auschip
Member
Our own Valkman made this skinner. While it has a small blade, the handle sits comfortably in my hand, and is all kinds of sharp. I wouldn't choose this as my "first" defensive tool, but it would do the trick in a pinch.
Ideas on blade length.
- Thread starter The Tourist
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Our own Valkman made this skinner. While it has a small blade, the handle sits comfortably in my hand, and is all kinds of sharp. I wouldn't choose this as my "first" defensive tool, but it would do the trick in a pinch.
The Tourist
member
Brian Dale said:
That is one of the best things about Graham products, the handles are full-size.
If you like folders, you might want to check out the Emerson "Snubby." It has a two-inch blade in a four-inch handle. The blade is the same quality as Ernie's traditional line.
One of the themes appearing in this thread was "the peaceful use of appropriate knives."
I hope that the mods see this, and the sincere contributions being made by the members. I'd like to see a new column here. One that just discusses knives without the mandate that they are "weapons."
Now, here's my thinking. Gun guys love knives. In fact, if you take a picture of a grandpa hunter and an elite soldier, chances are that you will see something with an edge. The knife is probably not a front-line weapon, but many people carrying weapons need/use knives.
I think most guys here would admit that a knife sure is an important adjunct to guns, camping, law enforcement, the armed forces and even just hiking in a wilderness area.
If a member here said, "I have a new knife for fishing," a mod might have to lock the thread because it is technically "off topic." I'd like to see that changed. This thread has shown that the members here have some very nice knives and like to discuss them.
sm
member
The Tourist,
It depends on how we define "defensive weapon".
I am pretty sure most would agree even a nail blade on a pair of nail clippers is a "defensive weapon" if used to get them dad-blasted crackers open so a fussy kid in the back seat will shut up! *smile*
Darn right that is a defensive weapon!
The 2 inch blade in a 4 inch handle makes a whole lot of sense. One has a good handle and still one has better control of that shorter blade.
Sometimes one with a 4 inch knife "ooches" the hand down onto the longer normal blade found in such a knife, to get that finesses and control using the last 1.5 - 2 inches of blade near the tip
Knife safety is akin to firearm safety, tool needs to fit user for task to better afford safety.
Some pen knives have only two small blades, this again is a longer handle to blade ratio and very useful, and safe.
One folder I would like to have again is one with only two blades: a spey and lambs foot.
Defensive:
Spey is great for cleaning small game and is good at opening cans.
Lambs foot /sheepsfoot is great for cutting rope, and , trimming a wick on a oil/kerosene lamp
Defending against hunger, and darkness *wink*
It depends on how we define "defensive weapon".
I am pretty sure most would agree even a nail blade on a pair of nail clippers is a "defensive weapon" if used to get them dad-blasted crackers open so a fussy kid in the back seat will shut up! *smile*
Darn right that is a defensive weapon!
The 2 inch blade in a 4 inch handle makes a whole lot of sense. One has a good handle and still one has better control of that shorter blade.
Sometimes one with a 4 inch knife "ooches" the hand down onto the longer normal blade found in such a knife, to get that finesses and control using the last 1.5 - 2 inches of blade near the tip
Knife safety is akin to firearm safety, tool needs to fit user for task to better afford safety.
Some pen knives have only two small blades, this again is a longer handle to blade ratio and very useful, and safe.
One folder I would like to have again is one with only two blades: a spey and lambs foot.
Defensive:
Spey is great for cleaning small game and is good at opening cans.
Lambs foot /sheepsfoot is great for cutting rope, and , trimming a wick on a oil/kerosene lamp
Defending against hunger, and darkness *wink*
The Tourist
member
sm said:
I wholeheartedly agree.
After all, some of the most dangerous weapons I carry are a firm pair of Harley boots trimmed with metal brick-a-brack.
However, it would be nice to have an adult discussion about advances in edge technology without having to tack on the disclaimer "this can be used as a weapon." We're adults, we know that.
In fact, if you consider the Graham products discussed in this thread, it's one of the best weapons.
But we all realize that's not why I bought it, and that's not what I intend to use it for. I'm sure that when Josh exhibited his knowledge and craft into my knife he did not propose it as a dagger. Their website has many gallery pictures of hunters.
I have many wonderful edged tools cross my desk, and I sharpen scads of beautiful knives whose first purpose is as a tool. I'd like to share those examples from time to time, perhaps debate them.
sm
member
My take is anything can be used for a defensive weapon, even a 20 oz bottle of water we have mentioned numerous times on this forum.
