You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I have:
old leather man wave an ex colleague snapped one tip of the pliers prising out a split pin he then corrected the issue by grinding the other side down..... ****.
A newer leatherman wave that I leant to someone at work who used it while their hands were covered in grout.
I'm onto my 3rd Buck redpoint on my work harness, I file the bottle opener tab off so I can fire a carabineer through it. No1 died when someone used it as a screwdriver. No2 died when someone used it to slash open 40 bags of type 1. No3 is still going strong.
Moral of the story, knives are like girlfriends*, never lend them to your mates# as you never know their intentions
*Boyfriends/friends with benefits/partner etc
#family/colleagues etc
I rarely carry them day to day.
For those working at night, buy a head torch, much better than a wee hand torch.
I'm enjoying scotroutes posts.
Daily updates please.
To be fair though my 38mm swissarmy. Knife blade is a miserable spreader, i'd be better dipping the whole lot in the jam and wiping it off with the scone.
There seem to be a few of schools of thought on the (oddly recurring on STW) topic of "EDC knives", but they generally boil down to:
-"I'll rely on having a good reason if challenged"
-"I'll Keep it just inside of 'legal' sub 3 inches"
-"If I don't foresee needing a knife today, so I won't carry one"
And I have to agree with scotroutes and err towards the last of those schools of thought above.
The risks of spending half a day explaining myself in a police station following a stop and search, far outweigh the likelihood of me needing to trim a zip tie or neatly slice a pork pie while out and about (YMMV).
The gamble if found with a knife just under 3" will always be is the officer I encounter going to accept my "good reason"?
@count zero, out of interest I googled your 'CRKT pillar' their website says it got a 2.67" locking blade, if you do ever get S&S'd you're going to be relying on the copper's judgement there, and I doubt he/she will be calibrated to spot the 8mm difference...
I think the easiest blade to justify as "every day carry" if you must is still probably the knife integrated into a leatherman type multi-tool...
if you have a non locking knife less than 3" long then you do not need a good reason. The copper will have no reason to detain you. If you have any knife that is non folding or folding and locking, then you need good reason. length of blade irrelevant
https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
I think the easiest blade to justify as “every day carry” if you must is still probably the knife integrated into a leatherman type multi-tool…
Which are generally locking...
Also. Anyone who uses "everyday carry"or EDC like they are a low level tactical mission on their day off should not be allowed to hold a knife.
I just generally have no need to carry a knife. Mrs TJ carries a Switz
army knife when camping. My mother kept getting caught in airports with 5" opinal lock knives tho.
I use knives on a daily basis and so am finding this discussion interesting....
My day job is mostly in an office but does also involve some work with rope and textile fibres for which a knife is required. Apart from the bike I also, rock climb, walk, shoot (archery) and generally enjoy time outdoors including camping. This means I tend to always have a knife about my person and it's very rare that a day passes in which I don't use a knife.
These days I have one of these for 'just in case': https://heinnie.com/ruike-s11 Which is about as small and inoffensive as possible while still being useful.
If I expect I might use a knife I'll likely have one of these: https://heinnie.com/svord-peasant-mini for the reasons already given. Again this is a 'legal' carry.
Then, if I'm doing an activity that definitely justifies having a knife I'll use a fixed blade for my own safety.
There's also more specialised stuff, for example, my first aid kit in the 'woods' bag also has a fixed blade rescue knife in, but as pointed out, context is everything. In this case, it's a knife, in a first aid kit, in a bag, with tools like saws axes etc.
Given how useful a knife is it still amazes me that some people are shocked that anyone would consider it appropriate to have even a small knife in their pocket.
I've got a little rechargeable Olight torch on my keyring, as I'm a bit night-vison impaired. I use it a lot in winter walking to the shops down an unlit alley (avoiding dogshit rather than muggers etc) and walking down the side of the house. Comes in handy out and about at times, but never in a life or death way.
