Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 04:37:08 PMYou have any fixed blades, Mac ?

I want to get an automatic knife, but they're all mostly out of my budget (except maybe the Kershaw Launch series which can be had for around 110 bucks).

Buck now has an auto version of the Buck 110 and I'm really tempted...

Quote from: NT2C on January 24, 2023, 04:45:43 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 04:37:08 PMYou have any fixed blades, Mac ?

I want to get an automatic knife, but they're all mostly out of my budget (except maybe the Kershaw Launch series which can be had for around 110 bucks).

Buck now has an auto version of the Buck 110 and I'm really tempted...

I've seen those as well and I'm also tempted. Only thing stopping me is I don't have 200 bucks to drop on a knife right now.

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 04:48:51 PM

Quote from: NT2C on January 24, 2023, 04:45:43 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 04:37:08 PMYou have any fixed blades, Mac ?

I want to get an automatic knife, but they're all mostly out of my budget (except maybe the Kershaw Launch series which can be had for around 110 bucks).

Buck now has an auto version of the Buck 110 and I'm really tempted...

I've seen those as well and I'm also tempted. Only thing stopping me is I don't have 200 bucks to drop on a knife right now.

Yeah, neither do I... but I will in a couple of months. 

Quote from: NT2C on January 24, 2023, 04:52:19 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 04:48:51 PM

Quote from: NT2C on January 24, 2023, 04:45:43 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 04:37:08 PMYou have any fixed blades, Mac ?

I want to get an automatic knife, but they're all mostly out of my budget (except maybe the Kershaw Launch series which can be had for around 110 bucks).

Buck now has an auto version of the Buck 110 and I'm really tempted...

I've seen those as well and I'm also tempted. Only thing stopping me is I don't have 200 bucks to drop on a knife right now.

Yeah, neither do I... but I will in a couple of months. 

I'll probably have to keep dreaming on owning one of those Buck 110 autos.

There's a lot of knives I have to admire from afar due to my limited budget.

ETA: Buck also makes an auto called the "Deploy" that I like the looks of, but it's also the same price as the 110 Auto.

Quote from: majorhavoc on January 24, 2023, 03:28:37 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 03:22:13 PMAnd my EDC usually consists of a Spyderco Tenacious and a Leatherman Wingman. I used to carry a Wave, but once I picked up the Wingman stopped carrying the Wave.

The Wingman is certainly lighter than the Wave. I actually think the scissors on the Wingman are better than those on the Wave.

My understanding is Leatherman no longer carries the Wingman (or the Sidekick, a similar model from LT's more affordable range). That's a shame.

After a ton of research I decided the Wingman was the best multitool for bugging out. Its weight and scissors make it my go to. The weight for hiking with it. And the scissors for first aid and gear/clothing repair. I found three of them used on Ebay for $20 each. I keep one in my vehicle, backpack and last ditch fannypack.

I didn't know they stopped making them. Thats a shame. I found a site called moon something that listed all the leatherman specs on one page. It was very handy. 

Add a Kershaw Static Brass to my list of recent blades.  This one (and two of the others) are going to be gifts to friends though.

Quote from: Moab on January 24, 2023, 06:31:42 PM

Quote from: majorhavoc on January 24, 2023, 03:28:37 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 03:22:13 PMAnd my EDC usually consists of a Spyderco Tenacious and a Leatherman Wingman. I used to carry a Wave, but once I picked up the Wingman stopped carrying the Wave.

The Wingman is certainly lighter than the Wave. I actually think the scissors on the Wingman are better than those on the Wave.

My understanding is Leatherman no longer carries the Wingman (or the Sidekick, a similar model from LT's more affordable range). That's a shame.

After a ton of research I decided the Wingman was the best multitool for bugging out. Its weight and scissors make it my go to. The weight for hiking with it. And the scissors for first aid and gear/clothing repair. I found three of them used on Ebay for $20 each. I keep one in my vehicle, backpack and last ditch fannypack.

I didn't know they stopped making them. Thats a shame. I found a site called moon something that listed all the leatherman specs on one page. It was very handy.

Leatherman still shows them making the Wingman on their site. They may have discontinued a variant of it (like they did with some variants of the Wave and Charge), but the regular Wingman is still being made.

Smoky Mountain Knife Works has them in stock for about 70 bucks.

