Official Luthiers Forum!

Do you have a favorite pocket knife?

I'm looking for a new one and would love you hear what you have and if you use it in the shop. I remember reading about how Wayne Henderson built his first with a pocket knife and still uses that knife in his shop today.

I lost my favorite and need a replacement. Good steel and comfortable to carve with.

Thanks in advance.

Best,
_Mike

Sorry if this is off topic...

_________________
_Mike Tracz
MCT Guitars
https://www.instagram.com/mustcreatethings/
https://www.youtube.com/mustcreatethings

I love Buck knives , I loose them regularly

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Though not a typical pocket knife the flexcut carvin jack looks like it could come in handy. I would like to get one my self. By the way did you read the book Claptons guitar by Allen St. John. It's about Wayne Henderson. Great Book... Mike
http://www.mhcrafters.com/servlet/the-1667/Flexcut-JKN91-Carvin'-Jack/Detail

+1. Also check out Schrade/Old Timer, especially if you're looking for the smaller multi blade pocket knives. Actually, there are a lot of choices, but those two are ones I "go to" constantly. Good quality with good steel at a good price.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

There is a direct relationship between the cost of a pocket knife and the likelihood of losing it.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Yes there is. All the fine ones are gone, all the junk ones are in the drawer, cause I never wanted to carry them.
My favorite and finest was a "hen & chicken" yellow handle single blade, next was a yellow handle Case.
My wife used to give them to me for birthdays and christmas, she quit because I lost them.
The one I've kept the longest has been attached to my motorcycle key, I try not to lose that one.

_________________
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

My favorite pocket knife is my boker with a bone handle. I don't think they make the model I have anymore. it's small but has 3 blades.

I read the Allen St John book recently and was delighted to learn that Wayne's is also a boker.

_________________
"...you have to get over your strict adherence to your largely imagined notion of absolute perfection..."

My favorite 'pocket knife' is the Kershaw Ken Onion.

_________________
http://www.casperguitar.com

I'm with John. I like Buck knives too. I use a cheaper one these days but still have a small one I bought in the early 80s with real MOP on the handle that I don't use because I'm scared to lose it like all the others. The Swiss Army ones are good too.

I too have lost a few nice pocket knives, and then I get pretty lost for a while... I usually carry one, and I probably use it for something or other almost every day. The one I have now is an inexpesive little Victorinox (Swiss army knife brand). The steel is OK I guess, but I don't carve braces with it or anything like that. I sometims use it for scraping or removing some glue glob, but mostly it is for opening boxes or whittling a tooth pick (or cleaning my fingernails ). A while back I pryed off the red plastic, glued on some snakewood scraps. I like the look, but I guess that means it is now more likely to get lost, huh?

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin

David,

Your Hen & Chicken! haha I got a good laugh out of that one. Hen & ROOSTER. I still haven't figured out if you said that on purpose or not.

The sad truth is that I find a pocket knife is usually not that handy for guitar making. But it sure as heck is handy for everything else in life. However if I use a pocket knife for guitar making it's usually my Case Copperlock. It's a big knife that locks when opened. Good for carving, got big blade so you can put your thumb on the back of it. It's also good for cutting random things loose, cutting open biscuits and bread, slicing cheese, cutting tape, opening boxes, shaving if your brave enough, self defense, neutering smart butts that tick you off...
Anyways lots of good uses. Also, don't be to afraid of loosing a good knife, just be very careful. I am living proof that you don't have to loose them. I'm 23 and have carried knives all my life and never lost a one.
But now that I say that I'll probably loose one tomorrow.

My everyday carry is a CRKT S-2.

I've had it for 5 years now and love it.

_________________
Aoibeann

Thank you everyone!!!

I have a lot to mill through although I have been drawn to Boker for a while now.

_Mt

_________________
_Mike Tracz
MCT Guitars
https://www.instagram.com/mustcreatethings/
https://www.youtube.com/mustcreatethings

Looks like a very fine knife Lillian, but what is the slit and hole in the handle for?

Joe

I use a four blade Buck, great knife! I have several other brands, Schrade, Case, Tree Brand, etc., but I prefer a Buck.

Joe, its a frame lock. Its very secure. I've never had the blade slip and I've pushed it almost to abuse.

_________________
Aoibeann

Hen and Chicken, Hen and Rooster, what's the difference?
It has been some years since I lost that one. It sure was pretty.

I like what you did, Arnt. I did something like that to a Swiss that I had, they are easy to modify by punching them apart and reconfiguring. Too many do-dads.

_________________
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

Mike, let us know what you end up getting. Your inquiry got me looking too (I don't know what questions to even ask, other than, "...will the steel hold an edge?"), and don't know if Damascus steel is more for show than to get a good cutting tool, but this Boker sure looks cool for around $45: http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... 1RY1493DAM

Dennis

_________________
Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

One that locks in the open position!

_________________
Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=51165&cat=1,51222&ap=1

While not really a pocket knife, I use this one all the time. I carry it in one of the pencil pockets on my apron and it works really well for me. It is easily sharpened and holds and edge for a long time. Great for neck carving around the heel.

_________________
http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210

I'm also a fan of the CRKT knives. Mine's an M16-12FD

http://www.usmilitarysurplus.com/surpluscatalog/images/crktm16fire.jpg

_________________
Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services