[nsf003]

I am in the market for a good utility knife. I worked all summer with networking and setting up computers and I really could have used a good knife. I spent way too much time trying to cut packing tape with a screwdriver or car key:banghead: I would also like something i could defend myself with if need be. It's a long walk across the parking lot at night.

Try to keep it under $75, less expensive is good right now, but don't sacrifice quality. I also need a good sharpener.

Thanks

nsf003

[Benjamin]

I'm a large proponent of Spyderco folders. They start at about $40 and run up to about three times that. I'd personally recommend a plain edge delica for a beginner.


You may also have luck with Kershaw knives, or Benchmade. Kershaws are generally a touch less expensive and may have an assisted opening feature.

Check a few other threads in this forum for more advice.

[gun-fucious]

CRKT has great designs made in a good factory from quality materials

the Carson M16s are really nice,
the zytel handled ones are a great deal:
http://www.1sks.com/store/crkt-kit-carson-m16-series.html#155

[Soap]

I would go for a Benchmade Griptillian in that price range.

[Joe Demko]

AG Russell (http://agrussell.com/) has a wonderful selection of knives at various prices. You might find something you like there.

[AJ Dual]

Why do you have to wait five years, are you 17-18 years old?

If you're an IT guy, or a teenager, and want to have nearly zero chance to be hassled by police or parents for carrying a "knife", I'd reccomend the Leatherman Wave. It's also incredibly handy around computers because of the screwdrivers, pliers, and the scissors.

Since it's a "tool" and not just a "knife" it gets a pass from most everybody other than an airport security screener, or perhaps a no-blades zero tolerance school policy. Unlike most other multi-tools, the blades are on the outside, and can be opened one-handed just like "tactical" knives in a split second. No need to take five minutes to unfold the thing to access a blade like the earlier Leathermans. The blades also are liner-locked like other popular pocket knives so it won't snap shut on your fingers.

Another advantage is it has a drop-point knife, and a serrated sheepsfoot blade on either side so no matter how it's oriented when grabbing for it in a hurry, you can open a blade with just your thumb.

The external file and saw blade that also open from the outside can't be thumbed open accidentaly. They have to be "picked" open two-handed so there's no chance of accidentaly confronting a mugger with the diamond file, LOL.

The only real drawbacks of the Leatherman compared to the "tactical" knives is that it can't be flicked open with just swinging your wrist, but so-called "gravity knives" are trouble in some states anyway, and that the 3" blade isn't as big as some other knives, but big blades can also be trouble as well.

the below pic is a good one since it shows all the Wave's tools in pliers mode, but the upper right image also how the outside blades open just like a pocket knife when it's folded and closed.

http://www.croydon-army.co.uk/multitools/leatherman/wave.gif

p.s. The Leatherman Wave, when it first came on the market about 3 years ago, was running at a premium of about $85-90. It now only costs about $65 if you hunt around several different catalogs, or even just if Wal-Mart's knife case has any sale prices closer to Christmas.

[jercamp45]

I second the WAVE!!!!!
Might look into the study of stick fighting too. Start with the Yawara/Kubotan, a small stick(or minimaglite!) that is applied to pressure points. Buy a six foot dowel of good wood(oak, hickory) that fits nice in your hand(not to thick, not to thin). Cut off a four foot section as your Jo, and the 2 ft is your riot baton. Practise. The Jo work can be translated to a cane or walking stick.
Sign up for some classes, get some videos and PRACTISE.
Pepperspray is also quite handy and should not raise too many eyebrows!
Jercamp45

[P95Carry]

nsf .... Hey neighbor!! (well, nearly).

The wave would be an excellent tool to have but m,ay I suggest ... bearing in mind budgetry constraints etc ... and at least as a short term fix ..... get yourself down to Hoke-Geez (sp?) ...... ya know .... Mile level next to Turnpike assuming no one hour delays - sheesh, that has been hell lately :rolleyes: ).

They have a load of knives and stuff ..... sorta in a bit and to left last time i looked.

Now, much is poor quality cheapo gear but i did notice a few things that looked worth considering. No harm in looking anyways. Wally World too has some quite useful knives ..... again, worth a look IMO.

