Folding knives and their usefulness

[Coreda]

Around the net in 'EDC' (EveryDay Carry) communities there seems to be an focus on keeping a folding knife on one's person, sometimes multiple (or at giving that impression via photos). However I wondered how useful they really are for daily tasks.



Benchmade Bugout. A lightweight and attractive knife, if tricky to re-assemble consistently based on reviews.

I went searching for answers and looked at hundreds of responses by those who carry them daily and the list of typical uses comes down primarily to the following:

• Opening packages/cutting cardboard. Far and away the most common reason even if not necessarily a daily occurrence.
• Food prep.
• Light grooming (under fingernails, beards?).

Then on the more questionable/rarer side of usefulness are things like:

• Gardening (pruning). I saw this in a video by well-known online knife store Blade HQ in their top ~5 reasons for carrying a folding knife.
• Camping tasks.
• Self-defense.
• Emergency situations (cutting a seat belt that won't open, etc).

The thing is for most common tasks there are more suitable knives for the purpose, like box cutters for cutting cardboard (far thinner blade, more acute angle and blade disposability for avoiding residue build up make it more ideal according to even knife forums when I researched it), kitchen knives for food prep, gardening tools for gardening (kind of self-explanatory), fixed blades for camping/outdoor scenarios (stronger for tasks like batoning wood, also easier to clean).

Perhaps though it's the appeal of an 'all uses' type knife in a folding form factor.



Spyderco SpydieChef. A unique knife with a santoku-esque blade shape in highly corrosion-resistant LC200N steel. Photo by Glaca (knives.pl).

There are of course some who mention they simply enjoy owning well-made pieces of hardware, fidgeting with them and showing them off to others but it is curious to me the seemingly large market around folding knives given the tasks I commonly read them used for and the greater suitability of other tools for some of the tasks.

Do you carry one and find them worthwhile on a regular basis?

More

Not gonna lie that SpydieChef tempts me despite knowing I won't use it for anything. It's pulling me in, halp :p

[fanpeople]

Nope. It is illegal in Australia to carry a knife without a valid reason and all those reasons would not be valid.

I used to carry a Spyderco Rescue that i got for free. I used it to cut boxes and rope. Also used to dispose of work property before binning.

I don't work in the logistics stream anymore so i no longer carry one. I do keep it in my car though just in case. This is also technically illegal in Australia without lawful excuse. My lawful excuse is the fact that i use it for cutting boxes at work. I also dont have it in plain sight so it never becomes an issue.

I think folding knives just come in handy. Its one of those things that you will use for something random and not think about. But when you don't have it, realise that you need it.

[Lanrefni]

I've carried a pocket knife everyday since I was like 7,I use it multiple times a day for various tasks.

[SpAmRaY]

I've carried a pocket knife for as long as I can remember being old enough to be considered responsible.

My grandad always said carry two knives in case someone takes your first one.

I'd say I mainly use mine for box cutting, letter opening, paper trimming and the occasional food slicing/cutting.

My current EDC knife is the Kershaw Composite BlackWash Leek

[tp4tissue]

I've carried a pocket knife for as long as I can remember being old enough to be considered responsible.

My grandad always said carry two knives in case someone takes your first one.

I'd say I mainly use mine for box cutting, letter opening, paper trimming and the occasional food slicing/cutting.

My current EDC knife is the Kershaw Composite BlackWash Leek

(Attachment Link)

No, Spam,  Ur grandfather were in an assassin's guild, and what he meant was, after u killz ur first target, u should always have another knife for the 2ndary target or use during escapes.

[xtrafrood]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

[Coreda]

No, Spam,  Ur grandfather were in an assassin's guild, and what he meant was, after u killz ur first target, u should always have another knife for the 2ndary target or use during escapes.
(Attachment Link)

Spam comes from a line of keeb protectors. It runs deep.

[SpAmRaY]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

That's a can opener.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[SpAmRaY]

No, Spam,  Ur grandfather were in an assassin's guild, and what he meant was, after u killz ur first target, u should always have another knife for the 2ndary target or use during escapes.
(Attachment Link)

Spam comes from a line of k**b protectors. It runs deep.

