MTO Unleashed!

[sak60]

 

Day 29: Camilus USA BSA883 Cub Scout Knife. This is the stainless steel, "economy" model from the late 1990s. I have had three Cub Scout knvies. For me, they are great for EDC, in that they are compact, fairly lightweight; and the awl and screwdriver both lock. Main blade has a half stop. The first was a very early Imperial Cub Scout, which I fixed up and gave to a friend of mine who is a Scout leader. Second is a carbon steel Camillus, which I still use. I bought this one for less than ten bucks. Blade was sharpened extremely well, and I've just stropped it once. Camillus steel is quite good. The 883 is slimmer, lighter, and stronger due to the way the handles are set up.

Along with a rather uncommon, and very old Hot Wheel; the Top Fuel Dragster from 1970.

(Image removed from quote.)

Locking tools are a big plus.

[Noa Isumi]

Day29

Some Bucks
I only own a handful of Bucks but here they are...

728 Whitetail
This 3in hunter is a simple drop point with wood handles. These were sold as a Christmas gift set in 2004 w/ an embossed leather wrapped box (no I dont have this one's, yes I have another set nib)
This knife has been used in the field a few times and currently rides on the gunbelt for my 22s wedged inbetween old Mosin-Negant cartridge pouches.

620 Reaper
This was a clearance buy and while I have ocasionaly carried it I have never actualy used it (why it looks new after 3 years)

Jumping to the folder
759 Wittaker Metro
The 759 was originally etched with the Wittaker branding though that was dropped and it is now simply called the Metro. This was my wife's who thought it was cute, then never carried in favor of her Vic Spartan Light


And lastly

639> Fieldmate
This is a 90s Fieldmate with the > instead of the inverted T stamped on the mid2000s re-release. I found this one around '99-2k and jumped on it after having missed a screaming deal on a 184 in a 2nd hand shop that didnt know what it was...the one that got away.
This is basicly a short version of the 185 Buckmaster LT (super rare, even more than regular 184 Buckmaster)
I have carried this camping a few times and found it to be a great knife.
Also as I recall from compairing both at a shop the serrations on the re-release are ground on the opposite side of the blade from the origonals.

[ChopperCharles]

Day 25: Sheffield 12012 (Buck 355 Copy)

I bought this tool new in the blisterpack a few years ago. Thought it was neat, and was initially unaware it was a copy of a buck tool. I threw it in the glovebox of my pickup and haven't touched it since.

Well, I figured I'd fix that, so today I brought it out and used it to do more electrical around the garage. But to start with, this is the tool:



It's very basic, but you know what? The tools are all well formed, and not a one of them is over-polished. There's no rounding of edges to speak of. The two phillips drivers are 2.75D. They're flat on one side, but have three fully formed blades. It's an odd choice, a #1 and one that's halfway between a #2 and a #3. They do fit nicely into their intended screws. There are four flat drivers (if you count the end of the file) and they are also nicely formed. The bottle opener opens bottles well, the can opener opens cans relatively quickly. The blade came extremely dull, but it sharpened easily. The tools clump and don't lock, and the reach is limited for most of the drivers, but they're all really solid, well-made tools.

Here's an action shot, unscrewing a faceplate.



It comes with a nice pouch. The etching of the "Sheffield" logo isn't terribly good on the side.




continued...

[ChopperCharles]

..continued

Now onto use. Upon initial use, I liked how smooth the handles are in pliers mode. It felt good in my hands, and the only hot spots are at the very end of the pliers, where the flat piece of metal that engages the tools has sharp edges. Overall, it felt much like a Schrade Tough Tool or a Coleman Pro Lock to handle. Smooth, comfortable, and nice.

But... the more I used it, the more annoying little quirks I found. For instance, when opening the pliers, they often get stuck like this:



Often when closing as well. You have to be careful to keep the handles parallel while opening and closing, and it's not second nature. The tool was constantly getting hung up and annoying me.

Next... when using a driver with force, the tool twists. This means you don't have nearly as much leverage as with a tool that opens normally.