Not sure whether walt at laurel Sport has much in blades but . again, might be worth a peek.

[nsf003]

Andrew,

I'm teenager and i also work in IT(the parking lot is from a different job, fast food). I'll have to check out the wave, might be more PC than a spyderco "tactical" folder. Will the blade hold a good edge? Easy to sharpen and maintain?

P95,

I've never been to Hoke Gees. Will any of their blades hold a good edge or will they dull in no time at all?

I stopped going to Laurels after walter kept telling me bs information which lead me to purchase a firearm I didn't want. I don't want to be snobby about it, but all my business is with Allegheny Trading in Duncansville anymore.

nsf003

[P95Carry]

I've never been to Hoke Gees. Will any of their blades hold a good edge or will they dull in no time at all?

That's hard to answer cos appearance does not of course tell you the grade of metal used. Thing is, amongst the cheaper offerings ...... it is possible to find a few that actually have a remarkeably good materials spec' for price ..... bit of ''suck it and see'' I guess!! Probably most will say ''China'' but I have numerous small knives that have cropped up usually as ''freebies'' given away with something else ...... and have found one or two to be very good. I have a Buckmasters ''Camillus'' give-away that is excellent ... and it can't have cost em too much.

Wally World does have a few quite good quality ones usually.

I stopped going to Laurels after walter kept telling me bs information which lead me to purchase a firearm I didn't want. I don't want to be snobby about it, but all my business is with Allegheny Trading in Duncansville anymore.


Oh dear! Hmmm .. sorry to hear that. Bit disappointing. I always deal with them knowing what I want and so I guess am unlikely to get BS info. I have long meant to try Duncansville ....... and also the one in Altoona (forget name) ..... but have also used Juniata a coupla times.

[chaim]

For your intended use may I suggest two blades. Opening boxes and using a knife as a tool can dull it pretty fast and if you want it around for self defense if needed you don't want it to be too dull. Pick up a cheap $10 Swiss Army knife for your tool and a good but inexpensive defensive folder for defense (I love my Kershaw Scallion, but there are many good knives out there for $30-50). The Leatherman tool isn't a bad idea for one tool to do it all I suppose, save the larger blade for defense use another option on the tool for opening boxes.

[JimJD]

I too, used/ use two different blades for when I'm working, etc.
Almost any lockback for the box cutting, just don't get one of those pakistani knock-offs, you'll lose those fingers. Gerber ez-outs are good.
As for the other one, I had a CRKT 16 series, the zytel type.
It was a strong, great defense knife for the price. I loved the blade assist-flipper thingy. Very fast on opening, served as a finger guard too.
I also like the cold steel voyager series, especially the gunsite types.
A frend and I did the hanging from the vice trick once, they were not kidding.
I was able to hang from it, although it was a little dangerous to do...
It's lightweight, affordable, and strong. Did I mention the thing was SHARP?
As you know, there are better knives out there, but for the price and workmanship, they can't be beat. IMO :D

[AJ Dual]

The Leatherman blade is a simple beveld edge blade like a regular pocketknife blade. Many of the tactical knives have single edge chisel blades, or serrations which are harder and take more skill to sharpen.

If you can sharpen a cubscout knife, you can sharpen the Leatherman fine.

The sheepsfoot blade is all serrations, so you'll need to get one of those little diamond rods, but the regular blade will see the most use anyway.

[gearbox]

Be careful of using a utility knife to defend yourself. Dulled edges and serrations make the funtionality that much less effective.
I recommend a good locking folder with pocket clip such as a Benchmade, Spyderco, CRKT, etc AND a smaller multi-tool like SOG, Gerber, Leatherman, etc in a belt sheath.

Be sure you know HOW and WHEN to present a weapon. It's usually not going to be worth the legal hassles...

Good luck!

[AJ Dual]

I'd agree with you gearbox, but nsf003 is well under 21, and any dedicated knife is likely to get him a hassle just for carrying it, much less using it in a defensive situation. The primary point to a defensive minded teen is that he actually be able to carry it unchallenged. In several, if not most states, the poor kid can't even carry pepper spray yet.

