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Post by Plainsman on Dec 14, 2023 18:47:27 GMT -5
We haven’t had a blade post in quite a while, so… I collect practical knives. No Rambo silliness or “fighting” knives. Just hard-use outdoorsman’s knives that work for a living. On the left is Benchmade’s American made take on the Finnish puukko in CPM-3V steel. Then an original Blackjack model in D2 tool steel. Then Eric Garza’s “Sequoia” from Kizer in 1095HC, the steel used in most military knives. Finally, a Buck hunter, made in China but a good, solid working knife with high quality finish. I think it’s 420HC but not sure of that. That’s the steel that all Bucks have been made of until very recently when they branched out a bit and starting using some premium steels.  |
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Post by urbino on Dec 14, 2023 19:07:45 GMT -5
Nice workers. My only fixed-blades are an LT Wright bushcraft knife, a Falkniven hunter, and a heavy-duty, HC blade from Pathfinder.
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 14, 2023 19:16:38 GMT -5
Some nice knives, Urb.
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Post by urbino on Dec 14, 2023 19:22:40 GMT -5
Thanks. Yours are better loved than mine. The Wright and the Pathfinder get a bit of use for various chores, but I got the Falkniven just because I thought it was pretty, to be honest, and I was curious about the convex grind.
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 14, 2023 19:41:38 GMT -5
I have WAY too many sharpening thingies, including Japanese water stones. I like sharp knives and I enjoy the almost meditative activity of keeping them that way. Sharpening is always a compromise: too sharp and they are vulnerable to edge damage, not sharp enough and they don’t do their job.
How to test a knife for sharpness… Some drag a finger across the blade at a right angle. Tells you nothing. Lightly drop the knife, at an angle, onto your thumbnail. If it “bites” it is sharp. You won’t harm your nail, won’t even leave a mark. But tells you what you need to know.
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Post by urbino on Dec 14, 2023 19:49:48 GMT -5
I find it very meditative, yeah. I'm not enough of a dab hand to freehand it, but I've got one of those KMS sharpening doodads that keeps it mostly the same repetitive, rhythmic process.
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Post by urbino on Dec 14, 2023 19:56:37 GMT -5
Not KMS. KME.
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Post by mgtarheel on Dec 14, 2023 21:35:34 GMT -5
I use Spyderco for my EDC.
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Post by lizardonarock on Dec 14, 2023 22:23:42 GMT -5
I take the shortcut just buy a new Case stockman every few years when I lose the one in my pocket. For exotic state of art steel I go for the Spyderco they stay sharp. After many moons of wish listing got a real Arkansas surgical stone in case I get bored out my ever-loving mind and the TV is broke. Still have some Croc Sticks and a few diamond stones a old Norton Behr-Manning combo stone. WUSTHOF Ikon ice hardened in the kitchen along with a bunch of old Chicago Cultry high carbon from when they were good. A selection of steel's from smooth to medium to knock down the edge burrs. Love watching Jock Pepin with his knife skills he makes it look easy.
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Post by urbino on Dec 14, 2023 22:53:35 GMT -5
I use Spyderco for my EDC. I carry a Dragonfly in ZDP189 steel in my computer bag for office and on-the-go tasks. Darn thing never gets dull, which is a good thing. I dread the day when I have to sharpen it. |
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Post by lizardonarock on Dec 14, 2023 22:59:47 GMT -5
I use Spyderco for my EDC. I carry a Dragonfly in ZDP189 steel in my computer bag for office and on-the-go tasks. Darn thing never gets dull, which is a good thing. I dread the day when I have to sharpen it. I keep looking at the Manix 2 for some reason. |
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Post by urbino on Dec 15, 2023 0:02:52 GMT -5
I carry a Dragonfly in ZDP189 steel in my computer bag for office and on-the-go tasks. Darn thing never gets dull, which is a good thing. I dread the day when I have to sharpen it. I keep looking at the Manix 2 for some reason. I've got a couple bigger Spydercos. A Tenacious and an Endura. Never had a Manix. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Dec 15, 2023 10:50:20 GMT -5
There's something about a knife that I like. I can't put my finger on it (cos it's too sharp), but I do have fond memories of going to tool shops with my dad and looking at knives with him. There was something nice about getting a decent pocket knife. I don't have one anymore. Maybe thats one to add to the list.
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 15, 2023 11:26:43 GMT -5
Knives and people have a very long relationship. Perhaps they are in our DNA.
