So great to see Thomas. What you have are working man hands and no shame in that. I find if you put whichever product on under a pair of cotton gloves for the night really does wonders! As always great content!!
One of my wife's favorite treatments is slathering our feet in vaseline and putting socks on to let it soak in. Actually works pretty well...but it does feel pretty weird walking around like that lol
I can second this. I use the lotion/cotton glove at night combo in weightlifting as needed. When I feel my hands starting to get extremely dry a few nights using this method works great.
I think my current favorite steel is S35VN. It hits all the marks I need in a blade steel. A close second would probably be VG10. And to throw in a carbon steel you can never go wrong with 1095
@Spitch Grizwald ESEE leaves them on the softer side to take abuse. They have a lifetime no questions asked warranty so it’s in their interest to make them as tough as they can. Even if they have to sacrifice some edge retention. If you want something that can keep its edge. Spend your money on something with a super steel. 3V or S35VN maybe?
Favorite Steels for me - Fixed blades - 1095 S35Vn - for knives under 3 inch blades (EDC knives Im not chopping with) Folders - D2. Sandvik 14c, 420HC- I really dont spend much on folders. Machete - My favorite machete is hands down the Darien Machete from Esee- The grip and shape profile bolo-esque / drop point is basically the best of both worlds and the micarta handle is great. Its 100% guaranteed for life so I use it all the time. Before the Darien I primarily used the Tramontina.
Thanks, as always, gentlemen. Thomas, special thanks to you for your dedication and service through what looks and sounds like a really painful situation. I do hope you find the right treatment and get welll soon. Mr. Andersen, I live in the tropics and have quite a collection of machetes and related tools, because they're super necessary here. I favor and love Tramontinas as well. However, COMMA, I got something less traditional a couple of months ago - the Cold Steel Tanto Machete - and it has quickly become my go-to. The cutting efficiency, light weight, versatility, toughness, ease of maintenance, and the comfortable and versatile sheath make it the best machete bang for the buck, in my view.
I have knives with steels ranging from 8Cr13MoV to 20CV. I like the premium steels but my favorite is S35VN. It holds an edge very well but strops easily. I tend to strop my knives after I use them and sharpen only when stropping doesn’t work.
Thomas, from a farmer, the best you can do for dry chapped hands is either bag balm or udder butter. They're used on cow udders. If they can keep them soft and supple after calves working them in cold weather......
As a contractor, I use bag balm all the time. Especially when working with different muds e.g. drywall, thinset, concretes. Bag balm,and badger balm both work great for me. I think the combination of petroleum jelly and lanolin does the trick.
My favorite steels to use are basic... 1095 and 5160. I do like AEB-L, 154cm, O-1, M-4, and S-7. I haven't purchased a Magnacut knife yet, so I will reserve any opinion towards it after extensive usage.
Just discovered this channel and where have you been all my life‽ I have a chef’s knife from Haslinger Custom in CPM S30V. It’s a bit of a pig to sharpen but it takes an amazing edge and holds onto it like it was money. At the less exotic end of the spectrum I just got a khukuri in 5160 from Kailash Blades. Easy to maintain (once you get the hang of sharpening that blade shape) and it just eats chopping work better than any machete.
Love 3v myself especially in a hard use fixed blade. My BR Cub in 3v is my perfect outdoor do it all knife. M390 I use for my hunting knife, I've processed 3 deer without even stropping and after 2 years I just keep up with blade maintenance and haven't had to fully resharpen it.
A2 steel because I love my EX-F01 , as for your skin Thomas I cant really suggest a salve but its the hard working persons hands look , something to be proud of. 👍
Absolutely epoch-making to see Thomas in front of the camera, it's been so long since last time (I believe it was inside his garage ?). Thomas: never feel like you have to apologise for being a diligent and hard worker. Some people can still be rude even in this day and age. Maybe more people should take the attitude: least said, soonest mended. 🤗❤️✌️🖖🤘👋
Thomas, I was a bartender for many years as well and my hands have never really recovered. At my current job, I have to wash my hands frequently as well…yet my doctor actually told me to stop washing my hands lol. So…I wear nitrile gloves at work and just wash them instead of my skin. That has helped massively, as well as being sure to use lotion at night. No more cracking and bleeding, no matter how cold and dry it is out. I found that the oft-recommended O’Keefe’s wasn’t working well enough for me, but I tried out Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy moisturizing cream and it works pretty well!
I'm a big fan of m4. I think it's edge retention to toughness ratio is exceptionally good. Some people seem to have an issue with rust, but I never have. Yes occasional spots, bit nothing that can't be very easily dealt with.
Haven't had any of my M4 blades discolor yet either. Never even oil them, just wipe em off occasionally with my shirt. But I'm sure if you carry them in saltier conditions they'd need more upkeep
@@arrowheadguys7637 I think you are probably correct about salt. Where I live summers are very very humid, but no rust issues. Near sale water I think there could be more issue. But I've found that once used and with a patina, very little seems to affect M4.
@@graemegourley7616 the only time I've had a problem so far was carrying a 3V folder in the dead of the summer. I work outside and after a couple days of sweating and not checking it, I got some corrosion spots but they cleaned up well enough. I've found as long as I wipe my tool steel blades off somewhat frequently i don't have a problem. Its when you leave em exposed to a corrosive for an extended period of time you have problems.
Most serious question of the day: I am now prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse, but what knife do I need when AI takes over and unleashes the Boston Dynamics Robot Apocalypse against us?
Hey Thomas, there's a product called "Working Hands" and as someone who uses their hands daily for work, moving stacks of plywood and other materials I can say that it genuinely helps. With that being said, I have a question for DCA. Will one of your pocket fixed blades ever get another batch? I sadly missed the drop and would really like to have one as my genuine EDC.
