Posted on 05/18/2021 7:26:44 PM PDT by Rebelbase
Gerber LST I got back in the early ‘80’s. I think I got it free by sending in labels from CCI .22 cartridges.
No more than I have a favorite screw driver or hammer. Knives are a tool, not some magical obsession people seem to have.
I carry a 35+ year old Swiss army knife with some tools on not it, not loaded. It is still in great condition and has served me very well.
I carry a 35+ year old Swiss army knife with some tools on not it, not loaded. It is still in great condition and has served me very well.
I EDC two knives: a Victorinox Spartan Swiss Army knife for about 35 years now, and a Gerber folder (model unknown) for about 20 years. Both will take a shaving edge. When I worked on USFS fire crews, I carried a Buck 110.
I also have an old 3-blade Case pocketknife for rough use around the shop and garden. It’s in bad shape, with the tip of the longest blade broken off, and I just file it a little when it gets really dull.
I was in an exchange of gunfire once with corrupt law enforcement involved in a lonely area of northwest Georgia near Menlo
One of those Barlow looking things got stuck in a mans shoulder....
He squealed and bled
The best EDC tool I have found after owning dozens is the Victorinox Spirit from the Swiss Army Knife folks. A multi-tool rather than a knife, although the knife inside is excellent. It exceeds the quality and performance of every other similar tool I own, which includes couple dozen including all the best-known brands. I use mine several times every day.
I’ve carried Schrade knives for around 50 years, hard to beat, but they are no longer made in the USA. I have to locate them used in yard sales these days.
I use single blade lock blade knives ONLY...cut myself too many times on standard 2 or 3 blade folding knives. Only thing Iuse a multi blade knife for is cleaning fingernails. I never ever cut anything with one. Its either lock blade or straight non folding for me, like my filet knife. I won’t even use the knife on my Leatherman...
The Schrade 197UH (Uncle Henry) was my favorite, and a Scrimshaw model they made that was a bit bigger but can’t remember the model number. Have another Schrade lock blade now, Uncle Henry, since they are made with stainless blades rather than carbon steel. The Schrade brand knives are made with carbon steel, Uncle Henry with stainless. I like both and the carbon steel blades will sharpen to a very nice edge but won’t last as long. Most are also thinner, but they do tarnish.
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/catalog/20720-schrade-uncle-henry-197uh-usa-mint
This one is identical to the Shcrade Scrimshaw knife I have, with a different handle. Tip of the blade broke years ago when I dropped it. Wish I could find another, really need to send it in for repairs but have never done it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234012229753?hash=item367c374079:g:EIAAAOSwHd5gnczg
Search ebay for schrade knife, they have lots including plenty older ones made in the US.
Then there’s Kershaw, I have a small 2 inch lock blade that’s been good but takes ages to sharpen.
And Gerber, also made in the US, Portland Or, are very good knives, I have a couple of those too. Excellent knives.
Let’s not forget Case XX and Kabar. Kabar makes the military battle knife I have over on a shelf. foot long military battle knife, razor sharp right out of the box, I’ve never even used it. (I have another large knife) Made in the US too, with nice leather sheath.
Case has made knives for ages, my grandfather carried one, and they are very good ones, but I don’t know if they’re still made in the US.
Haunt local yard sales and flea markets for a couple of weekends, chances are you’ll find some good US made knives for sale. Some have lifetime warranty, I’ve sent in 6 or 8 Schrade knives, fixed or replaced with never a question asked.
Then you need a way to keep it sharp...you have the traditional Arkansas stone, which does a nice job, I always keep 2 or 3 on hand, I have one that’s near 50 years old. Used it for my Rapala filet knife a week ago, it shaves now.
Then there’s the Triangle system by Spyderco.
https://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Tri-Angle-Sharpmaker-Sharpener-204MF/dp/B000Q9C4AE
They’ve gone up in price a lot, mine cost $25. I only have the white ceramic rods, but they do a really good job, I can have my knife sharp enough to shave in 30 seconds. I’ve had mine for over 30 years, as long as you don’t drop them, they last a very long time. The white ceramic rods are cleaned with regular cleanser and a little water.
I got mine because of a demo at a state fair. The guy borrowed a knife from the audience, tried to cut a brick with it. I’m not kidding, he dulled it really good. Then 30 seconds with this triangle sharpener, it would literally shave. My uncle and I bought one.
I had used Arkansas stones all my life, still do, but this thing is dead simple to use and does a teriffic job. Ours was broken, he dropped it a couple of times, my sister got me one for christmas 30 years ago. I still use it, just used it a few days ago on the pocketknife I carry. Schrade yard sale find. 3 bucks. Made in US, stainless, 30 seconds and I can have it razor sharp.
Oh, sorry, way over the price limit.
Spyderco. Have many variants of their knives and one that has been used/carried daily for over 25 years now without any problems. I favor the serrated edge models for the types of things I typically need to cut, but the general trend is plain edge so you should have no problem finding one you can sharpen more easily.
The Dragonfly, Delica, and Endura models (basic lock-backs at different blade lengths) are great choices under $100ea and the VG10 steel is durable, corrosion resistant, yet easy to keep sharp. Don’t think those are 100% USA made (Japan, I think) but I am pretty sure the Paramilitary models are (In Colorado, at a little higher price point). Their Byrd line is their China made line.
I have had that problem on two Kershaws. They did send a replacement for free, though.
My wife and I bought a series of Kershaws on special Amazon sales over several years. We use them exclusively for folding knives.
I use a S&W, sharp and cheap.
I left mine in my glove box when I took my Scirocco in for maintenance at VW (late 70's) and It was lifted, I made quite the stink in the showroom :)
From AG Russell's in Arkansas, the Dozer Design Ka-Bar folding hunter. Designed by Bob Dozier for Ka-Bar, and manufactured in TAIWAN, a country that is not at war with the US.
https://agrussell.com/knife/Ka-Bar-Dozier-Spear-Point-Coyote-Brown--KA4062CB
Simple, functional design, easily opens with one hand, can be converted to left-hand carry, and let's say that it will take a functional edge, quite good enough for most things IMO. They make them in lots of different colors.
Slices landscape fabric, cuts poly-risers, opens plastic bags, cuts up apples and stuff like, well you know.
The current price is $22, plus shipping, call it $30. I carry an orange one out working, and a black one for regular EDC carry. I've lost a couple or three of them and I just buy another one. The orange one goes in the dishwasher now and then, POINT DOWN, and then gets honed with a ceramic steel and slicked up with a little Hoppe's oil and then ready to go back to work.
For something elegant and scary sharp, which frankly I don't often find the need for, I've lately been carrying a Maserin EDC folder: https://agrussell.com/knife/Maserin-E-D-C-Folder-blue--MAS-164BL
Not a lockblade, and no pocket clip so it might not be the fashion choice of the day, but with the German D2 tool steel... yes indeed, scary sharp. My wife and I went out to dinner with some people last week and ordered a "cheese board" for an appetizer. The cheese turned out to be in small blocks, not sliced, so I whupped out my Maserin and made short work of it, and felt stylish doing it. So I was carrying the right knife that evening.
I really abuse my Ka-Bars though. I like them because they work and the price is right.
Big 5 has been known to mark them down to stupid prices.
Big 5 drops the
Kershaw blades to
About 25 bucks at
Christmas time,
By Two!
/wipes envious drool from screen
;D
That’s why I desperately want a Walther P99.
It becomes part of my arm.
Just fits.
My 35+ year old one has the tips on two blades chipped off from me using them as a pry blade :)
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