Knife Suggestion for a Farmer

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nezzman

Joined
Feb 28, 2018
Messages
25
Hey all, I have been looking out for a new knife lately, and have a budget of around $100-$200.

I want this knife to be a user, and there are a few points I like in a knife.

- I like to be able to fit it in my pocket and not be weighed down
- The ability to carry out farm tasks, such as cutting bailer twine, opening bags of meal, opening fertiliser bags, cutting bandages off cows feet, cutting plastic piping and so on.

I have a few knives on my radar all of which are from Benchmade.

Please help me decide on what to buy, it's keeping me awake at night haha.

North Fork

I like this knife, but am worried that it may be a little bulky and the scales will not hold up (I know you can get it in G10, but I don't know if I like them)

Bugout

Looks perfect, but I have read it is a little lightweight and possibly fragile. Would it be up to the tasks I do? How much flex is there really in the handles? How strong is the blade?
I have also read it feels cheap, if I am spending $100 plus on a knife, I don't want it to feel or look cheap.

Foray

My only worry about this knife is that it might be a bit thick, other than that, it looks great. Perfect size of pocket, deep carry clip, and looks sweet!

Talk me into one, and out of the rest lol.

Thanks
 
I'd use a ZT 0909 for those tasks. I'd opt for toughness over light weight. I might consider something without bearings if it is going to be wet a lot.

Benchmade Contego M4 is tough and grippy too.
 
Take a look at the Benchmade Mini Presidio II. It is a real nice manual one hand opening knife with the axis lock. I have one. I chose it to try out and it is about my normal carry size day in day out.
 
crufflers said:
I'd use a ZT 0909 for those tasks. I'd opt for toughness over light weight. I might consider something without bearings if it is going to be wet a lot.

Benchmade Contego M4 is tough and grippy too.
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Thanks for the reply. I looked at the Contego, but don't like the blade shape, I need a drop point to be able to slip it in behind bandages on cows feet to cut them off.

The knife rarely gets wet, so that's not a worry either.

The ZT 0909 looks a beast of a knife lol.
 
nezzman said:
Thanks for the reply. I looked at the Contego, but don't like the blade shape, I need a drop point to be able to slip it in behind bandages on cows feet to cut them off.

The knife rarely gets wet, so that's not a worry either.

The ZT 0909 looks a beast of a knife lol.
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Also discontinued and on clearance for $129 - a STEAL. I have mine on me right now. Probably not for long. They sold out once and I thought they were goners. Back at some places for a last run. I think I paid $180 when it came out. Great knife.
 
No specific recommendation, but I would stay pretty inexpensive. It is pretty easy to loose knives in that profession, unless you take extreme care.
 
American Lawman: great ergonomics, compact, rugged, super strong Tri-Ad lock, CTS-XHP steel, DLC coating, high thin grind makes it an excellent slicer, drop point, G-10 grips, pocket clip, lanyard hole.
 
If you are set on the Benchmade I can't really say as I moved away from them just had some issues in a couple.

I would look at ZTs and Spydercos also ... depending on your sharpening abilities you may want an easier to sharpen steel ... if you prefer longer edge retention Spyderco has several that are offered in S110V or S90V and steels that will hold an edge longer but are a bit more challenging to sharpen.

ZT has many that fit the bill in moderate steels that give good edge retention but slightly less than some but are easier to sharpen. ... the ZT 562 is a great knife manual not assited not overly heavy and can be had in Carbon Fiber or G10 and a few steel choices ... ZT 566 ... ZT 909 heavy but a great knife ... and several models ... you may prefer a carbon fiber model to lighten the knife ... Spyderco Manix II ... or Gayle Bradley

personally for me for farm work I prefer a fixed blade ... you can go to something in tough high carbon steels a Becker or LT Wright ... or Esee or even get a custom from some of the forums makers ... you could probably get a nice fixed blade in a tough steel like 3V for under $200 or so from some custom makers.
 
Spyderco Delica in ORANGE FRN.. That way if ya drop it ya can see it!! VG10 is easy to sharpen and hold a fine working edge!! JMO!! John
 
Get a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or Manix 2. They have top build quality, excellent ergo, light/medium weight, and great functionality as a folding knife (for cutting and slicing). They also lock up solid and are both on the lower end of your budget range.

ZT 0909 is too heavy. Plus, there have been multiple reports that the lock on it will disengage from slight spine tapping (read this ongoing BF thread).
 
My father in law was a farmer and rancher all of his life and the only knife he ever carried was a large, yellow handle Case stockman with chrome vanadium (carbon steel) blades. The 3 blades on his stockman always got him through the day without having to resharpen the knife, and it was easy to carry in the pocket
 
jmh33 said:
Spyderco Delica in ORANGE FRN.. That way if ya drop it ya can see it!! VG10 is easy to sharpen and hold a fine working edge!! JMO!! John
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This is just what I was going to say. We had a small ranch years ago and I used a Buck 301 and 110. Today, I would use a Buck 301 and a Spyderco orange Delica (bright blue is okay, too) or Endura (I would favor the Delica a little). This is from someone who has that experience you are talking about.

The Buck 301 is a solid frame knife. The bolsters are part of the frame, rather than having layers piled on. It is a stronger knife than its competitors. The Delica is light, but it is plenty strong. Any more and you need a small fixed blade like an Izula or something.
 
I farm Rice & Sugarcane in Louisiana and carry a Spyderco K2. A large knife that’s slim and carries small.

A Spyderco Military or PM2 are solid choices.
 
I like the Benchmade axis lock.... strong, proven design, and so convenient.... easy open and easy one hand closing.
 
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