Quality Pocket Knife

[Jack84]

Beaut! I'm hoping that they come out with more handle options for the 31, then I'll buy. I know yours it's an inkosi, I looked at those as well. I do miss my 21...

This is the 25.

 

[Bigbandguy]

Do you use it to pry open paint cans because your HF screwdrivers bend when you use them?

In any case, It sounds like you're the perfect candidate for a $10 knife.

Betcha *** I am. I am not a snob about tools. I find one that will do what I need it to do and use it. This particular knife is strong, holds an edge and does what I ask it to do. I don't give a single rats *** what anyone thinks about it. The topic was "Quality Pocket Knife" . It did not mention price.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

This is the 25.

Hard to discern in photos!

 

[Tinner]

The guy with a $6 multimeter wants to talk **** to the guy with the $8 knife...

Good memory! The $6 meter is in my work box, where I use it a couple times a year for a quick voltage or continuity check. It replaced a cheap meter that died after 20 some years. If the topic of quality multimeters came up I wouldn't mention it. I may mention the Fluke I use quite a bit at home.

I do find it hilarious that the guy who mentions a $10 knife as "quality" tells us how he uses it as a hammer and a pry bar.

 

[scubadoober]

Never heard of Boye knives, but now I am intrigued. I broke the pocket clip on my aluminum SOG flash 1 this weekend. I got on their website and they have a clip replacement program. Should get here in the next couple weeks so I am carrying the kershaw until then.

 

[Holt]

Spyderco Yogimbo 2

View media item 92011

 

[seber]

The knife I carry probably depends on the phase of the moon as much as anything else. The Spyderco is easily recognizable but the Boye is unusual with it’s cobalt blade.

https://www.boyeknives.com/pages/new-dendritic-cobalt for the curious.

I’m astonished at the markings visible in the photos.

Will that cobalt blade take a sharp edge? I love the carbide cutting edge but I also like to keep my blade hair splitting sharp. I can't stand serrated blades.

 

[twistedstang]

The ZT 0301 0302 and 0303 are absolute monsters. Now that the value is rising on them I dont carry this daily. A ZT 0350 is a great daily carry for under 200 though.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Good memory!

Nah. Your post set off my hypocritical ******** detector so I looked at your post history.

The $6 meter is in my work box, where I use it a couple times a year for a quick voltage or continuity check. It replaced a cheap meter that died after 20 some years. If the topic of quality multimeters came up I wouldn't mention it. I may mention the Fluke I use quite a bit at home.

So what you're saying is use case matters.

You needed a basic meter for occasional use and found one that fit the bill for $6.

He needed a knife that he wouldn't feel guilty about losing and/or abusing and found one that fit the bill for $8.

Somehow one of these situations is perfectly reasonable while the other merits insult.

I do find it hilarious that the guy who mentions a $10 knife as "quality" tells us how he uses it as a hammer and a pry bar.

So the fact that it has survived tasks that no sane person would subject a more expensive knife to is proof that it is a poor quality knife?

I'm not following your logic.

 

[HFlashman]

My primary knife which I am never without is an Benchmade Axis Lock folder (have several). This is kept very sharp and used very little. It is for the unexpected emergency such as cutting seat belts or other hindering straps to help others or myself. This knife needs to be strong and very sharp and hidden from view.

The other is a Leatherman Skeletool CX which is a lightweight, thin multitool that easily clips in the pocket, has a 154CM blade for everyday use but also the benefit of pliers and screwdrivers. Tweezers would be a big plus and also for the Wave but seem to be limited to the mini Skeletools.

 

[Jack84]

Hard to discern in photos!

It is! The inkosi is just an upgraded 25.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Jackfre]

I have carried the SOG Flash II since ‘89. I was at a trade show and saw this knife with the assist. I thought it was illegal, but it is not a switch blade so I bought his sample. It has held up to pretty heavy use and has a simple to use lock. I’ve had other knives open in the pocket and that is unacceptable for a lot of reasons. I don’t recall the model of the little Swiss Army but what distinguishes this one from the other mini’s is the very small Phillips head and bottle opener shown in the pic. I bet I use that SA at least 10 times/day. I have left them at airports all over NA

 

[minke]

Will that cobalt blade take a sharp edge? I love the carbide cutting edge but I also like to keep my blade hair splitting sharp. I can't stand serrated blades.

Please don't confuse cobalt with carbide.

I tend to be somewhat **** and don't really get to find out how long it takes to get dull. Also I don't use it much as I retired ages ago and don't sail in Colorado. I respected Practical Sailor magazine for doing quality reviews and not taking advertising and they considered the edge durable.

