Knife for ecology class.

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PiPhi
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Knife for ecology class.

#1

Post by PiPhi »

Hi, I just started my freshman year in college and I’m in a biology/ecology class that has to go on field trips, the topic of the labs very, so it’s not just freshman and some of the juniors and seniors are big into forestry/ecology and land management they use knives out in the field. I was thinking about changing my major (or my minor) or at least buying a knife to work in this class. Well I would like it also to look cool with the guys out in the woods <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>.



I noticed this type knife with a hole seemed popular so I thought about getting one but there are just so many, it is overwhelming. Can somebody advise me?
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4 s ter
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#2

Post by 4 s ter »

Hi PiPhi

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum

As a (now retired) Forester I wouldn't recommend changing your major just because they get to carry knives in the field. However, carrying a knife is certainly a necessity if you go into a course of study or a profession which requires you to spend a lot of time outdoors, particularly in the forest.

Good entry level Spyderco folders for use outdoors would be the Endura or Native. Both have a relatively large blade, good steel, and a reasonable (student friendly) price. There are lots of others to choose from depending upon your needs and finances. I'm sure other Forum members will have additional suggestions

Good luck and happy shopping!

David

"Not all who wander are lost"
transistor
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#3

Post by transistor »

You'll probably be using the tip to dig into stuff with sometimes. A real fine tip like on the Delica or Endura is nice for fine work, but if you use it to dig into a log to extract an insect larvae or whatever you'll almost certainly snap off the tip. A blade like the Pro-Grip, with a sturdier tip might work. Why not ask some of the upperclassmen/grad students what works for them?
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travis quaas
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#4

Post by travis quaas »

PiPhi,
Welcome to the expansive world of knife knowledge! The other folks were right on. This my little addition for a suggestion, try the Bob Lum Tanto. It has an Apple-Seed tip (I hope I spelled that right <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>). This is a nice design for piercing through the toughest things. This means a very robust time. Plus, the Bob Lum Tanto is a folder. Nice and compact for pocket. Especially, for you back packers out there, trying to limit the amount of weight you have to carry. The Bob Lum Tanto also has a black coating on the blade. It truly has some nice lines. Remember though, with any Apple-Seed tips, it's hard to get a razor sharp edge. As you wear down the edge the body of the blade as you are sharpening gets wider. Good luck in your endeavors!

tq
glockman99
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#5

Post by glockman99 »

If I were you, I'd opt for the plain-edge Native.

Dann Fassnacht Aberdeen, WA glockman99@hotmail.com ICQ: 53675663
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Big-Target
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#6

Post by Big-Target »

A plain or combo edge Endura should do the job!!!<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

BIG-TARGET>>>>>"Time is an illusion. Lunch time doubly so!!!"-Ford Prefect(The Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy)
Sword and Shield
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#7

Post by Sword and Shield »

Howdy PiPhi! Welcome to <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>Land, Blade University! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

I would look at the Endura first, then the BL Tanto. Tantos are hard to sharpen for some people, so give that a thought. Enduras are excellent working tools, and reasonably priced.

I wouldn't suggest a major change over this, but enjoying a class is always a bonus. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Never underestimate the impossible.
delicrazy
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#8

Post by delicrazy »

i would say the delica. the tip is fairly weak but it is light and non threatining looking. if its frn its very light too and its size gives you a lot of blade but not too much. its also quite affordalble and i am obsessed with it. oh yes and welcome to the forum
PiPhi
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#9

Post by PiPhi »

Hi, Thanks for everyone’s advice on which one to get. I’m going to go shopping this weekend and one of the stores on my list is a hiking and camping store. I hope that they might have one of the ones that you suggested would work for me.

4 s ter & Sword and Shield, right now I’m an undeclared biology major so Ecology/Land Management is one of the specialties I have to pick from, and it does not require that many classes that what I would be taking anyway. My goal would be to get a master’s degree and work in public resource management at the state or federal level.

Transistor, normally I would ask the advice of graduate students or upperclassmen, but all the sorority jokes would ensue despite my career goals and academic achievement most of my male classmates think I’m just here for a MRS. Degree. I thought that if I just showed up with a knife and dressed for work in the field it might get me some respect. Remember appearances count more that they should (I tend to think that is one of the reasons that these internet chat rooms are so popular).

Travis, Big-Target, Delicrazy & Goldman 99 – Thank you for your recommendations I will see if they have those models at the store.

I might tend to get one that has a brightly colored handle (if that exists) so that it can be seen if I were to drop it on the ground out in the wilderness.
Sword and Shield
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#10

Post by Sword and Shield »

For a bright knife, maybe a Rescue Jr. would work. It has a sheepsfoot tip, which is plenty strong for the occaisional prying, and is bright orange and easy to see.

Never underestimate the impossible.
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chinook
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#11

Post by chinook »

A couple colorful choices you "may" find at an outdoor store would be the Salsa which comes in many hues, or the blue Delica. Either would serve you well I believe. Handle them and don't settle for anything you don't feel comfortable with. You can order online also usually at a saving.


Disguised as a responsible adult.
mac_heath
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#12

Post by mac_heath »

PiPhi>
If you're looking for impressive, go with a larger-looking knife (yeah, it's stereotypical, but guys are impressed w/ size). I've found the FRN Native is an inexpensive EDC knife, and very sturdy. For in-the-woods, you'll probably want some of the blade plain-edged. My experience with the combo-edge native is that it doesn't have enough plain edge to be really useful. If you have some cash (or you can convince your parents to send some books and supplies money), I'd look at the combo edge military (big knife).

Serrations are great, but not universally useful. A few months ago I was trimming a tree in my front yard w/ a folding saw. I ran into some branches that were really too small for the saw, so I used my SE Merlin, it cut right through them, faster than my CE Native would have. However, I cannot whittle or perform delicate slicing actions with the serrated merlin.



there is no ginger
sc_rebel1957
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#13

Post by sc_rebel1957 »

I'm a old guy 45 to be exact , but my son is in his freshman yr at college also so i can kinda relate to the apperance deal.

He's a lil lad 6'6" 290 and a football player so he don't get much ribbing, his major is goin to be Socialogy with a minor in criminal justice.
He carries the SS version of the Endura old model PE nad it serves him well around campus and the various bars he claims to never visit( yeah right) anyway i 2nd the Endura, Delica, suggestions but hold many in your hand before you buy, all dont fit everyones hand the same or serve the same need.
Where he goes to school about every guy there carries some sort of knife.
Anyway good luck and welcome to this addiction. Ron
PiPhi
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#14

Post by PiPhi »

Hello, I didn't get a chance to get to the camping store this past weekend, but I got some great stuff at the outlet mall <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>. The lab field trip was canceled due to weather;( so maybe next weekend I can pick one up<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>.

Happy Halloween.
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