Please no spam and k**b in same sentence.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Coreda]

Please no spam and k**b in same sentence.

Oh snap I'm next

/watches back

[xtrafrood]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

That's a can opener.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I felt like I could join a knife party with a 30+ year old can opener.. because it can also function as a very tiny knife if one knows how to wield it correctly.

[fanpeople]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

I have strayian version of that can opener.

PS this is now a can opener thread.



Consider those keyboard crumbs as an added bonus

[SpAmRaY]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

That's a can opener.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I felt like I could join a knife party with a 30+ year old can opener.. because it can also function as a very tiny knife if one knows how to wield it correctly.

Anything's a knife if you're brave enough.

I have some of those P-38's somewhere as well.

PS this is now a can opener thread.

As far as can openers, I like the vids where they rub the can on a rock and just pop off the top.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[xtrafrood]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

I have strayian version of that can opener.

PS this is now a can opener thread.

(Attachment Link)

Consider those keyboard crumbs as an added bonus

 :eek:

[tp4tissue]

Please no spam and k**b in same sentence.

Oh snap I'm next

/watches back

Twin blades of JUSTICE -n- VENGEANCE

[tp4tissue]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

Is there suppose to be a handle to this ?

[SpAmRaY]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

Is there suppose to be a handle to this ?

https://youtu.be/5Xy26cDJuNs

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[xtrafrood]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

Is there suppose to be a handle to this ?

Perhaps the handle broke off at some point during some kind of jungle type thing

[tp4tissue]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

Is there suppose to be a handle to this ?

https://youtu.be/5Xy26cDJuNs

Woaaahhh... So wurk.. much convenient..

[Sintpinty]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

I have strayian version of that can opener.

PS this is now a can opener thread.

(Attachment Link)

Consider those keyboard crumbs as an added bonus

I have a  can opener that i just use for ... soup. It has a bills  logo on it.

[xtrafrood]

I use to carry various folding knives that I never kept long enough to sharpen.  Though my favorite 'knife' is my Dad's P-38.  I dunno how he held on to it for so long but I'm glad he did.

edit - useless photo

Show Image

I have strayian version of that can opener.

PS this is now a can opener thread.

(Attachment Link)

Consider those keyboard crumbs as an added bonus

I have a  can opener that i just use for ... soup. It has a bills  logo on it.

Can opener thread +1

[9999hp]

AZ has zero laws on knives I believe, or at least they are very lenient. That said, outdoors stuff, I like to carry a 4" nessmuk fixed blade for general use; and during work hours an "Out the Front" "Double Action" knife. It's purty sweet. Mostly for box-cutting; various small cutting jobs.

There was a quote in Backpacker's magazine a while ago that I read went something like "No knife, no life", pretty much just summing up the usefulness of any kind of blade in a variety of tasks. Good tool to keep on you essentially.

[iri]

I used to carry a knife (or several) all the time when I lived in Russia. Now I would be a notorious criminal for doing so, but I still take Opinels to picnics.

[romevi]

I always thought knives were just the world's version of Americans and their obsession with guns. You can have them, but you're not really going to be using them for what they were made.
That said, I have been interested lately in a few blades. I keep a Kershaw Leek in my backpack just 'cause. What are some other good options around that size?

[clik_clak]

I always thought knives were just the world's version of Americans and their obsession with guns. You can have them, but you're not really going to be using them for what they were made.
That said, I have been interested lately in a few blades. I keep a Kershaw Leek in my backpack just 'cause. What are some other good options around that size?

I think you're completely undervaluing the purpose of a knife. A gun really has one purpose outside of entertainment. A knife has many.

[tp4tissue]

I always thought knives were just the world's version of Americans and their obsession with guns. You can have them, but you're not really going to be using them for what they were made.
That said, I have been interested lately in a few blades. I keep a Kershaw Leek in my backpack just 'cause. What are some other good options around that size?

I think you're completely undervaluing the purpose of a knife. A gun really has one purpose outside of entertainment. A knife has many.

Well.. yes and no,  you could use a gun to cut down a tree,  they just wouldn't let you do it.

