What’s your favorite knife?

[bantam5s]

I carried an original Leatherman tool for nearly twenty years. Various implements broke but I never returned it for replacement because I didn’t like the succeeding models.  Ten years ago it went over the side in deep water and I didn’t replace it because what Leatherman was offering then just flat inhaled sharply through pursed lips if you know what I mean.
About a year ago my SIL gave me this Leatherman Rev.  It’s almost as small as the original and just as light.  As a park ranger I reach for my multi-tool much more often than I do just a knife.  IMO most multi-tools are too heavy and bulky for everyday pocket carry.  The original Leatherman was perfect.

Shown herewith a cheap clone of the original.

I really loved my leatherman fuse that I carried for well over 10 years, then I replaced it with a leatherman bond which is essentially a current equivalent to the PST.
I bought a NOS PST off Ebay a few years back and wanted to like it, but they just aren't as good.
The size is perfect but ultimately for me it came down to the fact that the pliers got better post 2000, and the fact that that dull little awl on the PST is a useless joke.

Back in November I broke down and got a rebar and it's great.
I wasn't looking for anything,  but had a gift card to spend and I missed the locking tools of my FUSE.
Not because I needed the locks, but because the fact that they have those locks means that the implements are easier to open without tight spring pressure on them.

[Blowpipe Sam]

My opposition to the later model Leatherman’s was the bulk and the weight.  I like the Rev because it has the locking blade and it’s light.  It’s a little too fat for regular pocket carry but our new uniforms have a utility pocket that’s perfectly sized for it.  I put up with the shortcomings of the original because it was worlds better than a Swiss Army knife and it was very unobtrusive.

[bReTt]

I tried carrying a multi tool.  Just didn’t work well for me on a daily basis.  They are great to throw in a pocket, bag or pack when heading away from civilization though.  I ended up giving my Leatherman to one of the boys.  It’s probably still kicking around here somewhere.

[Blowpipe Sam]

I tried carrying a multi tool.  Just didn’t work well for me on a daily basis.  They are great to throw in a pocket, bag or pack when heading away from civilization though.  I ended up giving my Leatherman to one of the boys.  It’s probably still kicking around here somewhere.

At work I would think that you have a lot better tools right at hand.  I’m often far away from any tools except what I had the foresight to bring with me.  The multi-tool is far from perfect but it’s been a lifesaver more than once.

[bReTt]

I tried carrying a multi tool.  Just didn’t work well for me on a daily basis.  They are great to throw in a pocket, bag or pack when heading away from civilization though.  I ended up giving my Leatherman to one of the boys.  It’s probably still kicking around here somewhere.

At work I would think that you have a lot better tools right at hand. 

Yeah, I have a HUGE toolbox on wheels for when I’m at work…

[bReTt]

I’ve had this one for probably 20 years.  I bought it in Metaline Falls when we were up working at the dam for the utility that I work for.  We stayed in a motel in Ione, ate breakfast at a restaurant in Metaline falls that had a gift shop attached to it.  I spied this knife in the display case and had to have it.  I want to say that I paid around $30 for it way back then. I remember hesitating to buy it because that was a lot of money for me back then. 

[avator]

Multi tools are great to toss in the glove box of the truck and in the storage compartment on the ATVs. Duct tape and zip ties are the other must haves.

[brewbear]

I agree with you gents, a multi tool is a necessity along with duct/gorilla  tape in the SHTF bag. I used to have a Leatherman a long time ago. I'm guessing someone else liked it too.... I never replaced it but I think it is about time i should.
Any suggestions?

[avator]

Killer must have liked them alot because there are 4 or 5 of them around here.
The one I keep on the workbench is a Schrade Tough Tool.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Multi tools are great to toss in the glove box of the truck and in the storage compartment on the ATVs. Duct tape and zip ties are the other must haves.

My Leatherman "Wave" lives in the door pocket of my truck.
Saved my bacon several times when I found myself in a jam.

