My question got answered by DCA! :D Thank you! I intended to ask about a beefier dedicated blade in addition to the Cadet, sorry for not clarifying. But now I'm sorely tempted to wear a multi-tool in a belt sheath and add a propeller hat to my outfit whenever possible. That Vosteed Nightshade is pretty cool, I haven't had a crossbar lock yet. Maybe I can find one I like with a sheepsfoot or that leaf-shaped blade and a cutesy color. And I agree with the point you made about how deliberately you open it makes a difference. Lots of good comments so far, too, I'm excited!
I have thought much (and bought much) about non-scary knives - and my favorites are: Spyderco Squeak/Urban - for non locking. I also enjoy the lil native if you want something fidgety. Knafs Banter & Civivi Baby Banter are also on my short list. I would also recommend the spyderco dragonfly... it is a little less traditional - but lots of colors.
As the resident "guy who opens the supplies" at work, I do think a bit about avoiding scaring the people around me. I've found that there's a couple of things that get less remarks: - Pointy tips, get remarks, regardless of size. I had a sub-3" Spyderco Byrd get someone quoting the Crocodile Dundee "this is a knife" bit at me. Sheepfoot blades, rounder bellies or a utility without a forward point gets by easier. - The reason traditional slipjoints seem less threatening is the deliberateness in opening. I've found you CAN open quickly but the key is having the blade NEAR the thing that you're intending to cut. If I put the blade right next to the box, pop it open, and then usually pinch grip it, people instinctively file it as "tool being used" not "open sharp thing waving around". That said, deliberateness in using blades around other people who don't have some sense of giving space to people using tools is a good thing!
If a knife scares the people you work with I'd carry a cold steel XL vaquero... I assume the people you work with don't have knives in the kitchen? What a soft society we have become.
Excellent points! Love it. I was that guy in a kitchen job, always unloading the truck and opening boxes, and an older lady looked at me like I was crazy over a knockoff Sebenza clone, which puzzled me greatly. Everyone in my church community did Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Most of the people in my neighborhood growing up went hunting or fishing. The thought that a pocket knife would get me side-eye hadn't even crossed my mind until then, but they grew up in a totally different culture. For some reason that experience stuck with me. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. Also, that was a job in a kitchen! So the same lady used our work knives to chop vegetables for our salad bar. Weird, I know.
I have owned, carried, and used Case knives for 67 years. I still carry and use them almost every day. They do the job and have never disappointed me.. The steel is reasonably easy to sharpen yet will hold an edge under hard use for a reasonably long time.
For the Muggle friendly knife, I think the Spyderco Dragonfly is perfect! Great knife, small, functional and more suited to rolling out rather than flicking so it would be mostly unnoticed. I honestly don’t think the Bugout fits this because, while it isn’t a big knife, it isn’t quite as subtle as the Dragonfly. Thanks for the great video, DCA!
The original kershaw shuffle would be worth a try too. Both the shuffle and dragonfly come in funky colors as well, that seems to make people less uncomfortable.
@@Woolsocks Ooh, I do like those colors! And I'm currently making faces like that kombucha girl meme over the Shuffle II DIY, with the drill bits in the handle scales? Interesting...
I love my non locking UKPK's. They're super light, affordable, extremely practical, open and close one handed easily and safely, are finger safe with a forward choil, fun to collect, and open boxes like nobody's business. I don't understand why so many people are weird about non locking knives if they don't work trades or actually need something tactical. There are absolutely compelling needs for strong lockup, but most of us are opening packages, doing food prep, and fidgeting with our toys and I think we owe it to ourselves to be honest about that
I have to laugh at the ridiculous proliferation of weak-willed candy-mammbys in our society. I'm a school teacher, and my daily carry regimen is my Carbon Fiber Demko AD20.5 in my pocket (although I occasionally carry my K390 Endura) my Spyderco Enuff 2 in K390 carried scout style above my wallet, and my Glock 43X in the waistband with a Shield Arms S15 magazine and 2-20 rounders in my shoulder bag locked in the filing cabinet by my desk. Thank God for living in Utah, one of our only free states left.
Well, when you almost cut your finger off with a slipjoint while using it for a routine task like breaking down cardboard, it leaves a permanent scar and tends to make an impression on you. Just ask some of the presenters at BladeHQ who also have scars on their fingers from a slipjoint closing on them during use. I will not use a non-locking knife while performing cutting tasks. Lesson learned.
Another less-ferocious looking knife feature is wood handles. An Opinel #6 or #8, most people will think you're cutting up lunch or getting ready to whittle like grandpa, but not many find them menacing. And of course points are generally a bad idea. Sheepsfoot knives are less alarming for folks as it's very easy to identify quickly if a knife has a "stab potential" or not.. If all that fails though, go with a utility knife / boxcutter. They're not cool or fidgety, but they're mostly looked upon as an office supply and are designed to have an amazing cutting geometry.
A locking blade has never been a problem for me. I have field dressed over 1000 fish and even large catfish with a case mini trapper. Well, I am in my fifth decade so knife safety was a young lesson. Folding non-locking knives are not designed for thrusting. We have fixed blades for that. I really enjoy these presentations. Thank You and All of Your Crew. 👍😁
My favorite slipjoint/non-threatening knife I carry is the Cold Steel Lucky Two. It's small, has a simple non-threatening look, made in Italy, and has both a plain and serrated S35 blade!
I love that jigged bone sod! So pretty amd such a fantastic blade shape for daily cutting! I'm not to much on traditionals but I do carry a sod Jr everyday on my hand bag. I love the sod pattern and the jigged bone ones are awesome! I'm really wishing someone would make an exact sod and sod Jr pattern slippy in a steel like K390 or M4... ide be in love
Victorinox are among the very least threatening I think (McGyver made us a favor) and one of the reason I EDC them so often. And I can choose the right size for the occasion as long as there are so many lenght ranges. If the 91 mm had some locking mechanism (but not the one of the 84 mm that gets in the middle of the grip, more like the Swiza maybe) and more premium steel options, I likely would end up rotating very few times to other pieces of my collection
For me another plus of having a non-locking knife in EDC is when someone asks to borrow. It's such a crapshoot which locks people will find intuitive or confusing - sooo many times I've had someone futz two-handed with a knife (backlock, linerlock, compression lock, button lock...) before awkwardly handing it back still open and point forward. I think DCA has commented before on this benefit of having a small SAK on hand.
Based on the title, the issue of are they worth it was never brought up or addressed in the video. They do have a serious QC issue but this was not talked about why?
They wouldn't bring it up because they sell them, but in my experience they have been much better in the past 5-6 years and I've only been burned once. I've heard many people say Rough Rider is just as good, but I've only had a single good one and every other example I've experienced was not only terrible but far worse than any flawed case I've had or seen. That one bad Case knife I've had was still a perfectly good knife. My only problem with them is the fact that they rarely use carbon steel on the knives I want with the handle materials I'm looking for. I want carbon steel and peachseed jigged amber bone.
They do not have a QC issue. I've never once had an issue with my Case knives it's only little crybabys who now only look for something they think is off when buying a new Case instead of just enjoying it and admiring the beauty.
Ones I have ordered directly from Case have been pretty nice, some from some secondary sellers (not Knifecenter, I don't think I ever bought one from knifecenter) not so good, and even pretty bad. One big seller on ebay/ amazon blocked me for a bad product review I wouldn't take back.
