I have carried a knife for years & feel naked without it. EDC,fishing,or emergencies it's good to have a knife on you. Once I lost a knife in my recliner for 2 years :o Sometimes it slips out of certain shorts.I retraced my steps to no avail,hopefully it will turn up.I have a few backups...My SIL gave me a spring assist open Kershaw 3" <8Cr13MoV> years ago & it has spoiled me. I started looking again & it's 1st on the list,but the Civivi looks interesting,any preferences out there please chime in ?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00172A3DE/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09T8YPT1X/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0946SCRY1/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BF8FPH5L/
for years, i've carried this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Stainless-SpeedSafe-Reversible-Pocketclip/dp/B0009VC9Y0/
quite a few on ebay.
I carry the same knife Alan has, and often one or two others.
I carry a Buck 722 and sometimes add a Buck 425 and a Kershaw Leek like Alan's.
https://www.amazon.com/Buck-Knives-Spitfire-Folding-Knife/dp/B07MY1LPRY?th=1
https://www.ebay.com/p/710144535
https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Kershaw-Leek-Knives--401?srsltid=AfmBOoqvWG2m-4zMf0vSPKyXxn55Fp_8l55WE2p4HxzfQ9xZDAUjyS7d
If you like a smaller version of the Buck 722 Spitfire, look at the Buck 726 mini-Spitfire.
https://www.amazon.com/Buck-Knives-SpitFire-Removable-Stainless/dp/B07MY2TG7B?th=1
Here are a couple of choices, James —-
Discontinued Kershaw 1945 Barge (Don't know why, a unique, tough and useful self opening locker with a built in pry-bar.) 8Cr13MoV.
CRKT Lerch Design 7074 UP & AT 'EM. Self opening locker made by Columbia River Knife & Tool Company.
Today I am carrying a Ducks Unlimited small Trapper, DU207, SS, Case XX, with green bone scales.
As for your lost knife —-
Check everywhere, but particularly the dreaded "black hole" between the center console and the driver's seat on most newer vehicles. Make sure the seat is all of the way forward —- and look from the back of the seat with a powerful flashlight. Found (2) of my "lost knives" this way. You might be surprised what else you may find down there.
Best, Fred
I still carry one of the knives you gave me Fred.
:fish Dollars to donuts It`s in the golf cart . :d
I looked in golf cart but sometimes I have looked 3 times before I "see" something.Usually try the flashlight method.
I have carried a Buck 503 Prince for decades. Right size to always fit in my back pocket, and quality. - john
Start looking for something else, it will show up.
My Wife gifted me the same knife that Alan and Lee have years ago. I'm with Lee, you should get something new and hopefully you will find the old one. I got lucky that way.
Anything with a pocket clip is a non-starter for me. When I carry something it is either a multitool or Sodbuster Junior.
The clip comes off with a small tork screwdriver, multi tool is on my belt in a sheath when I carry it.
I always take the clip off too.The spring assist open is a must have-now that I am spoiled to it.
Like some of you, I "usually" Cary at least two pocket knives...one in each fron pocket of my jeans/ shorts. When I'm "home" (back in Illinois) I carry another pair, as well...a folding "pruning knife", and a "pocket clip type" with a long, thin blade.....and, I'm usually spend quite a bit of time trying to remember where I last used one of them, 'cause that's where I laid it down ::)
About 4 years ago, our neighbor's older yellow lab passed on.
They had decided to not get another dog, so they had a half full bag of dry dog food that they gave us for Spud.
When I started to pour it into one of our larger ant-proof containers —- a Buck Stockman came out of the bag also with one blade open. Looks like it had been in there for quite some time since the knife was covered with a kind of greasy stuff and kibble dust & bits.
Took it upstairs and did a thorough cleaning job inside and out. Ultrasonic cleaner with Dawn, toothbrush, Q-Tips. Sharpened all of the dull blades, added a few drops of oil, polished it up, checked all functions and blade walk & spring snap for any issues —- polished the exterior. It was in great shape now. Put it in a new protective belt sheaf.
Returned it to Howard. He was overjoyed since he had been missing it for around six months —- and it was a knife his Dad carried for a a long time before he passed on. He was sick about losing it —- and had looked everywhere for 6 months.
Other places I have found lost knives have been in furniture, under the edge of the bed when I take off my jeans, under the desk in my office, the hamper, the washing machine, and one time a little Camo Buck SS Lockback that endured two years under the snow and dirt (after I replaced it).
Your knife may turn up —- but if one of these two unused & new knives would work for you —- just let me know and I'll pop one in the mail as a gift to a good member.
Best, Fred
Cleaned up Amazon link Alan posted
Never been a knife person
But for fishing I buy a dozen of the $1.5 knives from
The pier or Wally's and keep/share with anyone needing one.
