Knife Chat: Slicing to the meat of all things sharp

[airballrad]

For anyone who forgot about these when they were Unobtainium but still want one, they have been easier to find lately. Not always in stock, but sometimes when I look they are on display. Sometimes even outside the case, depending on the store. I have picked up several and given some away because they are at the right price point for that.

I've been searching for those Wally World D2 knives and I can't find them local or online.

I'll have to check Walmart again cuz I kinda forgot about them the last month.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

For anyone who forgot about these when they were Unobtainium but still want one, they have been easier to find lately. Not always in stock, but sometimes when I look they are on display. Sometimes even outside the case, depending on the store. I have picked up several and given some away because they are at the right price point for that.

I've been searching for those Wally World D2 knives and I can't find them local or online.

I'll have to check Walmart again cuz I kinda forgot about them the last month.

My local Walmart still gets them in from time to time.

The first few batches were pretty good, but it appears the newer ones have major QC issues including poor heat treat and burnt edges.

Outdoors55 and Knives, I Guess on YouTube both had Ozark Trail D2 knives with serious issues.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Stopped at a yard sale today and picked up what I thought was just a random kitchen knife.

Turns out it's a Zwilling J.A. Henckels professional series chef's knife that retails for about 165 bucks.

And I only paid 3 bucks for it. It did have some chips in the edge, but a couple passes with a file and then a quick sharpening took care of them for the most part. I figure if I go over the edge again, I should be able to fully remove the remainder of the chips with no problem.

[majorhavoc]

Stopped at a yard sale today and picked up what I thought was just a random kitchen knife.

Turns out it's a Zwilling J.A. Henckels professional series chef's knife that retails for about 165 bucks.

And I only paid 3 bucks for it. It did have some chips in the edge, but a couple passes with a file and then a quick sharpening took care of them for the most part. I figure if I go over the edge again, I should be able to fully remove the remainder of the chips with no problem.

That's an awesome score by any measure, Chimp!  I don't do yard sales anymore because of the high static to signal ratio, at least in my neck of the woods.  But I do understand the thrill of the hunt. A few years back I picked up a Wustof Grand Prix 6" chefs knife at a local thrift shop for somewhere between $5-10.  And much more recently, I found an 8" chefs knife that says Solingen Germany and has a crossed wisk and spoon logo.  I can't nail down what brand it is, but it's extremely beefy with a full tang.  It set me back $6. Now mind you, I already have 6" (Wustof) and 8" (Cuisinart) chef's knives, which I keep razor sharp with a set of Norton waterstones.  But I have a soft spot for high quality kitchen knives, which are a joy to cook with.  The Wustof Grand Prix is now part of my car camping kit and impresses the hell out of the family camping group I'm part of. 

I don't exactly know what to do with the Solingen 8-incher, but I had a spare slot in my knife block so now I have 2 mega choppers in my kitchen.  One more and I can start juggling!   

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Stopped at a yard sale today and picked up what I thought was just a random kitchen knife.

Turns out it's a Zwilling J.A. Henckels professional series chef's knife that retails for about 165 bucks.

And I only paid 3 bucks for it. It did have some chips in the edge, but a couple passes with a file and then a quick sharpening took care of them for the most part. I figure if I go over the edge again, I should be able to fully remove the remainder of the chips with no problem.

That's an awesome score by any measure, Chimp!  I don't do yard sales anymore because of the high static to signal ratio, at least in my neck of the woods.  But I do understand the thrill of the hunt. A few years back I picked up a Wustof Grand Prix 6" chefs knife at a local thrift shop for somewhere between $5-10.  And much more recently, I found an 8" chefs knife that says Solingen Germany and has a crossed wisk and spoon logo.  I can't nail down what brand it is, but it's extremely beefy with a full tang.  It set me back $6. Now mind you, I already have 6" (Wustof) and 8" (Cuisinart) chef's knives, which I keep razor sharp with a set of Norton waterstones.  But I have a soft spot for high quality kitchen knives, which are a joy to cook with.  The Wustof Grand Prix is now part of my car camping kit and impresses the hell out of the family camping group I'm part of. 

I don't exactly know what to do with the Solingen 8-incher, but I had a spare slot in my knife block so now I have 2 mega choppers in my kitchen.  One more and I can start juggling! 

I recognized the Henckels logo and knew they made some pretty pricey stuff, so it an easy buy for me. I also figured it was at most a 60 dollar knife. Turns out I was off by like 105 dollars.

Apparently Henckels has two lines of knives. There's the premium Zwilling J.A. Henckels line (which is what I bought) and the more affordable Henckels line.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

So Ozark Trail recently brought out two new knives.

We all know about their foray into the realm of D2 steel with their axis lock knife, but now they've released a button lock and another axis lock knife.

The axis/crossbar lock knife is called the Valor and has 14C28N steel for the blade while the button lock is called the Elevation and it has 12C27 blade steel. I believe both of them are priced at 20 bucks each, but I'd have to double check.

