There is a saying where I come from, “All good southern boys carry a knife.” For the most part that is true. I remember my dad buying us matching knives when I was around seven. I thought it was the coolest thing. It was a simple multi blade folding knife. Since that day, I’ve had a knife of some sort on me. If I forget it one day, I feel naked and afraid. Ok, maybe not afraid, but something just isn’t right without it. Pocket knives are useful for many random tasks and if you have to defend yourself it can come in handy too.
As a dad you are called on to do all manner of different tasks. Your life skills now resemble something akin to a Swiss Army Knife. So what better tool to have with you than a Swiss Army Knife. These types of knives are tools, not weapons. And they are meant to help us be the most useful dad that we can be.
There are several types of knives to consider:
Folding Knife
Single Blade folding knife. These are very common and very useful. This type is a single steel blade that can be small or large that folds into the handle for storage. I have carried one of these in one form or another for years. Make sure your knife has the following:
-Thumb stud on the blade for one handed opening. This is essential.
-A locking mechanism. This is important so the knife does not close on your hand while you are using it.
-A strong clip for your pocket. If you can bend the clip, it is trash. A knife with a strong pocket clip will stay with you.
-A serrated blade. The serrations make for faster cuts and can be used for limited sawing action.
Here is a great starter single blade folding knife on Amazon, the Kershaw Clash Folding Knife (2-Step Serration).
The Swiss Army Knife
I have owned many Swiss knives over the years. They are a lot of fun and can accomplish the most random tasks. They usually don’t take up too much room in your pocket, but make sure it is large enough to fit your needs. These come with a wide array tools, so do some research to know you are getting one that fits your needs as a dad. You new Swiss Army Knife needs at least the following:
-A large blade. I know this may seem nuts, but it is not always a standard.
-Scissors. These work very well at removing price tags and opening new toys in the car.
-Tweezers. I can’t tell you how many splinters I have pulled out with the tweezers on my Swiss. They have lots of applications and you always seem to need them when you don’t have them.
-Screw drivers. You’ll want a knife with both a flat and Philips head screwdriver on it. These are always great for popping open battery compartments and fixing electronics.
This is a good first choice for a Swiss Army Knife, the Tinker Pocket Knife. Buy on Amazon.
Multi Blade Pocket Knife
This is where I started all those years ago with my dad. Multi Blade knives are very useful and don’t look too threatening to kids or bystanders. These knives can allow you to do the job of two or three knives. Never a bad thing, right? Here are a few things to consider with a multi blade knife:
-The real number of blades you need. Don’t buy a 4 blade knife just because you can.
-Know the types of blades. The blades on these knives serve different purposes, make sure you have one that fits your lifestyle.
-Do not buy one of these knives at a gas station. If it looks cheap, that is because it is cheap. Buy a quality knife that won’t fall apart on you.
This is a classic knife that is a great first choice: Buck Knives CANOE Two Bladed Folding Pocket Knife. Buy on Amazon.
For more advice on buying a knife, read over this fantastic buying guide I discovered on knife-depot.com. They put a lot of work into it, and it is a good resource.
I also need to tell you that you may not be able to take a knife into every place you go. Some states ban types of knifes and where you can carry them. Make sure you know your state’s laws. KnifeUp.com is a great resource for you to consider.
For more on Fatherhood EDC, consider The Secure Dad Newsletter.