Thomas seems to me such a warm and friendly guy. My favorite steels are Sandvik, K390 and 1095 for the designs rather than the performance of certain models. and my favorite machete is the cold steel royal kukri. i want to see more s talón knifes like the civilian or the black talón 2
Don’t ever apologize for that Thomas. It shows that you actually use your hands for manly tasks. I know I’ve poked fun in the past but only because I can sympathize as I have the same issue. Try O’Keefe’s Working Hands. Apply 2-3 times a day in the winter. I also use beard butter in my beard and instead of wiping the excess off or washing my hands, I’ll rub it into my hands. The only issue I run into is try not to rub your eyes when you’ve just applied recently for either or you’ll burn your eyes. I typically carry artificial tears with me for my dry eyes & if I forget and rub my eyes, I’ll use that to alleviate the sting.
I'm a fan of 14C28N for many of the same reasons you already stated. It's made by Sandvik. I'm 25 years into a career of CNC Machining and Sandvik is a staple in modern Machining for holders, replaceable inserts, mills, drills, etc. My first machete has a Yugoslavia stamp in the middle of the blade. I found it in an abandoned building in NC. Think I'm fixin to buy another Opinel. Thanks for sharing these reviews with us. I bet that Pontiac hat came with his G3.
SOOO Glad to see Thomas in front of the camera again! His "EDC Gear For Mechanics" is one of my favorite KC videos. By the way, Thomas, in case no one told you where the name came from, Pontiac stands for "Poor Old Nincompoop Thinks It's A Cadillac." :Edited To Add: Thomas, Neutrogena is what I use, and in the high deserts of Utah, I do know about dry skin.
To me, CPM-3V is the gold standard. I base my other non-stainless fixed blade steel choices on how they compare to 3V. For stainless, i can’t really settle on a gold standard. I seem to bounce around on my favorite stainless.
There are just so many decent steels in the budget world I feel like its hard for any one of them to stand out really. Nitro V, 14c28N, D2, VG10, 154CM etc etc. They're all fairly close in performance, it seems like they just get interchanged the same way 20CV/M390/204P do on the premium end.
O'Keefe's Working Hands hand cream is a great treatment for dry, cracked and split fingers. I experience the same thing every winter and this works wonders. As mentioned by others, a nighttime application, covered with a pair of cotton gloves will yield the best results.
Think of 1095 as Bruce Banner….. when you make him angry, he transforms into 3V. There isn’t a better fixed blade steel on the planet than 3V(not even MagnaCut imo) and I’m not sure there ever will be.
I’m pretty impressed with the Old Hickory Butcher Knife 14", hits just as hard as my bark river machete. LOVE the fact that I dont feel like I have to baby it too, sooo liberating. The stamping that the blades receives seems to prevent such thin stock from being real flexie.
My favorite machete is the Kershaw camp 14. I got it for $35 years ago on a visit to SMKW in Tennessee. It has chopped and processed more wood than I can count. If it broke I would buy another in a heartbeat. More if a chopper thank a slicer but it is easy to sharpen, tough as nails, has incredible bit into wood and can baton anything you throw at it.
Camp 14 is discontinued, so good luck with that. They still sell the 10. Check out the Brush Demon from Outdoor Edge. It’s very nice. Also, Cold Steel machetes, FTW.
@@Stack_Silver That’s neat! I was in the market for the Camp 14 for a while and could never find one online, eBay, etc. But then I found the Brush Demon, and purchased it instead and have been very happy with it.
Machete option- just got an Esee Darien, love it, and the story behind it. Very cool footage online of a guy using it to cook in bamboo. PS great to see Thomas! (Don’t apologize to some dude who the roughest surface they’ve ever touched is a computer keyboard!)
My personal experience as a mechanic Palmers coco butter in the small tub is best for my hands and even when I work outside alot in summer and need to moisturize light sunburn.
KniFAQ is the best series on the channel, thanks for the insight you've provided. I like the new knives that feature a deep pocket clip. Here in NYC a pocket knife can draw unwanted attention and the more that an EDC can fly under the radar, the better. Black colored deep pocket clips can almost look like a pen in the pocket, which is perfect for traveling to/from work. The only thing that detracts from that is how the paint wears out along the edges of the pocket clip, which make it look more like a tool or knife. I've repainted them, but eventually the paint always wears out even when using a "non-chipping" or "tough/outdoor" spray paint. Is there a pocket clip material out there that is black, tough, and that won't wear, like fiberglass or carbon fiber? If not, is there a way to stain or patina a stainless steel pocket clip so that it will keep it's color?
I noticed at SHOT show, Thomas. And first, you should see a dermatologist, BUT this looks very much like a psoriasis flair up. I also suffer this. It is often brought on by high stress, which SHOT show probably helped exacerbate(and was my immediate thought watching that coverage). Applying cortisone cream right as you notice it starting will help temper the flair up. Unfortunately, once it gets going, it isn't always best to apply cortisone to open wounds. For myself, if I let the issue get bad enough for there to be open sores, I simply apply an antibiotic gel in those areas and apply the cortisone where I have not opened up. It is important that you apply the cortisone as soon as you get the feeling that things are about to go sideways with your hands. I often get little spots of pain as it starts and will start to apply there. I keep those little single use cortisone packets in my EDC bag. Disclaimer: I'm not a dermatologist.
I have the same skin condition. A good lotion and cotton gloves will remedy the problem. When people ask me about mine I just tell them, in a low voice, "I don't want to leave any prints."
Question: You often refer to different locking mechanisms as finger friendly. Button lock, Axis lock, Frame lock, Liner lock, Lock back, etc, etc....is there statistical evidence of any of these being less safe, or is it all anecdotal. Along the same topic, tactically, what could go wrong with each, if that is something you can answer. Thanks!
Best lotion is Okeeffes, been is construction for 25 years. Winters are extremely tough on hands and this is the only hand lotion that works that doesn’t leave your hands greasy feeling
I’ve found that Okeeffes and Diabetics lotion are about the only two that I can stand to use because they don’t leave you feeling like a greaseball and they actually work.
DCA's Favorite Steel Follow Up Question ... DCA has his picks for fixed blade knives and choppers but what about smaller folders ... My EDC's are S35 and S30 because they get used alot and sharpen up well ... My smaller blades (Ex - Titanium Banter) is 20CV because it does not get used as hard and as a result, the edge lasts a long time ... Your thoughts?