I've got a Swiss Army keyring knife on there too, I only ever use it for Dad duties, cutting open toy packaging or tweezering out splinters. Occasional use cutting crab nets out of hair.Comes in handy out and about at times, but never in a life or death way.
I've also got a titanium vial thing on my keys with a £20 note in it. Never leave the house without my keys, but have left my wallet in my other coat/bag/gone for a run/whatever. I'm diabetic, so have had to use the emergency note to buy food to deal with a hypo. Not quite life or death, but self-sufficient and avoided a trip in an ambulance.
I don't NEED a knife and all that EDC gubbins, but they do make my life a bit easier. I don't think I'm tooled up like Rambo though. Could be worse, some people appear to forget which bike is theirs and write their name on it. Sometimes a sticker with their favourite veg on it, for example an Onion - they're the real psychos.
Is there an illegal knives thread?
I have found some interesting bits that I believe belonged to my grandfather, one might be a bayonet or similar from WWII (can't suss how it attaches), the other two look old but no idea on their origin, again both are interesting designs but purely for killing.
Being realistic I would only keep them for sentimental purposes but would rather give them to a museum (especially if military) or similar than destroy them if it was an option.
I think the easiest blade to justify as “every day carry” if you must is still probably the knife integrated into a leatherman type multi-tool…
I would rather go for the far easier option of a UK legal blade that I don’t need to justify to anyone.
Is there an illegal knives thread?
No such thing. Avoid poking people with them and you’re good.
Normal every day knife is a Spyderco UK Penknife in s110v;
https://heinnie.com/spyderco-uk-penknife-lightweight-dark-blue-cpm-s110v/https://heinnie.com/spyderco-uk-penknife-lightweight-dark-blue-cpm-s110v/
Walking in country when I might want to sit and whittle a while I have a Ben Orford Nomad;
https://benandloisorford.com/knives/nomad/
Canoeing I have a Spyderco Salt and Bahco rescue saw in the pfd;
https://heinnie.com/spyderco-atlantic-salt
In the knives box at home I have a LOT more!
@Kuco More likely to get noticed with a laptop in mid Wales, unless it was an English pattern billhook.
Most marquee firms must look like they are on their way to some gang brawl based on my past experience, although probably the least of our worries if we got stopped.
😄
@boombang - can you post some pictures? Lots of pictures of WW2 ear Lee Enfield bayonets here
https://www.jaybe-militaria.co.uk/british-lee-enfield-no7-knife-bayonet-scabbard-and-frog-1-sold-4193-p.asp
Svord Mini Peasant at work for me, have filed the non pointy end into a straight blade screwdriver. That and a set of mini knipex water pump pliers.
https://heinnie.com/svord-peasant-mini
Todays update: Out for a ride earlier and I saw a red squirrel running across the path and up a tree. For a moment, I thought that, if only I'd been carrying a knife, I could have caught the wee ginger-tailed rodent, skinned it and ate it. Then I remembered I'd just eaten a sandwich from the co-op so wasn't actually hungry. The sandwich came in a cardboard packet that initially had me flummoxed but then I spotted a "pull here to open" tab. Anyway, back to the squirrel. I'm developing a theory...
The svord mini peasant is so lovely and I don’t know why. I just love carrying it about. I’ve no idea why it gives me so much pleasure - but it does.
I’ve also no idea why I carry a knife about every day. It’s probably a bit sad, but I’ve done it for years. I use whatever I’m carrying round the workshop and for little jobs. I could always find an alternative and so for the last few years only carry “Uk legal” knives - it’s not worth getting a criminal record over, and I don’t think having a pork pie in your bag is a valid reason.
I also hate the idea of knife “collectors” or the idea of “collecting” anything, but I often look into my sock draw and think “why the bloody hell do you have all of these penknives...” but like watches, I like them... and I’m not sure buying a new penknife every couple of years is a particularly awful habit.
