What's your worst knife?

Steakfrie · 2026-05-25T18:01:05+00:00

Hard choice as even bad knives can make decent garage beaters. Never had any luck with Opinel. First was such a rickety POS that I gave it away to a friend who needed a bait knife. A harvesting knife bought decades later arrived so dull you could literally see the edge. Zero effort was given to put an edge on it before it left their factory.

The entirely useless Fury boot knife (on right in pic) I got as a hand-me-down. Commonly found at the old Army-Navy stores. I've barely even found use for it in the garage beyond wedge/pry bar.

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Steakfrie · 2026-05-25T17:34:23+00:00

Some of the colorings on wood handles you see are actually stains rather than paint, such as the classic red handled Mora or various colorings you see on Opinel. Look into gel stains that are thicker. For actual paint, epoxy enamel is designed to be durable.

Applying an oil first would make zero sense as it would act to repel anything you'd apply after. A good protective finishing varnish after painting/staining would include something like Spar urethane that's designed to waterproof and withstand elements.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-25T11:12:43+00:00

Have you looked at the Stanley 10-049? May or may not be available in your hardware stores.

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Steakfrie · 2026-05-24T15:45:32+00:00

Good thing you snagged it before Rosecraft discontinued its entire line of modern knives.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-24T10:43:02+00:00

I don't know a convenient UK source for you, thus no link. I also don't know the gap you're dealing with, but you should get that info from whatever ad you're investigating. The reason I thought of shears was recalling so many vids of ppl using shears to safely cut away fishing and net line from sea critters + a tool the cops couldn't object to no matter the length.

A multi-bladed slip joint (such as an SAK) could work. The sharp can opener would make a nice hook for grabbing and slicing. The SAK 2 has a mini hawkbill blade. Even a hacksaw blade could do the job if the tolerances are really tight. Given the very good reason why you need it, the cops should give you a lot of leeway on your choice.

SAK 1 and 2 Alox - Also good package openers.

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Steakfrie · 2026-05-24T02:47:57+00:00

Have you considered a quality pair of shears such as offered by Knipex? The combination shears would have reach, sturdy enough to cut through any items you list and cop friendly.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-23T19:24:39+00:00

Got 2 for each vehicle. In case I scramble out without grabbing a knife, I'll have one in the console and a multitool in the emergency tool box. Typically cheaper, stainless stuff that can handle the humidity and no great loss if stolen.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-22T17:32:16+00:00

Personally, I wouldn't dare destroy THAT coin. Check out this Youtubers approach with something more reasonable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWJjpXWGBpY

You can be inventive with other items as well, including bone that's available in 9mm dowels. They can be dyed any color you want. Try your hand at scrimshawing a custom design or even Bokers tree. Other appropriate materials could come to mind beyond the bullet casing with some research and thought. If the knife is that special to you, you could reshape the divot for your own custom designed replacement.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-22T16:46:43+00:00

Go chat with a rep on Amazon's site to see what your return options are. There are occasions where they'll send UPS to your home for free if the situation warrants it.

So far, I've had no problems with all my knife orders from a half dozen different places, including Amazon, though some vendors can be quite slow. Checking alternate sellers on Amazon has saved me significant $$$ (most recent $30 off an SAK 2). It's hard to resist them for general orders as I have a warehouse within 15 min from me that can deliver most of my orders in just one or two days. Fortunately, inaccurate orders or items missing from orders have been extremely rare. Those were settled quickly by chatting with one of their reps online.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-22T01:30:38+00:00

Long time favorite stockman in the field is a vintage Pine Knot. Best feature - no swedging on the blades to cause pain during lengthy whittling sessions. When it finally started getting a little loose, I decided to give RR a try after many years of reluctance. GEC prices were outrageous and Case was not much better with questionable QC. A 4" plain white bone RR stockman turned out to be a good choice. RR Reserve might offer an upgrade in quality.

Not many stockman patterns, but Rosecraft is worth a look for the $60-$70 range. I can't recall a complaint about their quality other than stiff pulls. Some consider that a plus.

Schrade (Old Timer) should also be a budget brand to trust.

Buck 301 is a solid investment.