3V is the standard bearer. When it comes to mid-sized to larger fixed blades, there’s simply nothing out there that compares to it. I’ve also had great experiences with Cru-Wear blades…. imo it’s vastly underrated.
This might sound crazy and I don’t have a lot of variety in steels, but my favorite knife and favorite steel is H1 on my Salt 1. At first it was a bear to sharpen because I didn’t know anything about it. Now, I can use it for whatever I’m doing, inside or out, and bring it back in a few minutes. D2 gives me a similar experience to H1 with regard to sharpening (effort vs result). D2 definitely holds an edge longer than my H1, in my experience, but I prefer my Salt knives for outside and garden stuff because of the rust resistance. After those two I’d probably say Sandvik (Mora steel), M390, Aus 8 and S30V are my favorites. I’m about to purchase my first 1095 blade and I’m looking forward to seeing how that performs.
Don't see too many fans of H1 as it has worse edge retention than just about any other steel out there. 1095 is slightly better in edge retention and is just as easy to sharpen as H1 tho. For a completely stainless steel I much prefer LC200N over H1, and I might try out a Salt in magnacut once they have their full options available, as Spyderco is one of the few companies I trust to actually heat treat magnacut properly in a production knife.
@@arrowheadguys7637 My H1 Salt was the first Spyderco knife I ever got and one of the my first name brand knives. I’ve gotten used to it over the years so it doesn’t bother me to sharpen it when it gets dull. Like DCA mentioned regarding machetes, I tend to go easier on my more expensive knives and to me, anything over $150 is expensive. I use the heck out of my less expensive knives and don’t mind taking the time to take care of them properly. I’m not all that particular about knife steels as along as I have a good knife that does what I need it to do. I can appreciate the science behind the higher end steels, but it’s not a huge concern for me. One of these days I’m going to try the LC200N, but for now I’m happy with the H1.
@@KellyRobinette Very cool. Hope you get around to a LC200N blade at some point, it holds a really wicked edge. I do snow removal in the winters so I carry a 200N Caribbean to open salt bags with. I finally just got over the price and use my nice knives for everything now
Cowabunga.! We all now know what Thomas looks like, the infamous Bar Tender. It also occur ti o us that Thomas do looks like a strange guy who was in a mechanic overall & said he's the producer. It was sometime last year when DCA was not available. Nevertheless we know how Thomas looks like.! The female audiences reckon he's cute.....! Anyway back to the Knife Show....... Love that Boker Scalpel, might just add one to the collection. Cheers DCA & Thomas. Does Thomas still owns the same Truck.?
For Chicken Drumstick's complementary blade for the Natchez Bowie, might I suggest the Rike Hummingbird instead if we're tyring to go for REALLY small knives. (No it's not because I wanted Best Damn EDC yesterday.)
The new super steels are nice to be sure. But they are so hard and brittle... Lot's of chipping for me. I prefer the more traditional carbons and of course Kershaw's adaptation.
As a long hauler I am constantly going through multiple levels of humidity and my hands crack and peel all the time. I tried so many lotions that I almost gave up. Then I found Bloody knuckles by Duke Cannon. It’s made with lanolin, and works phenomenally for my cracked skin. As a plus it is made in the USA.
Hi DCA. I recently tried making micarta for the first time. Living in Scotland I made the first block with Tartan and then two new pieces with Harris Tweed. I have now used the Tweed blocks to put a handle on a blade blank. My question to you is, what are the most interesting micarta materials you have seen and/or are used on knives that you stock. Cheers!
Great video. Although I don't collect them (have a couple and like them but not a collection) I think if someone wanted to get into knives they could collect, eventually trade, etc. they could do worse than going old school and collecting Case knives. Some people like to collect based on series/handle materials (maybe red jigged bone vs blue jugged bone, etc ) while some like to collect every iteration of a certain pattern or patterns (a Stockman collection vs a Trapper collection). Still others might want to collect Holiday series and so on. People who collect Case knives seem to trade all the time - or at least the collectors I knew in my younger days did so - to try and fill holes in their collection. Oh, and speaking of going old school - favorite knife steel is 1095 and I tend to prefer high carbon, in general. I am more of a fixed blade guy, too but I loved the older (real) Schrade folders that had high carbon blades, too.
Hey guys, with March Madness around the corner, any chance you guys do a bracket of best knives? Maybe if 64 is too much, start at 32? 1 seed is set by sales, you could do a folders, fixed blade, slip joint and an everything else bracket. Fans of the channel could vote and over a couple weeks and pick a winner? Idk something fun to think about! Keep up the great work! Thanks
My job keeps my hands oiled for most of the day with one form or another of rust preventative because the parts I deal with are all carbon steel. Never dry, no cracking all winter long. Maybe try that. :)
I bought one of those tramontina machetes for £5, 40 years ago, on its latest outing it processed five ton of firewood, still a sharp as ever, marbles make a nice sheath that fits. I also have an opinal the same age and again still fit for purpose. Furthermore I’ve worked with steel for the last 40 years, Neutrogena cream for your hands.
Ha! I bought a panga pattern Tramontina machete about the same number of years ago. Mine too is still going strong. Unlike just about any other edged tool I have I swing that machete into the dirt cutting material that’s on the ground, that weird upswept tip works great that way. It’s been a VERY tough, durable, sharpenable tool.
@@oldkbellguy5156 I remember the day well I was 16 years old standing at a bus stop in East London trying to get to work in the middle of a train strike. I looked across the road to an old army surplus shop and it was in the window with a £5 tag on it. I thought to myself, that will be handy even if I never use it.
@@jamiebixby6782 I was around 20. I live in the Ozarks where it’s very brushy. Dad had given me an old WW2 navy surplus machete when I was young, but this was the first one I bought.
Asking for a favourite steel is like asking for your favourite child!! For me, fixed blades - 3V, 1095 & A2 and for folders - Rex45, S30V/S35VN, 14C28N & VG10. Unfortunately Rex45 is hard to get outside the occasional Spyderco so I added an extra. Excluding the REX45, I tend to go carbon for fixed blades and stainless for folders. Not really sure why 🤷. Sharp blades all.
