[z537z]

Having been caught in enough situations where I wish I had a sharp edge and didn't, I now carry enough to suit me in any situation.

In my pocket, I carry a Cold Steel Voyager. My only complaint with this knife is that the handle is not as strong and useful as a steel handle. My last carry knife was a Kershaw VaporII, which just weighed my pocket down too much, so I traded it in for a Zytel handle knife which only weighs a few ounces even with a heavy 3.5" blade.
The tanto point ensures a long straight cutting edge, and a strong tip. I use
it for everything: Cutting, prying, as a screwdriver, as a hammer, etc. The handle's not let me down yet, so I don't mind its "plastic" nature. I also like the lockback, as liner locks tend to get jammed in the locked position after they wear down a while, in my experience. Even with nicer knives, like the CRKT line.

I liked it so much, I carry a Cold Steel Tuff-Lite for my keychain. It's tiny, but has the same nice AUS-8A steel. It doens't have stellar edge-holding capability, but it hasn't snapped on my, so I like it fine. I've had both for over year now, sharpening once and a while to keep happy.
I use the smaller one for delicate jobs, so it stays super sharp. Like if I don't have scissors, it'll cut paper no problem, as well as envelopes, even hangnails when I can't find clippers. It's also nice to have when I'm in a setting where my Voyager is a little inappropriate (people aren't always comfortable with larger blades out in the open).

Finally, I've carried a regular old 10 cent razor blade in my wallet in a custom "sheath" made of index card and masking tape. It's thin and I don't notice it in there, and it's great when you've forgotten everything but your wallet.

In addition, I have a few straight sections of hairpin in my wallet. You'd be surprised how often you need a small thin piece of metal. I once one when a friend realized he'd forgotten his bolt lock on his Remington out in the field.

Finally, I have a Swisstool multitool on my keychain. The 420 steel's nothing too impressive, but without too much weight the pliers are incredibly handy, as are the 4 screwdrivers on there, and wire cutters underneath the plier jaws.


I was never in boy scouts, just find myself using these things all the time!

I highly reccomend the Voyager. You can't feel it there, but if need be it's still tough enough to fend off somebody threatening.

_z