OT: Pocket knives

Submitted by dickdastardly on August 19th, 2022 at 9:04 PM

I just got bit by the pocket knife bug and I have been buying more knives than I ought to but blades are fun! I'm also honing my sharpening skills and there is something therapeutic about taking a dull bladed to stupid sharp and running it through paper to test the level of sharpness. 

So, if there are any other fellow pocket knife junkies on the board, here are a few questions. 

1. What's in your pocket? Currently a Kershaw Camshaft.  Does a good job breaking down cardboard.

2. Favorite EDC and/or brand of knife? Don't have one at this point but the picture below is a knife I am eagerly waiting to get and put through its paces. Somewhere down the line I'll probably up the ante and splurge for a higher end knife with higher end steal. 

3. Favorite steel type(s)? So far most of the steel in the knives I have are budget types; D2, 440C, 14C28N. 

4.How do you sharpen your blades? I have a few worksharp products but looking to get a Lansky Diamond honing system. 

5. Most common use? I deal with a lot of cardboard.

6. Most you'll spend on a knife? The vast majority have been what would be called budget knives in the $20-30 range but a few have been in the $50-$70 range. I am eyeing some higher end knives such as Hogue, Spyderco, and Protect autos that are not cheap.

7. How many times have you cut yourself fidgeting with your knife? Once and luckily it did not draw blood. 

 

M Vader

August 19th, 2022 at 9:15 PM ^

I usually use scalpels but I've been thinking about getting my wife one if I can find one decorated with a cat.  She loves cats and our anniversary is coming up.

Joined: 06/28/2011

MGoPoints: 2474

mooseman

August 19th, 2022 at 9:18 PM ^

I have several relatively inexpensive knives. I bought a Benchmade (Arcane, I think or something similar) several years ago and recently priced Benchmade knives and couldn't believe the cost. It's a nice knife but I couldn't see spending that much now.

They aren't as sexy but the Havalon replaceable blade knives are really practical for always having a sharp blade.

Not an EDC but my favorite knife is my Cutco hunting knife.

Joined: 07/10/2008

MGoPoints: 35550

Brainstorm93

August 19th, 2022 at 9:23 PM ^

I thought this was going to be a discussion about versatile, multi-use players, but then they're typically called "Swiss Army knives" and not just generic "pocket knives."

Joined: 12/24/2020

MGoPoints: 2373

Rendezvous

August 19th, 2022 at 9:24 PM ^

I've never really been into pocket knives except for their utility value. I used to carry a much larger Swiss Army Knife, but my wife objected to it--I think she found it distracting. All I carry now is the little Swiss Army Classic. Even when backpacking, I find that I don't need a whole lot of tools. I use all the tools on the Classic: knife, file/screwdriver, scissors, tweezers, toothpick, about equally. 

Joined: 03/29/2019

MGoPoints: 3519

ken725

August 19th, 2022 at 9:26 PM ^

I just have a handful of cheaper knives for my folders. My favorite is my Kershaw Leek I got at a good price because it is a blem. my favorite knife in general is my Terävä Jääkäripuukko 110 that is my all purpose knife when I’m camping  

I’m a whetstone kind of guy for anything that needs sharpening. 
 

 

Joined: 10/26/2008

MGoPoints: 32866

BlueMetal

August 19th, 2022 at 9:26 PM ^

I'm pretty into pocket knives but my purchases have slowed down tremendously in the last few years.  

1. Carbon Fiber Kershaw Knockout - Limited edition run with CF scales and an M390 blade.  The knockout, in any configuration, is a fantastic knife IMO.

2. Kershaw/Zero Tolerance are my favorites.  My favorite knife I own is a ZY 0550BLK, but it's bulky and discontinued so I don't carry it much. Main carry knives are the Carbon Fiber Knockout mentioned above and my Carbon Fiber ZT0450.

3. Don't really have a favorite.  14c28n is a fine steel for most of what I do with a knife but S35VN and M390 will certainly hold an edge longer.

4. Lansky. I recently acquired a nice Worksharp system but haven't really had a good opportunity to learn it well yet. 

5. I have cheaper knives I carry to work and pretty much they get abused. My nicer knives I carry when not at work are pretty much just for general cutting and because I like carrying a nice knife. 

6.  I don't know that I'll ever spend over $200. The most I've ever spent thus far is $180 on a knife I don't even have anymore (ZT 0770cf)

7. The worst one was cutting zipties off a truck hitch and slamming a dull knife into my other hand. It definitely drew blood, and wife thought it shouldve been sutured, but I refused. Have never cut myself just fidgeting though, always been just when using poor cutting practices. 

