- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
mfg0772
Well-known member
Yet another GJ post that makes me spend money (or hopefully not in this instance). If that scratched‑up, logo‑burned U1 needs a pocket to disappear into, I’ve got one.
I’ve been using the Workpro or Duratech fording utility knives for a few years. They are excellent and only cost $5 each bought in packs of two or three. The most important feature to me is the press to open lock button so it can’t open in my pocket. I’m not trying to be a skinflint, I’d be fine spending $20-50 on something that was truly better. Maybe send me your old one to convince me. I’ve used the heck out of these in a construction environment and also in saltwater for the past few years. I have bent one pocket clip badly enough that I took the knife out of service, but that was after about a year of carrying it. Combined with serrated utility blades they are awesome.
OP
I’ve been using the Workpro or Duratech fording utility knives for a few years. They are excellent and only cost $5 each bought in packs of two or three. The most important feature to me is the press to open lock button so it can’t open in my pocket. I’m not trying to be a skinflint, I’d be fine spending $20-50 on something that was truly better. Maybe send me your old one to convince me. I’ve used the heck out of these in a construction environment and also in saltwater for the past few years. I have bent one pocket clip badly enough that I took the knife out of service, but that was after about a year of carrying it. Combined with serrated utility blades they are awesome.
I've tried these... they are in a different class. Cheaper, a little flimsy, lots of play... but absolutely fine given their cost.
OP
HA. As a righty, I didn't even notice. Good call.
hmbemis
Well-known member
Hold up -- they've got one that looks like pink donut frosting with rainbow sprinkles? I'm sold
Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Man, you should have talked to me first - you could have auctioned that as a GJ collectible and probably made enough to pay for the Chaves!
OP
You be you man. Get it...
I don't know how the hell I messed this one up. I thought I had it lined up when I pressed "go" but it came out of the box about 5mm further right on the scale than it should have been. I checked my camera afterwards and it showed off-center as well. So I think I must have somehow bumped the scale before I hit the button.
Cruzan80
Well-known member
I feel like we need a GJ laser service, where we order stuff and get it sent in to be "customized"...
Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
It seems to me you are just a bit short of tail - which is probably true of most of us.
Does the blade release on these need to be activated to open the mechanism on this?
OP
No.
rlitman
Well-known member
Yeah, it's an Axis lock. Great ambidextrous locking mechanism for holding open (the "omega" springs do break sometimes). Not much more than a spring holding it closed. If the omega spring does break with this in your pants pocket, you may end up bleeding. I'd carry this in a pocket where it's less likely to open.
Funny thing is, that's the ONLY pattern I think I could see myself buying. Seriously. Faux carbon fiber grates on me, and American flag motifs that don't truly do the flag justice grate on me even more.
I see what you're saying. These make a much better substitute for an actual knife, by exposing so much more of the blade. It is a completely different niche.
fishwatcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 748
Great. Another rathole for me. GJ tends to do that to me. Actually, I‘m the one who has tendencies to rathole down different topics.
Topics I’ve locked into on GJ: vises, bike speciality tools, c-clamps, Knipex, Proto, Milwaukee, file handles, and all of the various screwdriver brands. Why??
In the 90’s and early 2000s I followed Spyderco (their forum with Sal Glesser the founder was epic!) and I was on sites like Bladeforum.com a LOT.
I have lots of old, Spyderco and some Benchmade pocket knives, plus a handful of other brands.
Not once however, have I gone down the EDC utility knife route.
It’s on my radar now though.
Thanks!
Topics I’ve locked into on GJ: vises, bike speciality tools, c-clamps, Knipex, Proto, Milwaukee, file handles, and all of the various screwdriver brands. Why??
In the 90’s and early 2000s I followed Spyderco (their forum with Sal Glesser the founder was epic!) and I was on sites like Bladeforum.com a LOT.
I have lots of old, Spyderco and some Benchmade pocket knives, plus a handful of other brands.
Not once however, have I gone down the EDC utility knife route.
It’s on my radar now though.
Thanks!
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fj55mike
New member
Gerber sells one of these called the EAB and it retails for like $18 https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/knives/all-knives/eab-22-41830.
KentheMailman
Well-known member
I could always use one more tool at my farm in Tool, Texas.
elvee
Well-known member
I have an earlier version of that one. Wife gave it to me as a stocking stuffer. It is one of my tradeshow knives. Very handy when getting stretch wrap off the pallets and carts. It’s good, but blade changes are a pain.