Hey guys! I’ve learned so much in the 10-ish months since I discovered the Knife Center. Entertaining too. Kudos to Lord DCA of the slightly larger than most hands, Prince Seth of Spyderco, and Thomas the Commissar of Snark. Great job all!
So great to see Thomas, I hope your skin is doing okay, that is some rough work! Thank you for the content you two! Question: What are some knives for and knife mods would recommend? I know you shouldn't get a knife if you don't like the design, but it is kind of fun to make a great knife into a great unique one. For example, I put a SpydieHole into my Sebenza (much to the grimace of CRK fanboys). I was wondering if there were any other mods you guys have tried and found surprisingly effective and easy?
Anytime you can remove the glass breaker on a knife and replace it with a bail or backspacer is a win for me. Did this on my Bailout and it improved the knife so much. I think the glassbreaker craze is a little over done in the knife industry
Hey, DCA! What are some pocket knives that have the accoutrements to make them interesting for a collector/enthusiast to carry and use; yet would be easy on the wallet to give away if you met a person that doesn't have a pocket knife? $80 max
Hey Thomas, O'Keeffe's working hands (great on elbows also.) As for the Opinel vs Taggedout, I like the comparison. Opinel knives are great and the Taggedout needs another color option for me to buy one (I know, made for hunters . . . I will recolor it myself.) You can get Opinel's Wooden Gift Box set for the Taggedout price. Now for my question . . . I am looking for a belt sheath (preferably horizontal) a Victorinox Evolution S557, suggestions?
I know it's a flippant comment, and today's thumbnail is a great example, so often watching the channel's weeklies, get interrupted by doorbell or phone call, come back to a freeze frame of DCA, grinning with a blade in a random pose - world's cheeriest psycho. Always enjoy the tech, reviews and the banter, great content.
Hi DCA, I’m looking for a slip joint with a sunfish/elephant toenail shape. I really like the look of the finch buffalo tooth but I would like something more traditional. Thanks!
Hello David, Benchmade has a food prep knife called the Station. It looks like it would be a great camp knife. The only problem is it is so expensive l would never make that purchase. Do you have any ideas for a less expensive substitute. Hope to hear your suggestions. Thanks Steve
as an archeologist, I'm looking for a folding knife that's robust enough to be in the dust and dirt and then be thrown in a bag or pocket without cleaning and it's still ready to go the next day preferably under $100
My favorite machete is the TOPS Yacare As for my favorite steel, mine is O1 or A2. S30V is pretty damn good for folders, but AEB-L was my first pick for a folding knife. 1095 is the best budget steel, but only because it's more common than 1084
So knife blades keep advancing with better steels on a regular basis but as a straight razor user it doesn't seem as if razor makers are embracing better steels such as Magnacut etc. They seem to be still using the same stainless and high carbon steel that has been used for centuries. Is there a reason for this and are you aware of any straight razor makers switching to powder steels now? It would be nice not to have to strop my razors every time I use them.
I could watch this all day
So great to see Thomas. What you have are working man hands and no shame in that.
I find if you put whichever product on under a pair of cotton gloves for the night really does wonders! As always great content!!
One of my wife's favorite treatments is slathering our feet in vaseline and putting socks on to let it soak in. Actually works pretty well...but it does feel pretty weird walking around like that lol
Shades of The Grapes of Wrath.
I can second this. I use the lotion/cotton glove at night combo in weightlifting as needed. When I feel my hands starting to get extremely dry a few nights using this method works great.
Try corn huskers lotion in gloves overnight
O'Keefe Working Hands is a great hand cream that soaks into the skin fast and doesn't feel greasy. Not cheap, but a little goes a long way.
I think my current favorite steel is S35VN. It hits all the marks I need in a blade steel. A close second would probably be VG10. And to throw in a carbon steel you can never go wrong with 1095
Agreed 100%
Great steels that give really good performance. I’m also a fan of AUS 10A.
You guys should check out CPM M4. Sharpens really well and has very high edge retention and above average toughness
@Spitch Grizwald ESEE leaves them on the softer side to take abuse. They have a lifetime no questions asked warranty so it’s in their interest to make them as tough as they can. Even if they have to sacrifice some edge retention.
If you want something that can keep its edge. Spend your money on something with a super steel. 3V or S35VN maybe?
VG10 dulls fast imo. Rather 154CM instead. Otherwise agreed
Favorite Steels for me -
Fixed blades - 1095
S35Vn - for knives under 3 inch blades (EDC knives Im not chopping with)
Folders - D2. Sandvik 14c, 420HC- I really dont spend much on folders.
Machete - My favorite machete is hands down the Darien Machete from Esee- The grip and shape profile bolo-esque / drop point is basically the best of both worlds and the micarta handle is great. Its 100% guaranteed for life so I use it all the time. Before the Darien I primarily used the Tramontina.
Thanks, as always, gentlemen. Thomas, special thanks to you for your dedication and service through what looks and sounds like a really painful situation. I do hope you find the right treatment and get welll soon.
Mr. Andersen, I live in the tropics and have quite a collection of machetes and related tools, because they're super necessary here. I favor and love Tramontinas as well. However, COMMA, I got something less traditional a couple of months ago - the Cold Steel Tanto Machete - and it has quickly become my go-to. The cutting efficiency, light weight, versatility, toughness, ease of maintenance, and the comfortable and versatile sheath make it the best machete bang for the buck, in my view.
I have knives with steels ranging from 8Cr13MoV to 20CV. I like the premium steels but my favorite is S35VN. It holds an edge very well but strops easily. I tend to strop my knives after I use them and sharpen only when stropping doesn’t work.
I'm far from an expert, but I tend to agree. S35VN just seems to hold up and isn't terrible to maintain.
I have a bunch of steels ranging the gamut but I haven't gotten to try 35vn. Got try it. Thanks for the rec.
Thomas, from a farmer, the best you can do for dry chapped hands is either bag balm or udder butter. They're used on cow udders. If they can keep them soft and supple after calves working them in cold weather......
