utility knife, what do you use?

Doom

I've been using a leatherman type multi-tool, but I need a good knife, I like the flint striker type, what do you people recommend?

323

Have had a bit of a weakness for buying knives for years, could start selling knives at this stage.

Unless spending quite a lot have found Gerber's steel hard to beat.
Of all I've bought I always seem to fall back on an old Gerber Gator folding serrated blade I bought 16/17 years ago. Logo has changed but see they are still making it.

http://www.gerbergear.com/Hunting/Knives/Gator-knife_46079

Never seriously considered multitools. Until I was given one as a present, also a Gerber, 6/7 years ago.

http://www.gerbergear.com/Essentials/Tools/Suspension-Multi-plier_22-41471

Travel a lot and both always go in my checked luggage.

Doom

Picked up one of these for 32e...
http://lightmyfire.com/products/products/swedish-fireknife.aspx

Mycroft H

This as the useful cut everything knife. (Victorinox Alpineer, blade about 50% longer than the standard one on the climber, locks too)



This as the everything and anything tool. (Victorinox Climber)



Victorinox keep an edge for an age and are typical high swiss quality.

And then I've a cheap Light My Fire firesteel from ebay. Does the job.

Doom

Great selection of knifes out there.
Some nasty looking knifes on the Gerber site, military section...Don't ever want to know what they are used for ><

gerrowadat

Was carrying a leatherman Charge TTi on my belt for the guts of 10 years. Best multitool on the market bar none.

Finally got a pain in my arse the last time I lost it (in airport security, that sickening thunk of a 150eur knife going in a bin). Replaced with a Leatherman Wingman, which is decent, but I prefer the non-serrated blade (and the Charge's blade seemed sharper to me).

ShadowFox

General day to day use I use a victorinox. For hunting camping hiking I use a Mora knife both are cheap knives so no big issue to replace if damaged or lost

katkev

Does anybody know where i could buy a Mora knife in Dublin?

Esel

Long-established tool shop in Mary's lane off Capel St at Slattery's pub.

Twas Not

Doom wrote: »

I've been using a leatherman type multi-tool, but I need a good knife, I like the flint striker type, what do you people recommend?

If its just a knife stick with Leatherman

http://www.leatherman.com/860011.html

Esel

Esel wrote: »

Long-established tool shop in Mary's lane off Capel St at Slattery's pub.

The shop is Gough's.

Typo in original post corrected. Capel St, not Chapel St.

Gough's address is Little Mary St (not Mary's Lane as I thought...).

Pat Mustard

Paul Kirtley, a former student of Ray Mears, recommends Mora. The Mora Heavy Duty is a bit more expensive but has a thicker blade, if you are going to be punishing it by lighting fires with a firesteel, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auo8WSLqa4M

I just have an opinel myself. It's pretty good and cheap to replace if I lose it, but I must get myself a Mora.

Tabnabs

What size Opinel do people think the optimum for daily/general usage and SS or carbon?

Twas Not

The Mustard wrote: »

Paul Kirtley, a former student of Ray Mears, recommends Mora. The Mora Heavy Duty is a bit more expensive but has a thicker blade, if you are going to be punishing it by lighting fires with a firesteel, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auo8WSLqa4M

I just have an opinel myself. It's pretty good and cheap to replace if I lose it, but I must get myself a Mora.

Not sure about that. Looks like a kitchen steak knife

Tabnabs

Twas Not wrote: »

Not sure about that. Looks like a kitchen steak knife

That's a blade design that stretches back almost a thousand years in Scandinavia.

The Helle reproduction 'Viking' model is remarkably similar.



Like all good knifes, it's probably not a stranger to cutting meat, but to say it looks like a steak knife is pretty wide of the mark.

Mean Laqueefa

Twas Not wrote: »

Not sure about that. Looks like a kitchen steak knife

What ? it looks nothing like a steak knife !!. I use my Mora everyday , its a beautiful knife and so easy to use, i love everything about it the grip onto the sheath.

Esel

Tabnabs wrote: »

What size Opinel do people think the optimum for daily/general usage and SS or carbon?

Personally, I like the 8 or 9, but it is a matter of personal preference (and hand size), as well as intended use.

No experience of the SS. The original blade, while prone to rust, holds an edge very well.

Mycroft H

I'd go for the stainless (Inox') myself. Handy for individuals like me who could accidentally leave it in a damp pocket for a week or two.

Mycroft H

Though you could go with the carbon, they'll still be sharp but you may become friendly with the wire wool


They're great knives regardless.

murray.eoghan

i have one of these, hard to come by but well worth the money. I am half Norwegian and have a collection of hand made sami knives. They are fantastic but most are worth to much for me to use.
http://www.brusletto.no/index.php?artikkelID=11402&ledd4=148

nuub

I use a Spyderco tenacious everyday in work. Cheap as chips for what it is. I work in a printing house and forever opening boxes and using it for light utility work. Would be hard to find a better knife for every day use for the money IMHO

http://www.heinnie.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=spyderco+tenacious

Then when I am out walking I use the Paramilitary 2 again a hard knife to destroy. I use it for food prep, feathering sticks, some light batoning etc


http://www.heinnie.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=paramilitary+2

Pat Mustard

Tabnabs wrote: »

What size Opinel do people think the optimum for daily/general usage and SS or carbon?

I've got a bog standard number 9 Opinel. Doesn't look like stainless to me, so I assume that it's carbon steel. It fits in the hand well, and it's sharp.

Don't think that stainless can hold an edge as well.

chopper6

I prefer shefield steel to stainless steel as it holds the edge better...also always select thick blades rather than long ones and a non-slip handle,my fave knife has a staghorn full-tang.

Cass

gerrowadat wrote: »

Was carrying a leatherman Charge TTi on my belt for the guts of 10 years. Best multitool on the market bar none.

Same here. Have it and i also have the Leatherman K503 folding knife/tool. Big fan of Leatherman and have had one in one form or another for the last 20+ years.

Doom wrote: »

Some nasty looking knifes on the Gerber site, military section...Don't ever want to know what they are used for ><

Some are pure military types, but others are used for the likes of hunting, etc. I have two Gerbar myself for that exact purpose. My preferred one is the deer field dress kit from Gerber. The sheath has a sharpener (Carbide), two belt clips, hardened plastic, and self locking design. The larger knife if gut hook with non slip handle. Smaller one is for filleting/fine work. Both have a small metal extrusion to breaking/smashing. It's part of the blade and continues down through the handle.

Feisar

Swiss Army Alox Farmer is my everyday knife. Blades on the Alox's are thicker than the standard variety. Has a blade, saw, awl, cap opener/screwdriver & can opener/mini screwdriver in a very compact package. For me its the perfect SAK.

Have a Leatherman Wave but it's not something for carrying in a suit pants at work.

Opinel are great if you just want a nice simple value for money folder. Note I say value for money as while inexpensive they are good quality. Carbon is way sharper than SS but then if its going to sit in a damp pocket maybe SS is a better option, its not like it won't cut! I know this isn't the hunting forum but may I mention I field dressed a deer with a No. 8 Carbon Opinel.

If you want to spend a few bob have a look at Enzo folders. Their PK70 in with either curly birch or carbon fibre scales is a beaut!

A note on folders that may sound obvious but I'll mention it nonetheless:

Locking or non locking. A non locking blade may fold on your fingers. Its never happened me but it can happen.

Fixed blade wise hard to pass Mora for the price, again the same SS VS Carbon debate. Upmarket then a Fallkniven F1 is a serious piece of kit. (Have one but can't really personally comment on it as I haven't used it bugger all yet)

Main toy at the moment is an Enzo trapper in 01 tool steel. Again it's carbon so will trust if not looked after but its frighteningly sharp after some work on a water stone and a leather strop. Usually have this with me when faffing about in the woods.