The Leatherman Wave is the best compromise, since it has the multi-tool's ability to pass with bliss-ninny's and safety nazis, but still can be opened without the normal multi-tool's origami style contortions. If he gets any questions about the holster pouch, a quick flourish of the pliers first, maybe followed by a screwdriver, puts the sheep at ease quickly...

Anything like a Spyderco, Emerson etc. is going to cause him grief. I do however agree that if the leatherman is used for cutting lots of rope or boxes, sharpen it regularly. But that's the same for any knife. Unless you're going to be a knife-fourm junky and debate ATS-34 vs. AUS8 endlessly, :) it's safe to simply say that the leatherman is made with a quality steel and holds a good edge.

[nsf003]

Thanks for the insight. That leatherman does look like a good buy. I'll have to check amazon.com


nsf003

[Sunray]

"...cut packing tape with a screwdriver or car key..." That's what utility knives(aka box openers) are for. The things the terrs supposedly used to highjack the WTC aircraft. You don't want to use a good knife for that. Plays hell with the edge. Go to a hardware store and buy one for about $5 or less. And if you're underage for a firearm, you're underage for anything. Remember you have few rights until you can vote.

[mtnbkr]

Schrade Old Timer (senior model) and a Gatco or Lansky sharpening kit should come in at less than $75 even if you overpay on both. The OT isn't flashy, but it will serve you very well. Carbon steel takes a fine edge and keeps it better than steel snobs (I used to be one) will admit to. Rust isn't the boogyman people make it out to be either.

Chris

[Phantom Warrior]

It seems to me like you have a few different niches that need to be filled. I think you need one or more of the following:

Good folding knife
Good multitool (e.g. Leatherman) or Swiss Army knife
Utility knife

I think everyone should have a good folding knife. They are useful for everything; rope, fruit, letters, people, occasionally boxes, what have you. If you are looking for a folding knife, I can't recommend Benchmade highly enough. They are high quality, solidly designed, very sharp, and warranted for life (including free resharpening for life, just pay a few bucks to send it to them). Around $70 will buy you a mini-AFCK, mini-Stryker, or Mel Pardue lightweight easily. Check Knifecenter.com's Benchmade page (http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/bnchmd/) for good prices. I have owned the first two knives on that list and can say with assurance they are excellent knifes.

A good multitool is also an important niche. You will appreciate the things you can only do with a screwdriver or pliers, especially if you work in IT. I personally prefer the Gerber multitools because the tools lock open (prevents that screwdriver from folding shut on your finger) and I find it easier to pull the tools out (Wave is too narrow in the handle for my fingers, and I'm SKINNY). A more compact, more limited option is a Swiss Army knife. No pliers, but much smaller and doesn't require a belt sheath. If you go that route, choose one with a scissors and any other tools you find especially useful. And buy Victorinox Swiss Army, not Wenger. Victorinox is much, much better quality.

Finally, if you are looking to be cutting a lot of packing tape and cardboard boxes, I would discourage you from using a quality knife. Like Sunray said, it'll mess up the blade fast. I would recommend taking $10 to the hardwarde store. Buy a good Stanley utility knife, one with all metal construction and comfortable, non-slip rubber inserts in the handles. Not the cheap plastic ones. It'll run you about $8. Use the other $2 to buy a big pack of utility razor blades. I bought my Stanley...at least 5 years ago when I was working at McDonalds. Everything there comes in cardboard boxes. My Stanley has cut down easily a few thousand boxes and it's still going strong. As soon as it gets dull you throw in a new $.02 razor blade. Take it apart periodically and wipe down the inside to keep the blade sliding smoothly. It's still going strong today. And for $10 you can't go wrong.

Hope this helps you out. Good luck with your decision.

[CWL]

At your age, get a knife that you won't mind losing, ditching or having confiscated. Just the facts of being a teen. Even a Leatherman might not pass any 'no tolerance' policies of your schools or locale.

Perhaps SAK or one of those EMT Spydercos without a point.

Don't screw up your chance of ever owning guns (or a CCW) with a knife felony.