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- Aug 27, 2004
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The STR-EK was designed to bring all the same things to the table as its larger predecessor , electricians folding knives, and more. What I wanted was a pocket-worthy folder; something very much pocket-sized and not something big and bulky that couldn’t be added to the EDC line-up. The old 29 models of yesteryear were huge and, depending on handle material, could weigh upwards of 5 oz. Most were famous for being nail breakers upon opening due to heavy back spring pressure and draw. This excess stiffness, as well as large size and pocket damaging protrusions, are a drawback to an otherwise great model. The STR-EK does away with those annoying issues.
Classic fans of the original are already referring to this as the “STREK” folder. Its weight is no more than 2.7 oz per folder. The handles on all are green linen micarta but offers a choice on the blade: sheep’s foot or spear point. The original EK has a flat head screw driver small enough to fit electrical outlets as well as screws used on license plates. Unlike the old EK, the STREK driver is equipped with a push-cut saw that can cut drywall or wood panels. With the cut on the push it decreases the mess seen when installing outlets; most of the mess goes inside the wall. Simply put, push cut is much neater and also easier to control for straight cuts where appearance is a factor. The addition of the saw is not a drawback to use, nor does it cut your hand in use as it is primarily a sheet rock saw. It can be used for other small sawing projects in a pinch and you’ll be glad to have it handy. The driver/saw blade has 2 wire strippers in both choils, the half-moon shaped finger rests of the blade. Just because it has a saw will not negate nor diminish the other features. These choil rest areas double as both a stripper and a choil/index rest and are effectively tapered to an edge to strip wire quite well. The STR-EK is a Bill Howard/Steve Rice collaboration purposefully built on the #15 frame that is 3and 3/8” long when closed. While supplies last, it is available here as well as Great Eastern Cutlery dealers as the “Titioute Electricians Knife”.
Quite simply these are the best electricians knives ever offered to the public. If you do any residential install work and make any kind of living with a drywall saw and a screwdriver, you owe it to yourself to get one of these. Write it off taxes as a business expense, put it in your pocket and one day you’ll be thanking me when a project arises where this tool saves the day or saves you a lot of steps back to your toolbox to find the right tool.
I came up with this design as youngster and had physically modified several knives trying to create this with existing knives. Even at a young age, when working as a plumber’s helper, I thought that it would be handy to have a drywall saw to carry in my pocket. As the plumber’s helper even I had to cut drywall a few times around pipes, vents, light fixtures, etc. poking through walls, floors and ceilings. It always puzzled me, and irritated me since I was the one doing all the running, as to why a saw was not included on an electrician’s folder! The electricians knife is my most used and abused knife pattern and the design is as much for contractors as well as electricians. This is a darn handy little folder, extremely well made by GEC. Only a limited number have been produced. The picture shows 2 knives just so you can see the different blade shapes. The cost is $90 per knife. If interested I advise you purchase now as they may not ever be available again and certainly will not be offer ever again in green linen micarta. Please see my videos of this model in action on Youtube.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/435806-Electrician-Knife-Pattern-Research
STR
Classic fans of the original are already referring to this as the “STREK” folder. Its weight is no more than 2.7 oz per folder. The handles on all are green linen micarta but offers a choice on the blade: sheep’s foot or spear point. The original EK has a flat head screw driver small enough to fit electrical outlets as well as screws used on license plates. Unlike the old EK, the STREK driver is equipped with a push-cut saw that can cut drywall or wood panels. With the cut on the push it decreases the mess seen when installing outlets; most of the mess goes inside the wall. Simply put, push cut is much neater and also easier to control for straight cuts where appearance is a factor. The addition of the saw is not a drawback to use, nor does it cut your hand in use as it is primarily a sheet rock saw. It can be used for other small sawing projects in a pinch and you’ll be glad to have it handy. The driver/saw blade has 2 wire strippers in both choils, the half-moon shaped finger rests of the blade. Just because it has a saw will not negate nor diminish the other features. These choil rest areas double as both a stripper and a choil/index rest and are effectively tapered to an edge to strip wire quite well. The STR-EK is a Bill Howard/Steve Rice collaboration purposefully built on the #15 frame that is 3and 3/8” long when closed. While supplies last, it is available here as well as Great Eastern Cutlery dealers as the “Titioute Electricians Knife”.
Quite simply these are the best electricians knives ever offered to the public. If you do any residential install work and make any kind of living with a drywall saw and a screwdriver, you owe it to yourself to get one of these. Write it off taxes as a business expense, put it in your pocket and one day you’ll be thanking me when a project arises where this tool saves the day or saves you a lot of steps back to your toolbox to find the right tool.
I came up with this design as youngster and had physically modified several knives trying to create this with existing knives. Even at a young age, when working as a plumber’s helper, I thought that it would be handy to have a drywall saw to carry in my pocket. As the plumber’s helper even I had to cut drywall a few times around pipes, vents, light fixtures, etc. poking through walls, floors and ceilings. It always puzzled me, and irritated me since I was the one doing all the running, as to why a saw was not included on an electrician’s folder! The electricians knife is my most used and abused knife pattern and the design is as much for contractors as well as electricians. This is a darn handy little folder, extremely well made by GEC. Only a limited number have been produced. The picture shows 2 knives just so you can see the different blade shapes. The cost is $90 per knife. If interested I advise you purchase now as they may not ever be available again and certainly will not be offer ever again in green linen micarta. Please see my videos of this model in action on Youtube.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/435806-Electrician-Knife-Pattern-Research
STR
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I like the patina. Instead of 3 and 5/8" closed its 3 and 3/8" and just rides much more invisible in the pocket in this size without the bail or extra weight the extra brings. Its not much but as you know small can be big in a folder and as it turns out this size is not giving up much for blade cutting just a little less bulk for overall footprint. This and the lack of a bail, and a slightly thinner more trimmed down profile should make for a real pocket friendly worker or at least that is my hope.
