I agree with MTV (no surprise there), a knife is a knife and a multi-tool whether Swiss Army or Leatherman, while handy, isn't really a dedicated knife. No insult intended to the lovers of the classic Weighers and Victorinox. I like thinner knives with high quality blades and while Hammer isn't much of a fan, I usually carry a high quality stainless folding blade. I've chased the "Super" steels looking for the one that will hold a fine edge forever and after trying ZPD-189, S30V, 154CM, ATS-34, D2, M4 and a few others, I can't really see a huge difference among any of them. That said I'll probably buy an M390 Doug Ritter based on a couple of recommendations here (MTV among them) to put a book end on the quest. The Ritter will get custom scales eventually as I don't much care for the factory set.

Two personal favorites of mine are a William Henry T12 CF and Blade Tech's Pro Hunter (just bought my third Pro Hunter in orange handle). The T12 is in 154CM and the Pro Hunters are S30V, both are nice knives I've been carrying the T12 on a daily basis for over a year and it's never left me wanting. I will probably pick up a metal Swiss Army knife, but I don't expect it to replace what I usually carry, more a nod to a classic. Spyderco makes a nice knife but I'm not a fan of the majority of their blade shapes. I'm a guide and an outdoorsman and their blades are pretty straight edged for my preferences. The Para Military 2 get consistent raves on a well known knife website and would be worth a look if your needs are more utility in nature. I'm a fan of carbon fiber and G10 as handle material.

I've been carrying a couple of small fixed blades in front pocket sheaths and like them. One is a Rick Menefee 3 Finger Skinner, the other is a Micro Canadian by Bark River. I carry that in a small Knives Ship Free Pocono sheath with a small AAA single cell Fenix flashlight (85 lumens), a pretty handy package that's comfortable in a front pocket. Both blades are 154CM.

In closing I think I think you'd be happy with the service you'd get from anything by Benchmade or Spyderco. If you're a "Flipper" kind of guy Zero Tolerance makes some beauties. I carry a knife or two daily and haven't ever found the need to "deploy the blade" (though during a career in the Navy I did deploy with blades) so don't have any flippers. I usually just open them up and the extra 2-3 seconds aren't a hardship. That said I really like the looks of the Zero Tolerance 0450 CF and 0452 CF knives.

For easy sharpening I'd recommend a two sided DMT folding diamond sharpener in fine/extra fine.

While pocket knives are pretty personal I'd be happy to answer any specific questions if I could be helpful.

Don't even start looking at custom slip joint folders, they're a sickness of their own.

Now if you want to talk about custom fixed blades, those I like!

Frank

Barnstormer wrote:

CamTom12 wrote:I've got a SOG Flash II that a friend gave me a few years ago. I love the spring assist opening, positive open lock, and half serrated blade. It also has a safety that keeps the blade closed when engaged. I've only had it sharpened once in the 4 years I've owned it. It holds an edge well and I'm tough on knives.

I too like carrying a SOG "flick" knife in my pocket for general day to day use, but keep in mind that they are illegal in Canada (at least the last time I checked about a year ago) because they are spring assisted.

Oops! Good thing nobody asked me about it last time I passed through! Good to know for future reference, thanks

My current fav is the letterman sketetool. That's been my daily carry for almost 2 years. Blade, pliers, screw driver and suds opener. Solves almost all my issues.

I still like plenty of other locking blades. And there's plenty to pick from.

The Leatherman c33Tx arrived. I like it thus far, it's a nice compact knife.

I'm a Benchmade and Leatherman fan. Zane Benchmade is in Oregon City. Leatherman store is at Cascade Station.

I carry the Benchmade Infidel. It is auto opener. OTF out the front. Auto closes too.




Cheers...Rob

My friend has one of those. I like it a lot.

CamTom12 wrote:My friend has one of those. I like it a lot.

Price is the only issue. Expensive. $375. Comes with a life time guarantee on mechanism, Unless you take it apart.

Cheers...Rob

Although not a pocket knife, Leatherman Wave here also. Use it on a daily basis. I keep 2, one to use and the other to return to the factory when I break something. They fix and return no questions asked. I don't think the steel they use is of exceptionally high quality, the knives don't stay sharp long. They do a great job though of resisting corrosion, which we have lots of here near the salt. I've tried other brands and other models but always come back to the Wave.

I have a Spyderco Mariner I use to pack on the boat every day. Easy one hand opening and would go through taught 3/4 double braid like butter.

OregonMaule wrote:

CamTom12 wrote:My friend has one of those. I like it a lot.

Price is the only issue. Expensive. $375. Comes with a life time guarantee on mechanism, Unless you take it apart.

Cheers...Rob

I hear you. That's why my friend has one and I don't, hahaha

I've had my Benchmade Auto Stryker for well over a decade. I don't have another knife to compare it to. The butt end makes a great bottle opener. The belt clip broke and benchmade replaced the whole handle for free. That, of course, rejuvenated the bottle opening function after ten years of wear.

