Cut the mustard. Cut the fishing line. Cut that sapling leaning into the driveway, or pretty much anything else, if you're properly equipped. At a bare minimum, everyone should carry a decent folding knife for day-to-day tasks.
I'm always puzzled when I see a grown man grab a pencil, or any random sharp object, as a poor substitute for a proper blade. Ideally, I recommend carrying two types of knives. While it might seem like overkill, you’d be surprised how handy it is to be well-equipped.
As much as I respect my old man’s John Primble or a Case XX with good steel, those are not fighting knives. They’re best reserved for utility work,a leisure blade, if you will. A second knife should be within quick reach, and ideally a solid locking folder with a clip point or trailing point blade. A four-inch blade is a good benchmark.
Even better? Get into the habit of carrying a well-constructed fixed blade. They can be carried IWB (inside the waistband) or mounted horizontally on a beltline, nearly disappearing from view. For daily box-cutting duties or close-quarters “biological” work, nothing beats a fixed blade for speed and reliability.
If you intend for it to be your last-ditch defensive option, think carefully about grip design: a finger choil, jimping, quality handle material. Slather some soap on your hands and try holding a smooth-bone-handled kitchen knife, you’ll quickly understand why that matters.
Mounting options and sheaths are plentiful. Carrying a knife should become as routine as slipping your phone into your pocket. Good habits form the same way bad ones do: repetition. A knife and a flashlight may be the two most useful items you carry all day.
The practical uses alone should draw people in. And if a well-chosen blade happens to buy you one more day between you and your maker, it’s worth every penny.
I’ll leave specific brand and model recommendations up for debate, but there’s plenty of solid information out there, either online or from that plugged-in friend. While custom makers abound, factory brands like Spyderco, ESEE, and TOPS are reliable starting points. Choosing a knife is a rabbit hole of its own, and it’s easy to get lost (and start spending green) once you're in.
Is carrying two blades necessary? Absolutely not. But neither is a kitchen fire extinguisher. You’re not likely to need either, but if you do, they’re a godsend.
Bonus tip: Toss a Fiskars axe in the trunk. It might be the difference between making it home one day or depending on a stranger’s mercy.
From whittling and box-cutting to making that mutt think twice on your walk, a blade will serve you well. It used to be as common as putting on pants. The world may seem a little less primal these days, but at its core, it can still be ruthless. Be prepared.
For the cedar stick begging to be carved, or the knucklehead at Cedar Creek begging likewise.
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