[clik_clak]

I always thought knives were just the world's version of Americans and their obsession with guns. You can have them, but you're not really going to be using them for what they were made.
That said, I have been interested lately in a few blades. I keep a Kershaw Leek in my backpack just 'cause. What are some other good options around that size?

I think you're completely undervaluing the purpose of a knife. A gun really has one purpose outside of entertainment. A knife has many.

Well.. yes and no,  you could use a gun to cut down a tree,  they just wouldn't let you do it.

No.

[tp4tissue]

No.

But Yes. !

[iri]

I always thought knives were just the world's version of Americans and their obsession with guns. You can have them, but you're not really going to be using them for what they were made.
That said, I have been interested lately in a few blades. I keep a Kershaw Leek in my backpack just 'cause. What are some other good options around that size?

I think you're completely undervaluing the purpose of a knife. A gun really has one purpose outside of entertainment.

Hunting?

[xtrafrood]

I always thought knives were just the world's version of Americans and their obsession with guns. You can have them, but you're not really going to be using them for what they were made.
That said, I have been interested lately in a few blades. I keep a Kershaw Leek in my backpack just 'cause. What are some other good options around that size?

I think you're completely undervaluing the purpose of a knife. A gun really has one purpose outside of entertainment.

Hunting?

Are hollow-point bullets not available to citizens across the pond?

[iri]

I always thought knives were just the world's version of Americans and their obsession with guns. You can have them, but you're not really going to be using them for what they were made.
That said, I have been interested lately in a few blades. I keep a Kershaw Leek in my backpack just 'cause. What are some other good options around that size?

I think you're completely undervaluing the purpose of a knife. A gun really has one purpose outside of entertainment.

Hunting?

Are hollow-point bullets not available to citizens across the pond?

In Switzerland, they are available for hunting.

[xtrafrood]

I always thought knives were just the world's version of Americans and their obsession with guns. You can have them, but you're not really going to be using them for what they were made.
That said, I have been interested lately in a few blades. I keep a Kershaw Leek in my backpack just 'cause. What are some other good options around that size?

I think you're completely undervaluing the purpose of a knife. A gun really has one purpose outside of entertainment.

Hunting?

Are hollow-point bullets not available to citizens across the pond?

In Switzerland, they are available for hunting.

Ah, I see.  When I think Switzerland I can only think about log free VPNs.

[iri]

kids these days

[xtrafrood]

kids these days

Oh stop it you, you're making me blush.   

[Kavik]

The most important reason to carry a folding knife is to cut stray threads off clothing and to perform emergency surgery.

I use my folding knives probably every other day for something. There are better tools for most things, but I don't carry a tool bag with me, so having one general purpose item that sucks at everything equally on my person at all times is convenient. Small multitools are probably a better idea, but they're heavier and don't seem to have any good methods of securing to the pants other than a belt pouch.

I also carry a pen sized flashlight with me all the time. If either of these is not on me, it becomes very annoying any time something comes up: oops, I forgot to turn the porch light on before I left the house; oops, I dropped something under the table and can't see it; oops, I need to tell if you're on drugs right now by testing your pupil dilation. The flashlight is probably the more useful item since other things can be cut with keys or just torn.

The main problem I have with folding knives is that they become dull rather quickly, and I suck at sharpening them, so they're basically useless after enough use.

[tp4tissue]

The most important reason to carry a folding knife is to cut stray threads off clothing and to perform emergency surgery.

I use my folding knives probably every other day for something. There are better tools for most things, but I don't carry a tool bag with me, so having one general purpose item that sucks at everything equally on my person at all times is convenient. Small multitools are probably a better idea, but they're heavier and don't seem to have any good methods of securing to the pants other than a belt pouch.

I also carry a pen sized flashlight with me all the time. If either of these is not on me, it becomes very annoying any time something comes up: oops, I forgot to turn the porch light on before I left the house; oops, I dropped something under the table and can't see it; oops, I need to tell if you're on drugs right now by testing your pupil dilation. The flashlight is probably the more useful item since other things can be cut with keys or just torn.

The main problem I have with folding knives is that they become dull rather quickly, and I suck at sharpening them, so they're basically useless after enough use.