ETA: I have acquired one of the 14C28N Ozark Trail knives and they're priced at 19.97 (after tax would be about 22 bucks) and the button lock is priced at $24.97 (so probably 26 bucks after tax ?).

My local Walmart is also starting to sell some more Civivi knives. I saw a Civivi Yonder axis lock as well as a Baby Banter liner lock. Both were priced at 59 bucks.

As soon as I can, I might pick up a couple of them along with the Ozark Trail button lock.
I'm actually kind of interested in these two knives. I picked up a couple of the orange handled D2 knives when they first dropped and those weren't too bad. So I'm hoping Ozark Trail learned their lesson from the orange D2 knives and figured out how to properly heat treat the 14C28N and 12C27 steels.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Well, I may have messed up a perfectly good knife by being a moron.

So I've got a Buck Inertia assisted opener and today I decided to see if I could fix a couple issues I'd had with it.

First issue was the super stiff pocket clip. Next one was the assisted opening part being a little on the weak side.

Well, the clip isn't a problem anymore because the screw threads stripped and the weak opening is a known issue. Buck had apparently fixed that with later versions, but mine is an early one made pre-fix.

And to top it all off, Buck discontinued the Inertia back around 2021 so buying a replacement one isn't an option now.

I should've just left the damn knife alone .

ETA: I may have found a way to fix the weak opening thing.

If I can get one of the body screws out and retighten it, I may be able to fix the opening problem.

One of the body screw standoffs is loose and it's not putting enough pressure on the spring for the assisted opener. If I can fix the screw and put enough pressure on it, I may be able to fix it.

The pocket clip is a non-issue right now because I managed to get it off and it'll be staying off, but I just want to fix the weak opening and hopefully my idea will work.

[NT2C]

Well, I may have messed up a perfectly good knife by being a moron.

So I've got a Buck Inertia assisted opener and today I decided to see if I could fix a couple issues I'd had with it.

First issue was the super stiff pocket clip. Next one was the assisted opening part being a little on the weak side.

Well, the clip isn't a problem anymore because the screw threads stripped and the weak opening is a known issue. Buck had apparently fixed that with later versions, but mine is an early one made pre-fix.

And to top it all off, Buck discontinued the Inertia back around 2021 so buying a replacement one isn't an option now.

I should've just left the damn knife alone .

ETA: I may have found a way to fix the weak opening thing.

If I can get one of the body screws out and retighten it, I may be able to fix the opening problem.

One of the body screw standoffs is loose and it's not putting enough pressure on the spring for the assisted opener. If I can fix the screw and put enough pressure on it, I may be able to fix it.

The pocket clip is a non-issue right now because I managed to get it off and it'll be staying off, but I just want to fix the weak opening and hopefully my idea will work.

Buck does have a "forever" warranty.  I also know that they keep a certain amount of production for parts inventory.  If this were a known issue, they would have kept even more inventory after the fix.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Well, I may have messed up a perfectly good knife by being a moron.

So I've got a Buck Inertia assisted opener and today I decided to see if I could fix a couple issues I'd had with it.

First issue was the super stiff pocket clip. Next one was the assisted opening part being a little on the weak side.

Well, the clip isn't a problem anymore because the screw threads stripped and the weak opening is a known issue. Buck had apparently fixed that with later versions, but mine is an early one made pre-fix.

And to top it all off, Buck discontinued the Inertia back around 2021 so buying a replacement one isn't an option now.

I should've just left the damn knife alone .

ETA: I may have found a way to fix the weak opening thing.

If I can get one of the body screws out and retighten it, I may be able to fix the opening problem.

One of the body screw standoffs is loose and it's not putting enough pressure on the spring for the assisted opener. If I can fix the screw and put enough pressure on it, I may be able to fix it.

The pocket clip is a non-issue right now because I managed to get it off and it'll be staying off, but I just want to fix the weak opening and hopefully my idea will work.

Buck does have a "forever" warranty.  I also know that they keep a certain amount of production for parts inventory.  If this were a known issue, they would have kept even more inventory after the fix.

Problem is I've monkeyed with the knife a bit already and I'm pretty sure they'd take one look at it and go "Yep, not our problem now."

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Well, I sent off an inquiry to Buck's warranty department and now I'm just waiting on a response.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

So I heard back from Buck and their processing time for warranty work is 8 to 10 weeks. So about 2 and half-ish months.

[MacWa77ace]

So I heard back from Buck and their processing time for warranty work is 8 to 10 weeks. So about 2 and half-ish months.

I did a warranty repair once with Kershaw and just bought another kershaw to use while it was being worked on. I know you have a bunch of EDC folders but I didn't at that time. IIRC it was more than a month wait but I didn't even notice since I had the back up folder.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

So I heard back from Buck and their processing time for warranty work is 8 to 10 weeks. So about 2 and half-ish months.

I did a warranty repair once with Kershaw and just bought another kershaw to use while it was being worked on. I know you have a bunch of EDC folders but I didn't at that time. IIRC it was more than a month wait but I didn't even notice since I had the back up folder.