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 07:07:53 PM

Quote from: Moab on January 24, 2023, 06:31:42 PM

Quote from: majorhavoc on January 24, 2023, 03:28:37 PM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 03:22:13 PMAnd my EDC usually consists of a Spyderco Tenacious and a Leatherman Wingman. I used to carry a Wave, but once I picked up the Wingman stopped carrying the Wave.

The Wingman is certainly lighter than the Wave. I actually think the scissors on the Wingman are better than those on the Wave.

My understanding is Leatherman no longer carries the Wingman (or the Sidekick, a similar model from LT's more affordable range). That's a shame.

After a ton of research I decided the Wingman was the best multitool for bugging out. Its weight and scissors make it my go to. The weight for hiking with it. And the scissors for first aid and gear/clothing repair. I found three of them used on Ebay for $20 each. I keep one in my vehicle, backpack and last ditch fannypack.

I didn't know they stopped making them. Thats a shame. I found a site called moon something that listed all the leatherman specs on one page. It was very handy.

Leatherman still shows them making the Wingman on their site. They may have discontinued a variant of it (like they did with some variants of the Wave and Charge), but the regular Wingman is still being made.

Smoky Mountain Knife Works has them in stock for about 70 bucks.

I got my Wingman for something like $25, a post-holiday markdown at Home Depot.  It came blister packed along with a Style CS, which was sort of a mini Skeletool, but with scissors instead of pliers.  I think back then the Wingman by itself was going for $30.

After I bought it, I started jonesing for the Wave, which many say is the absolute best all-around multitool.  I finally got one and yes, it's beautifully made.  And has more capability and I'm sure more reserve strength in the build and materials than the Wingman.  

But owning both, I can honestly say I like the Wingman better.  It is to the Wave as the AK is to the AR.   Cheaper, cruder, but damn it does what I need it to, and it does it well.

Yeah, I paid probably 30 bucks or so for my Wingman a few years back.

Now they're 70 bucks.

I paid almost 80 bucks for each of the Waves I've got. I had originally bought one and carried it around for awhile until my brother Dave somehow broke the scissors on it. So I ended up buying another one and the broken one lived in a drawer.

Until 2019 when I realized the scissors on the Blast were exactly the same as on the Wave. So I took the scissors off my Blast and swapped them for the busted ones on my Wave.

Now I just need to find a busted Blast with intact scissors to fix mine since Leatherman won't fix it. They'll just replace it with a Rebar and I've already got one of those. It's an ok tool, but I'm not really a fan of it. Thankfully I only traded an AK mag for it and didn't actually pay for it.

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 04:37:08 PMYou have any fixed blades, Mac ?

I want to get an automatic knife, but they're all mostly out of my budget (except maybe the Kershaw Launch series which can be had for around 110 bucks).

I have an ESEE-4 and a S&W Homeland Security in Urban Titanium, one for each 2nd line kit.

Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 25, 2023, 08:56:46 AM

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on January 24, 2023, 04:37:08 PMYou have any fixed blades, Mac ?

I want to get an automatic knife, but they're all mostly out of my budget (except maybe the Kershaw Launch series which can be had for around 110 bucks).

I have an ESEE-4 and a S&W Homeland Security in Urban Titanium, one for each 2nd line kit.

ETA: Forgot I have this S&W H.R.T. also.

I've got the the ESEE4HM. I also have the ESEE5.

The square scales on the ESEE5 were so uncomfortable that I replaced them with rounded G10. (They make rounded Micarta now. Which I'd like to get. You can get both for your ESEE4 at the knife connection. They run $45(?).)

But it made such a huge difference in ergonomics. The square scales really hurt my hands after a few minutes of working with the knife. The rounded ones are a big improvement.

I also replaced the scale fasteners with phillips head. I feel like the allen head ones are a big mistake. Everyone has a multitool with a phillips head screwdriver. Try keeping track of a tiny allen wrench?! I could never remember where it was in all my gear.

If you ever wanted to clean under the scales. Or remove them to fashion a spear. You'd be screwed if you couldn't find that one tiny size of allen head.

My point is I'm sure you could replace the ones on the ESEE4. Although I have not looked. And I don't recall where I found them. I think mcmaster carr.

How it looks now. But I think rounded/contoured micarta would look and feel much better:

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That's why I bought the ESEE4HM. Its the one with the rounded bushcraft handle and scales.

