I'm a stage technician, what kind of knife do you recomend?

[Tech-cat]

I generally cut rope, fabric, gaff tape, etc. One hand opening is very important, but what other factors should I consider? Would you recomend a plain or serrated blade? What kind of handle should I go with?

[The Stare]

With a poor understanding of what all you cut and how often, my first thought in response is the Dyad. (I think they've been discontinued though.) Dyads -- there is a Dyad Jr also -- have 2 blades, one fully serrated, the other plain. Thus, the user is afforded a meaningful choice when a task is confronted.

I would think that serrations would catch a lot on fabric. Yet, few doubt they are better at cutting rope, hose, etc. Of course, the plain edge blade on my Dyad is flat ground, so am sure if really sharp it is a cutting fool -- so to speak.

AFter the Dyad, the Native comes to my mind. My experience with the Native is measured only in days. And, mine is an older model, so it doesn't have the great FRN handle pattern that the Calypso Jr. has. (At least I understand that the Native now has that same pattern. Best grip I've found yet, except for Fallknivens.)

The Native FRN also comes in CPM440V steel. Which should hold an edge as long, or longer, than any other available. I frankly don't know if it comes in 50/50 or 40/60 plain/serrated. It has a bit short of a blade for a combination blade. I'd shoot for a blade nearer 4" if you want a combo blade.

Many people think the Calypso Jr. is in a class by itself for cutting. That is the FRN handled model with the VG-10 steel. It isn't what I'd call a heavy duty knife, but it has rave reviews. I'll quit now.

Stare

[sam the man..]

Spydewrench ~ Backed up with any Spyderco folders with a 50-50 edge. That'll pack some power in your daily chores. I'd go for the FRN-handled Spydies cos they're affordable, robust and as good as they look!! *hee-hee!* <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[Robert Martin]

I think if you can find a dyad get it! Otherwise I would highly recomend the Harpy for that type of cutting. Look to the endura, military or the wegner for a larger knife. I had a friend in NY that worked back stage and he used serated delica, thats how I leared about spyderco, its a great midsized knife he kept it attached to his belt loop with a line and caribener. He swore by it .

Edited by - robert martin on 6/4/2001 11:10:58 PM

[vampyrewolf]

Harpy, stainless, serrated
Native(50/50)FRN, 440V
Delica FRN, plain
Pro-Ven(60/40), stainless
SpydeRench(serrated), stainless

any one of these are nice for your uses. I recommend them in the order I listed. Harpy would be your best bet for the uses given. Native would be the best to use EDC, as well as the uses given.

Good luck.


We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[Clay Kesting]

FWIW my mate Ferret, who sometimes posts here, is a stage hand at the Opera House here in Sydney. His EDC for many years was a stainless Police with a serrated blade, before he moved on to Microtech and customs.

Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.

[sal]

Hi Tech-cat. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

sal

[mnblade]

I'm a gigging musician and therefore spend a lot of time cutting stuff (wires, cords, last-minute set lists and, mainly, lots of duct tape). One problem to consider with serrations, is that they're, frankly, kind of a pain to clean up. I don't like carrying around a blade covered in "tape goo" any longer than I have to. Because of that, I only carry plain-edge blades with me on gig nights. The Dyad sounds like a decent choice, but personally, I'd go for a lightweight plain Endura in ATS-55 steel. If you're hellbent on serrated, get one in 50/50. YMMV.

[Jazzman]

Personally, I would go with the Harpy. It's a good and hefty working knife. If you prefer a plain edge, go for the plain Merlin. If you don't like the blade shape go for the Endura.
Good luck,
Matt
BTW, just know that this knife will the spyderco of many!

[ftkinney]

one thing you might want to consider is not only ease of hand opening but also ease of hand closing, try all these great sugestons at your local store for erognimics, think about when you are leaning over on top of a ladder or genie lift (maybe the pull cut of a harpy or merlin). you might what tip up so that it is also tail up: the hole in the handle can have some line succring it to your belt while it is sticking out of your pocket. test wich carry you would like to use with the knife expally one hand ease of removel from your pocket at hights, crouched in the traps, while holding a lighing instrumt and cutting tie- line and/or gaffers tape. wich ever one you choose i'm sure you will love it. and as some one here warned me it will not be your only spyderco.

FTK

[Knife Dude]

Hi Tech,
Since you cut ropes and such I would suggest a serrated blade. You would want something that wouldn't slip around in your hand to bad so I would suggest a G-10 handle. Steel handles aren't too bad but I would get G-10 for safety so your hand won't slip and cut yourself. If I had to pick I would also want a liner-lock knife, Spyderco makes very few of them, but they make them [Keep in mind the price,$$$$$$$]. A lockback is acward to close with one hand, but a liner lock you can easily open and close the knife with 2 fingers. Below is all of the options I would want on the knife.

Liner Lock
Medium sized
Serrated
G-10 handle material


Hope this helps,
Knife Dude

[Jazzman]

Knife dude,
How about the Serrated Mil?

[br44]

I've been a sound guy for over 20 years and sold or given knives to dozens of crew people. I try to turn them all into knife lovers. Spydies with serrations seem to be the best. Mainly enduras and crickets with a few others thrown in like dyads, wegners, and police models. Quite a few security guys have gotten knives from me too. Spydies are the best because of the pocket clip, the serrations and being to open them with one hand. If you wanted to go all out, buy a Spyderwrench.

[ramlanrafie]

i'm agreed with mnblade, i like a "clean" cut and also get a lightweight version cause it will attached to u most of the time.

any model that meet the above criteria for me will do.

[Mancer]

I have 6 words for you:"Harpy, Harpy, Harpy, Harpy, Harpy, Harpy", for the functions you specified its the one, serated is a must, for rope and so on, for tape the curved tip slices beutifully, dude get the harpy, stainless is sexy looking as well <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Happy Hunting

MaNcEr

It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum

[Jeff/1911]

The serrated Harpy seems like the logical choice to me too. I'd buy the stainless steel version (Harpy), as opposed to the lightweight (Merlin) as the heavier stainless steel handle will "drop open" easily into your hand. There is no more secure way to open a knife that I know of than this. Also, the blade on the Harpy is thicker and stronger than the one on the Merlin. Good luck with your shopping. Jeff/1911.

Edited by - Jeff/1911 on 6/8/2001 11:46:41 PM

Edited by - Jeff/1911 on 6/8/2001 11:48:16 PM

[clipiteer]

sorry for the double post

clipiteer

Edited by - clipiteer on 6/9/2001 5:00:00 PM

[clipiteer]

Don't know what's going on here, but when I posted a reply, either I posted twice by mistake or something was messed up. This would have been ok except that when I edited the message, both messages were edited. Might have something to do with this "pipeline error" message that I keep seeing when entering the forum or posting. Anyone else having this problem or know what to do about it?
clipiteer