Ok, good points , but,,  we could expedite the entire situation ,  Never leave the house. !!

[xtrafrood]

The most important reason to carry a folding knife is to cut stray threads off clothing and to perform emergency surgery.

I use my folding knives probably every other day for something. There are better tools for most things, but I don't carry a tool bag with me, so having one general purpose item that sucks at everything equally on my person at all times is convenient. Small multitools are probably a better idea, but they're heavier and don't seem to have any good methods of securing to the pants other than a belt pouch.

I also carry a pen sized flashlight with me all the time. If either of these is not on me, it becomes very annoying any time something comes up: oops, I forgot to turn the porch light on before I left the house; oops, I dropped something under the table and can't see it; oops, I need to tell if you're on drugs right now by testing your pupil dilation. The flashlight is probably the more useful item since other things can be cut with keys or just torn.

The main problem I have with folding knives is that they become dull rather quickly, and I suck at sharpening them, so they're basically useless after enough use.

Oh man yep.  Little keychain LED lights have saved the day on a few occasions.  All my previous automotive fuse problems seemed to happen at night for some reason.

[tp4tissue]

The most important reason to carry a folding knife is to cut stray threads off clothing and to perform emergency surgery.

I use my folding knives probably every other day for something. There are better tools for most things, but I don't carry a tool bag with me, so having one general purpose item that sucks at everything equally on my person at all times is convenient. Small multitools are probably a better idea, but they're heavier and don't seem to have any good methods of securing to the pants other than a belt pouch.

I also carry a pen sized flashlight with me all the time. If either of these is not on me, it becomes very annoying any time something comes up: oops, I forgot to turn the porch light on before I left the house; oops, I dropped something under the table and can't see it; oops, I need to tell if you're on drugs right now by testing your pupil dilation. The flashlight is probably the more useful item since other things can be cut with keys or just torn.

The main problem I have with folding knives is that they become dull rather quickly, and I suck at sharpening them, so they're basically useless after enough use.

Oh man yep.  Little keychain LED lights have saved the day on a few occasions.  All my previous automotive fuse problems seemed to happen at night for some reason.

the brightest keychain seems to be the 300lumen one.. i wonder if that throttles.

[xtrafrood]

The most important reason to carry a folding knife is to cut stray threads off clothing and to perform emergency surgery.

I use my folding knives probably every other day for something. There are better tools for most things, but I don't carry a tool bag with me, so having one general purpose item that sucks at everything equally on my person at all times is convenient. Small multitools are probably a better idea, but they're heavier and don't seem to have any good methods of securing to the pants other than a belt pouch.

I also carry a pen sized flashlight with me all the time. If either of these is not on me, it becomes very annoying any time something comes up: oops, I forgot to turn the porch light on before I left the house; oops, I dropped something under the table and can't see it; oops, I need to tell if you're on drugs right now by testing your pupil dilation. The flashlight is probably the more useful item since other things can be cut with keys or just torn.

The main problem I have with folding knives is that they become dull rather quickly, and I suck at sharpening them, so they're basically useless after enough use.

Oh man yep.  Little keychain LED lights have saved the day on a few occasions.  All my previous automotive fuse problems seemed to happen at night for some reason.

the brightest keychain seems to be the 300lumen one.. i wonder if that throttles.

Gonna have pupgrade your patented sweatpants to flame resistant sweatpants..  yikes

[Coreda]

I previously used a dedicated flashlight, a AA Nitecore which has a max 120 lumens (adjustable to anything lower via its ramping UI) but I now use my phone's in-built one almost exclusively since it's more convenient and floodier (wider spread of light). It's mapped to toggle on/off via a double-tap of a physical button on the side of the phone (even when locked or the screen is off or any other app is open).

Perceptibly it has maybe half the output (likely in reality less in lumens) but due to the wide dispersion of light I've found it more useful at night.

[Nerd]

Nope. It is illegal in Australia to carry a knife without a valid reason and all those reasons would not be valid.

Same here in Canada. Knives and guns are illegal to carry around without proper permits. I personally do not carry any sort of weapons when in my community, i feel it is safe and it is smaller of a city so most people know others in the neighborhood, even if legal, i still wouldn't do so.