I do not think we "have to" substantiate anything as being a defensive weapon.
Common sense and some maturity should have thinking out of the box any knife, or anything we share is a useful tool for defensive, survival or any other use. Responsible firearm owners in my book are those that do not want to subjugate themselves to being prey to anything.
Three inch sharpening stone one can have in a pocket is not a "defensive weapon" it might be a "survival tool" then again it might just be someone whittling with other folks at the bait shop.
Idea of sharing is one can inspect and maintain with a pocket stone.
SAK makes a Florist knife, handle is bigger in comparison to the blade which is akin to a sheepsfoot.
These are not expensive, in fact lady got one as it was in a two pack display with a SAK Classic with the flowers on it and her daughter wanted that knife.
I had mentioned this Florist knife to her before.
Daughter is collecting SAKs, really cute young lady...
Florist knife is "fought over" by mom and dad. *lol*
At first it was a "huh- so this is a Florist's knife". So she actually used it in the yard to get some roses, then cutting string, then the garden hose split and needed splicing and that sucker cut a nice clean straight cut.
"How can I sharpen this thing until I get the hang of freehand?" She asked me, her husband was out of town. I suggested the Rapela red "V" stick sharpener, not much money and it works.
No, not the same edge a Professional can do, or one I can free hand, still...another tool in the tool box if you will on sharpening.
Husband was working on his mom's care, new hoses from heater to windshield wiper to who knows what all...
Florist knife was used, heck even daughter got to help and use it.
They bought a couple more of these to have handy, for all sorts of uses.
Trimming caulk in the bathroom and this knife was perfect!
We have all sorts of folks that read THR and not all are members. We have all sorts of income brackets. So who knows, maybe some person lurking reads about a dumb Florist knife and figures gun owners are not a bunch of evil folks after all.
Just like the ones working in a restrictive workplace and reads a 20 oz bottle of water is a tool to stay safe with as well.
I do not think we "have to" substantiate anything as being a defensive weapon.
Common sense and some maturity should have thinking out of the box any knife, or anything we share is a useful tool for defensive, survival or any other use. Responsible firearm owners in my book are those that do not want to subjugate themselves to being prey to anything.
Three inch sharpening stone one can have in a pocket is not a "defensive weapon" it might be a "survival tool" then again it might just be someone whittling with other folks at the bait shop.
Idea of sharing is one can inspect and maintain with a pocket stone.
SAK makes a Florist knife, handle is bigger in comparison to the blade which is akin to a sheepsfoot.
These are not expensive, in fact lady got one as it was in a two pack display with a SAK Classic with the flowers on it and her daughter wanted that knife.
I had mentioned this Florist knife to her before.
Daughter is collecting SAKs, really cute young lady...
Florist knife is "fought over" by mom and dad. *lol*
At first it was a "huh- so this is a Florist's knife". So she actually used it in the yard to get some roses, then cutting string, then the garden hose split and needed splicing and that sucker cut a nice clean straight cut.
"How can I sharpen this thing until I get the hang of freehand?" She asked me, her husband was out of town. I suggested the Rapela red "V" stick sharpener, not much money and it works.
No, not the same edge a Professional can do, or one I can free hand, still...another tool in the tool box if you will on sharpening.
Husband was working on his mom's care, new hoses from heater to windshield wiper to who knows what all...
Florist knife was used, heck even daughter got to help and use it.
They bought a couple more of these to have handy, for all sorts of uses.
Trimming caulk in the bathroom and this knife was perfect!
We have all sorts of folks that read THR and not all are members. We have all sorts of income brackets. So who knows, maybe some person lurking reads about a dumb Florist knife and figures gun owners are not a bunch of evil folks after all.
Just like the ones working in a restrictive workplace and reads a 20 oz bottle of water is a tool to stay safe with as well.
The Tourist
member
sm,
Agreed. I just don't want to lead a newbie down the primrose path, either.
The main job of a paring knife is to prepare food--no matter what else you might need it for.
There are better tools for defense, and superior knives for chores.
My concern is the discussion of "chore knives," in other words, tools.
Agreed. I just don't want to lead a newbie down the primrose path, either.
The main job of a paring knife is to prepare food--no matter what else you might need it for.
There are better tools for defense, and superior knives for chores.
My concern is the discussion of "chore knives," in other words, tools.
sm
member
The Tourist,
Agreed. I like Valkman's small skinner for instance, not only for the chore of skinning also other chores.
He does have a Bird & Trout knife I think is neat, still the small skinner , to me, is really neat!
