I've been carrying a Benchmade D2 Mel Pardue with serrations for about 15 years. Has been a sturdy knife with a good 90* spine for throwing sparks from a ferro rod. Has held up well with moderate weekly use.

Believe it cost around $75 back then.

Probably the closest model today is the 551SBK (which shows up now for $130 MSRP --ouch).

On the subject of Griptilians, BK coated RSK MK1's are back in stock at Knifeworks.

Always wondered. What's the hook-shaped device on the bottom of the Huntsman?

http://www.smartknives.com/Victorinox-Knives/Victorinox-Huntsman-Plus.htm

The hook is marketed as a parcel carrier. (for the little string whick people used to tie around package, but now generally is not allowed by most companies).

I have only use the hook to:
- Put a bike chain back on, without getting my hands dirty.
- Pulling loops through tight places.

If I recall some twenty years ago.The pamflet that came with mt huntsman showed a drawing of it removing the entralls of a game bird.Hence the name huntsman.Maybe that is not so socially acceptablenow.Also the saw can be used split a pelvic bone on large game when quartering.

BOATMAN
John

I'm not a hunter, but do people actually use Swiss Army Knives to saw up their large game? That sounds a bit like trying to mow your grass with a pair of scissors. Possible I suppose, but you'd think there would be better tools for the job...

I have done it, using the saw for the bones. SAK works well enough if it is all you have, and it is sharp enough. Takes a bit longer though.

Thanks Montanero.Wire saws can also be used for this but the thread was about EDC blades.

BOATMAN
John

You would be amazed at the small, but sharp.stome tools used to skin out and dismember big animals like mammoth and bison way back when. Of course, when metallic knives became available, they were hugely popular.

As an experiment, one of my college profs butchered a deceased circus elephant with stone tools, the largest of which was fist sized.

Makes it a lot easier to carry anything with a wire bail like a paint can too.