It did manage some heavier duty tasks, like pulling these staples out, cutting romex (with lovely anvil cutters), yanking wires out from under the flooring placed on top of the rafters (really who does that?!?). They did everything I asked, but I had to rotate the tool to get the best purchase. For instance, when prying up those staples, I initially tried prying up with the tool sideways, gripping the staple right near where it goes into the wood. That was no good, as one of the handles simply bent as I pried, and I couldn't keep pressure on the jaws anymore. So I had to reposition the pliers as shown, to be able to put force on them. Not ideal at all.



The tool mostly excelled at manipulation of wires without needing any force. Once I got the new wires in the electrical box, I used the pliers to trim them shorter, bend hooks in the wires to screw onto outlets and switches, twist ground wires together, and the like. For that the pliers were comfortable and easy to use. But anything heavier than that and they felt pretty awkward at times.

Still, the fact is this multitool did everything I asked of it. Yes, the tool clumping was annoying. So was having to open the handles to get the tools out. To be honest I felt like the tool was getting in my way just as much as it was helping.  It will not be an EDC for me ever, and I think I'll probably never use it again, but I wanted to get it in this shootout and really USE it for once. And I feel good having done that. It was a fun experiment, and I enjoyed it... but next time I go back to the garage, it will be with the SOG PowerPlay.

Charles.

[ReamerPunch]

Day 25: Sheffield 12012 (Buck 355 Copy)

 the can opener opens cans relatively quickly.

I reviewed the BuckTool 360, and the can opener was the worst can opener I have used. Good to know the Buck copy has a better one.

[ChopperCharles]

I reviewed the BuckTool 360, and the can opener was the worst can opener I have used. Good to know the Buck copy has a better one.

Yeah, I had no problems with it. For the really small cans, you have to use it left-handed because of the position in the tool stack. But mostly it just worked. Blade is good, nice and sharp, and it grips the can edge great. I've met some terrible can openers, and this is honestly pretty good.

Charles.

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

Thanks to everyone for your beautiful, at times baffling but always interesting blades and great stories - a special thank you to Comis for organising this challenge- I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve been amazed at the variety! Well, here we are:

Day 30

Today’s companions are the two knives I’ve had the longest, my first knife a SAK, the Victorinox Master Craftsman/Astronaut which I bought with my first proper pay packet at 16 from Tesco - hard to believe these days, but it was my constant companion at school where no-one turned a hair as a penknife was seen as a tool not a weapon as seems to be the case these days! The Philips came in handy on my cycle rides fixing bits on my hack bike which was forced to do more miles than it was ever designed for, and the SAK was superior to so-called cycle multi-tools of the day which were little more that stamped sheets of steel which were generally not fit for use no matter which slot you tried, always hitting other parts around them due to the awkward shape, or failing to allow you exert sufficient pressure to tighten anything up - modern cycle multi-tools are a vast improvement, but back then a small adjustable spinner and my Vic got me out of many a pickle! The other knife is the Compact I acquired before heading overseas for work in 1991 when I needed something slightly smaller in my suit pocket - again extremely useful I never had a problem carrying it on a plane - different story nowadays, eh!? They’ve both survived surprisingly well, though the Compact did have its scissors repaired by Victorinox a while ago, and I’ve treated them both to new sets of coloured plus scales since reading about them on this forum, when I’ve also acquired many more SAKs...... Had the Yeoman been available in 1991, I would have been tempted, but I don’t believe they were available in the UK.

Thanks again everyone for providing such a great read and visual treat - I shall be intrigued to see what appears today!

[Sos24]

Day29

Some Bucks
I only own a handful of Bucks but here they are...

728 Whitetail
This 3in hunter is a simple drop point with wood handles. These were sold as a Christmas gift set in 2004 w/ an embossed leather wrapped box (no I dont have this one's, yes I have another set nib)
This knife has been used in the field a few times and currently rides on the gunbelt for my 22s wedged inbetween old Mosin-Negant cartridge pouches.

620 Reaper
This was a clearance buy and while I have ocasionaly carried it I have never actualy used it (why it looks new after 3 years)

Jumping to the folder
759 Wittaker Metro
The 759 was originally etched with the Wittaker branding though that was dropped and it is now simply called the Metro. This was my wife's who thought it was cute, then never carried in favor of her Vic Spartan Light


And lastly

639> Fieldmate
This is a 90s Fieldmate with the > instead of the inverted T stamped on the mid2000s re-release. I found this one around '99-2k and jumped on it after having missed a screaming deal on a 184 in a 2nd hand shop that didnt know what it was...the one that got away.
This is basicly a short version of the 185 Buckmaster LT (super rare, even more than regular 184 Buckmaster)
I have carried this camping a few times and found it to be a great knife.
Also as I recall from compairing both at a shop the serrations on the re-release are ground on the opposite side of the blade from the origonals.