As far as airports go, most European airports will allow you through with a “legal” knife these days. Its not that they are missing it. It’s always a bastard when you find out on your return journey that what was fine at Heathrow isn’t in Paris or whatever - In Geneva airport you can buy yourself a SAK in duty free!
I find it really interesting that the knife fetishists deny any fetishism but then lovingly describe the knife, brand, model number etc!
Given how useful a knife is it still amazes me that some people are shocked that anyone would consider it appropriate to have even a small knife in their pocket.
You said it yourself a paragraph earlier, context is everything, I just don't have any reasonable need to carry any type of knife most of the time.
We happen to live in Reading, it's hardly Beruit but some of the local chavs had a rowdy evening the other week and the police instituted section 60 in our area for the following couple of days, I think I'd have been in trouble if stopped, even with a technically legal blade, at that point. And then there's the Forebury Gardens incident, that's probably made people a wee bit twitchier about knives round this way.
So in the context of where I live carrying a knife everywhere would be a poor, hard to justify choice.
And I'm pretty sure that sub 3" or not TVP would err towards arrest first, question later thus bolloxing my day...
I just love carrying it about.
I'm leaving that, obvious troll is obviously very obvious...
Some photos of the knives I have ended up with - as said no idea of the history or age but may have been through WW2. Struggling to find much use or justification for them now!
Razor sharp, thick serrated back edge, wasn't sure if it fitted onto something or the holes and lug on base of handle.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50750803882_65e06e5a2b_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50750803882_65e06e5a2b_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kjF8S3 ]20201223_100440[/url]
Something ceremonial maybe? I know there are links to Africa (military) and potentially secret societies...
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50750701896_1b941fc070_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50750701896_1b941fc070_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kjEBxE ]20201223_100314[/url]
A vicious looking bit of kit, handle folds back to give the full 8" (fnar)
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50750702526_197cc9772f_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50750702526_197cc9772f_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kjEBJw ]20201223_100336[/url]
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50750804077_27955cb7e5_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50750804077_27955cb7e5_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kjF8Vp ]20201223_100353[/url]
boombang
Full Member
Is there an illegal knives thread?
When I was clearing my dad's house out in spring, I found a kukri on top of his wardrobe in a carrier bag - had never mentioned it to anyone and I'd never seen it before. Complete mystery. I was driving back to Spain and didn't really fancy getting caught with it (had to turn the van out twice on the way, once at the tunnel and again on a random gendarme check), so I left it there for now. Would've liked to have kept it.
The risks of spending half a day explaining myself in a police station following a stop and search, far outweigh the likelihood of me needing to trim a zip tie or neatly slice a pork pie while out and about (YMMV).
The gamble if found with a knife just under 3″ will always be is the officer I encounter going to accept my “good reason”?@count zero, out of interest I googled your ‘CRKT pillar’ their website says it got a 2.67″ locking blade, if you do ever get S&S’d you’re going to be relying on the copper’s judgement there, and I doubt he/she will be calibrated to spot the 8mm difference…
I’m 66, I’ve carried a knife of one sort or another practically every day of my life since I was about eight years old, including sheath knives, up until the moral panic about ‘knife crime’ spread through the red-top meeja, and I have never, ever been stopped and questioned about carrying a knife. I even used to take a small pocket knife to school, which I used for sharpening pencils - I could do a better job than the machine the teacher had on the desk.
The only time I had an issue was going through customs traveling to France, when I had my Spyderco Delicia confiscated. I’d forgotten it was clipped inside my pocket.
I’m now carrying the U.K. legal Pilar from Heinnie more because it’s lighter and simpler and easier to use than the locking version, and easier to grip because of the textured G10 scales than the smooth steel of the original version.
What is it you’re doing that makes you feel you could be stopped and searched and a knife found in your pocket?
Enquiring minds would like to know.