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For a bugout or hunting. It's a great knife. I love the apocolyptic value of the ESEE5. And its .25" blade. But its a bit of a beast weight wise. The ESEE4 still has enough steel to feel unbreakable in your hands. But the ergonomics of the handle are superior. Its also a much better size for detail work as well as batoning or other rough tasks.

I didn't pay much attention to ergonomics when I bought the ESEE5. And a few other fixed blades. I do now. It makes a big difference. As does the slight bend on the backbone. The kukri style is quite superior in that regard.

I want to say the length of the grip on the ESEE-4 is about 1cm short of ideal for my handsize. But the weight and size and utility is excellent. I had considered the E5 at the same time as the E4, to get a longer grip size but the price difference to ergonomics didn't make sense. I might get a E5 down the line if funding comes available.

There is another sort of rounded micarta grip with a chipped flint style texture that I was looking at but the price to change them or the need to is why I haven't done it.

I'm going to check the size of that allen screw to see if its one that I carry with all the time. If it is then it won't be an issue, but I didn't think about that. THX.

That S&W Homeland is ridiculously heavy too. Last night I was trying to judge it and I'm pretty sure its at least 16 oz. [Just confirmed its 17.2 oz]

I think my next fixed blade is going to be an IWB concealable pick style. But that would be redundant since if I have pockets I'm carrying my EDC folder. And as we speak I already have 3 blades on my person.  SAK, ZT 0452CF, and Leatherman ST-300.



If I wear my HRT necknife and the IWB knife I could have 5 knifes on my person at any one time. A boot knife would almost max me out. LOL

Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 25, 2023, 11:48:07 AMAnd as we speak I already have 3 blades on my person.  SAK, ZT 0452CF, and Leatherman ST-300.

Damn, I need to step up my game, I only have two, my Gerber Paraframe and my CRKT LCK+ Large.  I do have seven more within arms reach though, so that has to count for something, right?

Quote from: NT2C on January 25, 2023, 11:58:20 AM

Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 25, 2023, 11:48:07 AMAnd as we speak I already have 3 blades on my person.  SAK, ZT 0452CF, and Leatherman ST-300.

Damn, I need to step up my game, I only have two, my Gerber Paraframe and my CRKT LCK+ Large.  I do have seven more within arms reach though, so that has to count for something, right?

Yep, but more than you think 'cause I have a back up Kershaw Cryo II, That ESEE-4, a Husky folding Box Knife, and a utility box cutter in my EDC bag right next to me now. If I was in my car with my EDC bag, add two more thumbstud liner locks.

So while I'm in my car, driving to work I have ..... 

9 blades within reach. If I add the bootknife, the IWB and neckknife, that'd be 12.

This is the prepping place... right? No judging.

Just working on personal improvements. 

Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 25, 2023, 12:38:42 PM

Quote from: NT2C on January 25, 2023, 11:58:20 AM

Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 25, 2023, 11:48:07 AMAnd as we speak I already have 3 blades on my person.  SAK, ZT 0452CF, and Leatherman ST-300.

Damn, I need to step up my game, I only have two, my Gerber Paraframe and my CRKT LCK+ Large.  I do have seven more within arms reach though, so that has to count for something, right?

Yep, but more than you think 'cause I have a back up Kershaw Cryo II, That ESEE-4, a Husky folding Box Knife, and a utility box cutter in my EDC bag right next to me now. If I was in my car with my EDC bag, add two more thumbstud liner locks.

So while I'm in my car, driving to work I have ..... 

9 blades within reach. If I add the bootknife, the IWB and neckknife, that'd be 12.

Well, I do have a cavalry saber in the hallway...

Quote from: NT2C on January 25, 2023, 12:52:05 PMWell, I do have a cavalry saber in the hallway...

That counts as 3. But you have to wear it.

I have this in my garage, its my heavyweight machette. Short Sword with no name cuts thru thigh sized banana trees with one wack.

Quote from: MacWa77ace on January 25, 2023, 01:34:49 PM

Quote from: NT2C on January 25, 2023, 12:52:05 PMWell, I do have a cavalry saber in the hallway...

That counts as 3. But you have to wear it.

I have this in my garage, its my heavyweight machette. Short Sword with no name cuts thru thigh sized banana trees with one wack.

We're counting machetes?  Cool!  I have several of those, including a USGI Ontario 22"

And my wife wears the saber in the family.