[bantam5s]

I agree with you gents, a multi tool is a necessity along with duct/gorilla  tape in the SHTF bag. I used to have a Leatherman a long time ago. I'm guessing someone else liked it too.... I never replaced it but I think it is about time i should.
Any suggestions?

I'd suggest the BOND or the REBAR.
You can even get an optional pocket clip for the Bond if that's your thing.
The rebar is a little bigger but not huge, it has replaceable wire cutters which can be nice, offers a serrated sheeps foot blade that you might like, and a saw that can can come in handy. It has all the other same tools as the BOND in addition to those things.
I refuse to buy any leatherman that isn't the relatively compact classic rectangular format.
I don't need a one hand opening blade or model that prioritizes the knife because to me a multitool is not a pocket knife and I rarely use the blade.
I also do want or need the models that have a bit driver , not do I want to carry a set of bits or any attachments with it.
My multitool is not a replacement for a toolbox or set of proper tools, just a convenient small package to get me by when I can't get to the tool roll in my locker or it's just not necessary.
I mostly just use the awl, pliers / cutters, and the #2 driver.
Occasionally I'll need to file a burr off of something, drive a slotted screw,  saw a piece of broomstick...etc, or use the blade because it's always kept razor sharp.

[bantam5s]

Killer must have liked them alot because there are 4 or 5 of them around here.
The one I keep on the workbench is a Schrade Tough Tool.

The original Schrade tough tool is interesting,  they're quite large & bulky and they're unconventional,  but the quality is there and they offer a decent toolset.
I had one that I ended up giving it to my brother.

[bantam5s]

I’ve had this one for probably 20 years.  I bought it in Metaline Falls when we were up working at the dam for the utility that I work for.  We stayed in a motel in Ione, ate breakfast at a restaurant in Metaline falls that had a gift shop attached to it.  I spied this knife in the display case and had to have it.  I want to say that I paid around $30 for it way back then. I remember hesitating to buy it because that was a lot of money for me back then.

My first quality knife was a Schrade Old Timer 34-OT stockman, I got it around '04 for $14 from Walmart not long before Walmart killed Schrade with their $14 price demand that was just no longer financially viable.

I wore out the spring for the sheeps foot blade using it so much,  because it sat way high and it was uncomfortable in hand to use any other blade so I just used the sheeps foot for everything.
They were good knives.
I've tried the Chinese made Old Timer knockoffs offered by Taylor brands and later BTI, and to me they're cheap junk.
They have a heritage series of Schrade old Timer knives that are made in the US by Bear & Sons and have good 1095 blades, but they are just not right.
The knives are rebrands of regular B&S offerings and do not actually look the same.
Yes the 34OT is a stockman,  but the frame shape and blade profiles aren't the same so I refuse to buy one.

[Matchstickshooter]

I’ve had this one for probably 20 years.  I bought it in Metaline Falls when we were up working at the dam for the utility that I work for.  We stayed in a motel in Ione, ate breakfast at a restaurant in Metaline falls that had a gift shop attached to it.  I spied this knife in the display case and had to have it.  I want to say that I paid around $30 for it way back then. I remember hesitating to buy it because that was a lot of money for me back then.

looks familiar!    mine is from the late 80's
   it was a gift

 

[bReTt]

I’ve had this one for probably 20 years.  I bought it in Metaline Falls when we were up working at the dam for the utility that I work for.  We stayed in a motel in Ione, ate breakfast at a restaurant in Metaline falls that had a gift shop attached to it.  I spied this knife in the display case and had to have it.  I want to say that I paid around $30 for it way back then. I remember hesitating to buy it because that was a lot of money for me back then.

looks familiar!    mine is from the late 80's
   it was a gift

 

Great slip joint knife.  Can’t go wrong with one of those.  👌🏼

[buellm2]

Looks a lot like my Anvil.   Who copied who?   The Anvil is USA made from the early 70s.   The spring lock devices are robust and really hold the blades securely. 

