$650 folder suggestions for hard use work in the woods?

I would get a fixed blade by one of the talented custom makers her in the Exchange. the only use I would have for a folder in the woods is as a utility knife. Remember, expectations have to match to some degree with reality.
 
I think we might have a misunderstanding with the phrase "hard use". I don't plan on batoning with it, nor really chopping with it... It will more be used for slicing through blackberry here and there, whittling wood for stakes, or kindling for a fire, and occasionally chopping through small branches (nothing larger diameter than your thumb.) Its going to be used often, and going to be covered in grime and grit, and going to be cutting often. That is what I am considering hard use for a folder. I agree with all of you who are preaching a fixed blade but once again, I'm looking for a folder. A fixed blade doesnt work for me. Too uncomfortable in some mounting positions with a pack on, or it flops around (if just attached via a belt loop in the sheath), or for iwb/scout carry, I get my underlayers soaked and covered in mud when i need to get to my knife when it's raining. If you guys have a better mounting method though I'm all ears, because I'd love to be able to just use a fixed blade. I just haven't been able to work it out for a comfortable carry method for myself.
 
Emerson and ZT both make tanks of knives that can handle abuse (traded my Emerson a while back but I put it through hell and you could hardly tell); you may try out some of their beefier models. I've alternated between the ZT0550, 0560 and the Kershaw Blur and either of the former two lock up like tanks (Blur may be a little light for heavy use). Cold Steel Recon 1 would also be a good choice as you'd have a large knife that is cheap enough you won't mind beating the ever loving crap out of in the bush, just don't forget to modify the clip area so it doesn't make holes in your pants. 4" is the longest knife we can legally carry in Tennessee so that's about as far as I can go with giant folders.
 
olybears57 said:
I think we might have a misunderstanding with the phrase "hard use". I don't plan on batoning with it, nor really chopping with it... It will more be used for slicing through blackberry here and there, whittling wood for stakes, or kindling for a fire, and occasionally chopping through small branches (nothing larger diameter than your thumb.) Its going to be used often, and going to be covered in grime and grit, and going to be cutting often. That is what I am considering hard use for a folder. I agree with all of you who are preaching a fixed blade but once again, I'm looking for a folder. A fixed blade doesnt work for me. Too uncomfortable in some mounting positions with a pack on, or it flops around (if just attached via a belt loop in the sheath), or for iwb/scout carry, I get my underlayers soaked and covered in mud when i need to get to my knife when it's raining. If you guys have a better mounting method though I'm all ears, because I'd love to be able to just use a fixed blade. I just haven't been able to work it out for a comfortable carry method for myself.
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There are some very well made sheath systems, horizontal and drop leg style that would accommodate a variety of comfortable carry positions.
 
olybears57 said:
I think we might have a misunderstanding with the phrase "hard use". I don't plan on batoning with it, nor really chopping with it... It will more be used for slicing through blackberry here and there, whittling wood for stakes, or kindling for a fire, and occasionally chopping through small branches (nothing larger diameter than your thumb.) Its going to be used often, and going to be covered in grime and grit, and going to be cutting often. That is what I am considering hard use for a folder. I agree with all of you who are preaching a fixed blade but once again, I'm looking for a folder. A fixed blade doesnt work for me. Too uncomfortable in some mounting positions with a pack on, or it flops around (if just attached via a belt loop in the sheath), or for iwb/scout carry, I get my underlayers soaked and covered in mud when i need to get to my knife when it's raining. If you guys have a better mounting method though I'm all ears, because I'd love to be able to just use a fixed blade. I just haven't been able to work it out for a comfortable carry method for myself.
Click to expand...

Have you tried out a cross draw carry mounted on the shoulder strap of your pack? Something like this, I would recommend for a fixed blade. It's worked well for me and my SOG Seal Pup and Cold Steel Spike.

NOT MY PICTURE. Taken from EDC forums, I think.

EDIT; RevDevil's suggestion may work better for you if you think you'll be taking off your pack often.

sl732605.jpg
 
If you're set on a folder the I would say either Greyman Dua or Satu depending on your size preference and they are around $300. They are extremely beefy hard use brutes.
 
A Bob Dozier DK-FHL Large Folding Hunter. It's a full sized folder that feels like a nice fixed blade.

Bob usually lists new knives Monday morning on the Featured Inventory Page. Probably $625-$675 depending on the handle material.

http://dozierknives.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52


DK-FHL Large Folding Hunter

Overall Length - 8" open
Blade Length - 3 1/2"
Blade Thickness - .150"
Price - $550.00 Titanium
$575.00 Black Micarta
 
For a dual-use (urban/rural) folder what minimum/maximum blade lengths are you looking for? Maximum weight? Carry via clip or pouche?

I have the French Wild Steer WX folder and the lock is insanely strong but it's slow to deploy and a bit on the impractical side.
 
RevDevil said:
There are some very well made sheath systems, horizontal and drop leg style that would accommodate a variety of comfortable carry positions.
Click to expand...

Reccomend me a good drop leg sheath? For a BK-16, Esee 6, or Spartan blades phrike. ( as those are the mid sized fixed blades I own.)
 
Willard, I do like that option, but some days we are carrying packs almost all day, Sometimes we aren't carrying them at all.
RamZar: miniumum blade length: 3.25" max 5", maximum weight, 12 oz. carry via clip. The Wildsteer WX was recommended earlier and I'm definitely intrigued!
 
Does anyone have experiance with the Extrema Ratio RAO or RAO 2? I am also quite interested by these hybrids.
 
olybears57 said:
Does anyone have experiance with the Extrema Ratio RAO or RAO 2? I am also quite interested by these hybrids.
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Almost got one but the extra lock on the chord turned me off (4.7" blade and weighing 12 ounces). I don't think RAO 2 is available here yet. The blade looks more practical than the RAO.

Both Extrema Ratio and Fox Knives use a lot of N690 steel which is a great all round stainless steel. Fox Knives Military Division has lots of great folders. I have several including the competition to the ER RAO. That's the Fox Tracker Meskwaki with a 5.3" blade and weighing 15 ounces. Extra lock and includes pouche to carry folded and sheath in fixed position. Neither Tracker nor RAO are clip folders. They're wide too.
 
I received my first CRK couple weeks ago, a Sebenza 25. And from reading what you need, that is the 1st knife that came to my mind. It is a very stout knife with an almost flat grind blade makes for a good slicer built like a tank. If you havnt tried out the Sebenza 25 i would highly recommend it.
 
olybears57 said:
Does anyone have experiance with the Extrema Ratio RAO or RAO 2? I am also quite interested by these hybrids.
Click to expand...

The no1 problem with the RAO is the lock. It's basically a vertical axis lock minus room for wear. RAOs are notorious for developing bladeplay quickly and easily.
 
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