Old timer pocket knife or Swiss Army knife for every day carry?

Question

I have always been a fan of old timer pocket knives and have recently been stuck between them or a Swiss Army knife. I spend most of my time outside in the woods and want to know which would be better for field dressing game, cutting woods, and farm work. I am going to my grandparents farm this summer to work and want to know which would be more useful. What are the pros and cons of each. Either the old timer middleman or the Swiss Army knife:field master.

Thank ya

Answer 1

A Swiss Army knife will do every thing that an Old Timer will and a lot more useful stuff. A folding knife is always a bad choice to us to field dress game. You get blood and guts down in it and it is hard to clean. If you don't need the extra tools on a Swiss Army knife, it doesn't matter what you carry.

Answer 2

Being a little old school I carry a Buck pocket knife around and about 12 years ago got a Leatherman pocket tool to carry when I'm doing work on the property. That old timer is a time tested quality knife and most of the Swiss Army knifes I've seen didn't have the same quality.

Answer 3

Bleah !!!....Swiss Army knives. They're great to pack along if you are backpacking and see a need for the gadgets included on them. But they're bulky. And unless you carry it attached to a belt lanyard, you'll get a sore spot on your thigh from that rubbing around in your pocket. The blades are typically not well-tempered and may be okay for peeling potatoes in camp and do minor whittling, but I would definitely pick a jack knife or a pen knife with a stronger blade.



I've had Old Timers, a Buck Stockman, Gerber and Buck lockblades, and Cases. I prefer two-bladed jack nives and lock blades. My current knife is a Buck lockblade.



If I were going to get me a utility knife, I would pick a Camillus--either a Boy Scout type or an electrician's knife.

Answer 4

I'd rather have the Old Timer. That's what my granddaddy used, what my daddy carried for years, and what would work perfectly fine for me if I wanted to spend more than, say, $10 on a daily carry knife. Of course, mine rarely see any use more than opening letters, cutting a slice off a nice block of sharp cheddar, or cleaning my fingernails and toenails.



And frankly, I've never seen a Swiss Army knife that I considered worth owning. If I need a toolbox, I'll carry a toolbox. Banging my knuckles against a hot engine block isn't my idea of a fun time.

Answer 5

I use an Old Timer on the farm. Went through probably six or eight of them in the last 40 plus years. But I use them hard, and for many things a knife wasn't meant for. Like scraping gunk off parts and prying on things. I like the 3 bladed stockman because I want a pocket carry knife and not a belt carry. Seems a belt carry snags on machinery when crawling around working on things. I don't even carry pliers on my belt for the same reason. Just a personal thing.

Answer 6

I've daily carried one of two Buck Stockman, 3 bladed folders for probably 40 years - these are comparable to the Old Timer.

My Swiss Army was found in a lake (the price was right) about 15 years back.

You don't need a fixed blade for 99% of the time. My Buck worked just fine for everything from sunfish to black bear and whatnot in between.

Get the OT, you won't have one regret.

Answer 7

Have purchased/owned real Swiss Army knifes for years and as much as I like their utility the durability isn't there anymore. I'd go with the Schrade, Case or Buck pocket knife nowdays and carry a Leatherman tool.

Answer 8

For what you described, the Old Timer has the Swiss Army knife beat, hands down. Swiss Army knives are useful multi-tools, but they're just not very good knives. Truth be told, you would probably be better served by a sturdy fixed-blade knife than you would by a folding knife in any case.

Answer 9

Since I find myself needing the nail file or toothpick more often, the smallest Swiss Army knife is always in my pocket. Other knives carried as required.

Answer 10

I've never found a salary day use for either. Nobody I've met

buys one from publications like www.reddingmarine.com

where working knives are retailed.

Answer 11

When you get to Granpa's house...ask him for advice.