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I’ve had a knife in my pocket since I was 11 and couldn’t imagine working in the shop without one. My problem is that the beautiful French knife my wife gave me in 1998 doesn’t have a locking blade.
After a couple close calls with the French knife, I decided to get a folding lockback for the shop. Of course, I wanted to buy a domestic knife, but I didn’t want any fancy steels or wacky scales made from dodo spleen. That’s not me. After much searching I purchased (at full retail) the Farm & Field Lockback sold by Hand-Eye Supply.
It is everything I like in a knife with nothing I dislike.
The blade is quite thin and made from plain old high-carbon steel. So it takes a wicked edge quickly and easily. You just have to wipe it with oil before closing it every time to prevent corrosion. When closed, the knife is 3-7/8” long with a 2-7/8”-long blade. The whole thing is slim, fits nicely in your hand and locks securely.
After two months with this knife, I know it’s a keeper.
Some might find the price of $95 steep, but they probably haven’t been shopping for quality knives lately. Farm & Field is made by Great Eastern Cutlery in Titusville, Pa., where you can find a full line of knives.
— Christopher Schwarz
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
I’ve carried a superb knife for about 20 years. It is a model K-93 with a General Purpose blade, made by A. G. Russell out of Arkansas. It is light, strong and locks open. One hand operation to open. The blade is stainless, but takes and holds a very sharp edge. The point is sharp enough to use as layout knife. The only trouble I’ve had with it has been keeping it out of the hands (and pockets) of my adult sons.
I have, over time, used a whole string of knives. I currently use a Bench Made 555HG as my EDC and would not give it up for anything. Stainless blade that holds an edge well and a sufficiently long blade that there is little you can’t do worth it!
I have to give my EDC to my Spyderco Paramilitary 2 which is made with pride in Golden Colorado with honorable mention going to my Kershaw 1660CB that was my EDC.
Yeah, I like the Kershaw Scallion too. Love the one hand opening feature.
My Buck 110 goes wherever I go. Made in the USA and built to last. At around $40, I’m happy.
I never leave the house without my Victorinox. Before kids, I used the Tinker model. Once the kids came, the small pair of scissors in the Supertinker has worked great.
Opinel 3 1/2″ (86mm) is my go to blade. Plain carbon steel takes and keeps a wicked edge, simple positive locking ring, and a wood handle so it floats! I tend to forget about them in my pocket, so TSA has a nice collection now. At $16 each, I usually buy them 3 at a time.
I’ve been carrying the same Gerber 450 knife for close to 20 years. I’ve skinned rabbits and squirrels with it along with sharpening pencils, opening boxes and anything else you can imagine. When I have to fly anywhere I feel lost when I have to leave that knife at home. They’re cheap, made from stainless steel so they don’t rust and made in the USA still.
Looks like a fine knife.
My favorite is a Kershaw 1620NB Scallion Folding Knife. Made in the US. Specs: Blade length: 2 1/4 Inch; Closed length: 3 1/2 Inch; Overall length: 5 3/4 Inch; Width: 3/8 Inch. (The thin width was very important to me, because I carry it when I’m not in the shop.) Weight: 2.3 oz.; 420HC Stainless steel curved blade. Easy to open with one hand. You push down on a serrated lever next to the pivot point with your index finger and it springs open. List price: $75, but you can get it for $40.
Some folks will not like the curved stainless blade because of difficulty sharpening. Using ceramic “chop sticks” works well.