Very nice selection of Bucks

..continued

Now onto use. Upon initial use, I liked how smooth the handles are in pliers mode. It felt good in my hands, and the only hot spots are at the very end of the pliers, where the flat piece of metal that engages the tools has sharp edges. Overall, it felt much like a Schrade Tough Tool or a Coleman Pro Lock to handle. Smooth, comfortable, and nice.

But... the more I used it, the more annoying little quirks I found. For instance, when opening the pliers, they often get stuck like this:

(Image removed from quote.)

Often when closing as well. You have to be careful to keep the handles parallel while opening and closing, and it's not second nature. The tool was constantly getting hung up and annoying me.

Next... when using a driver with force, the tool twists. This means you don't have nearly as much leverage as with a tool that opens normally.

(Image removed from quote.)

It did manage some heavier duty tasks, like pulling these staples out, cutting romex (with lovely anvil cutters), yanking wires out from under the flooring placed on top of the rafters (really who does that?!?). They did everything I asked, but I had to rotate the tool to get the best purchase. For instance, when prying up those staples, I initially tried prying up with the tool sideways, gripping the staple right near where it goes into the wood. That was no good, as one of the handles simply bent as I pried, and I couldn't keep pressure on the jaws anymore. So I had to reposition the pliers as shown, to be able to put force on them. Not ideal at all.

(Image removed from quote.)

The tool mostly excelled at manipulation of wires without needing any force. Once I got the new wires in the electrical box, I used the pliers to trim them shorter, bend hooks in the wires to screw onto outlets and switches, twist ground wires together, and the like. For that the pliers were comfortable and easy to use. But anything heavier than that and they felt pretty awkward at times.

Still, the fact is this multitool did everything I asked of it. Yes, the tool clumping was annoying. So was having to open the handles to get the tools out. To be honest I felt like the tool was getting in my way just as much as it was helping.  It will not be an EDC for me ever, and I think I'll probably never use it again, but I wanted to get it in this shootout and really USE it for once. And I feel good having done that. It was a fun experiment, and I enjoyed it... but next time I go back to the garage, it will be with the SOG PowerPlay.

Charles.

Great review

Thanks to everyone for your beautiful, at times baffling but always interesting blades and great stories - a special thank you to Comis for organising this challenge- I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve been amazed at the variety! Well, here we are:

Day 30

Today’s companions are the two knives I’ve had the longest, my first knife a SAK, the Victorinox Master Craftsman/Astronaut which I bought with my first proper pay packet at 16 from Tesco - hard to believe these days, but it was my constant companion at school where no-one turned a hair as a penknife was seen as a tool not a weapon as seems to be the case these days! The Philips came in handy on my cycle rides fixing bits on my hack bike which was forced to do more miles than it was ever designed for, and the SAK was superior to so-called cycle multi-tools of the day which were little more that stamped sheets of steel which were generally not fit for use no matter which slot you tried, always hitting other parts around them due to the awkward shape, or failing to allow you exert sufficient pressure to tighten anything up - modern cycle multi-tools are a vast improvement, but back then a small adjustable spinner and my Vic got me out of many a pickle! The other knife is the Compact I acquired before heading overseas for work in 1991 when I needed something slightly smaller in my suit pocket - again extremely useful I never had a problem carrying it on a plane - different story nowadays, eh!? They’ve both survived surprisingly well, though the Compact did have its scissors repaired by Victorinox a while ago, and I’ve treated them both to new sets of coloured plus scales since reading about them on this forum, when I’ve also acquired many more SAKs...... Had the Yeoman been available in 1991, I would have been tempted, but I don’t believe they were available in the UK.

Thanks again everyone for providing such a great read and visual treat - I shall be intrigued to see what appears today!

Great pair of SAKs.  The compact is one of my favorite SAKs (next to the Yeoman)

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

 :agree: Sos@$ - the Compact is the basis of my InvesTigator too - a great knife, but that extra mag/light/philips layer just makes enough difference without adding too much weight like the Explorer, for me at any rate!

