Your favorite penknife

Looking at their website, I see they have released a new model (the old one is still available) with more blade area. It is, however, more expensive at $210 for the skeleton model.

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Same knife I think but I swapped the useless toothpick for a fire starter (firefly) and added some wax covered tinder (fireant) instead of the tiny screwdriver on the corkscrew.

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That is such a good idea.

May I ask where you obtained the
Same knife I think but I swapped the useless toothpick for a fire starter (firefly) and added some wax covered tinder (fireant) instead of the tiny screwdriver on the corkscrew.

View attachment 201733
that is such a good idea.

May I ask where you bought the fire starter replacement for the useless toothpick from?

And the fire ant ? To save me making my own tinder if fire ant is not too expensive.

Thanks.
 
Has been an Opinel with a slightly charred handle for many years, BUT last trip I forgot to pack it and airport security got it.

I told the guy it was a GOOD KNIFE and he should keep it rather than chucking it in the bin, but just got the predictable official stare.

Sad.
Yes, they are buggas at Taipei...... lost a few things over the years to them.
 
Yes, they are buggas at Taipei...... lost a few things over the years to them.
Wasnt really any alternative, and entirely my fault.
This was actually leaving Paris, but I think it would have been the same anywhere. The Opinel blade is a non-ludicrous threat.

I did once knick a set of in-flight cutlery off Turkish Airlines to use when camping, and got them taken off me at the next transfer because they were apparently too dangerous to be allowed on a plane.
 
The basic model is $80 USD. The skeleton edition (pictured) is $135.

This includes spare parts such as an extra set of screws and bolts and a replacement lock bar. There are a number of options such as SKIFF bearings, different handle finishes (such as carbon fibre) etc.

The website is:
https://exceeddesigns.com

The blade does lock.

Superb idea. And half your blade is always kept sharp so you can flip it if you need extra sharp and, as you say, replace regularly. You can obvs use it as a pry tool and generally abuse the blade. Makes it much more useful than a 'normal' knife where there are tasks you simply won't want to use it for.

Too pricey for me, but I'm gonna search for a dwarf Stanley knife that won't rust and has a lanyard.

EDIT:
Milwaukee Foldable Pocket Knife Fastback 4932471357 : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
Amazon Basics Durable Folding Utility Knife with Aluminum Body, Red : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools


EDIT2: After reading a few reviews the "Oknife Otacle U1" seems like the tool of choice for this style of knife.
 
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May I ask where you bought the fire starter replacement for the useless toothpick from?

And the fire ant ? To save me making my own tinder if fire ant is not too expensive.
Both were kickstarter projects a few years ago. I believe Victorinox took over Fireant and sell a set for £20 which is expensive for what they are but sadly low volume items always are.
You may find firefly ones on Ebay, it’s the better fire stick but harder to find. Also overpriced but also low volume so not their fault.

Tortoise Gear Firefly 3 Pack

Victorinox FireAnt Mini Tool - Compact Fire-Starter Outdoor Set
 
added some wax covered tinder (fireant) instead of the tiny screwdriver on the corkscrew.

Interesting. So once you've burned the tinder helix, what do you do with the rod through it? Or is the rod magnesium or flammable in some way?
 
The basic model is $80 USD. The skeleton edition (pictured) is $135.

This includes spare parts such as an extra set of screws and bolts and a replacement lock bar. There are a number of options such as SKIFF bearings, different handle finishes (such as carbon fibre) etc.

The website is:
https://exceeddesigns.com

The blade does lock.
That’s an insane price for a folding Stanley knife. $210 for the updated one is surreal! Last one I bought in Screwfix was a tenner:

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I have carried a Swiss Army knife since my early teens, wouldn't leave home without one. The most useful feature for me is. . . . the toothpick.
The hooky thing is great for tightening up hiking boot laces.

On board my carbon steel Opinel is the sharpest and holds it's edge far better than any stainless blades. The most used knife is my flat topped riggers sheath knife. It does everything from peeling veg to cutting rope and cable.
 
Maybe 35 years ago I picked up a couple of these at a jumble sale for not very much - I can't remember how much, but there wasn't a lot of spare cash around back then

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My son got one, I had the other for years, and it was my favourite boat knife until it became magnetised to the point that the tiller pilot would alter course by 20 degrees when I moved away from it. It's a bit of a wreck now, but I think it would be worth a few bob in good condition.

On the boat, it's a Gerber Suspension, and that would live on my belt permanently, but for the ridiculous knife laws that would make me a criminal if I did.
 
I have carried a Swiss Army knife since my early teens, wouldn't leave home without one. The most useful feature for me is. . . . the toothpick.
The hooky thing is great for tightening up hiking boot laces…
I thought the hook thing was for carrying a parcel by its string. Not sure though. Must admit to being a SA knife geek. Always have one on me and have a vague mistrust of anyone that doesn’t ! For years I’ve been trying to replace my lost Wenger ‘Camping’. It’s the usual 4” red job but it has a clever locking blade. Long since discontinued. All the current SA lockers are on the large side. I like a slim knife in my pocket.
 
Where do people stand on serrated blades? In theory I guess they are ideal for rope, I find they snag really badly unless the line is under tension which it never is.

Also has anyone tried safety rescue knives like the seatbelt cutter style? I used to have one on a trapeze harness and, as much as I felt like a hero carrying one, they would be utterly useless at cutting rope, IMO. You need some blade length for some kind of sawing motion.

Opinions?
 
It’s the usual 4” red job but it has a clever locking blade. Long since discontinued. All the current SA lockers are on the large side. I like a slim knife in my pocket.
The trouble is that a locking blade immediately makes it illegal to carry in a public place. Yes, there are exemptions, like "It's boat equipment, and I'm walking to my boat", but "I always carry it because it's so often useful" isn't one of them
 
Where do people stand on serrated blades? In theory I guess they are ideal for rope, I find they snag really badly unless the line is under tension which it never is.

Also has anyone tried safety rescue knives like the seatbelt cutter style? I used to have one on a trapeze harness and, as much as I felt like a hero carrying one, they would be utterly useless at cutting rope, IMO. You need some blade length for some kind of sawing motion.

Opinions?
Holding a loop of rope in one hand and cutting with the other seems to work for me. I certainly find a serrated blade better than a plain blade for rope..
 
" It's a bit of a wreck now, but I think it would be worth a few bob in good condition. "

Correct Stemar. Quite collectable now as they ( Mauser version) are no longer produced or issued. There are cheap copies about but the originals are obviously much better quality.
 
Holding a loop of rope in one hand and cutting with the other seems to work for me. I certainly find a serrated blade better than a plain blade for rope..

That's what I do and it always seems to get snagged. I can still get through in two hacks, but I feel it would be easier with a smooth blade.

Apparently it's best to cut rope on a chopping board but I'm typically leaning into a kid's dinghy when I'm cutting line.
 
There is an old saying "jack of all trades, master of none". I think it applies to all those penknives like the Swiss Army knife and similar ilk. Bl**dy useless in my opinion. A knife should just that- one good blade that locks or better a fixed blade. I like my opinal, and my Fisk and I have a home made job seemingly made from a steel ruler (inherited with the boat) which lives in a soft plastic sheaf just inside the companionway.
 
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