Dear DCA Thomas Seth V and Seth V's Moustache, (please note that was facial hair envy / admiration). I have a question which perhaps you might be able to answer. Recently I bought an about house beater of a folder. Because of the level of abuse such a knife was likely to get I decided to go cheap, to my amazement a knife termed (I believe) a gas station knife in the US and costing below £20 was not horrible, in fact beside being heavy the cross bar lock is good, there is no play in it, one hand opening using the cross bar worked great out of the box the ergonomics are fantastic, the blade which is about 3.5 inches has a choil which is really well shaped and discrete, acres of belly and a thumb scallop in the back so you cant get further out on the blade, there is clearance so when using a cutting board your knuckles don't drag etc. it's just well made and thought out. The steel is a bit pants 3Cr 13 but at less than £20 and the purpose I got it for that's acceptable to me. So here is my question, it's a good design and not badly made for what it is. Do more significant brands ever "buy" the design rights to a mega cheapo folder and then put the same thing together with better materials and finish? Just for the record I have not bought a G**zo, I have ethical problems with buying that brand.
Love the old fashioned clip joints. My favorites are Boker and Case. These knives are high quality with exceptional craftsmanship. Some of the brand new trapper series were actually made in the 50's, 60's and 70's and were still on the shelf. Just bought a Boker with 5" folding blades with Damscus steel for only $100.
How well does the worksharp rolling knife sharpener work? Im super interested in it but its kind of a wild concept in my mind never heard of that kind of sharpening.
Differently worded, but the same sentiment about non-locking knives. They're a great teaching tool for knife safety. Especially the ones with backsprings. Teaches you to get your fingers out of the way when closing it as they can be a bit unpredictable to new users with their propensity to close. Also can teach about "angle of attack" for lack of a better phrase. You stab a knife into something perpendicular to the ground, the blade has a high chance to fold back onto you. Angling the knife can drastically reduce that from happening. Generally speaking, those cuts are easier to continue, and add less stress to a knife if it does have a lock.
Really like that yellow bone from Case. For a less scary knife wood handles are a good option. It gives the knife a classic look which could be less intimidating. Brass and copper might also be good options, although they can be heavy. A smaller knife can help too. Great video DCA!
Living in Germany for the next few months, the whole slip-joint/lock topic is very relevant. I can carry a fixed blade up to 12cm, or a folding knife that cannot be deployed and locked both with one hand. It would be great to know which knives offer the best functionality for EDC, self defence, etc.
Wait till you get to Germany and buy a Solingen made Boker. Also, European countries knife laws are different even to the point of where they can be stored in a car (France), very much like gun laws in the states.
2:25 I'm pretty sure the delrin handled sod buster does NOT have "an injected molded handle". I have multiple examples which are all unique since each one appears to be shaped by hand. If they were injected molded they would all be identical cookie cutter copies, which they are not. I'm not saying that I prefer the hand-shaping, in fact the process produces some rather wonky asymmetrical off-center knives. However, delrin provides better grip and durability - but apparently isn't available in the plastic pellets used for injection molding (?) Perfect for EDC.
When you started your video and I looked at all of the knives that you have on display my eyes instantly zeroed in on the blue Case Copperlock. 😎👍 ~ When looking for a knife and with, sometimes, many on display, the first one your eyes get locked on is more than likely the one you really want. Thank you for the wonderful video. 🤠👍
Most all modern designed knives are single blade knives. Traditional slip joint knives advantage over modern knives is providing more than one blade style. Providing a better suited blade design for the cutting purpose intended. 🤔
Four things: 1. Grind the back springs, spacers, and handles flush. 2. Square off the spring ends and tangs. 3. Center the blades. 4. Stop over tumbling the blades. All of these are easily doable and will put Case back in the game.
dude their sodbusters are AWFUL. i literally got a cv steel one and the handle had a gouge in the plastic, there was a ton of gapping, there was a HUGE burr on the entire edge, the scales and back spring were ridiculously uneven, and worst of all the blade was not only off center but also warped or something because it literally bent off to the right on opening.
Can confirm the Eldris gets an easy pass. I’m a teacher in a small school and teach outdoor Ed so I often need a knife but need it to be clearly not a weapon. The Eldris is great it fits easy in a pouch or pocket and only has gotten comments about how useful and cute it is lol.
I am 38 case pocket knives and all but one of them were bought in person the problem is ordering these things online it's a crapshoot you never know what you're going to get
I used to carry benchmade 42 46 or 43 balisongs. Now I carry large Case Copperlocks. There's so many to choose and collect. Also like the tiny trappers.
Yep. The people at my local hardware store are patient with me and I have inspected all of their stock at this point and bought the best ones. Gotta purchase them in hand
From what I remember (not gonna go down that rabbit hole) for Case knives finding a Tester XX of any blade shape would be what youre looking for. If its going to be a EDC buy the shapes you like. I just to have been given a Case TesterXX and the blade shape I havent seen in the galleries on their page. I call it a Mariner since the knife shape matches the knives we got on board as a deck ape in the US Navy. They came with a marlin spike (that was next to useless as they tended to break off where the taper turned to tang, the blade reveal was impossible to sharpen so was ground off asap and if the machinist mate didnt have beef with you theyd throw on a proper edge that you could sharpen the shape the length was 2.5 inches and wasnt tapered with a bullnose. The case is 3 inches long and bullnosed though not as steep of a curve as the navy knives (I dont even remember the name of the company that made them and every deck ape sailor got one and struggled to get it sharp using what ever means other than grinding and re edging and bought a knife to replace it and tossed it in trash or kept it in the bottom of their locker. Because you were going to buy a well made knife that you wouldnt get shit for having on you (for example I couldnt have gotten away with my CRKT Stiff KISS but the folding KISS tanto wouldve been ok, even thought the Stiff KISS wouldve been a better choice with that extra inch and half length. Also if I recall rightly if you were 3ft off the deck you had to use a bullnosed knife so even the folding tanto I couldnt have used all the time and most of us deck apes bought a good bullnosed knife at the Exchange or out in town, the same with marlin spikes which we used more than the knives.)
How to not scare the non-knife folk : pink knives are really great for that. The Spyderco Dragonfly, Native or Para 3 LW work well in pink to not scare. People will only focus on the fact that the handle is pink and often say "ohhh, cute" rather that "ahhh, knife".
Hey DCA and Co. My son turns 10 this year, and for sometime now I've said I'll buy him his first knife. Fixed blade of cause. He's been using my Tops Scandi trekker to do some basic carving and really likes my Finnish puukkos. I was thinking around 3" stainless would be best. Willing to spend $50-60 for something a little special. Thanks and keep up the stellar work.
I love all knife types and have a number of Case and Buck Traditional slipjoints. I would say the number 1 would be the Stockman be it a small, medium, or large/jumbo. And I know that the Stockman isn't just a Case brand model but it and the Trapper are 2 of the highest produced models. My only complaint with the stockman would be the Spay blade. While at one time it was extremely handy, I think a scissor option might make it more useful in the modern times. Lets face it, companies like Victorinox are adding the scissors layer to a large number of their knives. As for the Dogsleg Jack for the Pug, while comical, it is a top flipper which tends to be opened by the thumb of a human. You also used your thumb to close it. Yes, this is technical knit picking but this is the most serious of questions after all.
Working around cattle I carry outdoor edge or something I can retighten I don’t want to send in my knives when they get sloppy but I do like case knives classic style
For the muggle knife, the russlock. You basically described it, the least tactical one handed, locking knife, even mentioned that traditionals often get a pass cause they look harmless.
I always enjoy your videos, but your case, selections, as being specific, to case, were interesting to say the least! The sodbuster is a pattern that is over 400 years old, and seems to have begun life in Germany/Austria. Case, trademarked the name in 1967, And their name has become synonymous with the pattern, but the pattern is by no means synonymous with case. The peanut is again an old pattern that has been made by many companies. The Seahorse Whitler is a name unique to case, but the pattern is the original Joseph Rodgers wharncliffe Patton of 1830. It is still made today in Sheffield. As far as I’m aware, big copper lock is unique to case, as it is a development of the widely made copperhead.
Bluntly - a lot of folks seem to spend a lot of time thinking about the 'least aggressive looking blade' and not enough thinking about how they present the rest of themselves. I appreciate that some of those variables can be outside of our control depending on what your local LEOs profile you by, sadly. But, y'know, you can buy the friendliest cutting tool on the market and then dress like the Unabomber and you're gonna have a problem...
Well, for what it's worth, I'm no longer at this job where I had someone worried about my knife. But I also had somebody else at that job comment that I had the sweetest customer service voice, and they all loved me for that, but when the customer service mask slipped off and I went back to work, my face went back to Resting-Bitch-Face-Mode. For whatever that's worth. I try not to dress like the Unabomber, or even pretend that I'm smart like he was. Although one of the most hilarious footnotes I've ever seen in all of academia was when someone cited the "Elegant proof of T. J. Kaczynski [1]" in their mathematics paper, with footnote [1] reading "Better known for other work."
@@mugsofmirth8101 perhaps he used a SAK to strip the wires 😛 One of the edgier influencer channels could do a comparison video, "best multitool for constructing an IED". @tylerthansen I've seen that citation, it's one of my favourites too! Up there with that Arctic expedition Wiki edit-war over the penguin photo caption (that should be enough info to Google it with if you're not familiar, I can't remember the specific article). I didn't mean to suggest every person asking that question neglects to consider the rest of their appearance, I admit it was a sweeping generalisation. It just always brings to mind the people who go on about "grey man" & dress entirely in literal grey 5.11 err'thing 😆 Of course you're right, it's still an entirely fair thing to consider in circumstances where you've really covered everything else & are still getting hassled.
17:03 Fun fact almost nobody seems to know: Steel rods are there to straighten back up a deformed edge, specifically on thin kitchen knife edges. (Because it is lightning fast, which is especially great in a work-environment-kitchen. And you also save material, because you don't necessarily have to take off material via sharpening / honing / stropping. Saves a lot of time and material in the long run, but not really needed at home. I like to have a pocket steel-"whetting"-rod near me though, because if I can straighten back up an edge instead of creating a new one, I will do that instead.)
And yes, you do move the blade on it as if you were stropping; direction-wise. Unlike ceramic rods, which you use like a regular sharpening stone; direction-wise.
Usually I take care not to deform an edge though, so I also prefer to just one on white (very fine) ceramic and smoothen things out even more with a pocket strop without compound.
OK, I think this question is a winner.? I watch knife videos all of the time and love pocket checks. I always see these knives that are far out of my price range, since I'm a single dad of 6. ( yes, I know how that happens) if you had 250 bucks to spend on a knife that is purely to show off and impress with, then what would said knife be? No particular uses, just pure status and awe is the goal. Thanks in advance and love the content!
None - threatening I would go with the Free P4 I've carried mine since it came out, never had anything but curiosity and positive comments about it. And it's not black and has a lower price than the arc.
Get him to Moras. If the carbon steel blade rusts while in his possession, consider it a cheap lesson in purchase one of his choosing and stainless. 154 cm 14 C28N are solid budget choices.
I have a whole case full of Case knives. I have 2 that I consider acceptable. The rest are bad to extremely bad. I can't recommend anyone buy one of their knives. I also carry a SodBuster jr every day, but I've got a lot of work into it to fix the problems it came with. The blade is still warped but I was able to get it to stop rubbing the liner, it came with huge gaps that i closed up some, and you couldnt cut butter with it or poke it through wet toilet paper. With Case prices going up, they have to step up their qc.
DCA: For a change of pace, instead of "non-threatening" blades, what would you consider the most threatening/intimidating looking blade? Could you suggest at least two, a two-handed blade and a one-handed blade? Here are some limitations: fixed blade, minimum of 4.5" blade, and not the carcass splitter (since we see it frequently).
I find my Viper Turns are well received by "Muggles." Most of them actually seem to appreciate the elegance and statement more than the tactical-gentleman vibe it really gives off. The elegance and gentleman shine more than the tactical in the non-initiated crowds... And I work at a church BTW...
Dad was an electrician and handyman. Carried a case peanut for decades. Sharpened them until there was almost no blade left. I still have them even though they’re not useful. Case is THE classic American pocketknife, even more than Buck.
Slipjoints are still great. $70 for Case knife rivaled by Rough Ryder in quality, materials and construction is not great. The "Tree branded" Bokers are the best value in my eyes right now.
I've had a tree brand xl sodbuster with ebony scales for 40 years. I love that knife, carbon steel and worked wet and manure-y farm life the whole time
Case's quality control has slipped over the last 15 to 20 years. Uneven and rough grinds being my issue with them. I've bought several in that time and all have had those issues. I have Chinese made slipjoints with better QC at a substantially cheaper price. I hate that the Case knife of today is on par or even subpar to Chinese made knives that cost a quarter of what a Case does. If they'd pay more attention to properly finishing their blades, I'd gladly pay $60 for a Case instead of $15 for a Chinese knife but the value in Case just isn't there anymore.
Maybe I'm wrong, but hand-made seems to be outdated. Sadly. Can they still get good craftsmen? It is expensive to pay people and it is hit or miss. I got a sodbuster with a bad grind. Machines and computers are so good and consistent now. Cheap knives, ironically, have benefited from automation I think. Victorinox nailed it a long time ago. You always get a reasonable price and consistent quality.
Hey David, I've been wondering what would be better for camping and bushcraft, a big knife like the Joker 6.5 Nomad, or an axe? I've got other knives like the Benchmade Leuku and Puukko, and the Mora Garberg. I'd really appreciate some recommendations. Also, if you could throw in an extra suggestion for a tactical/camping/bushcraft knife, either fixed or folding, that would be great too.
Hey DCA ... And Thomas, So I asked you in the past about what would be a good stainless knife with good edge retention. Your suggestion reaffirmed that I should indeed get the Hague Deka but then I couldn't make myself get a crossbar lock. I have used older less maintained Benchmades that felt sticky and slow which shied me away from my linerlock comfort. And instead I got the Kershaw Link in 20cv but I can't really customize it which I do on most of my knives unless I make it. What "crossbar Like lock" do you suggest to linerlock lover who likes to customize his knives, I am was thinking the Deka, the Bugout, and the MSI but I don't want to be disappointed by a lock type which I was with the Vision FG. Under 200 is the price range. (Edit) I forgot to add I did try a new or well maintained Bugout and holy moly that is one good knife and it changed my mind about all crossbar locks but still hesitant.
@@Ericstraordinary I'll check it out, I already want one I was thinking of going with the PM 3 lightweight before jumping in with both feet on the compression lock. I forgot to add I did try a new or well maintained Bugout and holy moly that is one good knife and it changed my mind about all crossbar locks but still hesitant.
If you are going for aftermarket handle options, the standard PM3 is the way to go. Not as many options out there for scales that are compatible with the LW versions. -DCA
I don’t know if different online dealers get preferential treatment, but I’ve had great luck over the years with Shepherd Hills. I’ve got a feeling that since they are case brand only they might get preferential treatment when it comes to quality control.