[Matchstickshooter]

 Here's a good one. When I retired from the shop (worked in 4 different shops over the years) I got nothing. Not even a coffee bought for me.
 Anyway, I bought myself something for retirement. Saw this in a display case at Tractor Supply.  Only it was marked Schrade.
 I got home with it and really looked it over. Didn't get to see/handle it in the store. Ugh.
  I see from the included paperwork they are now sold by someone else.   Taylor Brands LLC.
I wrote to them with a complaint of sorts.  "Really nice knife; always liked the trappers, however, this one could have been nicer if QC paid attention to fit and finish."
 "The back side, opposite the blade openings... the scales don't fit tight, leaving a crack"!
  They got back to me, and had me send it in. They thanked me for bringing it to their attention and replaced it with an Old Timer that is a beauty!
 It still says Schrade on the blade. 
  On the box it says made in China, but no where on the knife.
Picture doesn't do it justice..



 


 

[bantam5s]

Looks a lot like my Anvil.   Who copied who?   The Anvil is USA made from the early 70s.   The spring lock devices are robust and really hold the blades securely.

It's just a serpentine common stockman pattern, clip main blade then spey and sheeps foot secondary blades.
This blade configuration originated with the cattle knife that came before it and was common pre ww2, the only real difference being that the cattle knife had a straight equal end frame.
I don't know exactly when the " stockman " on the serpentine frame came to be or who introduced it, but every American knife manufacturer offered them.
The most sold being the affordable Schrade Old Timers.

[buellm2]

Looks a lot like my Anvil.   Who copied who?   The Anvil is USA made from the early 70s.   The spring lock devices are robust and really hold the blades securely.

It's just a serpentine common stockman pattern, clip main blade then spey and sheeps foot secondary blades.
This blade configuration originated with the cattle knife that came before it and was common pre ww2, the only real difference being that the cattle knife had a straight equal end frame.
I don't know exactly when the " stockman " on the serpentine frame came to be or who introduced it, but every American knife manufacturer offered them.
The most sold being the affordable Schrade Old Timers.

Interesting.   Learned a lot about knives here.   I hope I don't start actively accumulating them.   I do like my Anvil knife, it seems to be very well made.

[bantam5s]

Looks a lot like my Anvil.   Who copied who?   The Anvil is USA made from the early 70s.   The spring lock devices are robust and really hold the blades securely.

It's just a serpentine common stockman pattern, clip main blade then spey and sheeps foot secondary blades.
This blade configuration originated with the cattle knife that came before it and was common pre ww2, the only real difference being that the cattle knife had a straight equal end frame.
I don't know exactly when the " stockman " on the serpentine frame came to be or who introduced it, but every American knife manufacturer offered them.
The most sold being the affordable Schrade Old Timers.

Interesting.   Learned a lot about knives here.   I hope I don't start actively accumulating them.   I do like my Anvil knife, it seems to be very well made.

Anvil knives were made by Colonial cutlery out of Providence Rhode island ( CKC was relaunched awhile back by the last family to own the company).
In case you didn't know most traditional pocket knives have pivot pins running all the way through the liners and bolsters, scales riveted to the liners,  and a rocker pin for the backsprings running through the scales backsprings and liners.

Colonial, Imperial, and a couple others made what are known as shell handle knives which were mostly sold off a countertop display card at dime stores.
The shell handle knives have the pins running through just the liners...etc,  then they have a stamped metal shell with a thin plastic faux handle scales and were attached by a tab on each end that folds over.
You could pry those shells off and you'd still have a functional albeit uncomfortable to use pocket knife,
Anyways Colonial also had their ranger series and their anvil series knives which are more solidly constructed.
Still not a conventional construction,  but they had actually handle scales pinned on, thicker liners,  and the bolsters were a plated cast part that attached by tabs which the brass pins riveting the scales on went through.
They were value oriented durable working knives, Intended to cost less without feeling cheaper.
They were commonly sold at K-mart in the 70's-80's along with the ranger line, and were eventually available rebranded under K-marts own SHARP brand.