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Choosing My Pocket Knife (for: Wood Central)

I appreciate everyone’s help in identifying and assessing knife steels. As usual, the help made the decision for a pocket knife more complicated. Time to rewind and format a clear path to choice of knife.

What really needs to be asked is, “what will this tool principally be used for?” Type of steel and size are the basic technical considerations for selection. This and every detailed decision that follows is specific to the user.

I collected 14 knife samples and looked at two pocket knives in a mortared store. The collection served the purpose of picking and feeling an actual tool in a literal void of real pocket knives. Most were in the range of $40 to $60.

There were 30 days to order, receive, and return all but one knife. Amazon Prime free trial has served similar functions for a few years and I was shocked to learn there was a substantial cash reserve held by Amazon from prior returns.

The very first commitment was source of material and manufacture. The knife had to owe provenance to US/CA/EU. That decision yielded 4 companies that made my products: Boker, Buck, Case, and Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC). There are probably more.

GEC is an intentional slave of the collectors market, they produce sturdy, well made small count knives with prices into the stratosphere. I don’t want to cry over a lost knife for financial reasons. And, I don’t know if they are still in business.

I intentionally set Buck aside. My second Buck, after an early 110, was the recently developed 301. [This will date me.] It didn’t stay with me very long. Very easy to lose. A mess of carry’s followed it, none of any merit. They were just cheap, or found. And, how I learned to despise stainless steel and ‘made in China’. Permanently biased with good reason.

Buck also champions 420-hc (by Boc) which even they say “approaches” standard non-stainless blade material. Pocket knives typically want easy maintenance. A simple clean with water and bit of oil hold off rust. Only weird Rambo's with exotic steel exceed the typical range of 56 to 58 rc. One can find a stone on the ground to sharpen with.

Boker makes very good sturdy products in their Solingen factory. I ordered three and still have two. The two are bulky at 4 inches and three and four blades. One is the only non-stainless they currently have in a non-nose-bleed price.

Case joined the lineup when I learned they made carbon steel blades (non-stainless), designated Cv for Chrome vanadium, with a decent number of choices. I am sure their products are mostly robot made since the “Peanut” had relatively stiff blade open and closure. The “Pen” at 3-1/4" felt like it would flop open and closed. But, because it was my major choice, I ordered four more and actually tested six to come up with one that had modestly stiff blade action. I don’t know how long these will hold a snug slip joint.

I don’t like carrying bulky things. The only everyday bulk is a handkerchief, the old big ones used for wear, not snot. Mine are heavily used for the original purpose . I even fiddle keys into small shapes; the electrics removed them from pocket wear. So, a knife must be the smallest practical package to be a reliable everyday carry. I realized this critical requirement after my sample collection of knives reached 9 individuals with lengths from 2-7/8” to 4”, and 2 blades to 4. Other people will have different criteria.

The decision for a constant carry--in my pocket--knife necessarily eliminates heavy duty tools. The Bokers, Carver's Congress, carbon steel (c75?); and the Stockman, stainless, are both very nice tools. I just won't put them in my pocket all the time.

Case actually makes a light tool. The blades are under .07 inches, close to 1/16th thick at the spine. They also hollow grind the blades. This creates a very light tool. I don’t even know it is in my pocket, after a few seconds of carry. There is enough substance to do light cutting. I am not sure if I will lose it or break it first. For now, it works.

Lots of trouble at WoodNet.

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This will be a truncated conclusion--

Choosing a traditional pocket knife is pretty personal in relation to considerations. One's desire is not another's. I ended up with 14 or 15 samples and will return all but 1, maybe 2. When there is no selection at a mortared store and more is teasing on line, what is a person to do?

I opened a 30 day free Prime account and started burning through a funds balance I didn't know was available from an earlier shopping trip. Everything is packed and ready to go back. For now, I have a pocket every day carry (EDC) ... in my pocket.

For years I looked for a do everything beast that obviously was too heavy and bulky for me. That realization settled in after nine samples when I was ogling 4-inch, 4 blade hunks and my pocket knew only a roughly 3-inch, 2-blade demi would be happiest.

After a bias for non-stainless, and sourcing in non-China controlled quality, the market drastically shrank. The size criteria drilled choices down to one tool. Case "Pen" at 3-1/4", two blades, and Chrome vanadium steel. That style has a propensity for loose blades--no snap--and I tested 6, purchasing 5 to find one with the best friction.

Those who have less interest in rusty steel can go with Buck 301, in their 420-hc stainless. I got one shortly after it was introduced and lost it some time after. I blame 'black' for being invisible.

There is a small source list for material and manufacture. Case, Buck, and Boker in Solingen. Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) can claim provenance but at nose bleed prices and service to collectors the small production isn't worth having one be lost.

Until it is lost or breaks, the Case "Pen" will serve me well.

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Still, posting issues…..

From two typed pages to one paragraph, and no assurance of any success....

For reasons of provenance, tradition, non-stainless bias, and small tool size the process of selection drilled down to literally one knife. A Case "Pen", two-blade, Chrome vanadium steel, closed length of 3-1/4". I tested 6 samples to find the one with the best, but not great, blade closure friction.

Thanks for everyone's help and guidance!

Will this post ..... ?

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Re: Copy and paste from LibreOffice (Writer)

It worked!

I think I will leave my conclusion here..... There are other issues unrelated to WC involved.