Joined: 03/15/2013

MGoPoints: 5203

MAN-AT-ARMS

August 19th, 2022 at 9:39 PM ^

I carry a Kershaw Mini Cyclone with spring assist for a duty knife. At home is a Browning Prostaff 833 folder made in Italy. Nothing super expensive, but still good quality. It’s N690Co steel which I think is decent. 

Joined: 12/21/2018

MGoPoints: 3156

XM - Mt 1822

August 19th, 2022 at 9:46 PM ^

FYI, the regulations about knives for instance in michigan, make very little sense and are fairly all-encompassing making even totally benign actions into felonies. 

  (1) A person shall not carry a dagger, dirk, stiletto, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of any length, or any other dangerous weapon, except a hunting knife adapted and carried as such, concealed on or about his or her person, or whether concealed or otherwise in any vehicle operated or occupied by the person, except in his or her dwelling house, place of business or on other land possessed by the person.

  (2) A person shall not carry a pistol concealed on or about his or her person, or, whether concealed or otherwise, in a vehicle operated or occupied by the person, except in his or her dwelling house, place of business, or on other land possessed by the person, without a license to carry the pistol as provided by law and if licensed, shall not carry the pistol in a place or manner inconsistent with any restrictions upon such license.

  (3) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500.00.

Joined: 12/21/2011

MGoPoints: 103725

Blueisgood

August 19th, 2022 at 10:37 PM ^

Not really into pocket knives, although I have a few Old Timers around. I use a Work Sharp belt sander knife sharpener on my salmon filet knives. Puts a super sharp edge on them. Sharp enough where I think a person could do some surgery with a knife thats been sharpened with it. I've "knicked" myself a few times and it leaves such a clean cut. Probably could have used some stitches on some of them, but electrical tape is my best friend at times.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 2988

IYAOYAS

August 19th, 2022 at 11:10 PM ^

1. What's in your pocket? I rarely carry a pocket knife anymore. I used to regularly as a kid  

2. Favorite EDC and/or brand of knife? I have a small collection of Spydercos and a few Gerbers.

3. Favorite steel type(s)? Im a fan of HAP40  

4.How do you sharpen your blades? I use an Edge Pro with a selection of Japanese waterstones as well as diamond films mounted on float glass. If you can develop the muscle memory then hand sharpening on Shapton whetstones are the way to go.

5. Most common use? Rope and fishing line.  And of course, opening packages containing new knives and whetstones.

6. Most you'll spend on a knife? Maybe $250 on a pocket knife.  More for kitchen knives  

7. How many times have you cut yourself fidgeting with your knife? I don’t fidget. I have cut myself rather often while sharpening. The frightening part is the knives are so sharp one doesn’t feel it. Heals in a jif though!

Joined: 09/13/2018

MGoPoints: 3485

jhayes1189

August 20th, 2022 at 12:21 AM ^

I enjoy making fixed blade knives out of stock steel, I use anything I can find that’s hardenable. I usually get 1095 because it’s available off the shelf at a local metal retailer. 

Also, used, fully hardened industrial hacksaw blades make incredible knives that don’t need a heat treat because they are already fully hardened, just need to be careful to not overheat on the grinding. 

There’s also a great (and Ted Nugent-esque entertaining) machinist here locally in KY that is contracted to make the knives for well known pocket/switch-blade maker, Rob Dalton. He got me interested in the Dalton knives that he makes. Truly an incredible (and hidden away) knife making outfit this fella has.
 

Bladesmithing is a wonderful craft, and knives are just awesome. 

Joined: 10/04/2021

MGoPoints: 6552

mgoblue78

August 20th, 2022 at 6:15 PM ^

I'm not nearly that talented. I buy blades online and then mount them in the shed antlers I find in my yard...we have a sh#t ton of deer. They make nice cheap gifts since the blades only cost $10-15 or so, depending on how fancy the blade is, plus another few bucks for brass rod, epoxy, and sheaths.

Joined: 12/15/2011

MGoPoints: 6664

MgoFunk

August 20th, 2022 at 1:57 AM ^

My father-in-law makes custom knives.  He’s done hatchets, machetes, and other metal works too.  He made pretty cool cake knives with all his daughters wedding dates engraved on them in custom wooden boxes.

JR Custom Knives on Facebook.

Joined: 10/14/2015

MGoPoints: 2484

Don

August 20th, 2022 at 7:24 AM ^

This is like reading a “what are you drinking” thread, only about artisanal pocket knives.

For years I carried a Swiss Army Spartan with me, and the tool I used more often than any other was the corkscrew for opening up wine bottles at parties. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148387

mgoblue78

August 20th, 2022 at 9:45 AM ^

I've had my official BSA pocket knife for 60+ years. As for EDC, I donate a lot of mini SWAs to the TSA because I forget to take them off my keychain before going through security.

Joined: 12/15/2011

MGoPoints: 6664