My challenge with knives is that i really care about the feel. That’s how I wound up with a drawer of kitchen knives plus a set in the prep kitchen. A while back my son asked me how many knives I had. After a couple minutes of counting I told him it was around 30. When he asked why the answer was easy - I’m still looking for the right one. Tastes and preferences change, but if the knife is still good you don’t throw it away.
cody1325
Well-known member
I like the bit driver on my Klein utility knife, but the whole unit is just way too big and clunky as a general-purpose EDC knife. Thus, when I need a replaceable blade, I typically just carry an EAB from Gerber or a Razor Lite (the current one, I think--got it at Walmart on clearance as the shelf model for like $10 a few months back) Plus those little carpenter's knives Stanley mostly markets as marking knives.
Yet, for some weird reason--I've been using the same blue Kobalt that came in one of my first tool sets as a teenager. It just plain works.
I recall the Oknife line being on my radar, even before Olight had split off their knife brand. For me, it's perfect. Looks like a much more compact knife with the same features as the Klein. Not only is it smaller and lighter, but it's got the AXIS-style lock. I'm left-handed, and few other locks work well.
Yet, for some weird reason--I've been using the same blue Kobalt that came in one of my first tool sets as a teenager. It just plain works.
I recall the Oknife line being on my radar, even before Olight had split off their knife brand. For me, it's perfect. Looks like a much more compact knife with the same features as the Klein. Not only is it smaller and lighter, but it's got the AXIS-style lock. I'm left-handed, and few other locks work well.
If you don't want the bit driver, and/or if you want something even smaller/lighter, the Ultra (vs pro) version might fit the bill. Here are some comparison shots I took.
Edit: I forgot to mention the ultra is a button lock vs an axis lock.
Edit: I forgot to mention the ultra is a button lock vs an axis lock.
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I have one of these I carry as a WTF knife in my duty boots at work. There's a small pocket near the top of the boot cuff.
I have this one on order currently.
Not only does this place make me buy tools but now, I want to make a run to Dunkin Donuts.
mark-NJ
Well-known member
My dad raised me to always carry a knife, and all these years later, I still consider this to be sage advice....mostly because I reach for it & use it all the time! Dad was right!
Anyway, I've had some very nice EDC knives over the years, but...and I'm almost embarrassed to say this...for the last few years, my daily carry just might also be the absolute best EDC I've ever had! Don't laugh...it's is a $5 Harbor Freight utility knife.
Yeah, I hear ya, and I can hardly believe it myself. But it's true.
Replaceable blade, one-hand open, small enough to not feel 'big' in my pocket, blade change with no tools....and if I lose it or break it, I'm out 5 bucks. Have to say: that's a pretty good deal.
Anyway, I've had some very nice EDC knives over the years, but...and I'm almost embarrassed to say this...for the last few years, my daily carry just might also be the absolute best EDC I've ever had! Don't laugh...it's is a $5 Harbor Freight utility knife.
Yeah, I hear ya, and I can hardly believe it myself. But it's true.
Replaceable blade, one-hand open, small enough to not feel 'big' in my pocket, blade change with no tools....and if I lose it or break it, I'm out 5 bucks. Have to say: that's a pretty good deal.
Might want to give it back to Gordon, he's been looking for his knife.My dad raised me to always carry a knife, and all these years later, I still consider this to be sage advice....mostly because I reach for it & use it all the time! Dad was right!
Anyway, I've had some very nice EDC knives over the years, but...and I'm almost embarrassed to say this...for the last few years, my daily carry just might also be the absolute best EDC I've ever had! Don't laugh...it's is a $5 Harbor Freight utility knife.
Yeah, I hear ya, and I can hardly believe it myself. But it's true.
Replaceable blade, one-hand open, small enough to not feel 'big' in my pocket, blade change with no tools....and if I lose it or break it, I'm out 5 bucks. Have to say: that's a pretty good deal.
zimman
Well-known member
Folding razor blades don't work for me in a EDC environment. I need to pry, poke, wedge and stab stuff. You can't do that with a folder like that. Now xacto? You pick a day on a calendar and I'll throw a #11 blade and stick it. LMAO.
Zim
Zim
I had one of the original folding razor knives years ago. It was made in the US and I believe it’s what everyone started copying. I don’t recall the brand, but I used it until it was worn out from years of work. It’s still laying on the bench. Currently carrying a Craftsman one that I got back when Sears was giving everything away with there “ shop your way” points. It to is worn out after lots of use and abuse. I just peened the screws to hold the lock in place and the pivot bolt is very loose. I use it for more than a knife… and can’t imagine spending more than $5-10 for a replacement. I think I have another one of these new somewhere that I may have to go looking for soon.
OP
I had one of the original folding razor knives years ago. It was made in the US and I believe it’s what everyone started copying. I don’t recall the brand, but I used it until it was worn out from years of work. It’s still laying on the bench. Currently carrying a Craftsman one that I got back when Sears was giving everything away with there “ shop your way” points. It to is worn out after lots of use and abuse. I just peened the screws to hold the lock in place and the pivot bolt is very loose. I use it for more than a knife… and can’t imagine spending more than $5-10 for a replacement. I think I have another one of these new somewhere that I may have to go looking for soon.
The problem I have with Craftsman, Milwaukee, and other big box store brands is scale. I carry it in my right front pocket using the clip... and if it's any bigger than the U1 or the C.H.U.B., it gets very uncomfortable for me. I've been carrying the U1 Pro for two days now and it's right on the verge of being too large for me.
Conversely, I also don't care much for the tiny stamped steel offerings either. They are so much cheaper, but I don't like the grips on most and I just don't like the way they feel in the hand.
It's a balancing act for me for sure... The C.H.U.B. is still by far and away my favorite.
I also carry mine clipped inside my right front pocket slid to the back. I have seen a lot of big, cumbersome ones that I would not carry or buy. This Craftsman is a little wide, but is also short and thin so it works out. I like the looks of the C.H.U.B. but couldnt spend $200 to beat it like I do. I'm not sure I could even carry it if it was free because I would probably second guess using it in certain situations. And there have been a few times I lost (misplaced) it....
Just a reminder to my people: I sharpen my utility knife blades. You should try if if you haven’t.
More: I use cardboard box as an abrasive. Especially on freshly painted wood or other surfaces. It’s a fine, slow cutting abrasive that just knocks the gloss off of paint, shellac, varnishes etc. Works well. Try it.
It also dulls blades pretty quickly when you are cutting through it. That’s why I started sharpening my blades.
- They are sharpenable
- They can be sharpened quickly
- Handle schmandle, what you want is something sharp when you need to cut something. Sharp trumps ergonomics.
More: I use cardboard box as an abrasive. Especially on freshly painted wood or other surfaces. It’s a fine, slow cutting abrasive that just knocks the gloss off of paint, shellac, varnishes etc. Works well. Try it.
It also dulls blades pretty quickly when you are cutting through it. That’s why I started sharpening my blades.
NightSky
Well-known member
Not to turn this into a donut thread, but surely you can do better then Dunkin'... even if it has to have rainbow sprinkles.
OP
My original “Super Knife”. Still have the key on my keychain that you needed to change the blade and tighten the pivot.
I have a buddy with one of these. It’s damned nice.
fourjeepin
Well-known member
I’m considering buying one of the OKs as I am not good at sharpening my EDC Benchmade.
It's probably best not to use flimsy knives especially for a folding utility knife. If it pops open unexpectedly it could injure you.
I'm glad you made this post Ryan to offer up a more robust option -- albeit a little pricier.
If you like the sprinkle look, try Blade HQ and “dessert warrior”:
Theree are many options. And I’m not responsible if this costs you money.
Theree are many options. And I’m not responsible if this costs you money.
boyleged
Well-known member
I have dozens of knives and jumped down the utility rabbit hole. If you can stomach $42 this one comes with tweezers and a toothpick. I have it in green G10 from amazon for about $35 but I wish I had the micarta.
kizerknives.com
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FEATURES UTI BEAR 2 - Your Sleek EDC EssentialDesigned by knife expert Azo, the UTI BEAR 2 redefines elegant functionality with its textured Olive Green G10 handle and bead blasted blade. This ultra-light folding knife combines sophisticated aesthetics with rugged performance, perfect for...
kizerknives.com
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It was a great knife that I used for a long time. If you look at the screws that hold the clip on you will notice different ones. Basically over the years they would loosen and eventually fall out and the hole would be worn. Tried to find tiny screws to replace them that would hold the clip tight. Then the body screws started doing the same thing. I finally retired it to the bench.