Additionally, when I was a Ranger for Sustrans I regularly carried a folding saw and an axe, because it wasn’t unusual to find large branches had broken and fallen across some sections of route along an old railway line; I spent a couple of hours once cutting back a large branch, I got a bunch of thank-you’s, nobody questioned what I was using.
I ended up buying a few knives because of an earlier Edc thread. I started with a cheap locking kershaw but as that was no use outside of the house I ended up buying a few more.
There's a couple of things I like about them. First, on occasion they are the right tool for the job and while I could get by using a kitchen knife, scissors, a key or my bare hands there is a sense of satisfaction in using a sharp blade, especially if you don't have to go looking for it.
Secondly, I like knives as objects. They have a tactile quality like a good pen or some other well designed, well machined object.
As for owning more than one knife, why does anyone need more than one bike?
I do think carrying a (uk-legal) knife is a privilege that being white and middle class brings. If i was black and lived in London - not a chance.
moral panic
If you like.
Perhaps it's a generational thing, perhaps I'm just being a being trite.
I just don't have a practical, daily need to carry a blade, most people I know don't outside of specific job roles TBH. And I doubt the school would be pleased if I sent my kids in with knives to sharpen their pencils either these days. Perhaps times and attitudes to knives have just changed? But is it really that terrible if we're not all wandering around with knives in our pockets?
It's not that I don't own a knife or two, they're useful tools, but then so is a claw hammer and I tend not to wander about the neighborhood with one of those either...
What is it you’re doing that makes you feel you could be stopped and searched and a knife found in your pocket?
Enquiring minds would like to know.
I thought I made it clear, I live in a large conurbation with a significant police presence and despite being quite white and middle class I'm also a scruffy bugger. I've certainly had (polite) interactions with police within a mile of my front door. It's not impossible I might be stopped and searched while innocently going about my business, should that happen not having any blades on my person at all makes my life far simpler...
Additionally, when I was a Ranger for Sustrans I regularly carried a folding saw and an axe, because it wasn’t unusual to find large branches had broken and fallen across some sections of route along an old railway line; I spent a couple of hours once cutting back a large branch, I got a bunch of thank-you’s, nobody questioned what I was using.
Excellent, but to my mind your anecdote just drives home the earlier point about context. You were carrying some specific tools for a specific job you were currently engaged in. That's not really the same as habitually carrying a blade "just in case" when you pop to the shops, the pub or indeed on 99.7ish% of bike rides if I'm honest...
When I was clearing my dad’s house out in spring, I found a kukri on top of his wardrobe in a carrier bag – had never mentioned it to anyone and I’d never seen it before. Complete mystery. I was driving back to Spain and didn’t really fancy getting caught with it (had to turn the van out twice on the way, once at the tunnel and again on a random gendarme check), so I left it there for now. Would’ve liked to have kept it.
This is what I'm talking about re misinformation and paranoia.
You found an interesting family heirloom, potentially valuable and of relevance to your family and you left it because.
You are allowed to keep it, have it, display it, carry it home in your luggage basically do what you like with it except run about chopping folk with it, but you dumped it.
You can't get "caught" with something you are allowed to have.
And another.
I was out for a run earlier. There's a nice wee loop takes me across the River Dulnain, up through a farm, back across the river and return to Carrbridge. At the farm, there was a cattle grid to cross then, further on, a shoddy gate fastened with a bit of twine. I momentarily panicked. Having nothing to cut the twine with I was a bit stumped. However, on further examination, I noticed there was a knot. I untied the knot, opened the gate and stepped through before re-tying the knot.
Another potential knife-less disaster averted!
I quite often carry my Gerber Pocket Square at work (or various Leathermen). I wouldn't take it to the pub though...
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50754428476_0fbd25698d_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50754428476_0fbd25698d_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kjZHk3 ]2020-12-24_12-05-01[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr
Always have my Leatherman Style CS on my keyring though
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50754542792_282ee9d66f_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50754542792_282ee9d66f_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kk1ij1 ]2020-12-24_12-10-22[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr
Another potential knife-less disaster averted!
Please stop being a disruptive arse.
As a bit of an experiment I decided to list everything I do as a hobby and as a part of my working life. I quickly realised that were I to complete a venn diagram of all my experiences and knowledge there wouldn't be many overlapping circles with the many and varied, diverse folk on a Mountain Bike Forum. Nevertheless I decided I would write amusing and jocular anecdotes highlighting that my world barely meshes with that of others, and used them to elevate my "Well, I don't need this particular item so nether should you, aren't I awesome!" status.
Then I thought that would make me sound like a bit of a tosser. So I didn't.
Some photos of the knives I have ended up with
Might be worth trying the uk knives forum for comments. None of them look like military issue but personal knives of one description or another. if it was a bayonet either it would be a lot older (plug bayonet) or the attachment hole would be a lot more obvious.
I have carried locking and fixed blades for years for work. Mostly fixed blades attached to a pistol holster. Upon retiring and moving to the UK I am out of luck with my knife collection for EDC. Looking at a SOG terminus. Looks safe and legal.
I got a nice little Rodgers pocket knife the other week from swopping for old tools in a recently opened renovation shop. Upon googling it seems Rodgers of Sheffield has been in continual operation since 1682's and have a very good reputation.
https://www.sheffieldcollectableknives.com/about/joseph-rodgers
Very interesting face that Buffalo Bills knife was made by this company
Sharpening pencils, opening packets and theres little else you're going to use it for so a simple 2 blade affair is fine. Sharpens up shaving sharp just on a fine stone without much work. Rosewood handle too.
I've a few the parents took off me as a kid including a flick-knife 😆 and some old army knives.
I used to have a proper American flick-knife with the crocodile shaped handle but I swopped that with someone decades ago. Totally illegal, but it's kind of the epitome of flick-knives and I do wish i still owned it, from a collecting point of view.
I used to have a nice flick knife, one of the stiletto one. Slipped into Mrs kilo’s handbag one day and she pulled it out at a meeting at work and not realising what it was then flicked it open in front of her colleagues.
Carried a pocket knife since I was 8 years old when grandad gave me his MOD issue pig knife and stone and taught me how to keep an edge.
I used it for making bow and arrows (cave man club 😁) and carving my name in trees... highest climber got kudos... early Strava maybe 😁
Never ever though about it as a weapon, still don’t.
Victorinox rambler on my key ring daily and 90% carry a huntsman, best victorinox for EDC in my opinion.
Intrigued to know how people cope without carrying a quality pocket knife.
Bought my brother an officer last Christmas, lives in Croydon was scared of carrying... he now uses it every day.
When was the last time you got stop and searched by PC who didn’t understand the carry law FFS
Bought my brother an officer last Christmas, lives in Croydon was scared of carrying… he now uses it every day.
I got my Nephews a mini champ on their 16th birthdays. A trust thing, but not big enough to do any real damage or be waved about. Supplied it with a couple of elastoplasts too, incredible how many people who buy a new victorinox cut themselves upon closing it for the first time.
Please stop being a disruptive arse.
I am a bit worried that he hasnt posted today. Either he listened to you or decided to walk out the door with a penknife and, unlike anyone normal, went berserk with it.
Intrigued to know how people cope without carrying a quality pocket knife.
I dont normally carry one and generally cope happily without. When I think there is a need though I do and will have a couple handy near the door (one locking one not).
I carry one of those bokers that was posted a while back, simply for the reason it's "UK legal" it's basically a locker and has stumped a few people at the strength of the spring on how to fold it.
I'm a agri mechanical fitter and use it all the time it's a tool, but it's always in my pocket no matter where I go as it's so useful.
