I always carry a pocket knife… except, you know, when I’m getting on an airplane or something. For 15 years I’ve carried a Buck slimline 531. It has a 3 1/2 inch blade, opens to about 8 inches. It’s opened tons of boxes, cut all kinds of stuff. I’ve used it hard and abused it for a decade and a half, the tip is broken off, the handle is cracked, the blade is wobbly, and it partially opens in my pocket.
While the 531 was not designed as a one-handed knife, it opens readily this way. It’s sizable and fits in the whole hand, yet light and slim enough that it’s comfortable as an everyday carry.
So, I need a new knife: Large strong blade, full size grip, easy to carry, not a scary looking weapon or tactical wannabe, takes abuse, oh and other tools besides a single blade are a bonus, but not required.
Gah! These threads come up and they turn into pages of drooling pictures of beautiful pocket knives.
Well, I guess this shouldn’t be any different! I take carrying a pocket knife very seriously, and I changes knives often depending on what I am doing that day or whatever, going to dinner with Mrs.Phlosphr. Usually for everyday carry I have this Gerber, it’s ok for regular needs. I am a little partial to Buck, and they have come out with some very nice assisted open knives. I bought thisone which I use all the time. Great Knife. If you are looking for a little more meat on a knife, the Buck Alpha Doradois very nice, I take it on camping trips, hiking, fishing simply because it is indestructable.
eta: BTW the new leatherman skeletoolis pretty cool too.
My dress pocket knife is a Paraframe Gerber like Phlosphr linked to. I own a large one and a small one. My everyday carry is a Gerber Truss. I own both a serrated and un-serrated version. If I’m camping or whatnot, I take my ancient Buck 110.
I have to go with a Victorinox Swiss Army knife as well. I have bunches because I lose some and then go buy a new one which isn’t a big deal because they aren’t that expensive especially for what they can do. I have some kind of Tinker model on me now. I ranks in usefulness below my SUV and my computer but above my wife and cell phone.
The Tool Logic SL Pro 2 has been my choice for a hip-carry knife for a few years now. It has a partially serrated 2.75" blade, a flashlight, safety whistle, lanyard hole, and sharpener built in. The sharpener can be exchanged for a magnet holder or a fire starter.
It also has a clip, is easy to open with one hand, and the hardened stainless steel blade locks in place.
I use mine to cut everything from cloth sash cord to jute to plastic to carpet, and it requires only minimal servicing to keep sharp. The LED flashlight is handy, but not a substitute for a real flashlight (good for about 12’-15’ max, in total darkness).
Mostly it’s the quality of the blade and the construction that I like.
I carry this classic. It’s not loaded down with eight billion features, but in addition to having a blade, it can be surprisingly useful to have a screwdriver/bottle opener/corkscrew on you at times.
My favorite knife is the Benchmade 705. I like the axis style of locking mechanism because it puts tension on it (to keep it closed). It is an ambidextrous mechanism and allows for easy one-handed opening. If you pull the locking mechanism back it allows the user go flick it out with almost no effort. It locks open solidly and will continue to do so as the parts wear because the mechanism continues to slide up the back of the blade. Handled properly, this is better than a switchblade.
I’ve tried different Benchmade knives with the axis style of locking mechanism and it makes a difference which one you choose because of where they set the pivot point. Some knives flip open easier than others.
I know you asked for a full-sized knife, and maybe it’s the minimalist-cum-office-worker-cum-latent-alcoholic in me shining through, but my absolute favorite knife for about five years running is this guy.
It’s good enough to open a box or a bottle of beer and disassemble a laptop with, so it’s good enough for me. Plus, I regularly forget to take it off my key chain when I’m flying, and the TSA has yet to give me shit about it. If I ever find myself on a plane, needing to fight a dude with a box cutter, I’m set.
The one I carry daily is This one, which apparently is a retired model. I was at Canadian Tire, about 2 years ago, looking at knives, and almost got a Gerber. It was about $25*, and carried a 1-year warranty. Then, I looked over and saw the Leatherman, which, for $40*, carried a 25-year warranty. No contest.
Spend a few dollars and get yourself a Chris Reeve sebenza. It sounds to me like you’d find the small sebenza to be eminently satisfactory. These knives are somewhat spendy, but you will find a quality of wormanship and attention to detail that is generally absent from mass-produced knives. Everybody should own one truly fine item in his life, and a top quality knife is something that brings joy every time you use it.
Its a good knife, very strong construction. The handle is all metal, and has a very gritty pattern etched into it, so if your hands get greasy or anything, it doesnt slip nearly as much as a rubber handle would.
Its not very ergonomic though… The sides of the handles are beveled a bit so they won’t bite, but otherwise they are just two flat pieces of steel. Still, its good enough for occasional cutting, and is very thin, so it slips right into a pocket.
Oh, and it has a pocket clip, if that changes anything.