If you get a good case knife, they're great. The problem is a complete lack of quality control. I would never, ever buy a Case knife from Knifecenter or any other online store for that reason. The reject rate is just too high. Fortunately, there are a couple of local hardware stores that are big Case dealers and they let me pick through the stock to get a knife whose blades are reasonably centered, that don't scrape on the liners, that don't have ridiculous gaps between the scales and liners, that have good snap, etc. Eight out of ten that I look at are ridiculously bad. You can't buy online with that kind of quality control, it would take a year of buying and returning over and over before you'd get a good one. I usually carry Spyderco knives but my dad bought a couple of Case Trappers last year and gave me one. I like it, he picked good ones, and I've been carrying it nearly every day. Its a great knife, takes a razor edge, holds it decently, is less scary looking to non-knife people when I have to use it. I just wish Case would get their QC up to decent standards so buying them wasn't such a painful experience!
Hi Thomas and David could use a little help thanx. Trying to find a finger safe alternative to my Gerber Descent II. I love how it feels in my pocket. Don't love it biting my thumb when I am required to close it.
hey DCA and Thomas what's a good first knife for a 7yo girl it's gotta be pink was thinking a black and pink spyderco but now the wife is saying maybe a traditional would be safer so I'm leaning towards the pink opinel any other input would be greatly appreciated. love the content I've been watching from the beginning
I’ve got about every sod buster model ever made and it’s my favorite model. Unfortunately the ones with a nicer handle material are not for use. If you do anything more than opening an envelope with them there will be immediately extreme blade play. They are nice to collect but not to use.
Looking for a knife for my daughter in scouts. 3 inches or less, locking, prefer finger safe (not liner or frame lock), easy to maintain and in the sub $50 range. Maybe $75 if needed.
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Very interesting question these (non/least threatening knives), maybe a more complete video on these subject can be useful
I have a 2.5" blade length limit at my job... what're some of your favorite knives (either slip joint or locking) with that blade length? Note: i already have a Baby Banter and a Compact but I would love to expand my work carry options 😊
I wanted a Case medium stockman and found a local dealer. I found one that looks great, but the spring fails to firmly "click" the blades into position. It's perfectly functional, but I was disappointed in its lack of "walk and talk." Also, the clip point blade does not have a sharp point.. I can poke my fingers with it without hurting.. At $79, I can't say it's worth the price, but I bought it anyway.
For a non-threatening folder, I like a Ka-Bar Dozier folding hunter. They come in a lot of colors, are pretty generic looking and they are a good value.
Hey DCA, I was just thinking about "legacy" knives. What do you think is the 1 knife that has stood the test of time best? Also do you think it should have a modern iteration if it doesn't already?
Hey DCA, great episode as always! Ive recently picked up the microtech stitch and amphibian and absolutely love them! I’ve been looking for an MSI (rather tricky in Canada), what would you recommend as a MSI stand in that has a finger safe lock, similar blade shape and decent steel grade? That isn’t a benchmade osborne 🤘 Thank and keep up the great work!
Hi DCA and Thomas. I’m really after a nice fixed blade steak knife and am also a bit of a steel snob. The Spyderco Sprig in S90V would be amazing and it’s a Bird and Trout blade. What do you think would should get?
Yes case knifes are still good I normally use a stockman or a trapper. I like the stockman because i can normally keep the long blade clean if i need it to eat or cook with or cut off a pice of plug chewing tobacco. The otheres work wonders as box openers, making steers cleaning deer or hogs. Cutting a tangled main. Striping wire. They been a solid choice for over 100 years
Civivi sokoke vs the cjrb ekko? Both are ray lacanaco designs and very very similar. But witch one is better and if u could just pick one what would it be?
Hey DCA and Thomas, rookie question for you. How can i adjust the centering of the blade? My Kershaw Shuffle is totally off center (my fault), and i don’t know how to fix it. please help me!
current production case slipjoints are NOT worth paying for. they have WORSE quality control and fit and finish than $14 rough ryder knives made in china, and cost 3-4 times as much and sometimes even more.
Thats what I heard but not actually handled one yet, thinking on getting a slipjoint but not sure if I should go with case or rough rider. I have handled a case knife a few times
I get what you mean about knives with strange shapes being less intimidating, but I think the nightshades strange shape in particular might make it more intimidating. The least intimidating knife in my opinion is the boker mermaid. You know why.
Hey DCA, I took a look for a non threatening knife. How about the G-Sakai (2.13” closed) Damascus Frame Lock Money Clip with knife. They have a bunch of options with different artwork on them. Plus the blade is only 1.63” , it looks like they could be opened with one hand and they look pretty wide so they could be pretty strong. What do you think?
Bought my dad a case sodbuster for Christmas in 2015. Carried it the last three years of his life. Said best knife he ever owned.
My question got answered by DCA! :D Thank you! I intended to ask about a beefier dedicated blade in addition to the Cadet, sorry for not clarifying. But now I'm sorely tempted to wear a multi-tool in a belt sheath and add a propeller hat to my outfit whenever possible.
That Vosteed Nightshade is pretty cool, I haven't had a crossbar lock yet. Maybe I can find one I like with a sheepsfoot or that leaf-shaped blade and a cutesy color. And I agree with the point you made about how deliberately you open it makes a difference. Lots of good comments so far, too, I'm excited!
I have thought much (and bought much) about non-scary knives - and my favorites are: Spyderco Squeak/Urban - for non locking. I also enjoy the lil native if you want something fidgety. Knafs Banter & Civivi Baby Banter are also on my short list. I would also recommend the spyderco dragonfly... it is a little less traditional - but lots of colors.
True story a woman reported me to hospital security for using a Swiss army knife classic SD to open a pack of jerky in the cafe.
Karen says.
@@nunninkav the hospital security guy laughed and I saw he had a paramilitary on his belt.
@@Cadwallader38lol, fun times
there are always some crazy people out there lol. at least she wasn't of the kind who shoots you lol.
There's an example of a gene pool you don't want to go swimming in
As the resident "guy who opens the supplies" at work, I do think a bit about avoiding scaring the people around me. I've found that there's a couple of things that get less remarks:
- Pointy tips, get remarks, regardless of size. I had a sub-3" Spyderco Byrd get someone quoting the Crocodile Dundee "this is a knife" bit at me. Sheepfoot blades, rounder bellies or a utility without a forward point gets by easier.
- The reason traditional slipjoints seem less threatening is the deliberateness in opening. I've found you CAN open quickly but the key is having the blade NEAR the thing that you're intending to cut. If I put the blade right next to the box, pop it open, and then usually pinch grip it, people instinctively file it as "tool being used" not "open sharp thing waving around".
That said, deliberateness in using blades around other people who don't have some sense of giving space to people using tools is a good thing!
If a knife scares the people you work with I'd carry a cold steel XL vaquero... I assume the people you work with don't have knives in the kitchen?
What a soft society we have become.
Excellent points! Love it.
I was that guy in a kitchen job, always unloading the truck and opening boxes, and an older lady looked at me like I was crazy over a knockoff Sebenza clone, which puzzled me greatly. Everyone in my church community did Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Most of the people in my neighborhood growing up went hunting or fishing. The thought that a pocket knife would get me side-eye hadn't even crossed my mind until then, but they grew up in a totally different culture. For some reason that experience stuck with me. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. Also, that was a job in a kitchen! So the same lady used our work knives to chop vegetables for our salad bar. Weird, I know.
@@tylerthansenheh, I’m an old lady and I’d give you a look to see if you wanted to talk about knives!