This knife is intended to be a sailors safety knife. The point makes it difficult to accidentally puncture your inflatable raft or dinghy. On board one of the forms of accident you worry about is someone's limb getting caught in a line under very high tension. (Vocabulary for non-sailors: line is what you'd call rope on land). Some modern synthetic lines are difficult to cut. That is the reason for the coarse crystals and serrated blade.

I think that it's a great knife but as a current land-lubber I wouldn't buy one today. I also wonder if it would pass thru a magnetometer gateway undetected but I don't wish to try.

 

[Handyandy23]

Nah. Your post set off my hypocritical ******** detector so I looked at your post history.



So what you're saying is use case matters.

You needed a basic meter for occasional use and found one that fit the bill for $6.

He needed a knife that he wouldn't feel guilty about losing and/or abusing and found one that fit the bill for $8.

Somehow one of these situations is perfectly reasonable while the other merits insult.



So the fact that it has survived tasks that no sane person would subject a more expensive knife to is proof that it is a poor quality knife?

I'm not following your logic.

Ding ding ding!

I don't care how others spend their money, but acting like carrying anything other than a high dollar knife is stupid, is stupid in itself.

I actually don't understand what y'all are using these knives for. I keep a Milwaukee Fastback utility knife in my pocket just to deal with unexpected small tasks during the day. Open up a box, cut a zip tie, open a plastic package, trim tape off a roll, etc. If I know I have some large task where I need something capable of cutting through bone, or I'm cutting 100 zip ties, I just grab an appropriate tool to do the job.

The knife in my pocket is just a convenience for various small tasks that might pop up through the day. It doesn't need to have the most perfect, hardest edge

 

[liliysdad]

Its not that I care how others spend their money...I do care when someone gives advice they know nothing about, such as comparing a junk HF knife to something of quality. On this forum, anyone who would suggest a Great Neck ratchet is just as good as a Snap-On would be lambasted...and rightly so. Some folks don't know any better...and bad advice doesn't help.

Much like your inability to comprehend the fact that someone would need an actual, quality knife on them, I fail to understand how you don't. I don't leave the house...ever..without a good pocket knife, a good watch, a good pistol, a good belt, and a good pair of boots. Good stuff costs good money.....just like tools.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Its not that I care how others spend their money...I do care when someone gives advice they know nothing about, such as comparing a junk HF knife to something of quality. On this forum, anyone who would suggest a Great Neck ratchet is just as good as a Snap-On would be lambasted...and rightly so. Some folks don't know any better...and bad advice doesn't help.

Much like your inability to comprehend the fact that someone would need an actual, quality knife on them, I fail to understand how you don't. I don't leave the house...ever..without a good pocket knife, a good watch, a good pistol, a good belt, and a good pair of boots. Good stuff costs good money.....just like tools.

You sound like me. Though I don't always need a sebenza, hinderer, etc it's nice to enjoy quality craftsmanship. Fit and finish, premium blade steels, handle materials, bearings instead of bushings, e.t.c. I don't use my knife for anything other than cutting but when I do I enjoy it. Victorinox, opinel, e.t.c all make quality knives and don't cost a lot. But they've also perfected their niche and you can trust them. Gerber needs to stick to baby food. HF has no place in my pocket. A cheap meter is better than no meter if you know it's limits. But still keep a quality one around. Same with knives. If I'm doing repetitive cardboard or cutting with prying I use a box cutter... no need for a cheap knife that'll close on you or just get dull quick. A dull knife is a dangerous knife.

 

[liliysdad]

In the knife world, quality doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg...but it isn't found at Harbor Freight, either.

You can get a lot of knife for under $50, even under $30 if you do your homework. Cheap **** is cheap, but good stuff can be had inexpensively.

 

[minke]

Sometimes you get what you pay for. Sometimes.

The rest of the time you get what you buy.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Its not that I care how others spend their money...

Good.

I do care when someone gives advice they know nothing about

The extent of his advice was that someone looking for a cheap knife that can take some abuse could do worse than the HF knife. Considering he's been using said knife under harsh conditions for the last year, this seems like a subject he might know something about.

In fact (unless you have some first hand experience you've declined to mention) you're the only person talking about something they don't know anything about.

such as comparing a junk HF knife to something of quality.

I must have missed something. Which knife did he compare it to?

On this forum, anyone who would suggest a Great Neck ratchet is just as good as a Snap-On would be lambasted...and rightly so.