At 2 am when you need a knife at Ceder point in dauphin island and the guy walking by offers u one and says you can keep it has Gobi stashing knives
Fred,
I have so many knives,plenty of backups.I am spoiled to the assisted opening now.I ordered the CIVIVI for science,& hopefully forcing the Kershaw to turn up ;D If it does(Prime) or doesn't you can't have too many knives,like reels I suppose...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BF8FPH5L/
Fred,
I have 3 "missing" knives now. 2 in the house and one I think fell into the bottomless pit between my truck seat and the console.
I used to always carry a blade everywhere. Somewhere along the line that just plain stopped. I think it was the return to the desk job that slowly made it happen. Now I have 4 in different spots in my truck and a fixed blade CRKT (someone told me it's a knockoff but it's still quite sharp after a lot of use and does the job) in the pencil holder on my desk. And more blades scattered around my garage in the different places I do things. So I guess I just stopped feeling like I needed one in my pocket.
Off topic-in my tackle boxes I keep a multi tool,rapala braid scissors,& hemostats for hook removal.My oldest 10 yr old grandson has the fever I bought him a display case at smkv & a few knives to get his collection going.
Attached is my collection that are not used,some are great uncles that have passed on .Most I bought cause
They were pretty.Case,Boker,Hen & Rooster,Kissing Crane & Uncle Henry amongst the group.
I have a tool box filled with several different kinds of knives for cutting fish. My day pack has 3 different knives in it and a heavy clever made out of a chipper blade for dressing deer and elk.
James, when I was a kid I had a yellow fishing knife with hook disgorger like the one in the bottom left of your display. I think it was Case.
Steve,
I remember those, mine is a kissing crane,had to get it as soon As I saw it :al
I actually lost the key to my knife case ::) Go figure, I have another key that works,my grandson is always on a mission to get in there...
My Grandfather gave me the same model of Oldtimer in the upper left corner. That was my first knife.
I carry a Kershaw lockback with a Tanto Blade at all times.
A gift from Fred years back.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/39/10121-140225005456.jpeg)
Civivi came today,it's not a kershaw-its going back
A year ago, I had a chance to pick up a group of 16 pocket knives for $60.
A few were old, somewhat worn, advertisers, or stuff that none of us would carry.
But in the group was a USA Buck 112, solid & slightly used.
A USA 371+ Buck Stockman, unused.
A Schrade Wostenholm, from the UK, M1965, 1XL, Lockback, never used, but tarnished on one side.
A USA Remington UMC Camp knife, never used (but I have used and carried it now).
Plus a never used new Case XX Mako Shark Lockback with a new & unused belt sheath.
The photos on eBay were lousy and everything was tossed in a heap with a BIN of $60.
I studied the terrible photos for about 2 minutes until I saw the Mako. Then pulled the trigger 4 minutes after it was listed late at night.
Best, Fred
Hard to get any new case knife under $60 alone.I bet the mako is worth a good bit now.Looks like you came out ahead on that
Deal Fred.
That Schrade is a good looking knife. Bargins are there. Just need to be diligent. Bill
If you haven't decided on a replacement knife yet, I found my Rick Hinderer designed Kershaw this morning in a drawer and thought about your post. It has an assisted opening as well and feels more capable than the Leek I often carry. If you don't mind used as mine was, this one (https://www.ebay.com/itm/135565952896?_skw=Kershaw+Thermite+Blackwash+Knife+3880BW&itmmeta=01JMFQH7D37YB9VFDAVX2ASPNT&hash=item1f905c4780:g:6ukAAeSwA5ZntdTC&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1e7vqjSPBeAs4%2FVMzje%2BqOMbKNXFEoxw767itPFxJbJVHCbPXNSBPfrquaedkLj%2FHD1MZgahfrsn5WwEJ1rPS7oaDRvH4ZwaF4JlAYVN5g1XzwFwmKRfb75TyQLmcRVGijuLk0tS0Ys%2BFIE9g04lyVfzQlHs%2BMNclE3TKm7UYJ%2B4i%2F9tv5eLG4YHhq62v61yE1vDLzMrJ0rfQ0GG9jsTx3cCEhpxlKN3Y6tlZFqg8KxwvssMIDa5Ilbs72TPnwTV%2Bj7HRxelhKMhbK5YYDU%2Bvz7%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9z2xPejZQ) looks pretty reasonable and is open to offers.
Today I received an identical replacement from Amazon,lost one ain't turned up yet.I am sure it will be in an unlikely place.
It's hard to beat a kershaw & the assisted opening seems better than the competition.I think its my all time fav.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00172A3DE/
My pretty Case Knives:
They sure are !!!
This is my most recent edc, it was 15.97 at Home Depot.
