Your opinions on knife usage

Unfortunately, Peter isn't making the Prybabies anymore and I haven't seen one on the secondary market. But if you can find one they are definitely worth the money, it would take quite a bit to make me give up mine.
 
I agree that going to extremes either way, "for cutting only" or "my knife IS my tool-kit", is foolish to say the least.

I think a well made knife should first and foremost be a good cutter, but it should also be able to withstand some amount of "tool work".
That's why we are always looking for that perfect knife.

Multi-tools are great, but sometimes all you have is a knife.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
We're putting ourselves, not the knives, in a 'box.'

I do many things in my life. I'm a credit manager, and then a mini-SOCOM Microtech might be suitable for opening envelopes or UPS boxes.

Then, I do to South Dakota to shoot prairie dogs. A solid folder, like a AR, a SnG, Emerson Commander or my new Tomcat, would be the best.

In a wilderness area, my custom Chang Pacific Rim Bowie Knife is all I would carry. Very sharp, and made from 1084, easy to touch up in the field.

By night, I'm a just a house husband, lots of little projects. I use my SuperKnife.

A knife from one category would be hard pressed in another.
 
I use my knives in a variety of manners. Today I used my knife to straighten the fins on an condenser coil. I had the tool used for that within arms reach. Why the knife? Because is has a finer edge then a 'Fin-Comb'...for bending those fins around, in order to straighten them. That isn't the first or last time that I have used my knife for things other then cutting.

I've always viewed knives as a tool, it can be a multi-purpose tool. Sometimes all it's used for it cutting cardboard and plastic. Others it's used as a prybar, screwdriver, hammer. Now would I use it constantly in this manner? No it's usually done in a pinch, otherwise I'll use the right tool for the job.

Knives in my opinion aren't meant for JUST cutting, but they also aren't meant to be overly abused on a daily basis.

-Random
 
Different knives for different purposes. Don't we all have at least one knife that we feel we can just beat to death and use for anything? And maybe you have one you baby so much that air molecules never touch it's surface, heaven forbid. Which do you really love more? Get the most pleasure from? When I'm out on the land, I'll have one knife i can beat the hell out of if i can't always fish around for the proper tool. I'll chop with it, pry with it, dig with it, and maybe cut with it too. It wears its scars and stains with pride. Now thatsaknife!
 
BuzzBait wrote You’d think that the makers and manufacturers would get the point by now, and start building higher quality multitools for the diehard and more discerning audiences. There are a few of them, but they largely have not been taken to the point where they are worthy of replacing our knives.
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more. I'd pay serious money for a well built EDC D2+Ti multitool. Custom costs would be insane, but semi-mass production might be doable.
 
BurkStar, I don't know how I missed your post about the Prybaby mini being unavailable but you are absolutely correct. Peter just emailed me back saying the same thing. Could you or Buzz possibly post a picture/s of this so I could see what it's all about? If it's more convenient, you could email it/them to me.

Thanks,

Rob
 
Knives are made to cut stuff with, right?
I gotta agree with "The right tool for the job" attitude, but hey, you bought/made/found it, you do what you want with it.
 
Knives are just tools. If you break it, just get a new one! Yes, you need the proper tool for the job, but sometimes, you just can't.
 
14yrs of knives, and I haven't broken a blade yet. I've had a pivot break on me(1 and *only* 1 gerber purchased, gator) from light duty(whittling).

I use my spydie ss dragonfly and fb03 lum tanto for light prying. I've used the 'fly as a screwdriver, to pry paintcan lids open, to baton through the end of a small stick to make a notch for shelter, as a thumb support for pushing nails in, as a spoon.... over 2yrs so far(aug 20, 01 purchase and 24/7 edc since, everything but shower). I've long since taken any warrenty out on this one by doing screwdriver work with it, but it's still rocksolid and the only wear mark/scratch is from the neck rig.

It's cheap to replace and readily available(much like case in the old days).

With the pile I carry on me, I can find a tool for the job. Bush work I go down a bit on numbers, but I change the fixed, I add a large chopper, "hatchet"(3lbs axe on a short handle), saw...
 
With the pile I carry on me, I can find a tool for the job. Bush work I go down a bit on numbers, but I change the fixed, I add a large chopper, "hatchet"(3lbs axe on a short handle), saw...
Click to expand...
Are you a man or a pack horse?:)
I used to be a human pack animal once, but as I get older, and fatter, I get lazier. I carry less and expect more from my tools. Or at least those selected for "abuse".
 
