Short and Strong question

Donut · #21

Judging from your OP, I would say the Techno is the one.

The Native 5 is also a very good knife. Both should perform very well for you.

Best of luck with your service.

KardinalSyn · #22

It's hard to suggest one. You need to explain more about what you would be doing or more to the point (not a pun), what you would expect from the knife (gathered that it won't see much sea water). Handle length may play a part if you wanna use gloves. I don't know, perhaps a combo edged Native in black.

arty · #23

Caly 3 has a core of ZDP, but is clad in a softer, rust resistant stainless. An alternative might be the Sage1.
For smaller, will the Chaparral work?

Evil D · #24

I mentioned in another thread about lengths that if you really love a particular model and it's just a little too long, it's not hard to file the tip down a little to make it legal. I did this with my original Paramilitary to bring it down to 3 inches and i love the results. The Para is one stout folder too.

Exile. · #25

Thanks for all the recommendations! My palm sits right about 3 1/8 inches. I'm intrigued by the Techno, but I have always dismissed it because the handle appeared too small and boxy for a firm and sure grip. I would love to be wrong, though!

J32A2 · #26

SpyderNut · #27

Sithus1966 wrote:If your not concerned with the cost, then how about a Techno! The CTS-XHP steel is supposed to have the corrosion resistance about the same as VG-10. And with the thicker flat ground blade I think that qualifies as thick and strong.

+1000 :) This.

robot37 · #28

This is the stupidest rule that I've ever had to put up with while I was in the Navy. It is selectively enforced, and depending on where you end up your Chief might lay down the law or he/she might not care at all. 99% of the time guys with knives don't use them to cut stuff, instead they sit in front of their panels on watch and just play with them. I was known to bring some pretty big knives underway, and I never got any grief. Likewise, I tended to ignore anyone who gave me a sideways glance. But I was an officer, so your mileage may vary.

But here's the thing. if you are using your knife as a tool to cut things that legitimately need cutting and then you keep it discretely tucked away you shouldn't have any problems carrying ANY pocketknife with you. But the second you earn a reputation for being a guy who flicks his knife out and plays with it you've got a strike against you. Then the second you cut yourself and the doc has to stitch your hand/arm/leg/etc back shut because you were a dumbass you just got strikes two and three.

MY advice is to get something with 3.5"-ish blade or less just so you don't stand out as a "psycho" and keep it in your pocket until you legitimately need it.

Also, I don't really recommend pocket clips while onboard a ship since quarters and passageways are narrow the clip tend to snag on walls and bend the crap out of the clip.

-nate

P.S. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE ANY KIND OF KNIFE WITH YOU TO BOOT CAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Detdaddy · #29

First suggestion would be Techno. Followed by Caly, Delica, Native. Another good choice would be a discontinued Paramilitary (first generation).

DRKBC · #30

Evil D wrote:I mentioned in another thread about lengths that if you really love a particular model and it's just a little too long, it's not hard to file the tip down a little to make it legal. I did this with my original Paramilitary to bring it down to 3 inches and i love the results. The Para is one stout folder too.

I think this is a great idea, particularly if you have larger hands. I don`t have huge hands but I still seem to run out of handle on my smaller knives, this would be the best of both worlds.

defenestrate · #31

What do you want to do with the knife? If you want something good for cutting rope/line without slipping, I must suggest a Tasman Salt, serrated (SE) - it will tear through everything and rarely need sharpening (though sharpening on a regular stone would be difficult if possible at all). Not so hot for food prep. PM2 is an excellent all around choice. Manix2 is stout as heck and I think the blade shpuld be smaller than your palm.

avocadobbq · #32

If you're on a budget get the G-10 Cat. Great ergos, 2.5" blade, 2.5oz and $42. And the deep carry pocket clip won't attract attention.

The Delica is another good choice but costs a little more. Either way I'm sure you'll be happy and won't be crying too long if you lose it.

Chevy · #33

Boot camp still doesn't allow possession of knives by recruits, but once you leave RTC you're good. I noticed the OP listed in his sig that he wants a Tasman. I have two (one PE and one SE) that I used extensively on my last deployment, most of which was in a salt-water environment. They held up and I am a firm believer in the H1 steel.

Jazz · #34

Either the FRN Native or the Native 5. They're both little tanks. I'm leaning toward the FRN. It's lighter, not that the 5 is very heavy. It's a lot lighter than you think it's gonna be. FRN is tough, and the Native is fairly thick.

- best wishes, Jazz.