$600 to spend for a hard use American Made Folder what do you pick?

Yes, get the knife you really like.
Your next thread will be about knife rotation. :D
rolf

Probably right, my recent purchase of a Real Steel Knife led me here. Just add it to my list of collecting Dive Watches, Pistols, camera lenses, Multi Tools and whatever else not coming to mind.
 
For the folks recommending the Cold Steel 4-Max: I thought I read somewhere that they were no longer made in the USA?
 
For the folks recommending the Cold Steel 4-Max: I thought I read somewhere that they were no longer made in the USA?

Considered it but the looks just could not grow on me. And I did not want any kind of plastic handles or whatever the material is on those. And I kept reading they had all kinds of production problems from the blade grinds to the lock bars being not level with the rest of the knife. So I did not want a knife I would just end up sending to Cold Steel to be fixed and wait weeks or months for it to be returned.
 
For the folks recommending the Cold Steel 4-Max: I thought I read somewhere that they were no longer made in the USA?
Considered it but the looks just could not grow on me. And I did not want any kind of plastic handles or whatever the material is on those. And I kept reading they had all kinds of production problems from the blade grinds to the lock bars being not level with the rest of the knife. So I did not want a knife I would just end up sending to Cold Steel to be fixed and wait weeks or months for it to be returned.
You don't have to convince me! Not a fan of that brand anyway.

My "hard use American-made folder under $600" is the Dozier Little Workhorse. It's not only smaller than the Workhorse I posted about earlier (3.25" instead of 4.125") but it's from the "Raptor Series," which means the scales are carbon fiber instead of titanium. Only 3.5 ounces, which is very light for such a beefy knife. Lighter than my steel Delica 4...and light enough that I'll actually carry it and use it.

Here's mine...

Little_Work_Horse___Carbon_Fiber_181543_1.jpg


Little_Work_Horse___Carbon_Fiber_181543_3.jpg
 
I highly recommend an Endura. They come in lots of flavors.
Did you choose a knife yet?
rolf
 
Blade HQ is just slow at getting it shipped out. Ordered it Tuesday and didn't ship until Thursday at 3 pm I got the email.
 
Ramon Chaves 228

Dave Curtiss F3

Unfortunately your specifics really do decrease your options.
 
Considered it but the looks just could not grow on me. And I did not want any kind of plastic handles or whatever the material is on those. And I kept reading they had all kinds of production problems from the blade grinds to the lock bars being not level with the rest of the knife. So I did not want a knife I would just end up sending to Cold Steel to be fixed and wait weeks or months for it to be returned.

The handles are G10, polished.
 
If I spent $600 on a folding knife the last thing I would do is hard use it to be honest.
The way I figure it, my car sees pretty hard use just commuting in this stupid city. It costs a heck of a lot more than even the best folding knife ... and (unlike a good custom knife that will hold its value) my car depreciates like a stone. But that doesn't stop me from enjoying it.

Besides, first-tier production knives (e.g., Chris Reeve) and any self-respecting custom builder (e.g., Bob Dozier) will offer an excellent warranty. So, even if you mess it up, they'll help make it right.
 
The way I figure it, my car sees pretty hard use just commuting in this stupid city. It costs a heck of a lot more than even the best folding knife ... and (unlike a good custom knife that will hold its value) my car depreciates like a stone. But that doesn't stop me from enjoying it.

Besides, first-tier production knives (e.g., Chris Reeve) and any self-respecting custom builder (e.g., Bob Dozier) will offer an excellent warranty. So, even if you mess it up, they'll help make it right.

I speak from personal experience, I've owned two Sebenzas' and I never used them, too clumsy for an EDC, not really functional as a field knife, heavy, hard to open. It was a beautiful knife but no way I was going to hard use it.

I understand your car reference and I tried to rationalize it that way too, I have other hobbies where the cheapest option is 10 times more expensive than a top of the line knife, but at the end of the day when I headed into the yard for 10 hours landscaping where I know the knife will come back beat up and dull I grabbed the Spyderco Military and the Sebenza sat. The Sebenza was a really nice knife and perfectly constructed, but I never felt compelled to use it.

A $600 folder? I would be afraid it would ever be marked, I just wouldn't hard use a knife like that.
 
I know where you're coming from.

I was like that with guitars and basses. I'd buy a very nice, high-end bass and then never take it out of the house because I was afraid it would get dinged up. So, the "good" bass (that I paid big money for) would be home sitting in its case and I'd be using a cheap POS. Purely psychological, but I couldn't get over it. If I did take the good bass out, I'd be preoccupied/worried about it...which is no fun.

So, I started buying used and vintage guitars and basses. They've already got some wear-and-tear on them, so a few scratches or dents goes unnoticed. Takes the pressure off.
 
Back
Top