Zzz wrote:Among Hammer's great fire-starting posts and his knowledge base article, he has some great recommendations for knives, almost to the point that I would call him a knife hipster. No steel is too good (we actually intend to publish a full knife knowledge base piece when time allows.)

But what if you're just an everyday guy who needs a knife in your pocket for menial tasks like opening Amazon boxes and gummy bear packaging, removing slivers, tightening tripod adapters, and poking stuff?

For years I have carried a Victorinox swiss army knife in my pocket, since 6th grade when the seminal TV series MacGyver premiered. It has done almost everything I've asked of it, and when I say "it" I mean the knife model. My pocket knife, like Doctor Who, has been reincarnated after dying or being lost many times. My first Tinker is at the bottom of a river somewhere. I'm currently carrying a Camper that I got on sale for $20:



(Glad I haven't pressure washed that moss off my front porch yet.)

I find myself wanting a better lock-blade though. I did find a locking blade Victorinox but it tips the scales in weight and bulk, so it's not my favorite pocket knife. I've closed my non-locker on my fingers only a handful of times when some dynamic maneuver didn't work out like I thought it would. No fun. I also like the ability to single-hand-open like many lockers allow you to do. My locking Victorinox leaves a lot to be desired in this department, utilizing a large "eye" for your thumb instead of a post or tang nubbin.



But... I need the screwdrivers! These are a must. The only piece I've found that has all these is the new Leatherman Crater, though the blade is just a touch on the short side.

I think Portland, Oregon is the pocket knife capitol of the world. We boast Leatherman, Gerber, Kershaw, Benchmade, and CRKT locally, and I'm sure there are more. I'd happily support any of these brands.

What can you guys recommend?

A one-handed opener with a screwdriver is sort of a tough one. I like the idea of a decent knife and a separate pocket screwdriver.

Unlike most folks, I'm decidedly not on the Benchmade bandwagon. Between my wife and I we've gone through a half-dozen or more Benchmades, including several of the automatic opening models. They're a quality product with a great warranty, but I've never found one that had good blade geometry for actually cutting things, wood particularly. I'd keep looking for one that did, but after using them a year or so I also never felt that any of them were worth the money. I'm a guy who will spend almost any amount of money on knives, and I just think that as a brand Benchmade's are dramatically overpriced for what you get.

In locking folders I've gotten both better cutters and better value from Spyderco, Al Mar, EnZo, Fallkniven, Helle and (sometimes) Cold Steel. Cold Steel is real hit and miss because they change their products so often. The 90's Cold Steel Voyager (made in Japan) was not only the best value in a knife I've ever seen, but it was one of the absolute best all around knives I've ever had the pleasure of using. If I knew what they were going to change it into I'd have bought twenty more of them.

The EnZo Borka with a scandi ground blade is by far and away the best folder I've ever used for cutting wood, and since that's what I value most in a knife it's my favorite. It's got a pocket clip which I think is an absolute must, and while it's technically possible to open it with one hand it's a hell of a lot easier to use two. It's also fairly heavy...heavier than I'd put up with from any knife that didn't cut so well.


To each their own of course. There aren't 10,000 folders for sale out there because only one of them is the best choice for everyone.

Ive carried a leathermen wave on my belt since I was 12. I'm 30 now and only not long ago just replaced my first one for no other reason than I wanted to retire it for sentimental reasons before I lost it. was actually the first one to come into Australia. I also carry a 12 inch pigging knife as a just in case

I don't wear belts, but always carried a Leatherman in my pocket. Same as gbflyer, I keep one to ship back and always have one on me. But now I have 3 or 4 broken ones and none to carry, really need to send a package away. Haha. So in the interim I have been carrying my good old victorinox. Sure miss the pliers and utility in the Leatherman though, even though I agree that they aren't the best. Just dang handy.

I love the multi-tools for sure and have one in every vehicle and the plane. A knife for everyday pocket carry for me needs to be the right size and weight so you always have it with you and not so much $$ that you are afraid to damage or use it. I have used the smaller Kershaw Cryo now for a couple years and have been very happy with them. $22-25 on Amazon so I usually buy a couple at a time and give one away. Its a frame lock design with speed assist opening which I prefer. It also has a movable or removable clip and lanyard hole. A very personal question kind of like concealed carry firearms, there will be lots of opinions.

Chris

Another enthusiastic vote for Benchmade!

I could not be happier with my Benchmade pocket folder, very well made knife,

+1 on the leatherman. My dad gave me one when I was in the Marines, used it through my stint when I transferred to the Army as well, I still wear it on my side, very handy. My issued Gerber still in the box will be used one day, it's just this Leatherman keeps on going!

Opinel No 8

If I were in the market for a locking folder, I'd look at a Forge de Laguiole

Bench made is also really nice, been very happy with the balisong 42s I've had for about a decade now.