As for the laws.....in the 31years I've been walking the planet I could have had a Smith and Wesson .44 in my pocket, I've never been stopped and searched, if you're the sort of person that finds themselves questioning what the police would say when they search you, you should be having a look at why the police might be searching you and addressing that problem first
Intrigued to know how people cope without carrying a quality pocket knife.
Is this a bit like needing a chain tool on daily bike rides, I dont bother anymore and not needed one in well over a decade.
Cant remember the last time I needed a knife when not out camping or whatever.
Heres a song for the knifists.
I carry one as I never know when I will need one, A bit like not taking a multitool on a bike ride.
Intrigued to know how people cope without carrying a quality pocket knife.
I'd love to tell you, but...
I carry one as I never know when I will need one, A bit like not taking a multitool on a bike ride.
I'm intrigued to know what else you carry with you because "you'll never know when you need it". Torch, some paracord in a wee bracelet, portable ventilator?
Intrigued to know how people cope without carrying a quality pocket knife.
Quite comfortably thanks. I use a Stanley knife at work for cutting up bike boxes and I use a small Opinel for cutting food when camping. I don't recall a time when I've been out and about and needed a knife at all.
Scotroutes, why can you not just accept that a knife is a tool, do you go round shouting at sparkies because of the sharp pointy pozidrive they've got in their pocket?
I have one of the larger more chunky Leathermen. I don't know which one, but it has been useful. I am a teacher, and I always take it on a school trips, as inevitably I am the one up for the challenge of breaking into the locked case where the child has lost the keys, or fixing someone's glasses, or whatever.
We were on a trip to NY one October, and were going out to the Statue of Liberty. We arrived at the departure point to be greeted with the full "Airport Security" get up (which I hadn't anticipated), and I knew I was going to be relieved of the Leatherman, and never see it again. As we approached the barriers I knelt down to tie my shoelace, and after a quick visual sweep left and right, slipped the Leatherman into some dry leaves underneath a bush next to the path. Dead Drop! I stood up, and made my way, unmolested, through the security checks. Repeated checks confirmed I was not being followed.
After a paranoid visit to Liberty and Ellis Islands, I returned to scene to re-tie my lace. I knelt down, slipped my hand into the leaves and retrieved the Leatherman. No SWAT team, no drama, just satisfaction.
I’ve found a paracord key fob and a SAK are all I really need.
I’m a tinkerer, the type to make do and mend rather than accepting a problem, chuck kit away and buy new.
The amount of ECD I chose has come in quite handy over the years, in normal life, during hobbies and at work. It all depends how willing you are to tackle a problem.
I work in social housing, My job is to fix things, I like it, Id hate to sit behind a desk for employment.
I’m not in a position to buy Uber reliable/expensive kit if I go bike packing for eg, my budget stuff can and has failed whilst in the middle of nowhere and at inappropriate times but I’m content to know that I have a few tools handy to fix it to help get me out of a pickle and I find it quite satisfying if I can.
I’ve also found It very frustrating when you don’t have the tools to fix a simple problem but you know you could if you did.
I’m intrigued to know what else you carry with you because “you’ll never know when you need it”. Torch, some paracord in a wee bracelet, portable ventilator?
I’m content to know that I have a few tools handy to fix it to help get me out of a pickle and I find it quite satisfying if I can.
I’ve also found It very frustrating when you don’t have the tools to fix a simple problem but you know you could if you did.
Scotroutes, while you might be adequately equipped with just your teeth and a sharpened fingernail in order to cope with whatever exigencies life throws at you, us lesser mortals have to rely on more sophisticated tools produced by commercial concerns.
Sorry if that offends your innate Bear Grylls pioneering spirit, but it is what it is, I’m afraid.
I’ve usually got at least one torch with me, usually two, more than that at work, because I’m often having to hunt for missing items in dark corners of cars, frequently in complete darkness, and to repeat myself, zipties are often used and which need cutting, I can carry a knife on a lanyard, but I’m not carrying cutters that can be lost or open up in a pocket, that’s asking for an injury.