I was gonna suggest bag balm too! Great stuff. Good on cuts too.
As a contractor, I use bag balm all the time. Especially when working with different muds e.g. drywall, thinset, concretes. Bag balm,and badger balm both work great for me. I think the combination of petroleum jelly and lanolin does the trick.
Bag balm and O’keefs balm have helped this old man’s mitts
I wish I could give you a thousand Likes.
Thank you.
I'm an arborist and use bag balm or o keefs working man's hands.
My favorite steels to use are basic... 1095 and 5160.
I do like AEB-L, 154cm, O-1, M-4, and S-7.
I haven't purchased a Magnacut knife yet, so I will reserve any opinion towards it after extensive usage.
agreed. I'll happily take a tool steel any day.
Just discovered this channel and where have you been all my life‽ I have a chef’s knife from Haslinger Custom in CPM S30V. It’s a bit of a pig to sharpen but it takes an amazing edge and holds onto it like it was money. At the less exotic end of the spectrum I just got a khukuri in 5160 from Kailash Blades. Easy to maintain (once you get the hang of sharpening that blade shape) and it just eats chopping work better than any machete.
Love 3v myself especially in a hard use fixed blade. My BR Cub in 3v is my perfect outdoor do it all knife. M390 I use for my hunting knife, I've processed 3 deer without even stropping and after 2 years I just keep up with blade maintenance and haven't had to fully resharpen it.
Tramontina’s Bolo machete has treated me right for the past 15 years. Glad to see the brand getting some recognition.
A2 steel because I love my EX-F01 , as for your skin Thomas I cant really suggest a salve but its the hard working persons hands look , something to be proud of. 👍
Absolutely epoch-making to see Thomas in front of the camera, it's been so long since last time (I believe it was inside his garage ?).
Thomas: never feel like you have to apologise for being a diligent and hard worker.
Some people can still be rude even in this day and age. Maybe more people should take the attitude: least said, soonest mended. 🤗❤️✌️🖖🤘👋
Thomas, I was a bartender for many years as well and my hands have never really recovered. At my current job, I have to wash my hands frequently as well…yet my doctor actually told me to stop washing my hands lol. So…I wear nitrile gloves at work and just wash them instead of my skin. That has helped massively, as well as being sure to use lotion at night. No more cracking and bleeding, no matter how cold and dry it is out.
I found that the oft-recommended O’Keefe’s wasn’t working well enough for me, but I tried out Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy moisturizing cream and it works pretty well!
Tramontina are a BEAST of a machete. I own the 12 and 18 Inc. Sizes.🦉✝️🦉
I'm a big fan of m4. I think it's edge retention to toughness ratio is exceptionally good. Some people seem to have an issue with rust, but I never have. Yes occasional spots, bit nothing that can't be very easily dealt with.
I agree. Love M4. That’s why I think that Benchmades best value vs materials production folder, is easily the super freak
@@powers1776reset I'm a big Benchmade fan, I think they actually do Cruwear a little better than their M4, but the Super Freek is probably my fave BM
Haven't had any of my M4 blades discolor yet either. Never even oil them, just wipe em off occasionally with my shirt. But I'm sure if you carry them in saltier conditions they'd need more upkeep
@@arrowheadguys7637 I think you are probably correct about salt. Where I live summers are very very humid, but no rust issues. Near sale water I think there could be more issue. But I've found that once used and with a patina, very little seems to affect M4.
@@graemegourley7616 the only time I've had a problem so far was carrying a 3V folder in the dead of the summer. I work outside and after a couple days of sweating and not checking it, I got some corrosion spots but they cleaned up well enough.
I've found as long as I wipe my tool steel blades off somewhat frequently i don't have a problem. Its when you leave em exposed to a corrosive for an extended period of time you have problems.
Cornhuskers for your hands and I think Thomas should always be the one to show kukri style knives on camera
O’Keeffe’s working hands round green container. I have had terrible painful cracks in my fingers it sucks. Good luck hope this helps.
Bag balm, corn huskers oil, aquaphor are all good choices for dry damaged hands
Most serious question of the day: I am now prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse, but what knife do I need when AI takes over and unleashes the Boston Dynamics Robot Apocalypse against us?
Hey Thomas, there's a product called "Working Hands" and as someone who uses their hands daily for work, moving stacks of plywood and other materials I can say that it genuinely helps. With that being said, I have a question for DCA. Will one of your pocket fixed blades ever get another batch? I sadly missed the drop and would really like to have one as my genuine EDC.
Thomas seems to me such a warm and friendly guy.
My favorite steels are Sandvik, K390 and 1095 for the designs rather than the performance of certain models.
and my favorite machete is the cold steel royal kukri. i want to see more s talón knifes like the civilian or the black talón 2
Try olive oil or unsalted butter for the dry hands. I grew up in the south but live in a dry climate now & those old coubtry remedies work best.
Don’t ever apologize for that Thomas. It shows that you actually use your hands for manly tasks. I know I’ve poked fun in the past but only because I can sympathize as I have the same issue. Try O’Keefe’s Working Hands. Apply 2-3 times a day in the winter. I also use beard butter in my beard and instead of wiping the excess off or washing my hands, I’ll rub it into my hands. The only issue I run into is try not to rub your eyes when you’ve just applied recently for either or you’ll burn your eyes. I typically carry artificial tears with me for my dry eyes & if I forget and rub my eyes, I’ll use that to alleviate the sting.
I'm a fan of 14C28N for many of the same reasons you already stated. It's made by Sandvik. I'm 25 years into a career of CNC Machining and Sandvik is a staple in modern Machining for holders, replaceable inserts, mills, drills, etc.
My first machete has a Yugoslavia stamp in the middle of the blade. I found it in an abandoned building in NC.
Think I'm fixin to buy another Opinel.
Thanks for sharing these reviews with us.
I bet that Pontiac hat came with his G3.
SOOO Glad to see Thomas in front of the camera again! His "EDC Gear For Mechanics" is one of my favorite KC videos. By the way, Thomas, in case no one told you where the name came from, Pontiac stands for "Poor Old Nincompoop Thinks It's A Cadillac." :Edited To Add: Thomas, Neutrogena is what I use, and in the high deserts of Utah, I do know about dry skin.