Hows the spring action on that guy,maybe I wouldn't lose a yeller one looks stout !
I have a couple of those DeWalts. They open easily with one hand. No wobble or slop in the blade or action, solid.
That HD Tanto blade with the serrated portion also —- is a great knife for the shop, travel, emergency, on jobsites.
It will cut through carpet, strapping, a safety belt, or most other things. Impressive tool. Feels right in my hand. Good grip, good control, lockback.
It will also break vehicle glass in an emergency.
Best, Fred
I got a wally special-Ozark trail in the golf cart,its got the half serrated blade.good for scaling or cutting fish heads off in a pinch.
or
"Schwartz saw a grizzly bear"
I had that DeWalt for a while. Might still have it. Did everything I asked it to do. In general it's a good knife. For the price it's outstanding.
Fred,
I used to have a boy scout knife with the spoon/fork,who knows where it is now, but is that an official BSA knife?
I'm don't think so. But it has more rust on it than a 200 year old anchor. Looks to be pretty old. Maybe 20's
Best, Fred
This is the one I remember.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164828038046
I still have my set like that Steve in my tackle box.We had a BSA store in town that sold uniforms & accoutrements,is where I got mine in the 70s
That Kershaw Oso Sweet is indeed sweet! It's been my EDC for some time! I still carry my original Spyderco Worker that I got back in the early 80's too!
Been recently looking at Damascus steel knives, but came to the conclusion that for now, these are not a statement I need to be making on a "carrying" basis since "utility" is the primary objective at < 1/4 of a Damascus' cost.
- https://www.bokerusa.com/pocket-knives/damascus-knives?p=1
- https://damascusknife.us.com/product-category/folding-knives/
- https://www.shokuninusa.com/products/damascus-steel-dagger-handmade-for-sale?srsltid=AfmBOoqiBijGQ1Fsl4uJ37cAbf_6GGM8Z3ZbBbuomJG9Pi9G7KBiqxoG
I got one Damascus in my display case.I never heard of them until I was in the collecting faze.I got one just cause.Once you feel a kershaw spring assist its hard to beat,they stay sharp & the one hand opening is what sold me on it for EDC.Its as fast as a switch blade .
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00172A3DE/
This Kershaw #1945 Barge knife is a tank.
Don't know why Kershaw discontinued it.
With a short Tanto blade with lots of backbone, one handed opening and closing, locking blade, and the big thing for me —- a built in solid and strong pry-bar.
I can tell you how many knives have been ruined , broken, or bent by using them as a quick pry-bar —- all of them!
This is a beast.
Best, Fred
It started with a S. A. knife, which led to a Leatherman tool. Now I can't see carrying anything without pliers and screwdriver blades, a serrated blade and a regular blade.
love the looks of the Damascus knives, but as you say, it's a bit of a display.. haven't brought myself to spend the money yet.
Fishing knife used to be an US-made Schrade Uncle Henry Cub from the 80s, carried on my keyring for some years and had a few scars from when I had to hotwire my own car.. sparks flew. My son lost it cleaning trout, at least it went in action. There are China-made models of this knife which aren't terrible. Bought one as a replacement and get slightly sad every time I use it.
Fillet knife is a Rapala my brother gave me forty years ago, down to 5.5" after an accident with the tip, but still holds an edge beautifully. I just refinished the wood handle with six coats of the varnish used on cane rod refinishes, so it is a pleasure to handle.
Backpacking knife is a Swiss Army Fisherman that my wife gave me as a present before we were married, battered and discolored by now, much like its owner.
I've carried this knife for the past 3-4 years and still a good deal as I don't like stainless blades as you can only get them so sharp( read not sharp enough for my liking.). I only carry fixed blades as I've had a lock blade fail and almost cut three fingers off.
I also only use high carbon steel blades as you can get the edge scalpel sharp. Yes you have to take more care of them by regularly oiling them and using Japanese rust erasers to control spot rust, but the performance is worth the effort.
https://a.co/d/3KcH2LV
The only draw back to the Morakniv line is that weird edge that come with from the factory. If maintained, it stays deceptively sharp and you will cut yourself at least once. But now I'm used to it and sharpening now is a breeze and have adapted it to my kitchen knives, which I use a Japanese style edge that is left handed(as I am).
A high school friend gave me a Damascus kitchen knife and a round cutting board . The knife is so sharp that my wife scare then put it away , I can find it now so don't know how well it keep the edge . The chopping board made by cutting a slide of tree , the wood is red and very hard . We use it almost everyday for about 8 years now and have not crack
Quote from: foakes on April 21, 2025, 07:15:03 PMI can tell you how many knives have been ruined , broken, or bent by using them as a quick pry-bar —- all of them!
Best, Fred
Don't try that with a Kershaw Leek. They have a very thin blade, especially the tip.