I had been carrying around a Gerber LST for the last 10+ years, and I'd love to say that I picked it out all shiny and new in the store and took it home to make it mine, but that would be a lie. The truth is that I found it beneath my couch cushions the morning after some rambunctious college party. So let me apologize to whoever left it there and also say thanks for providing me with decent knife to carry around for quite some time.
(pictures are of my actual knife, description is from website where you can purchase your own)
Gerber L.S.T. 6009 (Light, Strong, Tough) Lockback Pocket Knife
Just as the name implies the Gerber L.S.T. is made to stand hard use under tough conditions. The Gerber L.S.T. 6009 is 3 1/2'' closed and features a black, lightweight, fiberglass filled nylon handle with checkered grip and lanyard hole. The knife is fitted with a stainless steel drop point blade. Retail cost for this piece is $25.95. Gets yours here at our low discount price of only $16.95.
http://www.foxqualityknives.com/gerber-6009-lst-lockback-knife
Unfortunately, as time goes by and things get used on a regular basis, they start to wear and show their age. Such was the case with the Gerber. I was beginning to notice some side-to-side wobble, as well as some front-to-back wobble when in the open, locked position. This was a sure sign that it was about time to find a replacement.
Now keep in mind that this was no easy decision. I was about to replace something that had traveled with me for the past 10 years or so, this was a true EDC knife.
Everyday Carry, or EDC, generally refers to small items or gadgets worn, carried, or made available in pockets, holsters, or bags on a daily basis to manage common tasks or for use in unexpected situations or emergencies. In a broader sense, it is a lifestyle, discipline, or philosophy of preparedness.
Some of the things that this Gerber helped me with on a regular basis are as follows: opening mail, breaking down boxes, prying open windows, scraping burrito left-overs out of my teeth, trimming the cuticles on my fingernails, slicing limes for the occasional cerveza, assisting in opening the occasional “stuck” locked door, slicing a steak, cutting open those oh-so difficultly packaged kid's toys, (among other things I can't remember), and every so often to whittle.
And once, a very long time ago, I was able to utilize the knife in a self-defense mode, taking the eye of a pirate that was attempting to ransack the village.
So anyway, it was time to upgrade and I really didn't know where to go. I had been out of the game for far to long. Like I said, I didn't know about the intricacies of the knife world, I only knew what I liked. Sharp Steel, cool design, easily whisked away to the inside of a pocket. I knew nothing of quality or craftsmanship.
That's where Whitt steps in. He had been collecting for quite some time and was (and still is) in my opinion, a knife nerd. He knows more about the strength and quality of certain types of steel than anyone I know. I became Anakin to his Obi-Wan, but really still haven't learned all that much. Like I said, I don't really concern myself with the details, just what works and looks cool.
So, enter the new knife, the Boker Trance. Able to accomplish all of the previous knife's work, but in a sleek new form. A bit thinner than my previous blade, different locking mechanism, larger blade, way sharper, and easy one-handed opening. And the price point is what really sold my on it. Ordered online and shipped for just about $30. Can't really beat that.
(pictures are of my actual knife, description is from website where you can purchase your own)
Boker Knives: Boker Trance Knife, BK-BO590
The illustrated Boker Knife is the Boker Trance Knife, designed by Chad Los Banos, that features a 2 3/4" drop point blade made of AUS8 stainless steel. The blade of this Boker knife has a non reflective finish, a notched thumb rest, dual thumb studs and a blade flipper for ambidextrous one hand opening. The stainless steel handle, 3 1/2" closed, has a single black fiberglass reinforced nylon scale, a frame lock and a lanyard hole. An end to end reversible metal pocket clip is included with this Boker knife. The Boker Trance Knife has an overall open length of 6 1/4" and weighs 3.2 ounces.
http://www.knivesplus.com/bokerknifebk-bo590.html
The Boker Trance was thinner in width than the Gerber, had a longer and sharper blade, was a frame lock instead of a lock-back design, and had a clip to keep it in place and make it more easily accessible as opposed to the Gerber which just sat at the bottom of my pocket.
I've been carrying the Boker Trance for a little over a year now and have really come to depend on it. I've enjoyed this knife and it has been a fantastic replacement for my old blade.
But I think that it's getting to be time to replace the Boker Trance. I've got a few things lined up and will revisit this once they've been tested. I think a solid month of EDC for each of the potentials should prove helpful in determining what should be the next big thing.
The thing that really got the juices flowing for new and better knives was the Blade Show in Atlanta, GA.
http://www.blademag.com/bladeshow_attendees
Being able to attend this event was an eye opener. Getting to meet some of the artists and craftsmen that make the blades was a real treat and really got me interested in seeing and knowing more. If you have any interest in knives at all, I highly recommend attending the show in 2011.
Now, I had purchased the Boker Trance a long time before going to the Blade Show. And while I was there only managed to pick up another Boker knife (big thanks to Boker for the freebie). Prior to the show, I received a Boker Karambit for Christmas, and while a very cool knife, not something I picture using for EDC.
See, there are knives that are cool, and there are knives that are practical for day-to-day situations. I've more of the “cool but not practical” than the “practical and cool”. I'm looking to change that so I'll have some diversity in my collection.
Kershaw, Spyderco, and CRKT are all in the works.
I'll keep you posted.
¶ 9:31 PM 0 comments
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