Small Skinner has a longer handle to blade length "ratio" affording comfort, control and safe use. Heck the darn thing can be used for skinning, paring knife use, a steak knife and I imagine does a number on spreading peanut and jelly.
*grin*
Similar, still for less monies, is A.G. Russel's Woodswalker knife for $20. Me and mine like the leather sheath while others may prefer the neck sheath.
This knife is also versatile for a number of chores.
Either would work for other chores , like firearm retention, or getting a fire started, or whatever.
I have nothing against nice things, that cost a few bucks, just folks need to realize and use some common sense and understand "Needs vs Wants".
A Professional Chef "needs" that good Chef or Paring knife, and will spend the monies to obtain and to maintain a Professional Sharpener.
Some folks cannot boil water, and they "want" that same knife and really cannot afford it. They think if they have that knife they can fix that meal I cannot spell much less pronounce....
(tough for a Southern Boy like me you understand to spell much less pronounce some things, being as folks spell them wrong)
These "boil pans dry and want" folks would do well to take cooking lessons or just replace the recipe box with phones numbers of take-out and home delivered foods. *tacky- grin*
Oh, another really neat chore knife is the Produce Knife, the knife without a tip, and just squared off. Folks need to watch a Produce Dept person use one - awesome!
Many on the farm use these too...it does not have a point! Carbon Steel blades are sharp! And boy do they do a number on produce!
Darn knife without a point...now ain't that something? *wink*
Agreed. I like Valkman's small skinner for instance, not only for the chore of skinning also other chores.
He does have a Bird & Trout knife I think is neat, still the small skinner , to me, is really neat!
Small Skinner has a longer handle to blade length "ratio" affording comfort, control and safe use. Heck the darn thing can be used for skinning, paring knife use, a steak knife and I imagine does a number on spreading peanut and jelly.
*grin*
Similar, still for less monies, is A.G. Russel's Woodswalker knife for $20. Me and mine like the leather sheath while others may prefer the neck sheath.
This knife is also versatile for a number of chores.
Either would work for other chores , like firearm retention, or getting a fire started, or whatever.
I have nothing against nice things, that cost a few bucks, just folks need to realize and use some common sense and understand "Needs vs Wants".
A Professional Chef "needs" that good Chef or Paring knife, and will spend the monies to obtain and to maintain a Professional Sharpener.
Some folks cannot boil water, and they "want" that same knife and really cannot afford it. They think if they have that knife they can fix that meal I cannot spell much less pronounce....
(tough for a Southern Boy like me you understand to spell much less pronounce some things, being as folks spell them wrong)
These "boil pans dry and want" folks would do well to take cooking lessons or just replace the recipe box with phones numbers of take-out and home delivered foods. *tacky- grin*
Oh, another really neat chore knife is the Produce Knife, the knife without a tip, and just squared off. Folks need to watch a Produce Dept person use one - awesome!
Many on the farm use these too...it does not have a point! Carbon Steel blades are sharp! And boy do they do a number on produce!
Darn knife without a point...now ain't that something? *wink*
Not to worry, that's not likely to happen. If you read through this sub-forum you'll see that the knife as tool is as welcome to discussion as the knife as weapon. That's probably because the vast majority of knives are tools and only a relatively small subset are dedicated weapons. So, fear not, discussion of knives in general is welcome.
The Tourist
member
hso, thank you for that clarification.
Knives are popular among gun guys, and if some new product comes down the pike I think lots of members would like to hear about it and see pictures.
As you know, we touched here upon Graham products. I believe their first line of folders will be coming out soon. I think that would be a good topic for new accessories.
Knives are popular among gun guys, and if some new product comes down the pike I think lots of members would like to hear about it and see pictures.
As you know, we touched here upon Graham products. I believe their first line of folders will be coming out soon. I think that would be a good topic for new accessories.
sm
member
pssst, you forgot to include the ladies.
You had better rustle up something as a nice Chocolate Knife else the gals around here are going to go Belushi Samari Swordman routine on your backside.
I...I am going to stand over here out of the way a wee bit...you do understand. *grin*
Use Enough Chocolate
The Tourist
member
sm said:
Semantically, you are of course correct. I made an error.
But that's a Harley I'm sitting on. I never forget to include the ladies.
As you might know, I am also a member of a forum haunted by a good number of professional sharpeners. If I ever really got out of hand I'd have Cat Cora to answer to.
Truth be told, I'm more afraid of her than some other guys who ride Harleys...
