Kevin's Watch

I've never bought a new knife before, all of mine (for camping and hiking) have been second hand from my Dad or brothers. I've been doing some research and I think I've settled on the SRK and it seems like the best combination of function and cost for me, but I wanted some reivews first.

It looks like the only downside is that it's not stainless steel, and I've no idea how to compensate for that. Adivce?

Anyone use/own one? How does it hold up to backwoods use? How long have you had? General thoughts?

Balon wrote:It looks like the only downside is that it's not stainless steel, and I've no idea how to compensate for that.

Cold Steel SRK

The blade is finished with a rich Teflon® coat which helps to protect the AUS 8A Stainless steel from the elements.

(Anyway, I don't have it or any cold steel stuff, but they've got a damn good name.)

--A

I'm a Gerber snob. I've had a Guardian for about 25 years, and 2 folding Gators, one serrated, one fine, but both are sheathed. I recently picked up an AR3.00 (folding with clip) so I have something with me at work (Rule #1-Always carry a knife).

I have never, ever had an issue with any of them. The Guardian saw a lot of abuse when I was younger, as it's been used as every type of tool except pliers. It's amazing I never snapped the point off the blade.

I'd suggest one of these. If I had any use for one, I'd get it in a heartbeat.

This is the AR3.00. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a good folding carry knife.

I would not buy anything less than Valaryian Steel. Trust me, m' boy. Trust me.

[edit] Cain, that linked Knife is Damned Awesome. Shame I don't have a reason to have one, either. Of course, I really no longer have a reason to have all the swords laying around, either.

My current carry knife:



AUS6 bead blast finish stainless blade
Neck lanyard for easy carry
Clip point blade, hollow ground 1/2 serrated edge
Self locking ABS sheath with reversible boot clip
Hardness: 56 HRC
Blade Length: 2.5"
Overall Length: 5.25"
Weight: 0.125 lbs

Except I've replaced the standard cord (hilt & sheath) with 4mm accessory cord (rated at 3.5kN), and I've hand-sharpened the hollow-ground spine of the back-blade because it was a waste of potential cutting edge.

Larger Pic

In Sheath

(I also carry a leatherman and a small lock-blade folder. )

--A

Sheath knives are a bad idea here (and downright illegal in some places) for daily carry. I have no idea why it's legal to carry a 3" folding blade but not a 3" fixed blade, but there you have it.

I'm not a fan of skeletonized knives. Why weaken the blade, and why take the chance of lopping off the tip of a finger when closing a folder?

Cail wrote:Sheath knives are a bad idea here (and downright illegal in some places) for daily carry. I have no idea why it's legal to carry a 3" folding blade but not a 3" fixed blade, but there you have it.

I'm not a fan of skeletonized knives. Why weaken the blade, and why take the chance of lopping off the tip of a finger when closing a folder?

I own a pair (they're somewhere in my trunk) consisting of one about 6 inch, one about 4 inch, fixed knives. They were a gift from a great uncle years ago. Very nice -- very, very tiny bit of pattern welding, only on the guard, and nice handles. Problem: They're dueling knives. Sure, you could use them as a utility/hunting/scaling knife if you had to, but from the guard and the way the grip is made, it's very obvious that they're designed to transmit the full force of a stab without your hand slipping, and to protect your fingers from another blade while doing so.

So I don't carry them.

Hyperception keenly wants to collect knives, but it's one of those things we do without until he gets that dissertation done and finds a position using the Ph.D. (Baruh HaShem). Before he (and I) started this journey towards his Ph.D., long before Beorn was even considered, he bought one knife to start a collection. He liked it more for look than function and I admit I think it's pretty cool looking as well.

1991 Gil Hibbon "Double Shadow"

I've never understood collecting knives, unless you're collecting the high-dollar stuff. It just seems strange, when if you want to look at a bunch of different knives, you can just go to a knife shop. Collecting guns I can see, because you can still enjoy them and use them.

There's no target-stabbing ranges I'm aware of though.

*shudder*

<--- Has never even touched a gun, much less wants to use one or collect any...

I would love to learn how to use a crossbow though.

Cail wrote:I'd suggest one of these. If I had any use for one, I'd get it in a heartbeat.

Do you think those holes would affect its over all strength?

Menolly wrote:*shudder*

<--- Has never even touched a gun, much less wants to use one or collect any...

I would love to learn how to use a crossbow though.

I own a few rifles and a shotgun for hunting.

Remington 302 rifle for deer
Ruger 10/22 for squirrels and such
Mossburg 12 gauge pump for birds and rabbits

I also have a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

I also used to bow hunt. I have a Hoyt bow but my shoulder has started going out on me a bit every year.. Im thinking a crossbow might be in my future.

Knives.. I have quite a few. I usually buy Buck knives for skinning and for a pocket knife.

(edited for spelling errors)

Balon wrote:

Cail wrote:I'd suggest one of these. If I had any use for one, I'd get it in a heartbeat.

Do you think those holes would affect its over all strength?

I wouldn't think so. The two up front are off the blade centerline. Not to mention that the thing was designed for combat/survival/rescue.

Smith & Wesson Special Ops
I've carried this for six years now without a complaint. If I loose it I'll get another just like it.

Cail wrote:Sheath knives are a bad idea here (and downright illegal in some places) for daily carry.

Not really a problem here, and this one is pretty compact. Sheathed it's not even as long as my hand. Clips to my jeans in the small of my back and my shirt covers it.

Cail wrote:I'm not a fan of skeletonized knives. Why weaken the blade...?

I like the pared down minimalist style. And while you've got a good point about the shear strength, I'd pit even a skeletonised single piece against the pivot-point of 90% of folders of equal or greater length.

I collect knives. And not the high-dollar stuff either. Got a few good historical pieces, (mostly bayonets), and then just others that I like as my tastes change. Once I was enamoured with diving knives (I don't dive), once throwing knives. These days its boot knives. It's not the looking at them, it's the owning. (Would love to see a pic of those EL.)

--A

Good point Av, however (IMO) the mission of a folding knife is very different from that of a fixed blade. Skeletonized knives look cool, but I wouldn't want to depend on one.

*shrug* Depends what I'm planning on doing with it. I'm not gonna try butcher a cow or pry open a manhole with it, that's for sure.

Plenty good enough for everyday use though, and so light you can't even feel it. In more rural environments something heavier is definitely indicated though.

--A

Buy me a camera, Avatar, and I'll send you all the pictures you want.

Point taken.

--A

Neat, I get to learn some practical stuff at KW. This has been an educational thread for me. I know nothing about personal carry knives (just not the type who goes hiking or camping).

I'm reminded of that funny scene from Crocodile Dundee where he's in the city and comes across some thugs. They threaten him with a switchblade, but he looks all amused at that tiny thing, then casually shows them his humongous hunting knife.