@@stephenbarabas6286The scaredy cats deserve to see the Cold Steel Espada XL deployed! 🤣
@@johnruiz6743Or the Luzon XL. Or the 6" Holdout. Or the Colossus. Even the 4Max Scout.
I recently picked up a canoe & then a copperlock & while not very sharp out of the box, I love them.
I have owned, carried, and used Case knives for 67 years. I still carry and use them almost every day. They do the job and have never disappointed me.. The steel is reasonably easy to sharpen yet will hold an edge under hard use for a reasonably long time.
Grew up with the Sears yellow stockman in my pocket , moved on to a case stockman when i turned twenty. Does everything on the ranch that its asked .
For the Muggle friendly knife, I think the Spyderco Dragonfly is perfect! Great knife, small, functional and more suited to rolling out rather than flicking so it would be mostly unnoticed. I honestly don’t think the Bugout fits this because, while it isn’t a big knife, it isn’t quite as subtle as the Dragonfly. Thanks for the great video, DCA!
The original kershaw shuffle would be worth a try too. Both the shuffle and dragonfly come in funky colors as well, that seems to make people less uncomfortable.
@@Woolsocks Ooh, I do like those colors! And I'm currently making faces like that kombucha girl meme over the Shuffle II DIY, with the drill bits in the handle scales? Interesting...
I love my non locking UKPK's. They're super light, affordable, extremely practical, open and close one handed easily and safely, are finger safe with a forward choil, fun to collect, and open boxes like nobody's business.
I don't understand why so many people are weird about non locking knives if they don't work trades or actually need something tactical. There are absolutely compelling needs for strong lockup, but most of us are opening packages, doing food prep, and fidgeting with our toys and I think we owe it to ourselves to be honest about that
I have to laugh at the ridiculous proliferation of weak-willed candy-mammbys in our society. I'm a school teacher, and my daily carry regimen is my Carbon Fiber Demko AD20.5 in my pocket (although I occasionally carry my K390 Endura) my Spyderco Enuff 2 in K390 carried scout style above my wallet, and my Glock 43X in the waistband with a Shield Arms S15 magazine and 2-20 rounders in my shoulder bag locked in the filing cabinet by my desk. Thank God for living in Utah, one of our only free states left.
Well, when you almost cut your finger off with a slipjoint while using it for a routine task like breaking down cardboard, it leaves a permanent scar and tends to make an impression on you. Just ask some of the presenters at BladeHQ who also have scars on their fingers from a slipjoint closing on them during use. I will not use a non-locking knife while performing cutting tasks. Lesson learned.
Another less-ferocious looking knife feature is wood handles. An Opinel #6 or #8, most people will think you're cutting up lunch or getting ready to whittle like grandpa, but not many find them menacing.
And of course points are generally a bad idea. Sheepsfoot knives are less alarming for folks as it's very easy to identify quickly if a knife has a "stab potential" or not..
If all that fails though, go with a utility knife / boxcutter. They're not cool or fidgety, but they're mostly looked upon as an office supply and are designed to have an amazing cutting geometry.
Any knife that looks like a cleaver, large utility razor blade or a straight razor scares the grubers as well! 🤔🤷
A locking blade has never been a problem for me. I have field dressed over 1000 fish and even large catfish with a case mini trapper. Well, I am in my fifth decade so knife safety was a young lesson. Folding non-locking knives are not designed for thrusting. We have fixed blades for that.
I really enjoy these presentations. Thank You and All of Your Crew. 👍😁
My Dad always carried a larger Trapper. He field-dressed fish, squirrels, rabbits, doves, and deer with it.
My favorite slipjoint/non-threatening knife I carry is the Cold Steel Lucky Two. It's small, has a simple non-threatening look, made in Italy, and has both a plain and serrated S35 blade!
My life has half the blades is yours does. I must be the lucky one.
It's always informative watching DCA doing his magic.
I realize this isn't for everyone, but the victorinox compact is the quintessential GADA EDC companion I'd recommend to anyone.
I love that jigged bone sod! So pretty amd such a fantastic blade shape for daily cutting! I'm not to much on traditionals but I do carry a sod Jr everyday on my hand bag. I love the sod pattern and the jigged bone ones are awesome! I'm really wishing someone would make an exact sod and sod Jr pattern slippy in a steel like K390 or M4... ide be in love
I think sheep's foot is the least intimidating while being one of the most useful blade shapes.
Unless you try to cut a pizza with it haha.
Or anything else on a flat surface.
Victorinox are among the very least threatening I think (McGyver made us a favor) and one of the reason I EDC them so often. And I can choose the right size for the occasion as long as there are so many lenght ranges. If the 91 mm had some locking mechanism (but not the one of the 84 mm that gets in the middle of the grip, more like the Swiza maybe) and more premium steel options, I likely would end up rotating very few times to other pieces of my collection
For me another plus of having a non-locking knife in EDC is when someone asks to borrow. It's such a crapshoot which locks people will find intuitive or confusing - sooo many times I've had someone futz two-handed with a knife (backlock, linerlock, compression lock, button lock...) before awkwardly handing it back still open and point forward. I think DCA has commented before on this benefit of having a small SAK on hand.
Based on the title, the issue of are they worth it was never brought up or addressed in the video. They do have a serious QC issue but this was not talked about why?
They wouldn't bring it up because they sell them, but in my experience they have been much better in the past 5-6 years and I've only been burned once.
I've heard many people say Rough Rider is just as good, but I've only had a single good one and every other example I've experienced was not only terrible but far worse than any flawed case I've had or seen.
That one bad Case knife I've had was still a perfectly good knife.
My only problem with them is the fact that they rarely use carbon steel on the knives I want with the handle materials I'm looking for.
I want carbon steel and peachseed jigged amber bone.
They do not have a QC issue. I've never once had an issue with my Case knives it's only little crybabys who now only look for something they think is off when buying a new Case instead of just enjoying it and admiring the beauty.
Ones I have ordered directly from Case have been pretty nice, some from some secondary sellers (not Knifecenter, I don't think I ever bought one from knifecenter) not so good, and even pretty bad. One big seller on ebay/ amazon blocked me for a bad product review I wouldn't take back.
Dear DCA Thomas Seth V and Seth V's Moustache, (please note that was facial hair envy / admiration). I have a question which perhaps you might be able to answer.
Recently I bought an about house beater of a folder. Because of the level of abuse such a knife was likely to get I decided to go cheap, to my amazement a knife termed (I believe) a gas station knife in the US and costing below £20 was not horrible, in fact beside being heavy the cross bar lock is good, there is no play in it, one hand opening using the cross bar worked great out of the box the ergonomics are fantastic, the blade which is about 3.5 inches has a choil which is really well shaped and discrete, acres of belly and a thumb scallop in the back so you cant get further out on the blade, there is clearance so when using a cutting board your knuckles don't drag etc. it's just well made and thought out. The steel is a bit pants 3Cr 13 but at less than £20 and the purpose I got it for that's acceptable to me.
So here is my question, it's a good design and not badly made for what it is. Do more significant brands ever "buy" the design rights to a mega cheapo folder and then put the same thing together with better materials and finish?
Just for the record I have not bought a G**zo, I have ethical problems with buying that brand.
Love the old fashioned clip joints. My favorites are Boker and Case. These knives are high quality with exceptional craftsmanship. Some of the brand new trapper series were actually made in the 50's, 60's and 70's and were still on the shelf. Just bought a Boker with 5" folding blades with Damscus steel for only $100.