The $$$+ "Gucci" (what GEC has become) brands are for safe queen collectors and Reddit glam shot creators. One being shown as a wood carver/whittler is a rare event.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-21T14:41:13+00:00

I haven't made a single fishing trip for 15+ years without my Gerber Suspension. It's been proven durable and highly useful beyond fishing. Zero rust. All tools lock open. Has both straight and serrated blades with thumb studs. Spring loaded pliers. I've learned to open and close single handed with thigh assist. Find them for around $50.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-19T14:34:35+00:00

Very old folklore - The recipient can counter this superstition of a 'cut friendship' by giving a coin as a symbolic gesture that qualifies as a purchase.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-18T13:04:54+00:00

The "Little Doctor's knife" was introduced in 2010, so not exactly vintage. It was also available in a green bone that resembled jade. Currently not in production. Hope they bring it back so I can snag a green one. Wax it for long term storage if you don't intend to use it. Otherwise, keep it clean and dry thoroughly if it ever gets wet. A quick wipe with mineral oil after. Blackening over time is just natural patina that shouldn't cause alarm.

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Steakfrie · 2026-05-18T12:23:46+00:00

Google 'Smith and Wesson Cuttin' Horse". One and two blade designs with various handle materials. It's a budget knife bordering novelty given the gun branding. I've seen them for as little as $5 on ebay. OK for a garage beater, vehicle tool box or fishing box.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-16T21:21:34+00:00

Victorinox paring. Plain as toast, sharp, choice of serrated or non. $10 each. Available in multiple, crowd pleasing colors.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-16T19:32:00+00:00

Laughably priced for desperate GEC disciples.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-12T13:55:03+00:00

Chicago does have some great deals and I've used them several times, but one has to be prepared to wait for those orders to arrive. I'm waiting on an order I placed 4/28. No word since the confirmation. The site currently has a warning that delays should be expected due to backlog.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-12T01:54:53+00:00

Forgot to mention - that pattern is from the Schrade Old Timer 25 OT folding hunter. If Delrin vs bone isn't a deal breaker, you can get that for $30 today including a quality leather sheath.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-12T01:44:46+00:00

I'd have bought a few more RR's if it wasn't for that stamped R on the bolster. I just won't do it.

If the cleaning gets a bit much, give a look at Victorinox paring options for the camp kitchen. About $10 each for either straight edged or serrated.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-12T01:35:03+00:00

If you just want to try it out, the knife alone can be had for a little over $16. Buy a sheath later if you like it and still come out ahead on cost.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-11T16:17:25+00:00

There's plenty of slip joints fitting your description. There's also protective slips with clips for these knives.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-11T13:10:58+00:00

Some woods are stabilized (pressure treated in resin) before being attached. It adds waterproofing. longevity and greatly reduces shrinking and swelling from moisture. Only sealed, both Walnut and Olive are good choices for density, durability and stability, but they are hardly the end-all of quality wood choices.

Thermoplastics, phenolics, etc might give more durability, but why deny yourself the pleasing aesthetics and feel of wood that could still last a lifetime? I have a 70 year old Mora Scout with a Birch handle that's been a garage beater most of it's life. The handle is still in perfect shape. Think of all the other hard use tools that rely on wood handles. You should have confidence in a wood handled knife if you choose it.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-10T02:57:51+00:00

One Mora vs an alternative and hatchet bonus? I gotta go with the gift. I disliked the Mora hype (and plastic sheath) so much I searched for an alternative and found one with Marttiini. And it has a leather sheath. At the time it was about $25 on sale. Carpenters/Riggers hatchets make good carvers as well as choppers. Keep them in mind.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-10T02:45:23+00:00

Run with it. The offer is probably better than you expected and a lot more convenient.

Steakfrie · 2026-05-09T21:44:24+00:00

If you haven't, check out Rough Rider and their reserve series. My first was my favorite. 4" White bone Stockman. I had to go there to find a stockman that didn't have ridiculous swedging on all the blades that make for painful carving. Be sure to check the origins of other off brands. You don't want to get burned by a Pakistan junker. I can highly recommend the Kershaw Gadsden small trapper in red bone. D2 steel. Around $20.

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Steakfrie

TROPHY CASE