And paracord? Excellent stuff, but it’s easier to carry a few metres in a bag, than have to unravel a bracelet that probably cost more than an equivalent length of cord.
You know what, I even took an axe on holiday once, used it a lot cutting up dry driftwood to fuel my little stove to boil my kettle.
I’ve never been stopped and searched, if you’re the sort of person that finds themselves questioning what the police would say when they search you, you should be having a look at why the police might be searching you and addressing that problem first
I don't think skin bleaching is going to take off.
I’m intrigued to know what else you carry with you because “you’ll never know when you need it”. Torch, some paracord in a wee bracelet, portable ventilator?
Up until that last bit I was about to tell you. But you aren't interested are you, you're trolling.
I’ve never been stopped and searched, if you’re the sort of person that finds themselves questioning what the police would say when they search you, you should be having a look at why the police might be searching you and addressing that problem first
I don’t think skin bleaching is going to take off.
What an unfortunate attempt at humour...
But also quite a telling one?
Scotroutes still has a point though, which now just seems to be irritating the "EDC crew", carrying a knife all the time just isn't necessary for most people...
Merry Christmas all.
Only just looked at this thread as I got a couple of knives yesterday, now worried I'm some sort of deviant.
Scotroutes still has a point though, which now just seems to be irritating the “EDC crew”, carrying a knife all the time just isn’t necessary for most people…
I'm more of a 'some day carry' even though I have all the EDC paraphernalia. I usually drive a Discovery Commercial full of tools anyway
I think it really comes down to - sometimes, having a knife/multitool/torch on you will be a godsend, yet a lot of the time go unused.
If you choose to carry, great, if you don't then also great. Doesn't really bloody matter, does it?
Doesn’t really bloody matter, does it?
Are you new here? 🙂
carrying a knife all the time just isn’t necessary for most people…
Quite possibly, but the inference is that, because he doesn’t need one, nobody else needs to carry one, despite being told that, those who do, use them on a daily basis; and then those that do get flamed for actually finding something useful that others don’t.
Of course, this is STW, and, after 17 years on this site, I really shouldn’t be surprised any more...
Speaking of U.K. legal knives, historically, most old U.K.-made pocket knives are still legal, because they tend to have fairly short blades, and they don’t have a locking mechanism, which is a more recent development.
Someone on here recently sent me an old knife that had been found stashed away somewhere, and thought I might like to have a go at restoring it. It wasn’t really that badly rusted, more surface corrosion, and fairly easily cleaned up with a Scotchbrite pad, leaving it patinated but usable. I’ve sharpened it, and it takes a pretty good edge, the steel Sheffield turned out was very highly regarded, and this particular knife was made by one of two makers, who were considered the very best in North America, George Worstenholm, who sold knives with the I*XL trade mark, and Rogers. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to take some ‘before’ photos, but it wasn’t that bad, all things considered.
It’s believed that the knife that became known as the Bowie knife after its most famous user, and was found by his body after Santa Ana took the Alamo was an I*XL knife.
No idea how old the knife in the photos is, but it could easily be a century old, I can’t find one like it through searches, but it’s not a modern knife; still perfectly legal and a very handy little knife, and I’m delighted to be its new owner.
For no other reason than I'm bored at home with Rona and decided to get my neglected camera out to do some product shots, here's my Leatherman Charge tti+
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50770719687_a033643739_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50770719687_a033643739_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kmrd8Z ]DSC00004-4[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr
Just spent a happy 1 1/2 hours sharpening my Leatherman and Mora 106 wood carving knives.
The blade on the Leatherman had a couple of nicks in that one just about got out and the Mora just needed doing.
Got a couple more to go - a nice Morton Bowie and a Kasumi chef’s knife but they can wait. The Morton needs a fair amount of work as it has some corrosion.
Then to dig the old hatchet out of the garage and get a really good edge on that-see if I can dust off my carving skills 🙂
I’m delighted to be its new owner.