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Post by toshtego on Dec 15, 2023 11:39:23 GMT -5
Nice collection, Bob. I like your technique for sharpness measurement.
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 15, 2023 14:14:22 GMT -5
There's something about a knife that I like. I can't put my finger on it (cos it's too sharp), but I do have fond memories of going to tool shops with my dad and looking at knives with him. There was something nice about getting a decent pocket knife. I don't have one anymore. Maybe thats one to add to the list. Man, I have a pocket knife for every occasion. I feel naked without one. I prefer Kershaw pocket knives and they make one for every pocket and occasion. |
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 15, 2023 15:18:49 GMT -5
Nice collection, Bob. I like your technique for sharpness measurement. Thanks, John. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. |
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Post by mgtarheel on Dec 15, 2023 16:10:01 GMT -5
My two favorite Spyderco knives are a Chaparrel with Raffir Noble handles and a Native 5 Salt MagnaCut.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Dec 15, 2023 16:42:51 GMT -5
  My go to town knife, Zero Tolerance put it in your pocket, pull it out and blade rolls out. Oldest Son gave it to me. I’ve got a lot of knives, Cold Steel, Kabar, Kershaw laying all around, Big Tanto fixed blade by Cold Steel in my nite stand in case gun doesn’t go off!
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Post by oldcajun123 on Dec 15, 2023 16:46:24 GMT -5
 Cold Steel Tanto! |
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Post by instymp on Dec 15, 2023 18:13:32 GMT -5
There's something about a knife that I like. I can't put my finger on it (cos it's too sharp), but I do have fond memories of going to tool shops with my dad and looking at knives with him. There was something nice about getting a decent pocket knife. I don't have one anymore. Maybe thats one to add to the list. Man, I have a pocket knife for every occasion. I feel naked without one. I prefer Kershaw pocket knives and they make one for every pocket and occasion. Kershaw leeks in my pocket & used daily for a long time. |
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Post by urbino on Dec 15, 2023 20:52:08 GMT -5
Nice workers. My only fixed-blades are an LT Wright bushcraft knife, a Falkniven hunter, and a heavy-duty, HC blade from Pathfinder. Oh, and a Mora. |
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 15, 2023 22:46:25 GMT -5
An unusual Spiderco. Their “Tropen.” Quite a nice piece of craftsmanship. Made in Taiwan of SV35. The bearings used make it slick and fast— an automatic could not be faster or easier to open. There was some ridiculous whining about a tiny section of the blade that was exposed when closed. Total rubbish as you would have had to work very hard to cut yourself on it. Unfortunately the blade is 4” long and therefore illegal to carry in my state. Silly rule. Not a cheap knife by any means, but IMO well worth it. And “scary sharp” out of the box.  |
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Post by oldcajun123 on Dec 16, 2023 0:19:27 GMT -5
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Post by oldcajun123 on Dec 16, 2023 0:20:23 GMT -5
Just one not sure what happened!
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 16, 2023 1:26:08 GMT -5
My go to town knife, Zero Tolerance put it in your pocket, pull it out and blade rolls out. Oldest Son gave it to me. I’ve got a lot of knives, Cold Steel, Kabar, Kershaw laying all around, Big Tanto fixed blade by Cold Steel in my nite stand in case gun doesn’t go off! I have the Cold Steel original tanto, the one with the brass fittings in my nightstand too! |
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 16, 2023 1:29:39 GMT -5
Man, I have a pocket knife for every occasion. I feel naked without one. I prefer Kershaw pocket knives and they make one for every pocket and occasion. Kershaw leeks in my pocket & used daily for a long time. I have 8 Leeks, 3 are the double steel. My son found a Snapon Leek in the yard and gave it to me in 94 and that started a love affair with the line of knives. Only broken one point so far. |
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Post by Goldbrick on Dec 20, 2023 20:35:41 GMT -5
S.O.G., Buck, Gerber, Case, and Kershaw are all here, but no Benchmade; I'm too cheap. I like multi-tools too, but just the small ones.
Great thread Bob, with some very nice photos!
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Post by Darin on Dec 21, 2023 8:17:46 GMT -5
I like my old, classic beaters ... Sheffield, Old Timer, Victorinox / Swiss Army, etc. I've got a chinese blade called Ganzo which has proven itself time and again.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Dec 21, 2023 8:51:58 GMT -5
I have an Al Mar folder bought long time ago, was offered big money for it. Sorry it's for my boys, don't know why I don't own a Randall, maybe that's next on my list. Pic later on the Al Mar!
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