Alternative for EDC

[son of sam 9]

I have carried a Buck Stockman for many years. I really only use the clip blade. The sheeps foot and spey are nice but not required. I like the edge and durability of the 301 Buck. I would like an alternative. I am willing to spend in the $100 range. I am a machinist and I use the knife a lot. I cant see myself wanting to beet up on a more expensive knife. I noticed that many quality manufacturers are now manufacturing in China. I will not carry a chinese POS. German, Swiss, USA maybe some other origin of manufacture will work.

[mrg455 6]

are you looking for a more traditional folder style or a "tactical" style folder?

[Purple Patrick 638]

What are you looking for this knife to do for you? Modern v traditional. Tactical v subdued. Size. Blade steel. Handle Material. Those are all things we need to know.

 

This is from someone who bought, sold or traded 15 knives in about 6 months to see what was perfect for me

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

 

[Malsua 1,422]

What type of cutting are you doing?  Are you looking for edge retention or toughness?   I've had a buck 307 Stockman for probably 35 years that I wouldn't hesitate to use a hammer on to pound through something but if I drag it across my hand, I'm not going to bleed.   By the same token, my Spyderco Para Military that I bought myself for Christmas will cut to the bone if you do the same thing.    If I were to pound on my Paramilitary blade, I'm not sure what it would do, but I suspect I'd be in the market for a new blade.  It really holds an edge but it seem a little brittle.   My Spyderco Tenacious doesn't hold an edge as well, as I've rolled the edge in places before, but I've beat the crap out of it and it still pretty durable. 

 

I use my knives mostly for cutting boxes open and nylon straps on pallets.  Also the occasional wire stripping or tubing cutting.    The Para Military has had fantastic edge retention so far but I did break off about a half grain of sand sized bit off the tip.   Now touching the tip to your skin doesn't cause bleeding, heh, so that's a blessing I suppose.

[Purple Patrick 638]

What type of cutting are you doing? Are you looking for edge retention or toughness? I've had a buck 307 Stockman for probably 35 years that I wouldn't hesitate to use a hammer on to pound through something but if I drag it across my hand, I'm not going to bleed. By the same token, my Spyderco Para Military that I bought myself for Christmas will cut to the bone if you do the same thing. If I were to pound on my Paramilitary blade, I'm not sure what it would do, but I suspect I'd be in the market for a new blade. It really holds an edge but it seem a little brittle. My Spyderco Tenacious doesn't hold an edge as well, as I've rolled the edge in places before, but I've beat the crap out of it and it still pretty durable.

 

I use my knives mostly for cutting boxes open and nylon straps on pallets. Also the occasional wire stripping or tubing cutting. The Para Military has had fantastic edge retention so far but I did break off about a half grain of sand sized bit off the tip. Now touching the tip to your skin doesn't cause bleeding, heh, so that's a blessing I suppose.

My pm2 was sharp as hell when I first got it. Cut myself more then once...

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

 

[son of sam 9]

I should have checked back sooner. I looked at spyderco but I am not into that tactical look. The Stockman really did fit my uses best so I picked up another one (not easy to find US made) as a spare #7457 

 

But at the same time I wanted to try something slightly different. I bought a German Boker 112626BBL

 

 

I bought them both off of eBay as I found the best pricing there. Both are shaving sharp from the factory. Usually I find that factory edges need a little tuning for my taste. Someone else mentioned that they felt their Buck Stockman didnt hold an edge. I use mine (the old one) to open boxes debur nylon,teflon and other plastics as well as sometimes brass,aluminum and SS. Anything more than a light scrape on SS will certainly fold the edge or dull it. I would expect similar results from any blade other than maybe D-2. I like the heavy blade on the Buck and hope the Boker will yield similar results. I very fine edge is not controllable to debur plastic without getting chatter in the finish. Use of thin blades like exacto will dig to deep and chatter. I should also not that I normally sharpen one of two ways. I use a 1" belt sander with a very worn 320 grit belt (I save them for this purpose) and also a Smiths. Sometimes I will give a quick dress up with a steel or a scotchbright unitized wheel. I use my knives hard but I guarantee that you will bleed if you drag it across your hand. The lost Stockman blade was about 1/4" shorter and much narrower after about 8 years of daily carry and use.