• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Need a knife

#23
You really should consider one of these. :)


wenger-the-giant.jpg
 
#28
I like my Buck Rush 290 assisted opening. I could never go back to a manually opening folder again. Pure, safe, one-handed opening goodness in a state where you're not allowed to carry a switchblade. Got it at Walmart for about $50. It's small enough to carry all the time, and I always have it on me. If you get a 6" knife or whatever your maximum size is, you'll probably leave it at home more often.
 
#34
I had to buy a knife a few monthes ago. I know nothing about knives, and went to a local high end camping store. They had this brand called kershaw, that dr cheese mentioned. Super awesome knife, i carry it with me everywhere now. Its got a pretty slick opening mechinism. You kinda just push this button on the back lightly and out pops the knife. I think it cost me $50 for a pretty small pocket knife. I would love one of FLknifemakers knives but dont have the cheese right now, really cool stuff though.
 
#36
bluestarbass said:
I had to buy a knife a few monthes ago. I know nothing about knives, and went to a local high end camping store. They had this brand called kershaw, that dr cheese mentioned. Super awesome knife, i carry it with me everywhere now. Its got a pretty slick opening mechinism. You kinda just push this button on the back lightly and out pops the knife. I think it cost me $50 for a pretty small pocket knife. I would love one of FLknifemakers knives but dont have the cheese right now, really cool stuff though.
Click to expand...

You're Kershaw has whats called a SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism. It was designed by Ken Onion, a very innovative custom knifemaker from Hawaii. Ken does very well with all his Kershaw collaborations ;)
 
#38
While I like high-quality knives, I have to put in that you can get a lot of mileage out of something like an Old Hickory skinning knife. It's $10, it's carbon steel that's easy to sharpen to a razor edge, and it's thin so it's really good at, you know, cutting things. Get the companion paring knife, a steel, and a diamond stone and you're good to go.

I hate to see people go into the woods carrying nothing but a sharpened pry-bar that someone sold him as a "survival knife". The only thing it's good for chopping wood, which is great except that a $15 hatchet works a lot better for that.
 
#39
Thanks again for all the other suggestions guys... the plan as it stands is to hit up a store or two that'll hopefully have some selection and handle a bunch until I find something that I like and feels sturdy ni the price range... (flexible at about $100 CAD. I'm just going for a backup that won't see tonnes of use. I mopstly needed something on the weekend for some hiking. unfortunately, some of FL's work is probably not in the cards yet, although they do look phenomenal)

I'll look into some of the sites llisted after class, but for now I'd prefer a folding knife, not really a fixed blade. Nothing huge either... somehow 4-5 inches sounds like about what I'm used to. Also, i'm looking into laws for Canada/BC, but I'd guess that we're more restricted than the US for knives too.

I guess the main point of the thread was more pointers about little (or less little) things I might not have thought of in looking for a knife. As it is, right now I can pretty much just go by instinct/feel and a lack of gross mechnical defects. I nkow that similar questions come up here about basses a lot and there isn't a solid/easy answer, but there's often good pointers that I would've glossed over while looking.

edited... oh yeah, as a reference on skill level, I've handled knives a decent amount, sold fur for a while and genereally skinned and gutted lots of stuff, so I'm not comletely new to handling one or the feel issues. I've just never really put much time into shopping for them or sitting down and really comparing them the way I know some of you have... I guess I'm not looking for the sadowsky of knives here... probably not even the american fender. Probably the CIJ at best, but more likely to end up with the MIM or cort in my price range.
 
#40
middy said:
While I like high-quality knives, I have to put in that you can get a lot of mileage out of something like an Old Hickory skinning knife. It's $10, it's carbon steel that's easy to sharpen to a razor edge, and it's thin so it's really good at, you know, cutting things. Get the companion paring knife, a steel, and a diamond stone and you're good to go.

I hate to see people go into the woods carrying nothing but a sharpened pry-bar that someone sold him as a "survival knife". The only thing it's good for chopping wood, which is great except that a $15 hatchet works a lot better for that.
Click to expand...


Very true!! Different tools for different tasks. I also like carbon steel for the reasons you mentioned. Many of the new "super steels" are wonderful. They're pretty much stainless and hold and edge for a long time. The problem is, when they DO get dull, you have to be really good at resharpening, especially in the field with diamond or ceramic hones/stones. Knives are basically a simple tool but there's also a complex science involved once you start to study them ;)

As far as the survival knife concept...........If you're limited to carry only one knife that has to do everything, you must consider the actual environment you expect to encounter. In certain situations, the sharpened prybar might be the best choice. In other situations something geared more towards game prep might be better. Custom makers usually have their version of a 'camp knife" in their line up. It's sort of a do everything, hard use, food prep, game prep, etc., etc., type of knife. As you can imagine the concept of the perfect "camp knife" varies considerably from maker to maker :)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back