What "others" are in the mail?

[vivi]

managed to get a US made 5160 machete with micarta scales for under $50 shipped.

Ordered another for $43. Ridiculous deal.

Also have a marbles cutlass machete coming. Probably the most fun for your dollar in the cutlery world ($9!).

Oh wow, vivi Please review that Marbles Cutlass Machete for us, once you get it. Interestingly, some of their more current knives I have have decent quality for that price but others do not.

sure thing. it's my first marbles product and I've always heard their machetes are solid. I'll be putting a nice edge on it and clearing some trails I've let get overgrown whenever it arrives.

[vivi]

Not in the mail yet, as they have a 2-4 month wait time.....


but I ordered my first Winkler!

I've been admiring them for years. Stopped by their HQ a while back and handled all their models so I could see which was the best fit. I liked the looks of the SD models, but the belt knife fit me like a glove.

So I ordered a green micarta handled belt knife, and requested no lanyard hole.





They may or may not be able to do the lanyard hole request, but either way I'm excited to get my first Winkler!

I wanted to celebrate a certain choice I made a couple years ago by treating myself to something extra nice.

Now the long wait!

Wonder what I'll get first, the Winkler or the Manix XL Salt?

[olywa]

Worksharp RMX Drop Point with the integral frame. I hear good things about it and I'm looking forward to getting it in hand.

Should get the Ka-Bar Dozier Hunter Lockback (blacked out) in S35 today as well. If you haven't got one of these little gems in D2, and/or now S35 as well, then you're missing out. Taiwan made with zero blade play or lock rock, and a superb backlock action. This is a high value mid-size folder which I've gifted out a couple of times.

[awa54]

Hi SEF,

sorry I didn't see this when you posted...

I have a total mash-up of tool brands, chosen for utility, value and sometimes expedience.
For bicycle (and motorcycle too), there are lots of different takes on "the same" tool and different users will like different makers' versions depending on use case and what bikes they work on.

That said:

Any quality brand of box/open end combo and socket wrenches, but choose ones that have slim handles and slightly offset box ends, PR brand wrenches found in many auto parts stores are a nice middle ground, with good materials quality and finish, excellent sizing and moderate pricing (mostly Taiwan made ...at least all of mine are).

Bondhus or Wiha allen and torx wrenches (including 1/4" hex bits), because of their accurate sizing and durable materials,
I have both screw driver style and "L" versions, with "ball end" heads that allow approaching the fastener from an off angle.

Specialty tools you'll use all the time, or that need to be very precise, like BB tools, cassette wrenches and chain tools are IMO a place to spend extra on the one you like best, while things you won't use often like a cutoff jigs for shortening a stem or handlebars can be a "basic" version and work just fine for a home mechanic.

Also, don't cheap out of your work stand, Park Tool is my favorite, as their stands are all sturdy and well designed, though more costly than no-name look-alikes (which are often not even worth the low prices they cost).

If you're hard on tools, then Craftsman, Cobalt, etc. (big chain store "house brands) are fine, but usually not as nice to use over time as the premium brands.

Have fun in your wrench twisting pursuits!

[olywa]

TRM Neutron 2 liner lock in 20CV should be here Friday.

[benben]

[Naperville]

Bought Dawson Knives Limited Edition Woe Dagger | WW2-Inspired Trench Dagger | CPM-MagnaCut Steel | Midnight Finish
MIDNIGHT / BLACK LEATHER.

I think it is a keeper.

[benben]

Not in the mail yet, as they have a 2-4 month wait time.....


but I ordered my first Winkler!

I've been admiring them for years. Stopped by their HQ a while back and handled all their models so I could see which was the best fit. I liked the looks of the SD models, but the belt knife fit me like a glove.

So I ordered a green micarta handled belt knife, and requested no lanyard hole.





They may or may not be able to do the lanyard hole request, but either way I'm excited to get my first Winkler!

I wanted to celebrate a certain choice I made a couple years ago by treating myself to something extra nice.

Now the long wait!

Wonder what I'll get first, the Winkler or the Manix XL Salt?

This is gonna be a very cool knife, can't wait to see it! I handled a maple belt knife just a couple weeks back at Mast General Store in Greenville, I liked it! I have two kitchen knives in 80crV2, I really like this steel, it's pretty obvious that Winkler does also! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts...