Working Man's Knife?

screened porch said:
He wants carbon steel and at least two blades.
Let us know what you find, OP.
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I knew that, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been up a ladder holding something that needed cutting, and reached for my Russlock, opened it with one hand, cut the thing and slid it back in my pocket without having to re-set.

It’s as handy as all get out.
 
Murphy Slaw said:
I knew that, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been up a ladder holding something that needed cutting, and reached for my Russlock, opened it with one hand, cut the thing and slid it back in my pocket without having to re-set.

It’s as handy as all get out.
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Yeah. I can't mention here the sorts of one-handers I carry with my trads. You can't always proceed at a philosophical pace.
 
afishhunter said:
I have 12 Rough Rider stockmans, ranging from 3 7/8 to 4 1/4 inch closed. They all have a "5" pull on all blades (one of them is a 5 blade stockman)
Rough Rider wins "Bang for The Buck"
Their 440a stainless amd T10 carbon steel both have a great heat treat, and hold a keen edge. Honestly, they are also the sharpest knives out of the box I have ever bought.
They also have a lifetine guarantee, and they stand behind it.
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Chinesium concerns set aside, the Rough Ryder knives are surprisingly good and an even better value. I have the large stockman in carbon and a smaller sow belly in stainless that's even nicer. It's a valid brand choice for a work knife.
 
The Winchester Black Box knives are good quality knives with carbon steel blades and nice jigged bone. Made by Queen Cutlery and based on models from days gone by.

I always did like this 2991 Moose pattern from 1988.

Speaking of Queen Cutlery, check those out too but be advised that the newer ones made after 2018 are made in China.

Not my picture.
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For your usage a cheap Rough Rider, or if you want to go fancier a Rough Rider Reserve or Rosecraft. Mostly Stainless however.

You may want to consider a single bladed knife as there are many hard work low cost knives, in D2 and similar these days.
 
Invoice said:
I’m partial to Case 75’s large and three blades. Look around and you can get them for short money. Buck 301’s will also do. They can be found in the Big stores.
Or if you look around the big bay you can find some Ulsters. They sharpen up real nice
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The '75 is on my short list. I'm partial to the amber bone and CS, but the yellow fits a work knife well.
 
black mamba said:
It's mighty hard to beat a lightly used USA Schrade for value. If you prefer even lighter pulls, then Buck 301 is a good choice.
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I had a 34OT my grandfather gave me when I was 12. Great knife.
If I could find one in decent shape, I'd buy it in a minute. The larger size would be even better!
 
rhino said:
Chinesium concerns set aside, the Rough Ryder knives are surprisingly good and an even better value. I have the large stockman in carbon and a smaller sow belly in stainless that's even nicer. It's a valid brand choice for a work knife.
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I just can't do it, man...
I've handled a few RRs, and they're a fine knife, but they just don't give me any pride to use.
 
afishhunter said:
If you are worried about a heavy nail breaker pull, I suggest a Buck 301 if you like a large stockman (3 7/8" closed) or 303 if you prefer a "medium" stockman, like the Case 18.
The Buck 301and 303 are known for a "light" pull. I rate it at a "3.5" to "4". (A 91/93mm Victorinox is considered a "5")
The offshore Buck 371 and 373 have a pull of "5" to "5.25" in my opinion.

I have 12 Rough Rider stockmans, ranging from 3 7/8 to 4 1/4 inch closed. They all have a "5" pull on all blades (one of them is a 5 blade stockman)
Rough Rider wins "Bang for The Buck"
Their 440a stainless amd T10 carbon steel both have a great heat treat, and hold a keen edge. Honestly, they are also the sharpest knives out of the box I have ever bought.
They also have a lifetine guarantee, and they stand behind it.

The off shore Old Tiner 858OT (Delrin covers, "440a equivalent" blades, and 858OTB (bone covers, "440c equivalent blades) have a "5" pull. The 858 is 4 5/8 inches closed. I personally do not find it "too big" to carry loose in the bottom of a pocket.
The OT holds an edge just as well as my 1978-1984 US made 858 (no "OT" on the tang stamp) Oh, the offshore 858 has pinned construction. The vintage ones have Swindon Keys. I prefer the pinned construction.

The Case x375 (4 1/4 inch) is also a good choice. Though if possible, you should buy after inspecting. Ditto if you decide on another 18.

The local Farm And Fleet/Blanes Farm And Fleet (I don't know if they all added "Blanes" to the name.) store probably carries Case knives.

Another option you might like is a Victorinox Swiss Army knife.
I've paired my Buck 110 or Old Timer 7OT, and (usually) a large stockman, or a Barlow, Moose, or other 2 blade jackknife with a Victorinox Huntsman every day for 25 or 26 years. I keep it on a small carabiner, clipped to a belt loop.
The Huntsman has the multi purpose "corkscrew" in the back tools. The "Fieldmaster" replaces the corkscrew with a #2 phillips screwdriver. The rest of the blades/tools are the same.
The wood/bone saw, and scissors come in quite handy.

You can find most Vic SAK's in like new condition on the big auction site for a LOT less than a new one.
I paid $18 shipped for a like new "used" standatd production Huntsman, so I could semi-retire a fancy 2021 'Year Of The Ox' Huntsman I inherited.
If you get one with "PLUS" scales, you get the standard toothpick, tweezers side tools, plus a straight pin, and a ballpoint pen (blue ink) side tools.
I upgraded my regular Huntsman to Plus Scales, for the pen.

EDITDon't let the light pilull of the Buck 301/303 bother you.
The backspring's only job is to prevent the blade from partly opening in the pocket, and flopping partly closed between cuts.
Buck's back springs do their job just fine.
I like light pulls. I know I will never have to fight the knife to open it if/when my hands are cold and/or wet.
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Until I get back to a knife I'm happy to carry every day, I'm carrying a Wenger SI from 1988 and a Case Peanut from 1977. Good combo, scratches the itch for carbon steel and a decently robust knife, but I feel silly carrying two knives!
 
calm said:
For your usage a cheap Rough Rider, or if you want to go fancier a Rough Rider Reserve or Rosecraft. Mostly Stainless however.

You may want to consider a single bladed knife as there are many hard work low cost knives, in D2 and similar these days.
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If I had to go back to a Sodbuster, there are worse things in life.
 
There are plenty of delrin handled Remington knives on eBay. The USA ones are good knives and don’t cost a fortune if you spend a little time looking for the deals.
 
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