I'm pretty certain nobody has made that claim...ever. Just like nobody claimed the Gordon was better than any other knife in this thread.

For future reference: What you're doing here is called a straw man argument. Somebody said something you didn't like so you're trying to put a bunch of words in his mouth to make him look bad. It's...not a good look.

Some folks don't know any better...and bad advice doesn't help.

Again, it's hard to classify what the guy said as bad advice.

Much like your inability to comprehend

Do you really want to go there? We can, I don't mind.

the fact that someone would need an actual, quality knife on them, I fail to understand how you don't. I don't leave the house...ever..without a good pocket knife, a good watch, a good pistol, a good belt, and a good pair of boots. Good stuff costs good money.....just like tools.

And we've finally made it to the core of the issue: Another internet tough guy trying to wave his **** around in a knife thread. How original.

 

[liliysdad]

I have never considered myself a "tough guy," and I don't see anything in that post that would lead one to believe otherwise. I appreciate the utility and value of quality gear....I likely could have been somewhat more diplomatic, but I am not all ashamed of calling a spade a spade, or in this case, a junk knife the same.

 

[Bigbandguy]

"Perhaps 'tis not strictly in accordance with the evidence, but even the damned may salute the eloquence of Mr. Webster."

That is how I feel about the eloquent comments of Mr. R. Badger, who makes his namesake look like a tame critter. I thank you and my really outstanding cheap pocketknife thanks you too. I could not make any comments about ad hominem attacks without getting political but you did very well.

 

[Handyandy23]

Its not that I care how others spend their money...I do care when someone gives advice they know nothing about, such as comparing a junk HF knife to something of quality. On this forum, anyone who would suggest a Great Neck ratchet is just as good as a Snap-On would be lambasted...and rightly so. Some folks don't know any better...and bad advice doesn't help.

Much like your inability to comprehend the fact that someone would need an actual, quality knife on them, I fail to understand how you don't. I don't leave the house...ever..without a good pocket knife, a good watch, a good pistol, a good belt, and a good pair of boots. Good stuff costs good money.....just like tools.

My earlier question was a simple one though - what do you use the knife for that makes it such a crucial piece of equipment for you?

I can fully agree that in anything you usually need to pay for quality, but there's always a middle ground. I pay for quality based on need. Tools I use often I buy food quality. Tools I find that end up failing to do what I need I upgrade. My little utility knife does everything I come across in a normal day, so I'm genuinely interested to know what a higher quality knife would provide.

And I'm sure you can understand not everyone has the same needs as you. I haven't had a need for a watch since the invention of the cell phone, let alone a good one.

 

[twistedstang]

An argument that can go on forever about any tool. The cheap ones fine..until it breaks. Sometimes it's just about pride in ownership and the smile something puts on your face. A Zero Tolerance box sums it up the best with the quote on the side

 

[twistedstang]

Heres one of my favorite "dress pants" knives as it was called earlier in this thread. A Microtech Bounty Hunter.

 

[Handyandy23]

An argument that can go on forever about any tool. The cheap ones fine..until it breaks. Sometimes it's just about pride in ownership and the smile something puts on your face. A Zero Tolerance box sums it up the best with the quote on the side

I'm fully behind that - lots of things I own are mostly for enjoyment and pride of ownership. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but it seemed like a few posters got to a point their pride of ownership turned into putting down others' less expensive stuff just because.

Unless you're a billionaire, life is all about making choices on what products you care enough about to buy the highest quality, and which ones you don't care to invest in. People aren't going to agree across the board on what items you should spend your money on. And listing off the things you personally think everyone should be buying premium versions of is assinine.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Anyways. Back on topic. I think I'm ordering a custom benchmade griptilian with the sheep's foot blade in m4, plain edge. Jade handle and all black hardware with a mini deep carry pocket clip. And the new victorinox farmer x.

 

[seber]

Please don't confuse cobalt with carbide.

The purpose of the cobalt is to cement the carbide grains. Cobalt by itself is pretty soft by comparison. The question I have is how small are the carbides. That determines how sharp the blade can be.

 

[Robinson1]

Ive carried a traditional wood and brass Buck 112 almost daily for years. Construction, wood shop, some mechanic work and hobby farming. Somedays I pair it up with a Victorinox Tinker. My only really complaint is the belt sheath is uncomfortable while wearing a tool belt. Those days I just slide the knife in my back pocket beside my wallet.

Buck has alot of good options made in the USA and very affordable. You can buy a 112 or 110 lightweight for under $30.

