View Full Version : Knife options
Pennsylvania Rose
02-08-2008, 09:56
I know everyone has their own preferences about which knife/multi-tool they carry. I have an ancient Swiss Army knife. The scissors are broken and the tweezers are missing, so I'm looking to replace it. Here's a list of tools I MUST have:
2.5 - 3 inch blade
scissors
tweezers
needle
can opener
Could you give me suggestions for either:
-a knife/multitool that has these features and not much more
OR
-a good knife only (with a bigger blade, maybe), and separate, lightweight versions of the scissors, tweezers, and can opener
taildragger
02-08-2008, 10:05
http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/s2/default.asp
Leatherman juice
If you don't mind ordering online, you can give this (http://www.rei.com/product/403004) a look and see what you think. Also, since you're local, next time you're in Lexington, take a peek at JH Lanmark, they had a good selection of knives when I was there early in the week. :D
take-a-knee
02-08-2008, 10:12
Leatherman Juice and a small pair of splinter forceps from Brigade Quartermaster.
Buy another Swiss Army Knive..Make sure it's not a China knock-off. I have the Backpacker model. Had it before my thru and still carry it every day.
My favorite knife (http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/micra/default.asp) for hiking. Leatherman Micra
If you really need a can opener (http://www.georgia-outfitters.com/page52.shtml) this is what I carry. P-38
Pickup the largest needles (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat3467&PRODID=prd50025&source=search) you can find at your local fabric store (including the U shaped one) and stick them in the side of a small piece of corrugated cardboard for storage. Make sure the eyes are big enough to take a single strand from 550 paracord.
If you can forgo the can opener I suggest a locking single blade knife, I use a sub 2 oz Benchmade, and a Swiss Card by Victorianox.
Well, there are thousands of knives in so many configurations. Seems like you're gonna have to luck for what fits your eye.
I can say that the Leatherman Micra has great scissors that can handle my thick toe nails, and the tweezers are very nice. The blade is serviceable. Weighs 1.5 ozs.
A P-38 is a great can opener for the weight.
I wish Victorinox (the Mercedes of Swiss Army Knives) would make a super-simple knife with: Locking 3" blade, scissors, can opener.
Pennsylvania Rose
02-08-2008, 11:38
I wish Victorinox (the Mercedes of Swiss Army Knives) would make a super-simple knife with: Locking 3" blade, scissors, can opener.
Yeah, me too. Does anyone?
scavenger
02-08-2008, 12:10
Folding knives with non-locking blades will really **** you up when the blade folds onto your hand. Make sure your folder has a good lock.
The Cheat
02-08-2008, 12:19
You could also send it back to the manufacturer for repair.
Or someplace like this : http://www.swisspocketknivesonline.com/html/swiss_army_victorinox_repairs_1.htm . They'll apparently do the repairs for free, just the price of the parts and shipping.
I have a Victorinox Swiss Champ, the biggest one they make. I know some of you will say it’s too big & heavy to carry. But I have had it for years. I bought it around 1989, it’s been a very useful knife. It still works great and I feel naked without it. As far as having a locking blade, I have a small Buck knife that I also carry that locks.
The Swiss Champ is so useful to me that I would not think about not taking it with me everyplace.
If you really want all those features in a single knife Victorinox has the Compact (http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=originalswissarmyknives&product=54941&) (which has a straight pin vs. a needle) and also has a hook and bottle opener. Personally, I carry the Swiss Classic and P-38 can opener in my first aid kit, and opt for a good, light lockback knife like the Benchmade 530 (http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=530). And of course I always carry a spork...:)
SunnyWalker
02-14-2008, 00:28
I go for the Buck 119 fixed blade knife. Go Rambo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-SunnyWalker
Another vote for the Leatherman Micra. Sweet little multi-tool with all you need at 2.5 oz.
aaroniguana
02-14-2008, 07:53
I carry a Leatherman Juice in my Murphy's kit and a Mora Frost on my pack strap (Commando Style).
hopefulhiker
02-14-2008, 08:24
I hiked with a mini swiss army knife that had all those things and more, a light and a pen, nail file and phillips, but the blade was smaller than 2.5" I used a plastic knife too, to spread stuff...
mweinstone
02-14-2008, 08:54
i never carry a knife. swords only thanks.
RenoRoamer
02-14-2008, 12:54
I used to carry a swiss-army knife, but it turned out I was using the knife mainly for cutting wet food (fruit, cheese) and the food crumbs got caught in the knife. Also, the scissors were useless for cutting my beard and hair and they only worked so-so on my nails. As for the tweezers, these were pretty much useless. So now I use a combination of a Gerber LST for the knife, a pair of cheap blunt-point chidrens scissors, a p-38 can opener, and a separate pair of forceps for use as tweezers/lightweight pliers. I was already carrying sturdy needles in my sewing kit. Separate tools weigh a bit more, but they sure work a lot better.
Nearly Normal
02-15-2008, 02:56
Just ask the hikers you see carving stupid s*i* on shelter walls and picnic tables. I know it's not spray paint but still deserves a good caning.
mosquito ninja
02-15-2008, 13:46
I carry a 5in. fixed blade hunting knife with me when I'm working in the field. It's a great knife but kinda large for hiking, heh. with folding blades I always get dirt/sand in them esp in the locking mechinisms. any tips on cleaning a folding knife/multitool without pressured water and oil just wondering?
turtle fast
02-15-2008, 18:22
I have to agree with having a locking mechanism for a blade, I had used a Victorinox Swiss Army knife to cut some tape and the dang blade somehow fliped back onto my finger fileting an inch of skin on my finger like a fish...damn it hurt and I was in a small village in Venezuela at the time...luckily the skin was hanging like a flap...so I had to flip the skin back on and had luckily a great med kit to tape the skin in place....I had contemplated doing my own stiches with thread...but left my tapeing job in place....luckily it healed up well...
overmywaders
02-20-2008, 21:11
If you want the "largest Swiss Army knife" it costs $1200.00, weighs two pounds and has eighty-five blades. See http://www.popsci.com/needle-nose-pliers/article/2006-08/most-incredible-knife
I have carried for thirty years a Victorinix with 2 blades, saw, awl, can-opener, etc. and used every part. Every day I had some use for it.
However, I never found stainless steel could take a decent edge. So, for modern camping I would also carry the old Marble Bird and Trout knife in high-carbon steel --
http://www.3riversarchery.com/Product.asp?show=info&c=13&s=12&p=0&i=6635#full
or a Russel Trout and Bird in HC SS --
http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/a_through_d/dh_russell/d_h_russell_trout_bird_knife.html
YMMV
Victorinox Adventurer? I have one. It's all I'll ever need (could go lighter, but would miss locking blade for splitting sticks for fires).
I have a Leatherman Micra. Love the scissors, would be good on a thru for nail clipping, but I can't leave my Adventurer at home.