I always have a small knife in my pocket unless I am flying. And if flying and have a checked bag, I have a pocket knife in there for when I arrive.
It's something I learned from my dad and grandfather. I still have some cheap Barlow knives my grandad gave me for birthdays over 50 years ago.
My favorite blade at the moment is a really small lock blade that may have cost a dollar that my dad recently gave me. Maybe a blade length of 1.5" but more like a part of my dad goes with me in my pocket.
Can't say I've ever needed a blade on the bike but have used tools from a tool bag that is always with the bike.
I carry a Swiss Army knife in my pocket and a Leatherman on my belt. Never know when you may need it. Better safe than sorry. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I’ve had pocket knives since I was 6 years old. A great tool that can be used for all sorts of jobs.
I carry a knife now just in case I have to deal with some *** hat in a dump truck.
Another Swiss Army carrier I have the larger lock blade design, on my 3rd. I use it daily and can't begin the list the bike related stuff, the screw driver tips have been a life saver on many occasions.
Far a roadside story goes, think the best was when the timing inspection plug on the old shovel blew out, found a chunk of truck tire and carved a replacement. Pulled my lower carb brace, used the file on the knife to grove it so I could break it off to the right length then used it to hold the plug in place down off the center case stud between the cylinders. Was bit messy but got me the 110 miles to home, only lost about a 1/2 quart of oil.
I once used my pocket knife to do a valve job to my XLCH.
I had been attacked by a wild band of screaming Ubangies and fought them long and hard with my trusty blade.
Upon discovering my cylinder pressure was down I immediately whipped out said impliment and after removing the top end with the attached church key I began the ardurous work of decarbonizing each valve pocket.
Luckily this afforded me the opportunity to flee as the Ubangies returned later that night.
After that close call you can be sure I NEVER leave home without it.
Can't specifically recal any roadside fixes other than a few points adjustments on my shovel. But as stated before I am never without a decent blade. Find myself using it several times a day for random stuff. My favorite is a 2.5 inch folder. Great minimalist design that fits the hand great. Little bit softer steel so it doesn't hold an edge very long but takes a new edge quickly and isn't at all prone to chipping. I've tortured this thing with lots of prying jobs that a knife isn't the right tool for.
11-23-2017 | 09:09 AM
