Lunchtime Knife test

Tom Munch · **on:** November 27, 2007, 09:35:59 PM

I did a knife test at lunch today just because I like to test & compare. I like to use my knives - both dedicated & those on multitools - to do food prep. Using several tools at the same time reveals strengths & weaknesses.

Here's what was on the table:

LM Juice S2
LM Charge Ti
LM New Wave
LM c304
Vic Spirit
Vic Spirit S (for regular blade)
Vic SwissTool X
Vic OHT
Vic Sportsman
Vic Mountaineer
Vic Explorer
Vic Tinker
Traveler Lite
Spyderco Waved Delica
Kabar Dozier

I do fruit & vegetables mainly for a lunch with a piece of cheese & meat, so the cutting was mostly vegetables. The results were pretty much what I expected. The dedicated blades & tools with less bulk do better are easier to maneuver. This included:

LM Juice S2
LM c304
Vic OHT
Vic Sportsman
Vic Tinker
Spyderco Waved Delica
Kabar Dozier

The best of this bunch were the thinnest in the hand:

Vic Sportsman
Vic Tinker
Spyderco Waved Delica
Kabar Dozier

As you would guess, it's difficult to handle the bigger & heavier tools while making delicate cuts, particularly the SwissTool X.

The blades with a chisel edge (bevel on one side) tend to curve when cutting. These were the:

Vic Spirit
Vic OHT

Additionally I was less thrilled about cutting towards my thumb since a cut from a serrated blade is so nasty.

The main reason I did this test is because I'm always trying to find a reason to carry a dedicated knife in addition to my tools. This test reiterated for me that it is much easier to cut things repeatedly with a tool designed mainly to cut, & the multitool knife is usually less convenient to use. Of course I already knew this. The other point to make is that I obviously use a dedicated kitchen knife when there is a lot of cutting to be done - the right tool for the job always.

Tom

CQC-7 · **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2007, 12:38:20 AM

I does not suprise me that the Vic pocket models performed the best. It is tough to beat those blades for EDC chores. A thick knife blade although cool does not really do all that well of a job preparing somthing that you are going to eat. However, it would work if that was all you had.

Anthony · **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2007, 01:02:36 AM

I use an Opinel for anything related to cutting food while I'm away from a "real" knife. Even though it's plain edge, I get the feeling there are micro serrations while I'm cutting; it had a good bite. I even cut a big loaf of Italian bread with it nice and cleanly...something a lot of plain edged blades would just crush before it actually cut.

Tom Munch · **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2007, 02:02:46 AM

I like Opinel's. I keep meaning to buy a few.

CQC-7 · **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2007, 03:33:37 AM

Just how good are the Opinel knives. I have never reall heard anything bad about them. I would think at their small price it would be hard to rip on them if they last anywhere near a year.

Anthony · **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2007, 03:40:09 AM

They should last a lifetime if you don't abuse them...it's not a heavy duty rope cutter or anything that might require much torque, but for food it's perfect. The lockup is secure belive it or not, and it's comfortable to use, light, etc...I keep it in my bag and keep it clean just for that lunchtime emergency of looking in the takeout bag and saying "did they give us knives?"

Years ago that was it...a wood handle and a blade.

CQC-7 · **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2007, 03:50:27 AM

They do have that old time look.

Anthony · **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2007, 03:53:23 AM

Quote from: CQC-7 on November 28, 2007, 03:50:27 AM

They do have that old time look.

Indeed...and who wants to use their tactical folder for cutting chicken parmesan

?

CQC-7 · **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2007, 12:16:48 AM

I might sound like a smartazz here but I have actually used my tactical folder to cut chicken parmesan

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2007, 12:26:32 AM

I saw that- he was coming at you, you had no choice.

It was self defense! I swear it was!

Def

CQC-7 · **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2007, 05:31:22 AM

I wonder if I should start the "I have actually sliced lunch with a tactical folder thread."

It still looked a lot cooler slicing my food with my Spyderco Manix than my boss using his engraved super custom silver scaled exotic looking gentlemans folder to slice his ham and cheese sandwich which did not need to be cut in the first place.

WhichDawg · **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2007, 05:46:08 PM

or;
"Watch me pull a tactical folder outta a hat!"

yellowhammer · **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2007, 08:39:13 PM

To my mind the best food prep pocket knives are (drum roll please) the UKPK (or Caly 3) as the flat grind & blade shape make it a very efficient slicer. An Opinel No. 6 for much the same reasons, and if it's carbon you can get a nice patina, and the Vic. 108mm Solo as it's just so versatile. I'm sure I've forgotten one...

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2007, 09:57:38 PM

The UKPK is a cracking knife, it feels like a mini bushcraft knife in the hand, I really have to get one, one day

CQC-7 · **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2007, 09:58:41 PM

All this talk of opinel makes me want to go out and get one. I suppose that I can spare some bones for such a purchase.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #15 on:** November 29, 2007, 10:01:51 PM

Quote from: CQC-7 on November 29, 2007, 09:58:41 PM

All this talk of opinel makes me want to go out and get one. I suppose that I can spare some bones for such a purchase.

They are cracking little knives, and like Saks and Mora's they represent really good value for money

CQC-7 · **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2007, 10:14:52 PM

I always was interested in them but I never bought one. I have also been eyeing up a Douk Douk knife but I have not ordered any new knives lately and I think that those will be the next two.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2007, 10:20:00 PM

Douk Douk's are sadly pretty rare over here, I'd love to see one in the flesh

CQC-7 · **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2007, 12:03:44 AM

EDC depot has them. I did soem research on the Douk Douk and there are several shapes sizes and handle materials. I dont know which materials the ones at edcdepot are made of but I guess that I can find out somehow.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2007, 12:05:25 AM

Quote from: CQC-7 on November 30, 2007, 12:03:44 AM

EDC depot has them. I did soem research on the Douk Douk and there are several shapes sizes and handle materials. I dont know which materials the ones at edcdepot are made of but I guess that I can find out somehow.

I'll add it to the ever growing new year list then

, thanks mate

CQC-7 · **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2007, 12:25:57 AM

I hear you there. The day after Christmas, I am going to go straight to the computer after I shake off the hangover and order some new tools since I do not have to worry about buying Christmas gifts anymore this year.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #21 on:** November 30, 2007, 12:26:59 AM

Quote from: CQC-7 on November 30, 2007, 12:25:57 AM

I hear you there. The day after Christmas, I am going to go straight to the computer after I shake off the hangover and order some new tools since I do not have to worry about buying Christmas gifts anymore this year.

Expensive business, this christmas lark

CQC-7 · **Reply #22 on:** November 30, 2007, 12:40:55 AM

It is quite a money maker. I just buy things that I want after Christmas. I need to get a new pair of Oakleys for shooting first though. I'm sure there will be money left over for a few new toys after that.

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