

[sabre cat]

Because you are a temp worker things can change day to day.
More importantly, the people you work with can change from day today. Because of this, you don’t know the type of morals these people have.

Why buy something pricey just to have it disappear? Stay with some budget gear like RAT knives or Spyderco’s Byrd series.

 

[sabre cat]

...But I would recommend a good multi-tool like the Leatherman Wave...
You get one-hand-opening for two blades: a plain edge bladed and a serrated edged blade...
AND pliers, a saw, a metal file, screw drivers, a bottle opener/can opener, and scissors.

With the exception of pliers, you can get all of that in a SAK...


Cost less too.

 

[SteelPanther]

box cutter and a multi-tool and ur set for whatever you'll need to cut or pry in warehouse work

 

[ivonrei]

Light use:
Spyderco Delica
Spyderco Dragonfly
Ontario Rat 2 in D2 steel

Hard use:
Cold Steel Recon 1
Cold Steel American Lawman

Little o' Both:
Spyderco Endura HAP40
Benchmade Griptilian

Also depends on your local knife laws...if you can't go beyond a 3" blade for legal carry, get a Spyderco Para 3

 

[Earl1]

An all around medium to hard use knife for me at around 100 dollars would be a manix2 lightweight ,a native 5 lightweight or a griltillian large or small.

A Byrd Raven 2 with bdl steel is an excellent option and a much under rated knife. Cuts like a dream and well built. I find the buck vantage series to be very good knives. I have a large one and the blade profile makes it am excellent slicer.
So many to choose from. As has been said, less expensive may be a better option,unless you want one of the super steels .I agree with sabrecat, wait on an expensive purchase until you know where your permanent place of employment will be. Hope ya find the one that fits your needs most.

 

[sabre cat]

Light use:
Spyderco Delica
Spyderco Dragonfly
Ontario Rat 2 in D2 steel

Hard use:
Cold Steel Recon 1
Cold Steel American Lawman

Little o' Both:
Spyderco Endura HAP40
Benchmade Griptilian

Also depends on your local knife laws...if you can't go beyond a 3" blade for legal carry, get a Spyderco Para 3

I love the way that this is suggested. Very similar to how I feel about knives in general. I am a big fan of a three knife concept. Two folders, one small, one large, and some sort of fixed blade knife.

Add in a utility knife and a multi-tool and you have covered almost any cutting task you will come across.

One of the above post suggestions is for a utility knife and a multi-tool. Great suggestion.

I am not a a super fan of Gerber but, their compact utility knife (EAB ?) would be very handy and low cost. Pair it up with a surplus MP 600 and you have a solid kit for little cash. If a coworker walks off with it, little damage is done. Both items are easily replaceable.

 

[sabre cat]

box cutter and a multi-tool and ur set for whatever you'll need to cut or pry in warehouse work

What box cutter and MT do you suggest?

 

[Therom]

Don’t overthink it ....
If you like the 0393 and want it, just buy it
It will make a good tool and a good edc

my first good knife was a 0350
I had to find some excuses to spend that much money on a knife at the time... nowadays I assume that I am a kind of collector

if you can afford it go for it

if you don’t have the money, you have some very good advices already to pick something less expensive and more useful as a tool

 

[sabre cat]

...my first good knife was a 0350
I had to find some excuses to spend that much money on a knife at the time...

I still have to find excuses.

 

[Therom]

I still have to find excuses.

10 years ago I was looking for excuses, nowadays I am looking for cash

the 0393 is an excellent knife
Great material, great action, great manufacturer and great warranty...
Wait for a Black Friday and get it if you want a good price.

but at the end you will not be disappointed

Take advantage of the waiting time to visit local stores and to handle this knife and others

let’s be honest, a got slip joint, a SAK or a Leatherman or anything can make the job for a part time job

if you want to get the best value for your task, just forget about $100+ knives

but if you want a good knife that can make the job, then save your money and treat you well

8 years ago I had the feeling CRK was overpriced and not for me... now it is my basic EDC
I was fine with a $30 SAK for year, I still EDC a SAK but I usually have $200 worth of knife as main blade in addition to my SAK

ZT 0393, 0562, 0640, 0470 are all good to go
I usually prefer Spyderco has user as they are better cutters in most of the cases... PM3, native 5, PM2, Manix 5 can be found at good price in a lot of steel options
CRK, RHK or others can be found as second hands at good prices
Etc.

Visit a shop, try different knives to check the ergonomics for you and go for the one you enjoy and that you can afford