[Dunc]

DAY 30

Well the big day has arrived to complete the challenge. I was going to post another Commando dagger but I realised I hadn’t included any SAKS and felt bad. So here’s my Black Pioneer to bring a close to this brilliant challenge. Well done everyone , I’ve enjoyed all your photos immensely.

 15AB66E3-DC53-40ED-A1D9-4A52E2F1E824 by Duncan Moore, on Flickr

[comis]

Day 30






Today is SAK Mountaineer, which is one of my most trusted EDC knife/tool for years.  It travels with me to some of the most remote or busiest places on earth, and it has always been universally accepted as a friendly harmless tool.



I would like to use this opportunity to thank each of one of you whom have taken the time to participate in this challenge, thank you, thank you, and thank you!   


You folks are what made this a great challenge, and this forum an awesome place to dwell!

[Storm]

Day 30
 The classic and highly visible lines of the Mora companion in HD orange, a wonderfully versatile easy to use knife with great all weather grip. Accompanied tofay by the Boker DA33 for those little knife with enough handle to get a decent grip on it  times.

Thanks to all for participating and showing off your treasures and your everyday users.

[Sos24]

Day 30

Between being two-layer Tuesday and Rizio’s compact, I thought I would post my custom Compact from Rain.Z Knives.  The main toolset is that of a Compact.  The backside tools were changed to the phillips and an awl.  The scales are not plus scales, but they are a textured titanium that is nice and grippy.  This was my primary user SAK until I got my hands on a Yeoman.

[comis]

Yes Comis, random

While I have managed to sort my folders and MTs into trays many of my fixed blades are still in a large tote bin I have to dig through...

So "random" as in that I was rummaging and going "this, this, and how about this

Day 29
Kutmaster  Minimaster.  It is not as good as a Leatherman Micro, but not a bad tool at about the same size.  Overall the tools all work the way they should, although the scissors are loose and not as good as 58mm SAK.

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)

Pretty cool tool shape, Micro is a solid tool from LM, I did carry it briefly on a keychain for a while before switching to Squirt PS later on.

Never heard of graphite scales, are you thinking Carbon fiber ?

  Thanks for the reply, should be more clear on that, yes, indeed.  I remember reading about working with G10/Carbon Fiber, and some would even recommend specialized ventilation system for safety reason. 


I am not too familiar with the graphite spray, it sounds really promising, but just curious whether special care is needed to work the spray.

[Storm]

Oh and

[comis]

Day 30
 The classic and highly visible lines of the Mora companion in HD orange, a wonderfully versatile easy to use knife with great all weather grip. Accompanied tofay by the Boker DA33 for those little knife with enough handle to get a decent grip on it  times.

Thanks to all for participating and showing off your treasures and your everyday users.

Love the Mora, it is hard to find better value in a knife.

Day 30

Between being two-layer Tuesday and Rizio’s compact, I thought I would post my custom Compact from Rain.Z Knives.  The main toolset is that of a Compact.  The backside tools were changed to the phillips and an awl.  The scales are not plus scales, but they are a textured titanium that is nice and grippy.  This was my primary user SAK until I got my hands on a Yeoman.
(Image removed from quote.)

Awesome carry and love the copper shield, very classy!

[comis]

Oh and

 

[comis]

Day 29

A lot of the old Company's that made or had made and sold knives were called Cutlery Company's. That's because they also made or had made and sold straight razors, scissors, table and flat ware and other edged tools. Here is a pair of Case XX scissors and a Union Cutlery Co (Ka-Bar) straight razor.

Ever since I started wet shaving couple months back, I have a healthy respect for anyone shaving with a straight razor.  It's an art form!

Glad to be of help. Pretty cool lock!

 

A little more info on it:

Thank you for the video, didn't know why it never occur to me to look it up on youtube.  I quite like the really simple design inside, and the fact that they laser cut the spring all in curves probably will make the spring more resistance to long term metal fatigue.  Cool video!

[comis]

Day 29
Another Kershaw,the G10 Tyrade,with a composite blade,CPM D2 and 154CM.
I etched the blade to enhance the contrast

I definitely learn a thing or two in this challenge about composite blade, cool carry!

Both of them are stunning! 

They sure are!