How well does the worksharp rolling knife sharpener work? Im super interested in it but its kind of a wild concept in my mind never heard of that kind of sharpening.
Differently worded, but the same sentiment about non-locking knives. They're a great teaching tool for knife safety. Especially the ones with backsprings. Teaches you to get your fingers out of the way when closing it as they can be a bit unpredictable to new users with their propensity to close. Also can teach about "angle of attack" for lack of a better phrase. You stab a knife into something perpendicular to the ground, the blade has a high chance to fold back onto you. Angling the knife can drastically reduce that from happening. Generally speaking, those cuts are easier to continue, and add less stress to a knife if it does have a lock.
Really like that yellow bone from Case. For a less scary knife wood handles are a good option. It gives the knife a classic look which could be less intimidating. Brass and copper might also be good options, although they can be heavy. A smaller knife can help too. Great video DCA!
Living in Germany for the next few months, the whole slip-joint/lock topic is very relevant. I can carry a fixed blade up to 12cm, or a folding knife that cannot be deployed and locked both with one hand. It would be great to know which knives offer the best functionality for EDC, self defence, etc.
Correct me if I'm wrong but sounds like Germany has some pretty restrictive knife laws
@@mugsofmirth8101 Extremely
Wait till you get to Germany and buy a Solingen made Boker. Also, European countries knife laws are different even to the point of where they can be stored in a car (France), very much like gun laws in the states.
@@mugsofmirth8101Yes. Indeed. Your folding knife can either lock (and be opened with two hands) or be opened with one hand (and not lock). Or neither.
2:25 I'm pretty sure the delrin handled sod buster does NOT have "an injected molded handle". I have multiple examples which are all unique since each one appears to be shaped by hand. If they were injected molded they would all be identical cookie cutter copies, which they are not. I'm not saying that I prefer the hand-shaping, in fact the process produces some rather wonky asymmetrical off-center knives. However, delrin provides better grip and durability - but apparently isn't available in the plastic pellets used for injection molding (?) Perfect for EDC.
Dammit Thomas, you got me. I truly believed that you were going to take mercy on DCA and not give him the hat. I should've known better!
When you started your video and I looked at all of the knives that you have on display my eyes instantly zeroed in on the blue Case Copperlock. 😎👍 ~ When looking for a knife and with, sometimes, many on display, the first one your eyes get locked on is more than likely the one you really want. Thank you for the wonderful video. 🤠👍
Most all modern designed knives are single blade knives. Traditional slip joint knives advantage over modern knives is providing more than one blade style. Providing a better suited blade design for the cutting purpose intended. 🤔
I find that people are less skittish when you pull out an orange-handled pocket knife, as well .. 😚
Four things:
1. Grind the back springs, spacers, and handles flush.
2. Square off the spring ends and tangs.
3. Center the blades.
4. Stop over tumbling the blades.
All of these are easily doable and will put Case back in the game.
Case has some great patterns but their QC is very hit or miss. Finding a Sodbuster with good centering and no side play is nearly impossible.
dude their sodbusters are AWFUL. i literally got a cv steel one and the handle had a gouge in the plastic, there was a ton of gapping, there was a HUGE burr on the entire edge, the scales and back spring were ridiculously uneven, and worst of all the blade was not only off center but also warped or something because it literally bent off to the right on opening.
Can confirm the Eldris gets an easy pass. I’m a teacher in a small school and teach outdoor Ed so I often need a knife but need it to be clearly not a weapon. The Eldris is great it fits easy in a pouch or pocket and only has gotten comments about how useful and cute it is lol.
What are the best Case knives in CV steel? I have the sodbuster junior and love it. Also shoutout to case for making the shiniest stonewash around.
And the dullest polished steel.
I am 38 case pocket knives and all but one of them were bought in person the problem is ordering these things online it's a crapshoot you never know what you're going to get
For non-threatening an Amicus, or Baby Banter might be good, I personally carry a Kershaw Shuffle. Pick a silly color for maximum friendliness.
Ooh, I like all of those options so far! The Kizer Drop Bear looks to be along those same lines, but a little more spendy.
I used to carry benchmade 42 46 or 43 balisongs. Now I carry large Case Copperlocks. There's so many to choose and collect. Also like the tiny trappers.
Case knives cannot be mail ordered. Must be purchased in person for a QC inspection.
Yep. The people at my local hardware store are patient with me and I have inspected all of their stock at this point and bought the best ones. Gotta purchase them in hand
100%
Does Spreaderco make the best butter knife, or is there a more supreme maker? What could be butter?
From what I remember (not gonna go down that rabbit hole) for Case knives finding a Tester XX of any blade shape would be what youre looking for. If its going to be a EDC buy the shapes you like. I just to have been given a Case TesterXX and the blade shape I havent seen in the galleries on their page. I call it a Mariner since the knife shape matches the knives we got on board as a deck ape in the US Navy. They came with a marlin spike (that was next to useless as they tended to break off where the taper turned to tang, the blade reveal was impossible to sharpen so was ground off asap and if the machinist mate didnt have beef with you theyd throw on a proper edge that you could sharpen the shape the length was 2.5 inches and wasnt tapered with a bullnose. The case is 3 inches long and bullnosed though not as steep of a curve as the navy knives (I dont even remember the name of the company that made them and every deck ape sailor got one and struggled to get it sharp using what ever means other than grinding and re edging and bought a knife to replace it and tossed it in trash or kept it in the bottom of their locker. Because you were going to buy a well made knife that you wouldnt get shit for having on you (for example I couldnt have gotten away with my CRKT Stiff KISS but the folding KISS tanto wouldve been ok, even thought the Stiff KISS wouldve been a better choice with that extra inch and half length. Also if I recall rightly if you were 3ft off the deck you had to use a bullnosed knife so even the folding tanto I couldnt have used all the time and most of us deck apes bought a good bullnosed knife at the Exchange or out in town, the same with marlin spikes which we used more than the knives.)
How to not scare the non-knife folk : pink knives are really great for that. The Spyderco Dragonfly, Native or Para 3 LW work well in pink to not scare. People will only focus on the fact that the handle is pink and often say "ohhh, cute" rather that "ahhh, knife".
Hey DCA and Co. My son turns 10 this year, and for sometime now I've said I'll buy him his first knife. Fixed blade of cause. He's been using my Tops Scandi trekker to do some basic carving and really likes my Finnish puukkos. I was thinking around 3" stainless would be best. Willing to spend $50-60 for something a little special. Thanks and keep up the stellar work.
Buy him a Mora 120 or 106.
I love all knife types and have a number of Case and Buck Traditional slipjoints. I would say the number 1 would be the Stockman be it a small, medium, or large/jumbo. And I know that the Stockman isn't just a Case brand model but it and the Trapper are 2 of the highest produced models. My only complaint with the stockman would be the Spay blade. While at one time it was extremely handy, I think a scissor option might make it more useful in the modern times. Lets face it, companies like Victorinox are adding the scissors layer to a large number of their knives.
As for the Dogsleg Jack for the Pug, while comical, it is a top flipper which tends to be opened by the thumb of a human. You also used your thumb to close it. Yes, this is technical knit picking but this is the most serious of questions after all.
Working around cattle I carry outdoor edge or something I can retighten I don’t want to send in my knives when they get sloppy but I do like case knives classic style
For the muggle knife, the russlock. You basically described it, the least tactical one handed, locking knife, even mentioned that traditionals often get a pass cause they look harmless.