I'm gonna remember that acronym. It's much more polite than the one I was first told... --Thomas
To me, CPM-3V is the gold standard. I base my other non-stainless fixed blade steel choices on how they compare to 3V. For stainless, i can’t really settle on a gold standard. I seem to bounce around on my favorite stainless.
I am a fan of Nitro V, and thought that it would be the next big thing in budget folders, but I don’t see it used too much.
I have several knives with Nitro-V. It holds an edge very well and strops easily.
There are just so many decent steels in the budget world I feel like its hard for any one of them to stand out really. Nitro V, 14c28N, D2, VG10, 154CM etc etc. They're all fairly close in performance, it seems like they just get interchanged the same way 20CV/M390/204P do on the premium end.
O'Keefe's Working Hands hand cream is a great treatment for dry, cracked and split fingers. I experience the same thing every winter and this works wonders. As mentioned by others, a nighttime application, covered with a pair of cotton gloves will yield the best results.
I second this. I use it every day in the winter and seems to be the only thing that actually helps.
I third this!
Steels I'm a folder and S30V S35VN guy. Magnacut is growing on me. Fixed blades is Tops 1095 it's performance is incredible.
Think of 1095 as Bruce Banner….. when you make him angry, he transforms into 3V. There isn’t a better fixed blade steel on the planet than 3V(not even MagnaCut imo) and I’m not sure there ever will be.
@@longacre1041
AEB-L
I’m pretty impressed with the Old Hickory Butcher Knife 14", hits just as hard as my bark river machete. LOVE the fact that I dont feel like I have to baby it too, sooo liberating. The stamping that the blades receives seems to prevent such thin stock from being real flexie.
"Corn Husker's Lotion" is the only thing that really works for my hands.
Hi Knife Center. CPM 154 steel is one I like. It’s the steel used on my Nordsmith Lapwing classic, also AEB-L. Great content. Thx. Rick in SD
My favorite machete is the Kershaw camp 14. I got it for $35 years ago on a visit to SMKW in Tennessee. It has chopped and processed more wood than I can count. If it broke I would buy another in a heartbeat. More if a chopper thank a slicer but it is easy to sharpen, tough as nails, has incredible bit into wood and can baton anything you throw at it.
Camp 14 is discontinued, so good luck with that. They still sell the 10. Check out the Brush Demon from Outdoor Edge. It’s very nice. Also, Cold Steel machetes, FTW.
@@Stack_Silver
That’s neat! I was in the market for the Camp 14 for a while and could never find one online, eBay, etc. But then I found the Brush Demon, and purchased it instead and have been very happy with it.
Machete option- just got an Esee Darien, love it, and the story behind it. Very cool footage online of a guy using it to cook in bamboo. PS great to see Thomas! (Don’t apologize to some dude who the roughest surface they’ve ever touched is a computer keyboard!)
D2 still good for me. Just a silicone oil stone gets it sharp and lasts. Silicone stones cut fast too.
My personal experience as a mechanic Palmers coco butter in the small tub is best for my hands and even when I work outside alot in summer and need to moisturize light sunburn.
Im looking for an electrician knife, a hawkbill style blade that is a slicer a hollowgrind would be preferred
O’keefs hand cream is the best for dry cracked skin 👍
KniFAQ is the best series on the channel, thanks for the insight you've provided. I like the new knives that feature a deep pocket clip. Here in NYC a pocket knife can draw unwanted attention and the more that an EDC can fly under the radar, the better. Black colored deep pocket clips can almost look like a pen in the pocket, which is perfect for traveling to/from work. The only thing that detracts from that is how the paint wears out along the edges of the pocket clip, which make it look more like a tool or knife. I've repainted them, but eventually the paint always wears out even when using a "non-chipping" or "tough/outdoor" spray paint. Is there a pocket clip material out there that is black, tough, and that won't wear, like fiberglass or carbon fiber? If not, is there a way to stain or patina a stainless steel pocket clip so that it will keep it's color?
I noticed at SHOT show, Thomas. And first, you should see a dermatologist, BUT this looks very much like a psoriasis flair up. I also suffer this. It is often brought on by high stress, which SHOT show probably helped exacerbate(and was my immediate thought watching that coverage). Applying cortisone cream right as you notice it starting will help temper the flair up. Unfortunately, once it gets going, it isn't always best to apply cortisone to open wounds. For myself, if I let the issue get bad enough for there to be open sores, I simply apply an antibiotic gel in those areas and apply the cortisone where I have not opened up. It is important that you apply the cortisone as soon as you get the feeling that things are about to go sideways with your hands. I often get little spots of pain as it starts and will start to apply there. I keep those little single use cortisone packets in my EDC bag.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dermatologist.
How do different grinds affect cutting wood? Specifically I'm thinking about scandi grinds, a more hollow scandi vs a more convex scandi ?
You mentioned knives that would "Not break the bank". What knife could I use that would be a capable "Bank Breaker"?
I have the same skin condition. A good lotion and cotton gloves will remedy the problem. When people ask me about mine I just tell them, in a low voice, "I don't want to leave any prints."
Question: You often refer to different locking mechanisms as finger friendly. Button lock, Axis lock, Frame lock, Liner lock, Lock back, etc, etc....is there statistical evidence of any of these being less safe, or is it all anecdotal. Along the same topic, tactically, what could go wrong with each, if that is something you can answer. Thanks!
Liner locks suck.
Thomas is savage...i like his style 😆
Best lotion is Okeeffes, been is construction for 25 years. Winters are extremely tough on hands and this is the only hand lotion that works that doesn’t leave your hands greasy feeling
I’ve found that Okeeffes and Diabetics lotion are about the only two that I can stand to use because they don’t leave you feeling like a greaseball and they actually work.
Thomas, try Bag Balm!!!! Works miracles!!!