Edit: This is the picture of the actual knife Josh has sent to me:
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Toolz -n- Weaponz
I see that hso has beat me to it: I was going to say, essentially, that discussions of knives in their other-than-weapon uses is fine by me.
You may recall that I [post=4060903]recently mused[/post] that knives need not always be considered as weapons, given that the vast majority of them have been rendered as tools.
I have found the recent re-discovery of slip joints and old fashioned non-tactical WORKING knives to be quite liberating.
Interestingly enough, taking a break from the "knife = weapon" thought process, I have found myself realizing weapons uses that, while not at all new, I had completely overlooked.
Funny what you'll find when you're not looking for it.
I see that hso has beat me to it: I was going to say, essentially, that discussions of knives in their other-than-weapon uses is fine by me.
You may recall that I [post=4060903]recently mused[/post] that knives need not always be considered as weapons, given that the vast majority of them have been rendered as tools.
I have found the recent re-discovery of slip joints and old fashioned non-tactical WORKING knives to be quite liberating.
Interestingly enough, taking a break from the "knife = weapon" thought process, I have found myself realizing weapons uses that, while not at all new, I had completely overlooked.
Funny what you'll find when you're not looking for it.
The Tourist
member
ArfinGreebly said:
If you spend time in gun/knife/sharpening forums long enough, you find the same type of "canned lingo."
One member might say something like, "I've always enjoyed the service this knife has given me..."
...and within a few posts another member says, "Yeah, and it looks like it would be good for defense, as well."
The problem is that I have purchased lots of knives--with the singular goal that they were excellent tools and undoubtedly serve me well at work or for hobbies.
For example, I have taken a new job assignment as an in-house sharpener for a sandwich chain. I don't plan a lot of "knife fighting" in this job, but I will be cutting a never-ending amount of blue painters tape, UPS boxes, bubble wrap, string and corregated cardboard.
In short, I need a stout "working knife."
Another thing I've learned on forums is that if I have a problem then so do hundreds of other members. We need service for our firearms, reloading supplies, quality tradesmen and custom outlets. If I can't find a suitable knife, that means dozens of others need that same style tool.
To my way of thinking, any knife that can stand innumerable shifts being subjected to the hustle of commercial kitchens, being bumped, dropped, soaked in soapy water, sharpening swarf, blood and sweaty blue jeans, is also a tool that is tough enough for any survivalist.
And then in conclusion, this tool will also be subjected to the practices of "a biker's knife." Imagine all of the bug guts, tough surloin steaks and crappy chili that tool must endure!
So thanks for giving us "tool guys" a voice. I think you're going to find some very interesting debates evolving from this.
Brian Dale
Member
That's beautiful, The Tourist. Thanks for the picture.
The Tourist
member
The knife came today UPS. Really a beauty. Smaller than I imagined, which is perfect.
The whole idea of this project was to create an edged tool that was stripped down to its bare essentials and could be carried anywhere, and in any format.
In point of fact, while only 1.5 inches of blade length, it would be a handy tool for pan fish, and even field dressing a deer. You could wash it in a river and forget about it.
Oh, and did I say sharp. Yikes.
The whole idea of this project was to create an edged tool that was stripped down to its bare essentials and could be carried anywhere, and in any format.
In point of fact, while only 1.5 inches of blade length, it would be a handy tool for pan fish, and even field dressing a deer. You could wash it in a river and forget about it.
Oh, and did I say sharp. Yikes.
sm
member
Congrats!
Looking forward to more reports.
This is like awaiting the birth of a Small Block Chevy ...
*grin*
Looking forward to more reports.
This is like awaiting the birth of a Small Block Chevy ...
*grin*
The Tourist
member
Using Japanese waterstones, paste, and polishing papers on glaziers' glass, I got the edge to buff out. In real life it is a mirror, which is hard to photograph.
I used a red pen to reflect color onto the bevel.
Trust me, it's sharp.
I used a red pen to reflect color onto the bevel.
Trust me, it's sharp.
Brian Dale
Member
The Tourist said:
Makes my heart go pitter-pat.
The Tourist
member
Brian Dale said:
I've been putzing around with it all morning as I do my office work. What a nice little knife! Very cozy in your jeans.
I'm sure some pundits out there will do the Crocodile Dundee thingie about "that's not a knife," or tease me about a traditional biker's knife.
My issue is that while this style might not replace all knives, it certainly is a tool that could complete 95% of your mundane tasks during the day.
For example, I probably won't field dress a deer today. But I am going to open UPS boxes, cut tape, etc.
But this is the nature of a good tool.
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