I always enjoy your videos, but your case, selections, as being specific, to case, were interesting to say the least! The sodbuster is a pattern that is over 400 years old, and seems to have begun life in Germany/Austria. Case, trademarked the name in 1967, And their name has become synonymous with the pattern, but the pattern is by no means synonymous with case. The peanut is again an old pattern that has been made by many companies. The Seahorse Whitler is a name unique to case, but the pattern is the original Joseph Rodgers wharncliffe Patton of 1830. It is still made today in Sheffield. As far as I’m aware, big copper lock is unique to case, as it is a development of the widely made copperhead.
Bluntly - a lot of folks seem to spend a lot of time thinking about the 'least aggressive looking blade' and not enough thinking about how they present the rest of themselves.
I appreciate that some of those variables can be outside of our control depending on what your local LEOs profile you by, sadly. But, y'know, you can buy the friendliest cutting tool on the market and then dress like the Unabomber and you're gonna have a problem...
Since when did the Unabomber use knives to cause explosions lmao 😂
RIP Uncle Ted.
Well, for what it's worth, I'm no longer at this job where I had someone worried about my knife. But I also had somebody else at that job comment that I had the sweetest customer service voice, and they all loved me for that, but when the customer service mask slipped off and I went back to work, my face went back to Resting-Bitch-Face-Mode. For whatever that's worth. I try not to dress like the Unabomber, or even pretend that I'm smart like he was. Although one of the most hilarious footnotes I've ever seen in all of academia was when someone cited the "Elegant proof of T. J. Kaczynski [1]" in their mathematics paper, with footnote [1] reading "Better known for other work."
@@mugsofmirth8101 perhaps he used a SAK to strip the wires 😛 One of the edgier influencer channels could do a comparison video, "best multitool for constructing an IED".
@tylerthansen I've seen that citation, it's one of my favourites too! Up there with that Arctic expedition Wiki edit-war over the penguin photo caption (that should be enough info to Google it with if you're not familiar, I can't remember the specific article).
I didn't mean to suggest every person asking that question neglects to consider the rest of their appearance, I admit it was a sweeping generalisation. It just always brings to mind the people who go on about "grey man" & dress entirely in literal grey 5.11 err'thing 😆 Of course you're right, it's still an entirely fair thing to consider in circumstances where you've really covered everything else & are still getting hassled.
17:03 Fun fact almost nobody seems to know:
Steel rods are there to straighten back up a deformed edge, specifically on thin kitchen knife edges.
(Because it is lightning fast, which is especially great in a work-environment-kitchen. And you also save material, because you don't necessarily have to take off material via sharpening / honing / stropping. Saves a lot of time and material in the long run, but not really needed at home. I like to have a pocket steel-"whetting"-rod near me though, because if I can straighten back up an edge instead of creating a new one, I will do that instead.)
And yes, you do move the blade on it as if you were stropping; direction-wise. Unlike ceramic rods, which you use like a regular sharpening stone; direction-wise.
Usually I take care not to deform an edge though, so I also prefer to just one on white (very fine) ceramic and smoothen things out even more with a pocket strop without compound.
Two of my favorite knives in my carry rotation are my Case large stockmans. One with amber bone and the other iconic yellow synthetic.
Yes. Case Knives are worth it. I own several: Peanut, Trapper(s), Sodbuster(s), Equestrian. All well made and will be handed down.
I find making the muggles laugh helps. I make reference to my favorite threat. "I have a Swiss Army Knife, I'll open all your cans and bottles."
More 3 -3.5" inch fixies please!!
OK, I think this question is a winner.? I watch knife videos all of the time and love pocket checks. I always see these knives that are far out of my price range, since I'm a single dad of 6. ( yes, I know how that happens) if you had 250 bucks to spend on a knife that is purely to show off and impress with, then what would said knife be? No particular uses, just pure status and awe is the goal. Thanks in advance and love the content!
None - threatening I would go with the Free P4 I've carried mine since it came out, never had anything but curiosity and positive comments about it.
And it's not black and has a lower price than the arc.
Get him to Moras. If the carbon steel blade rusts while in his possession, consider it a cheap lesson in purchase one of his choosing and stainless. 154 cm
14 C28N are solid budget choices.
For the least intimidating, one hand opening blade, I recommend the Boker Magnum Rainbow Mermaid.
Boker Kalashnikov Desert Warrior in full auto, obv.
I have a whole case full of Case knives. I have 2 that I consider acceptable. The rest are bad to extremely bad. I can't recommend anyone buy one of their knives. I also carry a SodBuster jr every day, but I've got a lot of work into it to fix the problems it came with. The blade is still warped but I was able to get it to stop rubbing the liner, it came with huge gaps that i closed up some, and you couldnt cut butter with it or poke it through wet toilet paper. With Case prices going up, they have to step up their qc.
DCA: For a change of pace, instead of "non-threatening" blades, what would you consider the most threatening/intimidating looking blade? Could you suggest at least two, a two-handed blade and a one-handed blade? Here are some limitations: fixed blade, minimum of 4.5" blade, and not the carcass splitter (since we see it frequently).
Wow...I bookmarked this...for replays...just because of your amazing deductive reasoning articulations.
Great episode as usual,
For non threatening knives, how about the qsp worker with green bone or the spyderco ladybug KC pakkawood version.
Cheers 🍻
I find my Viper Turns are well received by "Muggles." Most of them actually seem to appreciate the elegance and statement more than the tactical-gentleman vibe it really gives off. The elegance and gentleman shine more than the tactical in the non-initiated crowds... And I work at a church BTW...
I just didn’t get the appeal to Case knives until I bought one and carried it.
Dad was an electrician and handyman. Carried a case peanut for decades. Sharpened them until there was almost no blade left. I still have them even though they’re not useful. Case is THE classic American pocketknife, even more than Buck.
Slipjoints are still great. $70 for Case knife rivaled by Rough Ryder in quality, materials and construction is not great. The "Tree branded" Bokers are the best value in my eyes right now.
I've had a tree brand xl sodbuster with ebony scales for 40 years. I love that knife, carbon steel and worked wet and manure-y farm life the whole time
Case's quality control has slipped over the last 15 to 20 years. Uneven and rough grinds being my issue with them. I've bought several in that time and all have had those issues. I have Chinese made slipjoints with better QC at a substantially cheaper price. I hate that the Case knife of today is on par or even subpar to Chinese made knives that cost a quarter of what a Case does. If they'd pay more attention to properly finishing their blades, I'd gladly pay $60 for a Case instead of $15 for a Chinese knife but the value in Case just isn't there anymore.
Maybe I'm wrong, but hand-made seems to be outdated. Sadly. Can they still get good craftsmen? It is expensive to pay people and it is hit or miss. I got a sodbuster with a bad grind. Machines and computers are so good and consistent now. Cheap knives, ironically, have benefited from automation I think. Victorinox nailed it a long time ago. You always get a reasonable price and consistent quality.
I do agree with this
@@seanrobinson6407 this is very likely one of the key aspects.
Hey David, I've been wondering what would be better for camping and bushcraft, a big knife like the Joker 6.5 Nomad, or an axe? I've got other knives like the Benchmade Leuku and Puukko, and the Mora Garberg. I'd really appreciate some recommendations. Also, if you could throw in an extra suggestion for a tactical/camping/bushcraft knife, either fixed or folding, that would be great too.
Hey DCA ... And Thomas,
So I asked you in the past about what would be a good stainless knife with good edge retention. Your suggestion reaffirmed that I should indeed get the Hague Deka but then I couldn't make myself get a crossbar lock. I have used older less maintained Benchmades that felt sticky and slow which shied me away from my linerlock comfort. And instead I got the Kershaw Link in 20cv but I can't really customize it which I do on most of my knives unless I make it.