This is one of those issues where I don't think there is a "right" answer. Selecting the right tool for the job comes after selecting the right tool for your personal preferences and lifestyle. For some of us it means always carrying a range of tools or multi-tools that can handle whatever we expect to encounter. For others is means making sure that your belt buckle is narrow enough on one edge to turn a screw and that your boot heels are tough enough to hammer with. :)

I really don't mean to pick on either group. Carrying more equpiment has obvious advantages, in terms of versatility, and obvious disadvantages, in terms weight and bulk. Know yourself and pick a knife that will do what you are going to need it to do.

If a knife is the only tool you carry, it makes sense to go with one tough enough to handle a broader range of uses, even if you have to sacrifice some cutting performance for toughness. As someone who is never without a multi-tool, I go with knives that favor pure blade performance.

Unless you happen to be in your workshop, the "right tool for the job" is going to depend on what tools are actually available. If the only tool you have is a knife then it needs to be tough enough to do whatever you need done. If you keep a toolbox strapped to your back then your knife can be far more specialized. For most of us, the answer lies somewhere in between.

--Bob Q
 
The possibility or probability of abuse and the somewhat predictably short lifespan of an EDC means that it should be somewhat overbuilt in this day and age. Your one hand folder w/clip should be expected to;1) Cut well. 2)Be pressed into service as a weapon if neccessary. 3) Be used for some moderate prying in an emergency. For the most part I think this has been recognized by all the major manufacturers.
 
Originally posted by HJK
Are you a man or a pack horse?:)
Click to expand...

Well, if you saw me at work, you'd figure I was a packhorse. I'm now 175lbs(lost 10 in the last 5 months), and I can carry 250lbs on my shoulders to take it up to the sewing ppl. I have done a 300lbs, but not something I'd do all day. If I can get it up on my shoulders I'll carry it.

I can wear a 32" without a belt, start putting my carry in and I need a belt to keep them up. Between jacket and pants I carry about 5lbs of stuff.
 
Originally posted by cgd160
I've snapped the tips off of a couple knives because I didn't have the proper tool at the time , but I wasn't about to tell my employer "I can't finish the job because I don't have a prybar and I can't use my knife because it's only for cutting" :rolleyes: .
Click to expand...

Your employer should have been supplying you with the proper tools to complete the job you had to do.

I have some knives that are for cutting and some that are meant to handle a little more. I was taught to use the proper tool for the job and that is what I do. The only time I would use one of my folders as a pry bar would be if it were a life or death situation and I couldn't find a better tool. I do use knives for chopping, but the knives I use are designed for that purpose.
 
No Keith he shouldn't have . Not all employers supply their employees with tools (but that is another topic) . In one instance , basically what happened was the crew that wired a patch panel under a wood floor wired it wrong . My crew wasn't supposed to get under the floor (everything was supposedly tested and working). So I had to pry the trap door open and rewire . Well , no one had a pry bar and a screw driver would have beat the wood up (so would a pry bar when I think about it) . So a nice fine edge was the best tool at my disposal . Your statement is only true if ; a.) the employer supplies the tools and b.) your working in a controlled environment (like a work shop where all the necessary tools should be) .

I too was taught to use the right tool for the job , but sometimes that tool isn't around . When such a situation arises , I make do with what I have . If that means prying with a knife , then so be it .
That is the point I was trying to make , sometimes something totally unexpected happens . When such a situation arises , you can either deal with it or ignore it . I will always choose the former . From your post I guess you will choose the latter (if it means having to use the wrong tool for the job).
 
I'm with Keith. I wouldn't have done it either. Unless a knife is specifically designed for certain non-knife functions, it just isn't worth it. Stunts like that are why not all of us have ten fingers anymore. A life threatening situations is one thing, but the "I forgot my screwdriver" type of situation just doesn't justify the risk to both body and knife.

Anybody can find a new job. Nobody can find a new finger.
 
If it concerns work and I am an employee at work I am not about to risk damage to a knife of mine unless I KNOW that somebody besides me is going to be reimbursing me for replacing it and if it might involve my blood due to the misuse forget it, nothing but police and emts and fire department get involved in life and death situations, no job is worth losing blood over for the excuse of "I didn't have the proper tool to do it with".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top