Yeah, I've got other knives I carry instead of the Buck. I'll probably just end up buying another Buck folder (I'm thinking a Buck Spitfire) and just putting the Inertia in a drawer.

[NT2C]

A friend gifted me a new blade tonight... Gerber Doubledown 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

A friend gifted me a new blade tonight... Gerber Doubledown 

Neat.

Gerber can make some decent stuff when they put their minds to it.

I've got a Gerber Prodigy fixed blade that's pretty good.

[Red Tamarillo]

Well, I may have messed up a perfectly good knife by being a moron.

So I've got a Buck Inertia assisted opener and today I decided to see if I could fix a couple issues I'd had with it.

First issue was the super stiff pocket clip. Next one was the assisted opening part being a little on the weak side.

Well, the clip isn't a problem anymore because the screw threads stripped and the weak opening is a known issue. Buck had apparently fixed that with later versions, but mine is an early one made pre-fix.

And to top it all off, Buck discontinued the Inertia back around 2021 so buying a replacement one isn't an option now.

I should've just left the damn knife alone .

ETA: I may have found a way to fix the weak opening thing.

If I can get one of the body screws out and retighten it, I may be able to fix the opening problem.

One of the body screw standoffs is loose and it's not putting enough pressure on the spring for the assisted opener. If I can fix the screw and put enough pressure on it, I may be able to fix it.

The pocket clip is a non-issue right now because I managed to get it off and it'll be staying off, but I just want to fix the weak opening and hopefully my idea will work.

At that ~3inch blade length should just get a fixed blade. Not much to go wrong/break. And fits inside an everyday trouser pocket (in sheath) without protruding. A little longer sticks out.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Well, I may have messed up a perfectly good knife by being a moron.

So I've got a Buck Inertia assisted opener and today I decided to see if I could fix a couple issues I'd had with it.

First issue was the super stiff pocket clip. Next one was the assisted opening part being a little on the weak side.

Well, the clip isn't a problem anymore because the screw threads stripped and the weak opening is a known issue. Buck had apparently fixed that with later versions, but mine is an early one made pre-fix.

And to top it all off, Buck discontinued the Inertia back around 2021 so buying a replacement one isn't an option now.

I should've just left the damn knife alone .

ETA: I may have found a way to fix the weak opening thing.

If I can get one of the body screws out and retighten it, I may be able to fix the opening problem.

One of the body screw standoffs is loose and it's not putting enough pressure on the spring for the assisted opener. If I can fix the screw and put enough pressure on it, I may be able to fix it.

The pocket clip is a non-issue right now because I managed to get it off and it'll be staying off, but I just want to fix the weak opening and hopefully my idea will work.

At that ~3inch blade length should just get a fixed blade. Not much to go wrong/break. And fits inside an everyday trouser pocket (in sheath) without protruding. A little longer sticks out.

I actually own a couple small fixed blades, but I don't carry them.

[Red Tamarillo]

Just like it's fun to flick open a folder, it's probably ?80% as much fun to draw a small fixed blade from a sheath.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Just like it's fun to flick open a folder, it's probably ?80% as much fun to draw a small fixed blade from a sheath.

That is true. There's also a lot more fixed blade options these days than there was when I was first starting to collect knives.

[Red Tamarillo]

Just like it's fun to flick open a folder, it's probably ?80% as much fun to draw a small fixed blade from a sheath.

That is true. There's also a lot more fixed blade options these days than there was when I was first starting to collect knives.

There was always the Schrade Sharpfinger:

https://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/corners/michael/152OT%20Sharpfinger%20and%20152UH%20Uncle%20Henry%20Wolverine%20Research.pdf

I haven't linked content here on this new site (so don't know if it's going to stick). (I was on the old site for many years, but can't remember how to link stuff- it was too many years ago).

Production is now in China. I did buy one of the Chinese made to give to a friend's son. But also buying an aftermarket Kydex sheath with clip. You can still get US made second hand models.

Having an aftermarket kydex sheath (in what colour you fancy) with a tek lok clip or equivalent also increases the percentage of fun factor. You've holstered your tool. In whatever draw configuration you feel like. Again you're cool because you're doing a 'draw configuration'. 

Those lame-o folding people usually only have two options- in the pocket or clipped to the pocket. (Note I have some folders).

The cool kydex fixed blader (a modern day Bowie knifer- (with a 3.5inch blade)) can stick their tool multiple positions. Including horizontal draw- everyone knows that's cool. Behind the back. In front on the left side horizontal (if right handed). On left hip- vertical or angled. On right hip vertical for icepick draw. (Or some people clip them inside their pants- not cool but more self defense carry). Granted some of these options are too visible, and dependent on your laws. For instance my legals are such I can only do APC rather than EDC for a small fixed blade. APC = Around my Property Carry.

My most of the time my APC is an original US made sharpfinger with kydex sheath, but in the pocket with no clip. 

It's actually fun to put the big tek lok clip on a small kydex sheath. Makes it look more 'respect my authoritay'. I've got one on a kydex sheathed Cold Steel 3.5inch bladed Pendleton Hunter. It's a good knife as well.