The Buck 285 Bantam is another great USA made work knife for around $20.

For work knives I tend to go against common idea in the fact I'd rather have a softer easier to sharpen steel than a super steel that requires special tools and lots of time to sharpen.

Bucks 420 HC steel meets my requirements and takes a razor edge in a matter of minutes on a Lansky bench stone.

I carried a Benchmade for a couple years before going to Buck. I have zero complaints about the switch and honestly like the feel and looks of the 112 better.

If you want a super steel Buck offers a 112 Pro in S30V

 

[minke]

The purpose of the cobalt is to cement the carbide grains. Cobalt by itself is pretty soft by comparison. The question I have is how small are the carbides. That determines how sharp the blade can be.

Thanks for persisting with the correction. I presume (and hope!) that I got it right years ago when I bought the knife!

Carbide makes sense.

 

[bdbecker]

...Buck has alot of good options made in the USA and very affordable. You can buy a 112 or 110 lightweight for under $30...

I haven't looked at the Buck lineup in awhile, but I have been looking to get a new pocketknife. Looks like I found a good contender - thanks for sharing that!

The first knife I ever bought for myself was a 110 Hunter purchased at the bait and tackle shop near my Grandpa's lake house. I remember seeing it one spring and deciding I had to buy it. I had some part time jobs over the summer and put together enough money to buy it the last time we went up to the lake for the season. That knife has cleaned a lot of game over the years. I still have it, although now it only comes out for cleaning deer at home. I don't carry it in the field anymore because I'd be pretty upset if I ever lost it.

 

[majorbanjo]

i like benchmade specifically the griptilian.......I also like spyderco........my nephew gave me a small stainless steel kershaw that is not a bad knife for the money

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I haven't looked at the Buck lineup in awhile, but I have been looking to get a new pocketknife. Looks like I found a good contender - thanks for sharing that!



The first knife I ever bought for myself was a 110 Hunter purchased at the bait and tackle shop near my Grandpa's lake house. I remember seeing it one spring and deciding I had to buy it. I had some part time jobs over the summer and put together enough money to buy it the last time we went up to the lake for the season. That knife has cleaned a lot of game over the years. I still have it, although now it only comes out for cleaning deer at home. I don't carry it in the field anymore because I'd be pretty upset if I ever lost it.

Get a custom shop! I posted photos of mine above

 

[ovilla]

This is my every day carry. Have had it for years now and it works great. Out the front switch blade from Microtech. It’s their UTX-85 model which is 85% of their regular sized models, so just slightly smaller. Great action! Flies out and back in just like you’d expect it to with crisp precision and the blade holds an edge for a very long time. Plus it has very little movement.

 

[Mr. Tool]

As others have previously stated KERSAW knifes are one of the best IMHO.

I've got three of them and always carry one particular favorite that I always carry with me.

Plus you can't beat the quality and warranty that KERSAW offers on their knifes. I've sent one back and it came back almost new like!

 

[twistedstang]

This is my every day carry. Have had it for years now and it works great. Out the front switch blade from Microtech. It’s their UTX-85 model which is 85% of their regular sized models, so just slightly smaller. Great action! Flies out and back in just like you’d expect it to with crisp precision and the blade holds an edge for a very long time. Plus it has very little movement.

I bought my wife a UTX-70 with the double edged pointy end for Christmas. Super cool little knife

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

My newest acquisition, large inkosi insingo with red micarta

 

[M6erfan]

My newest acquisition, large inkosi insingo with red micarta

Great knife! I prefer the small option for EDC but awesome awesome knife.

 

[richfinn]

Victorinox Soldier, has been a great knife for me, It has just what I need, also available as a Rescue version with a tool for breaking vehicle glass.

I,ve tried Gerbers/Bucks and Kershaws and I always go back to a Swiss Army Knife of some description

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Victorinox Soldier, has been a great knife for me, It has just what I need, also available as a Rescue version with a tool for breaking vehicle glass.

I,ve tried Gerbers/Bucks and Kershaws and I always go back to a Swiss Army Knife of some description

I'm going to get the farmer x as soon as they come out with "exclusive" colors

 

[richfinn]

I'm going to get the farmer x as soon as they come out with "exclusive" colors

Nice looking knife and good useful set of blades, I've always had them since I was a kid. I use the wood saw a fair bit for cutting nylon tow ropes and I now prefer the semi-serrated main blade to a plain one as it's good for hacking through tough cardboard boxes and packing tape

If you could design one specifically for car mechanics, what blades would you like?