DCA's Favorite Steel Follow Up Question ... DCA has his picks for fixed blade knives and choppers but what about smaller folders ... My EDC's are S35 and S30 because they get used alot and sharpen up well ... My smaller blades (Ex - Titanium Banter) is 20CV because it does not get used as hard and as a result, the edge lasts a long time ... Your thoughts?
3V is the standard bearer. When it comes to mid-sized to larger fixed blades, there’s simply nothing out there that compares to it. I’ve also had great experiences with Cru-Wear blades…. imo it’s vastly underrated.
This might sound crazy and I don’t have a lot of variety in steels, but my favorite knife and favorite steel is H1 on my Salt 1. At first it was a bear to sharpen because I didn’t know anything about it. Now, I can use it for whatever I’m doing, inside or out, and bring it back in a few minutes. D2 gives me a similar experience to H1 with regard to sharpening (effort vs result). D2 definitely holds an edge longer than my H1, in my experience, but I prefer my Salt knives for outside and garden stuff because of the rust resistance. After those two I’d probably say Sandvik (Mora steel), M390, Aus 8 and S30V are my favorites. I’m about to purchase my first 1095 blade and I’m looking forward to seeing how that performs.
Don't see too many fans of H1 as it has worse edge retention than just about any other steel out there. 1095 is slightly better in edge retention and is just as easy to sharpen as H1 tho. For a completely stainless steel I much prefer LC200N over H1, and I might try out a Salt in magnacut once they have their full options available, as Spyderco is one of the few companies I trust to actually heat treat magnacut properly in a production knife.
@@arrowheadguys7637 My H1 Salt was the first Spyderco knife I ever got and one of the my first name brand knives. I’ve gotten used to it over the years so it doesn’t bother me to sharpen it when it gets dull. Like DCA mentioned regarding machetes, I tend to go easier on my more expensive knives and to me, anything over $150 is expensive. I use the heck out of my less expensive knives and don’t mind taking the time to take care of them properly. I’m not all that particular about knife steels as along as I have a good knife that does what I need it to do. I can appreciate the science behind the higher end steels, but it’s not a huge concern for me. One of these days I’m going to try the LC200N, but for now I’m happy with the H1.
@@KellyRobinette Very cool. Hope you get around to a LC200N blade at some point, it holds a really wicked edge. I do snow removal in the winters so I carry a 200N Caribbean to open salt bags with. I finally just got over the price and use my nice knives for everything now
Not a plug, but Eucerin advanced skin repair or O’Keefe’s are best for painful splits! Cool seeing Thomas in the flesh 👍
Cowabunga.! We all now know what Thomas looks like, the infamous Bar Tender. It also occur ti o us that Thomas do looks like a strange guy who was in a mechanic overall & said he's the producer. It was sometime last year when DCA was not available. Nevertheless we know how Thomas looks like.! The female audiences reckon he's cute.....! Anyway back to the Knife Show.......
Love that Boker Scalpel, might just add one to the collection. Cheers DCA & Thomas. Does Thomas still owns the same Truck.?
Thomas, I'm a sheet metal worker in Pittsburgh PA. I've tried every product and "O'Keefes working hands" is the winner.
For Chicken Drumstick's complementary blade for the Natchez Bowie, might I suggest the Rike Hummingbird instead if we're tyring to go for REALLY small knives. (No it's not because I wanted Best Damn EDC yesterday.)
"What is the best machete for the money?"
**insert 10 hour Cold Steel video**
So now DCA gets a chance to do some behind-the-camera heckling!
Question for Thomas ........ How often does DCA hit the weeds?
The new super steels are nice to be sure.
But they are so hard and brittle... Lot's of chipping for me.
I prefer the more traditional carbons and of course Kershaw's adaptation.
Hi David,
What is your most unused knife you want to use more?
As a long hauler I am constantly going through multiple levels of humidity and my hands crack and peel all the time. I tried so many lotions that I almost gave up. Then I found Bloody knuckles by Duke Cannon. It’s made with lanolin, and works phenomenally for my cracked skin. As a plus it is made in the USA.
Hi DCA. I recently tried making micarta for the first time. Living in Scotland I made the first block with Tartan and then two new pieces with Harris Tweed. I have now used the Tweed blocks to put a handle on a blade blank. My question to you is, what are the most interesting micarta materials you have seen and/or are used on knives that you stock. Cheers!
Great video. Although I don't collect them (have a couple and like them but not a collection) I think if someone wanted to get into knives they could collect, eventually trade, etc. they could do worse than going old school and collecting Case knives. Some people like to collect based on series/handle materials (maybe red jigged bone vs blue jugged bone, etc ) while some like to collect every iteration of a certain pattern or patterns (a Stockman collection vs a Trapper collection). Still others might want to collect Holiday series and so on. People who collect Case knives seem to trade all the time - or at least the collectors I knew in my younger days did so - to try and fill holes in their collection.
Oh, and speaking of going old school - favorite knife steel is 1095 and I tend to prefer high carbon, in general. I am more of a fixed blade guy, too but I loved the older (real) Schrade folders that had high carbon blades, too.
Hey guys, with March Madness around the corner, any chance you guys do a bracket of best knives? Maybe if 64 is too much, start at 32? 1 seed is set by sales, you could do a folders, fixed blade, slip joint and an everything else bracket. Fans of the channel could vote and over a couple weeks and pick a winner? Idk something fun to think about! Keep up the great work! Thanks
"I am Transdog. I am having my dog tail surgically put on tomorrow. Please, call me Dog"
Hi David,
What are five knives, fixed or folder, you compare all other knives to?
I’m a folder guy, and as such I focus more on edge retention over toughness. For that reason, S90V is my favourite blade steel.
Is there an episode dedicated to kukris? Also Bag Balm is amazing stuff
Try some organic coconut oil it smells good too
Bag Balm with white cotton gloves at night while you sleep will seal cracks in Thomas hands
DCA, I love M4. And being a carbon steel, why don’t we see it more, on bigger fixed blades?
Tyia!
Hey Thomas, I feel your pain! Neutrogena hand cream “Norwegian Formula” does the trick for my poor hands; might do the trick for yours.