What "crossbar Like lock" do you suggest to linerlock lover who likes to customize his knives, I am was thinking the Deka, the Bugout, and the MSI but I don't want to be disappointed by a lock type which I was with the Vision FG. Under 200 is the price range.
(Edit) I forgot to add I did try a new or well maintained Bugout and holy moly that is one good knife and it changed my mind about all crossbar locks but still hesitant.
Try a Spyderco PM2. The Compression Lock is almost like a spine-mounted liner lock and it has great aftermarket parts.
@@Ericstraordinary I'll check it out, I already want one I was thinking of going with the PM 3 lightweight before jumping in with both feet on the compression lock.
I forgot to add I did try a new or well maintained Bugout and holy moly that is one good knife and it changed my mind about all crossbar locks but still hesitant.
If you are going for aftermarket handle options, the standard PM3 is the way to go. Not as many options out there for scales that are compatible with the LW versions. -DCA
@@knifecenter Thanks DCA I will check it out!
If you don't need a lot of length, a utility knife might work for being non-threatening. There are some pretty elegant ones available now as well.
Thomas, what are your top 5 knives? (Only 1 reverse tanto)
I don’t know if different online dealers get preferential treatment, but I’ve had great luck over the years with Shepherd Hills. I’ve got a feeling that since they are case brand only they might get preferential treatment when it comes to quality control.
If you get a good case knife, they're great. The problem is a complete lack of quality control. I would never, ever buy a Case knife from Knifecenter or any other online store for that reason. The reject rate is just too high. Fortunately, there are a couple of local hardware stores that are big Case dealers and they let me pick through the stock to get a knife whose blades are reasonably centered, that don't scrape on the liners, that don't have ridiculous gaps between the scales and liners, that have good snap, etc. Eight out of ten that I look at are ridiculously bad. You can't buy online with that kind of quality control, it would take a year of buying and returning over and over before you'd get a good one.
I usually carry Spyderco knives but my dad bought a couple of Case Trappers last year and gave me one. I like it, he picked good ones, and I've been carrying it nearly every day. Its a great knife, takes a razor edge, holds it decently, is less scary looking to non-knife people when I have to use it. I just wish Case would get their QC up to decent standards so buying them wasn't such a painful experience!
SS trapper or CS?
@@uzimax322 The one my dad gave me is stainless.
Hi Thomas and David could use a little help thanx. Trying to find a finger safe alternative to my Gerber Descent II. I love how it feels in my pocket. Don't love it biting my thumb when I am required to close it.
hey DCA and Thomas what's a good first knife for a 7yo girl it's gotta be pink was thinking a black and pink spyderco but now the wife is saying maybe a traditional would be safer so I'm leaning towards the pink opinel any other input would be greatly appreciated. love the content I've been watching from the beginning
How about a Victorinox Companion in the "Paris Style" colorway?
11:14 Nah, it's 12C27. Great stuff though! Got the compound grind one in different reds. Love it!
Ah yes. Non locking slip joint knives. Classic, simpel, beautiful and full of history. Love all of them.
I’ve got about every sod buster model ever made and it’s my favorite model. Unfortunately the ones with a nicer handle material are not for use. If you do anything more than opening an envelope with them there will be immediately extreme blade play. They are nice to collect but not to use.
Looking for a knife for my daughter in scouts. 3 inches or less, locking, prefer finger safe (not liner or frame lock), easy to maintain and in the sub $50 range. Maybe $75 if needed.
Very interesting question these (non/least threatening knives), maybe a more complete video on these subject can be useful
I have a 2.5" blade length limit at my job... what're some of your favorite knives (either slip joint or locking) with that blade length? Note: i already have a Baby Banter and a Compact but I would love to expand my work carry options 😊
For the Muggle friendly knife I was thinking CRKT Razel, CRKT Ripsnort, or for a more expensive option, Benchmade Triage with a blunt tip
I wanted a Case medium stockman and found a local dealer. I found one that looks great, but the spring fails to firmly "click" the blades into position. It's perfectly functional, but I was disappointed in its lack of "walk and talk." Also, the clip point blade does not have a sharp point.. I can poke my fingers with it without hurting.. At $79, I can't say it's worth the price, but I bought it anyway.
I carry a mini Copperlock and a Fisher pen in a Hitch and Timber wallet. It is the perfect EDC.
For a non-threatening folder, I like a Ka-Bar Dozier folding hunter. They come in a lot of colors, are pretty generic looking and they are a good value.
Hey DCA, I was just thinking about "legacy" knives. What do you think is the 1 knife that has stood the test of time best? Also do you think it should have a modern iteration if it doesn't already?
Hey DCA, great episode as always! Ive recently picked up the microtech stitch and amphibian and absolutely love them! I’ve been looking for an MSI (rather tricky in Canada), what would you recommend as a MSI stand in that has a finger safe lock, similar blade shape and decent steel grade? That isn’t a benchmade osborne 🤘
Thank and keep up the great work!
A day with a Case XX in yer pocket is a good day 👍
Hi DCA and Thomas. I’m really after a nice fixed blade steak knife and am also a bit of a steel snob. The Spyderco Sprig in S90V would be amazing and it’s a Bird and Trout blade. What do you think would should get?
Yes case knifes are still good
I normally use a stockman or a trapper.
I like the stockman because i can normally keep the long blade clean if i need it to eat or cook with or cut off a pice of plug chewing tobacco.
The otheres work wonders as box openers, making steers cleaning deer or hogs. Cutting a tangled main. Striping wire.
They been a solid choice for over 100 years
Honestly I’ve been very interested in a sod buster but having heard of the poor QC from case I haven’t done it.
Same here.. what ashame with qc
Older ones, yes. They've worked years. There's a plethora of knife companies from back when that are excellent knives
You did the answer for dogs, but how about us cat lovers? What knife would you recommend my cat use?
Civivi sokoke vs the cjrb ekko? Both are ray lacanaco designs and very very similar. But witch one is better and if u could just pick one what would it be?
17:31 LOL! Aaah, the joy on my face!
Other benefit to non-locking knives is the availability of multi-blade configurations.
Hey DCA and Thomas, rookie question for you.
How can i adjust the centering of the blade? My Kershaw Shuffle is totally off center (my fault), and i don’t know how to fix it.
please help me!
Boker Atlas are VERY nonthreatening and VERY great! I love them all!
Darn it! Hurricane flooding has brought sharks into my yard. What blade do I need to protect my family? Love the channel.
Case from slip joint to new modern knives are definitely worth it. My trapper comes in handy.
current production case slipjoints are NOT worth paying for. they have WORSE quality control and fit and finish than $14 rough ryder knives made in china, and cost 3-4 times as much and sometimes even more.
It's been YEARS since I bought one.
That sucks to hear because I been thinking on getting a case slipjoint
Rough ryders are pretty good quality for the money
Thats what I heard but not actually handled one yet, thinking on getting a slipjoint but not sure if I should go with case or rough rider. I have handled a case knife a few times
I get what you mean about knives with strange shapes being less intimidating, but I think the nightshades strange shape in particular might make it more intimidating. The least intimidating knife in my opinion is the boker mermaid. You know why.
Hey DCA, I took a look for a non threatening knife. How about the G-Sakai (2.13” closed) Damascus Frame Lock Money Clip with knife. They have a bunch of options with different artwork on them. Plus the blade is only 1.63” , it looks like they could be opened with one hand and they look pretty wide so they could be pretty strong. What do you think?