I'm rather glad I didn't just chuck it in the bin.
What an unfortunate attempt at humour…
But also quite a telling one?
My point, in a roundabout fashion, was really to shine a light onto a bit of casual white privilege. I don't know Scotroutes from a hole in the ground but I would guess that on a scale of "19-year old black lad in a hoodie" to "reasonably turned out middle-aged white bloke" he's probably somewhat closer to the latter end of that scale. In which case it would be somewhat naive at best to assume that just because you, personally, haven't been randomly turned over by the police for the crime of merely existing, that your experiences are representative of society as a whole and that anyone in that position must therefore inherently be a wrong 'un and have a "problem" which needs "addressing."
Needed a new knife for taking netwrap off bales so banged this up out of an old circular saw blade and a beech kitchen worktop offcut. Bit rough and ready but only took an hour to make and will do the job just fine.
[img] 
[/img]
My little collection of 'knives', albeit most of them are more than knives. Waiting on a SAK Alox Farmer to add to the fold
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50807529068_bf577377aa_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50807529068_bf577377aa_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kpFShu ]2021-01-06_09-04-47[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr
Because you can cut a porkpie with a creditcard
I would never cut my cocaine with pork pie, that would be a waste of pork pie.
Bit rough and ready but only took an hour to make and will do the job just fine.
That's the reality of many real homemade tools. They are made to save time on a specific job so made quickly. To me that's the beauty, it's real and it used.
I have been arrested ( not in the UK) for having a knife on me. I had been camping and indeed that day had used it for my lunch. I was in a city centre and 18 at the time
@Cougar, the steel used is very good, and the small blade is now seriously bloody sharp!
The larger blade has been worn back into the thicker part of the spine at the tip, and has a bit of a hollow in the mid-edge, so more difficult to get a good edge, but I’ll keep working at it.
It’s a great little knife, and it’s a real part of Britain’s industrial heritage, indeed a part that was globally admired for its quality.
Thanks again, I’m very proud to be it’s new owner.
That makes me happy. Thank you.
Welshfarmer.
Would a hooked blade not be even better? Also what do you use on the sheep's feet? My dad always used the thinnest Swiss army knife I've ever seen, two blades maybe 5mm total thickness.
Not read past page 1 (guessing it descends in to a battle of opinions between a few people who won't concede), but now I have learnt that my trusty SAK that I bought in 2004 is now illegal because of the little locking tab on the back. Like this one:
Currently lives in the car door pocket where it gets used for various tasks where it's convenient especially while camping. Guess it's going to be coming inside to the toolbox now though.
You should have read on, locking is only illegal insofar as you need a reasonable excuse for carrying it. Just in case isn't but if you have a specific task to perform then that would be fine.
Waiting on a SAK Alox Farmer
Ive got of of those, if I could mod a posi driver onto it itd be perfect..
Going back a bit combining this thread with how long have you had a MTB thread
Manbag at least that doesn't sound bad I used a "fannybag" constantly for tools,tube, food on runs and I don't even have a fanny
You very rarely see them now maybe fairground dogem money collectors
I used a “fannybag” constantly for tools,tube, food on runs and I don’t even have a fanny
You didn't, you had a bumbag.
And if you are American you do have a fanny.
My one was imported from USA definitely a fannybag, zztop got away with the words she's got hair down to her fanny I thought was a bit rude at the time
My newly acquired SAK Alox, with my Victorinox Inox watch
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50817949946_ef1e3e5fc3_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50817949946_ef1e3e5fc3_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kqBh3N ]2021-01-09_05-27-32[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr
I regret not picking up a knife this morning. My neighbour's farm had a big fire, in a mad rush to alert him i ran past two knives. I was not able to release some stock. Seeing silhouettes of sheep and cattle trapped by the flames will be with me for some time.
Not good. That must have been shit. Hopefully not too many lost.