I really like to sharpen M390. It has a very smooth feel. When using I'm not to particular but I I thin VG10 hits a good balance for me.
My job keeps my hands oiled for most of the day with one form or another of rust preventative because the parts I deal with are all carbon steel. Never dry, no cracking all winter long. Maybe try that. :)
BMC Chopra Machete - looks like it'll tick a lot of boxes. it's a new British brand.
It was nice to finally see Thomas. I understand about the hands, bro. I'm a manual laborer, and I consider beat up hands to be a badge of honor.
Thomas did a whole video by himself once about garage knives, you should look it up it was really good.
I bought one of those tramontina machetes for £5, 40 years ago, on its latest outing it processed five ton of firewood, still a sharp as ever, marbles make a nice sheath that fits. I also have an opinal the same age and again still fit for purpose. Furthermore I’ve worked with steel for the last 40 years, Neutrogena cream for your hands.
Ha! I bought a panga pattern Tramontina machete about the same number of years ago. Mine too is still going strong. Unlike just about any other edged tool I have I swing that machete into the dirt cutting material that’s on the ground, that weird upswept tip works great that way. It’s been a VERY tough, durable, sharpenable tool.
@@oldkbellguy5156 I remember the day well I was 16 years old standing at a bus stop in East London trying to get to work in the middle of a train strike. I looked across the road to an old army surplus shop and it was in the window with a £5 tag on it. I thought to myself, that will be handy even if I never use it.
@@jamiebixby6782 I was around 20. I live in the Ozarks where it’s very brushy. Dad had given me an old WW2 navy surplus machete when I was young, but this was the first one I bought.
Asking for a favourite steel is like asking for your favourite child!! For me, fixed blades - 3V, 1095 & A2 and for folders - Rex45, S30V/S35VN, 14C28N & VG10. Unfortunately Rex45 is hard to get outside the occasional Spyderco so I added an extra. Excluding the REX45, I tend to go carbon for fixed blades and stainless for folders. Not really sure why 🤷. Sharp blades all.
Okeef’s hand cream or when you’re working on your car wear the heavy duty nitrile gloves from harbor freight tools
Hey guys! I’ve learned so much in the 10-ish months since I discovered the Knife Center. Entertaining too. Kudos to Lord DCA of the slightly larger than most hands, Prince Seth of Spyderco, and Thomas the Commissar of Snark. Great job all!
So great to see Thomas, I hope your skin is doing okay, that is some rough work! Thank you for the content you two!
Question: What are some knives for and knife mods would recommend? I know you shouldn't get a knife if you don't like the design, but it is kind of fun to make a great knife into a great unique one. For example, I put a SpydieHole into my Sebenza (much to the grimace of CRK fanboys). I was wondering if there were any other mods you guys have tried and found surprisingly effective and easy?
Anytime you can remove the glass breaker on a knife and replace it with a bail or backspacer is a win for me. Did this on my Bailout and it improved the knife so much. I think the glassbreaker craze is a little over done in the knife industry
Nothing to apologize for, Thomas. Life can be rough on the body and people tend to be rough on other people for no real reason.
Hey, DCA! What are some pocket knives that have the accoutrements to make them interesting for a collector/enthusiast to carry and use; yet would be easy on the wallet to give away if you met a person that doesn't have a pocket knife? $80 max
A new Opinel challenger appeared: Böker Atlas BACKLOCK Clippoint.
Hey Thomas, O'Keeffe's working hands (great on elbows also.) As for the Opinel vs Taggedout, I like the comparison. Opinel knives are great and the Taggedout needs another color option for me to buy one (I know, made for hunters . . . I will recolor it myself.) You can get Opinel's Wooden Gift Box set for the Taggedout price.
Now for my question . . . I am looking for a belt sheath (preferably horizontal) a Victorinox Evolution S557, suggestions?
Was Thomas a little nervous being on the other side of the camera
I know it's a flippant comment, and today's thumbnail is a great example, so often watching the channel's weeklies, get interrupted by doorbell or phone call, come back to a freeze frame of DCA, grinning with a blade in a random pose - world's cheeriest psycho. Always enjoy the tech, reviews and the banter, great content.
K390 on my police 4 👌
Hi DCA, I’m looking for a slip joint with a sunfish/elephant toenail shape. I really like the look of the finch buffalo tooth but I would like something more traditional. Thanks!
Look at K'roo Blades. Willem O'Kelly can make you a Whaler.
Reverend Anderson how are you ? My favorite steel is the one easiest to sharpen.
80crv2.... Best period. Unless we talking kitchen knives
Dave, when is buck gonna drop those packlites that they had at shot show? I need one of those upswept boning knives
Hello David, Benchmade has a food prep knife called the Station. It looks like it would be a great camp knife. The only problem is it is so expensive l would never make that purchase. Do you have any ideas for a less expensive substitute. Hope to hear your suggestions. Thanks Steve
Check out the Olight Oremake Kitchen Knives. I have the Nakiri and really like it, plus at $100 its a little more reasonably priced.
as an archeologist, I'm looking for a folding knife that's robust enough to be in the dust and dirt and then be thrown in a bag or pocket without cleaning and it's still ready to go the next day preferably under $100
Best compliment to the Natchez is, unquestionably, the Rike Hummingbird. Got the big premium fixed blade, now you need the tiny premium folder....
My favorite machete is the TOPS Yacare
As for my favorite steel, mine is O1 or A2. S30V is pretty damn good for folders, but AEB-L was my first pick for a folding knife. 1095 is the best budget steel, but only because it's more common than 1084
So knife blades keep advancing with better steels on a regular basis but as a straight razor user it doesn't seem as if razor makers are embracing better steels such as Magnacut etc. They seem to be still using the same stainless and high carbon steel that has been used for centuries. Is there a reason for this and are you aware of any straight razor makers switching to powder steels now? It would be nice not to have to strop my razors every time I use them.
Hey DCA! Can you show some knives that have a hidden full tang?
It puts the lotion on the skin or gets the hose again!
Not knife-related, but The Greenskeepers did a great song, called "Lotion" with that line in the lyrics.