A Note To Our Fellow Adventurers
After the Inaugural Gear Swap in Vancouver, our friend Wesley, an active member of the local Watch Hang community, and strong supporter of the Form & Function Podcast, as well as The Grey Nato, came away with an Ontario RAT Model II. A knife we like so much that it was chosen to be included in our campaign creative.
In this article, Wesley who previously shared his urban adventure EDC, goes through some of his knife collection and provides a run down on how each blade type or style serves a unique lifestyle purpose.
- Huiy Tang, Co-Founder
Blades and Behaviours
The world of knives is wide and diverse, with lots of options for users to pick from. From blade materials and shapes, handles, custom engraving, and much more; you can really personalize your knives to your taste. I personally have more than a couple knives, and don’t always carry the same one. Depending on the situation I will shake things up and bring one or the other. Today I will go through some in my personal collection and discuss how I think they express my personality, as well as what I think they might say about many others that carry them.
Small knives
The easiest place to start will be with small knives. They are the easiest to tuck into a pair of jeans and leave home with as they aren’t cumbersome and provide most of the utility as the other knives in your collection. Small knives can obviously range massively, with an example being my James Elko being on the smaller side of things. With a blade length of just 1.6” this blade easily tucks into a pocket or on a keychain and is truly meant for utility. Since it is so small, it is a great blade to have ready at the office to open boxes, as well as using the rear All-Things Scraper as a screwdriver head or staple remover.
Another small knife I quite like is the Black Fox Bean Gen 2. Similarly to the James, it’s a smaller blade at 1.92” making it a great tool knife. Its slightly larger size makes it a little more robust in the hand, and its G10 handle adds the extra grip it needs considering its size. This blade is a little less work friendly as it has a more tacticool look to it in all black, which certainly makes me think this would work well for the EDC fan who doesn’t want to carry a larger blade.
I love small blades, their form factor makes them fun to handle and ultimately brings me back to using my dads Swiss army knife as a kid.
Folder knives
“Regular” sized folder knives usually fall in the 2.5” – 4” blade length. This size category lets you get a good useable blade while still being able to carry it in your pocket. You also get some good features at this category like assisted open, folders with thumb studs, and more.
When at the RZE gear swap this past weekend, I traded a Militado watch with Kirk for an Ontario Knife Company RAT Model II. This knife falls in the perfect zone for me. The first notable upgrade we have here is the use of D2 steel, which keeps a fantastic edge. You also get a 3” drop-point blade shape that is more multi-use, making it more versatile. On top of all this, you get a G10 handle that you can fit well in the hand and get a good grip on, as well as just looking sweet with the desert colour and black steel blending very well together. I see this knife going with you to the shop for some hard work or carrying around on your adventures.
Another pick in this category from my collection is my Opinel No.8. The Opinel is a direct contrast to my last choice in the RAT, being extremely non-threatening and having very traditional looks about it. With the Opinel you get a carbon steel blade, meaning easier sharpening and superior sharpness to its stainless steel counterpart. You also get their famous Virobloc safety ring locking system which keeps its aesthetics grounded, and their beechwood handle which offers a unique handling experience. This type of knife you expect to see in your grandpas bait box, with stains on the handle and patina all over the well used blade. I feel it’s a great knife for bringing on small picnic dates at the waterside since it is so non-threatening, and can still be large enough to use for cutting up food or opening drinks.
Fixed Blade knives
Fixed blade knives sit in a weird spot for my carry habits. Since lots of them are quite big, they aren’t great for throwing into the pocket and bringing around town. I like to carry basic fixed blades when I go hiking or camping so, and usually on a belt or backpack. Besides being aesthetically pleasing and making you feel like Rambo, I like the fact that fixed blades often have less failure points than folders.
My choice in this category is a basic Morakniv Companion. I love these knives, as they are the cheap and cheerful option of suburban dads, hikers, and fishermen around the world. I have opted for the tan option as I have an older Red handle Mora, and wanted something that matches lots of my outdoorsy garments. The Mora boasts a sharp stainless steel blade that I find perfect for batoning kindling for a fire, and widdling while sitting around said fire. The rubberized handle is also a great feature, offering great grip and makes it very usable when wet. Fun fact, the Companion floats in water! This means you’ll have a fun time chasing it down the river if you drop it while fishing.
Bonus fixed blade
I was gifted this ridiculous Old Timer knife, which measures in at a whopping 10” blade, and a full tang. Its not the most high quality, or the strongest steel, but it looks damn cool to wear at the camp site and cut potatoes with. I picture the person that carries this to be a bit like crocodile Dundee mixed with Rambo.
My Perfect Knife
We have talked about a lot of blades in this but I do have a clear favourite in my collection. I have carried this Ken Onion designed Kershaw Leek for the better part of a decade. It’s the perfect length at 2.8”, with a precision designed blade style which makes it perfect for opening boxes or cutting up food at the camp site. Its aluminum handle gives it a sturdy feel without adding unnecessary weight. It also has my favourite feature, an assisted open. Here in Canada we cant have fully automatic knives, so this straddles that line well. One handed operation is something I think every person should think about when it comes to picking a knife, and this certainly helps with it. I think the Leek says a lot about who I am as a person, I value efficiency and precision while appreciating the craftsmanship and materials that go into the end product.
What does the knife you carry say about you?
To follow Wesley as he shares is love for watches, photography and his perspective on Vancouver, Canada, check out his Instagram.