DAY 29
A couple of Ontario Knife Co. RAT Model 1's.  Coyote Tan in D2 Steel and an Olive Drab in AUS-8.  Very comfortable folders.  The way the spine is just a bit higher than the handle, coupled with comfortable jimping on the spine, and the shape of the liners/scales are just perfect.

If there is any flagship folders from OKC, I think they are it!

Day 30.
Been an awesome month. Thanks Comis and everyone  there’s been a lot of interesting blades shown and info learned.
I’m finishing with a few classics.

No, thank you for participating!  Awesome classics.  I wish I get a MTO red alox, I completely missed out on that which I do regret til today.

[pfrsantos]

Day 29

Two GEC Northfields   ,   #78 American Jack and #66 Calf Roper Stockman



(Image removed from quote.)

 

 

[pfrsantos]

Day 29
Another Kershaw,the G10 Tyrade,with a composite blade,CPM D2 and 154CM.
I etched the blade to enhance the contrast

Like Kershaw knives. Not very expensive but work great and have great ergonomics.

 

[pfrsantos]

DAY 29
A couple of Ontario Knife Co. RAT Model 1's.  Coyote Tan in D2 Steel and an Olive Drab in AUS-8.  Very comfortable folders.  The way the spine is just a bit higher than the handle, coupled with comfortable jimping on the spine, and the shape of the liners/scales are just perfect.

There's a reason those are among the best EDC folders in everyone's lists.

 

[pfrsantos]

That's bloody lovely! 

 

[pfrsantos]

Day 29: Camilus USA BSA883 Cub Scout Knife. This is the stainless steel, "economy" model from the late 1990s. I have had three Cub Scout knvies. For me, they are great for EDC, in that they are compact, fairly lightweight; and the awl and screwdriver both lock. Main blade has a half stop. The first was a very early Imperial Cub Scout, which I fixed up and gave to a friend of mine who is a Scout leader. Second is a carbon steel Camillus, which I still use. I bought this one for less than ten bucks. Blade was sharpened extremely well, and I've just stropped it once. Camillus steel is quite good. The 883 is slimmer, lighter, and stronger due to the way the handles are set up.

Along with a rather uncommon, and very old Hot Wheel; the Top Fuel Dragster from 1970.

(Image removed from quote.)

Great combo of classics there!

 

[RF52]

Great challenge guys! Lots of worthy knives

Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk

[pfrsantos]

Day 30


I would like to use this opportunity to thank each of one of you whom have taken the time to participate in this challenge, thank you, thank you, and thank you!   


You folks are what made this a great challenge, and this forum an awesome place to dwell!

Thanks for challenging us! Thanks to everyone involved, I've discovered lots of wonderful knives I didn't knew existed.

 

[pfrsantos]

Day 30

Between being two-layer Tuesday and Rizio’s compact, I thought I would post my custom Compact from Rain.Z Knives.  The main toolset is that of a Compact.  The backside tools were changed to the phillips and an awl.  The scales are not plus scales, but they are a textured titanium that is nice and grippy.  This was my primary user SAK until I got my hands on a Yeoman.
(Image removed from quote.)

That looks great! A mix between antique and new.

 

[pfrsantos]

Day 30: The other half of my damascus collection. Pakistan made, with horn handles. Feels great in hand, but I never used it. I'm affraid to mess up the damascus pattern. It's kept in the leather pouch. Looking at the close up pics, there's a few places the copper has verdigris. Going to clean it up before putting it back in the tresure chest I have buried under the skeletons in the cave of the desert island...

 

[powernoodle]

Powernoodle Day 30


Lightning OTF.



Thanks Brother Comis and everyone for an awesome Challenge.   

[comis]

Day 30: The other half of my damascus collection. Pakistan made, with horn handles. Feels great in hand, but I never used it. I'm affraid to mess up the damascus pattern. It's kept in the leather pouch. Looking at the close up pics, there's a few places the copper has verdigris. Going to clean it up before putting it back in the tresure chest I have buried under the skeletons in the cave of the desert island...

 

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

From now on I gonna yell "Open sesame" whenever I go visit a desert island...

Powernoodle Day 30

(Image removed from quote.)
Lightning OTF.

(Image removed from quote.)

Thanks Brother Comis and everyone for an awesome Challenge.   

Thank you!  Did you have that "Lightning" engraved?