So I want a new knife

[P95loser]

So, I have decided I want a new knife maybe. First off let me say I use the piss out of my tactical style knifes. Sure I have a my Case collection, but I gotta work for a living and I need a knife to help. Probably the best two knives I have had were a gerber paraframe and a Kershaw onion.

I really like my onion but it know has a flat tip screwdriver for a point (I use and abuse my knives). What i'm looking for is a tactical style folder that opens easily, balances well, holds a good edge, and is strong enough to resist prying. Is there really a difference between the $40 wal-mart specials and the higher dollar knives performance wise when your using it to cut cardboard?

 

[3pairs12]

I don't think that there is much of a difference. Especially if all you want it for is to cut cardboard. Of all the knives I have ever owned I liked my Gerber the best, but it also one of the most expensive I have owned so.. I might have a clouded judgement.

 

[MikeJackmin]

This is exactly the sort of thing that cheap knives are good for. Go to Walmart or Dicks, pick the one that seems most suitable, and use it up. If it breaks, or if you find you just don't like it, give it away and buy another.

Once you learn what works best for you, you can get on-line and order really cheap, suitable knives from a place like this:

http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/prodlist.jsp?Mode=Cat&Brand=&CatalogName=&PriceStart=&PriceEnd=&Feature=&Cat=1&SearchText=&list=10&range=1&order=PriceAsc

They have $2 knives here that are actually quite serviceable. A box of 10 of these will cost you less than a Kershaw, and, as a group, would probably last twice as long.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Take that Onion to a guy that sharpens knifes, usually one at every gun show.

I had a Boker like that, he re-profiled the blade and sharpened it up - gave it a point again.

Cost me $4.

 

[hso]

You've said that you broke the tip using it to pry so you're not just using a knife to cut cardboard. Prying with the tip of a knife is almost always going to end up breaking the tip for almost all knives.

What's wrong with using your current knife with the broken tip and just cleaning the tip up enough to make it more functional? The edge should be still good out to the broken tip and the broken tip now serves as a pry point that is less likely to break.

Or, you could get a one hand opener with a second screwdriver blade like the Vic or the Leatherman.

Alternately, is there any reason that it has to be a folder? Alabama only prohibits "Bowie" knives. If a fixed blade is acceptable look at the new production version of the Graham brothers' Razel from CRKT.

Or, a multiblade folder with a screw driver tip would work.

 

[eliphalet]

Sounds like you need a multi-use tool such as a Leatherman for everyday use.
A small disposable blade type of utility folder is great for cardboard.

 

[conw]

I can't recommend the Kershaw Junkyard Dawg 2 enough. Seriously, it is a brute. If you like the onion designs but want something heavier and thicker, this is your knife.

BTW, Kershaw has been really great with their warranty program, call their 800 number and see if you can get that blade replaced. There's a chance you can.



I've actually used the pivot end of the scales, with the blade shut of course, to hammer in nails and break glass. It doesn't have a scratch!



Also, I'm 6'1 and it is big enough to serve as a kubotan when closed. I have stopped carrying my kubotan since.

 

[P95loser]

First off, I want to thank all of you for your responses. I will look into that junkyard dog, I really like the looks of it. Also, I like that knife pictured under the leatherman that has several different things in it. It still looks rather slim, and if it had a clip on the side would probably suit me well. I keep my knife clipped to the inside of my front pocket for ease of access.

As far as the el-cheapo knives, yeah i've had my share of those, but there is something to be said for quality tools. Milwaukee, Klein, Eastwing, Ideal, Dewault... when you see a person using these brands, they generally know quality.

 

[Gary G23]

A knife is the most expensive and least effective pry bar made.

 

[Mandirigma]

my .02, get a designated box cutter if your are opening a huge amount of boxes.

I worked retail for a little while and I ended up going through hundreds of boxes in a day.

I picked up a folding boxcutter for under $5 at Wally World. It used basic razorblades. I went through a couple of razors a week. You'd be suprised at how much adhesive from the tape, and how dull these razors got from the cardboard by the time I had to change them out.

Unless you enjoy sharpening and cleaning your pocketknife. While its not a chore for me, but cleaning and sharpening my edc every single day quickly became one.

I went through a stage where I broke the tips off my carry knives. I fixed it with a Atwood Prybaby that rides with my keys.

 

[hso]

if it had a clip on the side would probably suit me well

It does, or at least other's in their line do.

 

[The Tourist]

One of the things I always consider is just what I want a knife to actually do in its life.

Obviously, a knife needed to field dress a deer is usually not much good for a gentleman's knife you might carry into a office. Although I know many farmers who dress deer with a 2-inch, 9-dollar Chinese knock-off.

And while we could debate the radical uses of knives when they are employed in extreme cases, most of the time a jackknife is purchsed for a particular style of living.

Because of retirement, I'm in blue-jeans 24/7. I work as a craftsman, and I ride during my off-time. For me, an Emerson knife fills those needs. I can cut paper and cardboard, but in a pinch I can strip wire and do minor repairs.

Right now I'm actually carrying two Emersons. I had the chance to get a little one, and I use it for things like scraping, wet or muddy rope, etc.

One thing about low cost knives. I don'tcarry them and I recommend that you pass on them, as well.

The idea is that if a cheap knife breaks, so what, throw it away and get another. That's a reasonable thought unless you live here in Wisconsin where a broken knife is disaster when you are lost in a wilderness area.

And here's another thing to consider. A cheap knife never gets sharp. Just about the time I start to form a burr on a Pakistani knock-off, it crumbles like chocolate cake. Even in its dull condition, it's not even good as a pry-bar. I seen blades and pivots snap like dry twigs.

I view a knife like socks and boots. That is, this is an area where you do not shop by price alone. Do a bit of homework on the alloy a knife is made from. Find out how it got a heat-treat. Does it hold a serviceable edge right out of the box. And as always, what is the overall fit and finish.

One word in passing. You have no idea how many clients at sporting goods stores buy a knife, slip it out of the box and have me check the pivot, tighten the grip screws and re-sharpen a brand new edge. I can understand how they want a fool-proof implement for a hunt in unfamiliar land, but then why are they buying a cheap knife to use as raw material?

 

[dairycreek]

Leatherman Skeletool is really functional. Quite light and really, really tough and strong!

 

[hankdatank1362]

I've been stupid enough to use my Kershaw Blur Tanto as a pry bar, and have broken the tip twice... both on a stuck stapler, IIRC.

Point is, wal-mart replaced them both, each time without a reciept, and now I'm on my third. God Bless China Mart!

 

[sixgunner455]

Stapler pullers from Staples cost, IIRC, about 3 dollars for a pair of them. This is a real stapler puller that has a little blade that slips under them and shoves them right off, not the stupid alligator pullers.

Or a Victorinox Recruit for 12 bucks from Lowes has a screwdriver on the bottle opener that pulls staples and acts as a small prybar (don't get crazy) quite well.

Never could understand using a knifeblade for this stuff.

 

[conw]

BTW, as tough as the JYD2 is I wouldn't recommend prying with it except in a pinch. Also, FYI, I recommend the straight version just 'cause it's easier to sharpen and I don't think the serrations do a lot.

I have a little columbia multitool that has several thick metal pieces (phillips, flathead, and bottle opener) that could work better as a prybar, and it sits on my keychain.

As far as "China Mart"...that may be, but most of Kershaw's knives are made here in the USA!