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

Have you considered an Xm24? Definitely doesn't feel like an 0550!

Honestly a Spyderco Military sprint (mmm... s90v) would probably be my choice in your situation. Sounds like you have a cool job, stay safe!
 
I would get knives that will priced below hundred but performs at your price range.

Fixed blade is my first choice.
With what you are doing a ZT Mudd will be an excellent choice but its no longer around.
if I have to splurge on a folding blade it should do what a fixed blade and a folding knife do.
 
NetshadeX said:
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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Yeah, some quick research today showed exactly that. Plus it's a bit over the top tacticool/mall ninja for me.
 
Get a MicroTech DOC Flipper with a 3.75" Stonewashed Spear Point blade of S30V (it also came out in 154CM and Elmax). You have a choice of colors for the aluminum handle as well: Black, Tan, Blue, Green and Red. About half your budget.
 
I'd like to suggest the Mercharness as a carry option for a fixed blade. It can be made to fit over outer garments and if you build it with belt attachments, the carry position is well immobilized.

A second vote for the TSF Beast (~300), Grayman Dua (~300), Grayman Satu (~400) and a suggestion to look at the upcoming TSF Gorgon (~500).

I'd stay away from Medford for any heavy mud use as the pivot does not accept a standard tool. Same for Southern Grind, though at least they sell a suitable tool. Emerson and Hinderers are rare among the crowds of hard use knives for allowing a coin or thumbnail or flathead screwdriver to adjust the pivot. While you may not be able to strip the knife completely that way, at the least it permits flushing with oil or water dispersant.

For the hard use you describe, pick anything that instinctively appeals to you.

Hope this helps.
 
I know you're asking for a folder, but I do similar work (including SAR in mountain areas and relief work during floods) and found fixed blades to be far superior to folders when you need to be hard on your tools. You can have a sheath made with a strong clip and carry it in your pocket just like you would a folder. That's how I do it most of the time, I tie a tether from the sheath to my belt just as an extra safety measure.

The only folding knives I carry outdoors are SAKs or multitools. Sometimes a Spyderco Pacific Salt as a back-up in flooded areas.

Anyway, if you're set on a tough folder some great suggestions have already been made, I'd recommend a Demko AD-10 or 4Max if you can wait (or hunt for one in the secondary market). A mate of mine has a Medford TFF1 and loves it, I've seen it put to hard use (for a folder) on a couple of trips.
 
Hey all, thanks again for all of the suggestions. Before I drop that much cash on a folder for the woods, I think I'll explore mid sized fixed blades and carry options some more, and then maybe look for a more gentlemanly "on the town" folder with the rest of the cash.
 
You should really get a fixed blade for any serious woods use, or just even being in the woods in general. a $650 folder has its place, but it's not in the middle of the woods. Even if the expensive folder is a full on EDC and user, it's still going to hold you back when you need fixed blade characteristics in the woods.

for $650 i'd go buy a $300 folder, a $300 fixed blade, and a steak dinner. :p
 
Please read previous posts before responding "buy a fixed blade!!!" I know that for hard chopping, batoning, etc i need a fixed blade. I have fixed blades and I use them when I need.
 
"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.)..."

I grew up around knives in the out of doors and I have to be honest, I've never witnessed anyone chopping even the smallest brush with a pocket knife or even a bigger fixed blade. If someone doing that in my culture of hillbilly axmen hunters they would ask "what in the heck is that fella trying to do?" Carry a short machete if you need to blaze a trail and you won't draw attention.
 
I can't carry a machete, a chainsaw, a pick, and my food and clothes around with me for 8 days in a row in the backcountry. If you haven't done my job, don't question the validity of my tasks. I know they exist, because its the job I do 8 days at a time for 80 hour weeks. We can't carry every tool in the shed on our backs. This is another reason why I wanted folder options.
 
Been doing it with my strider without an issue. Just want a second option. And once again.... I've said earlier in this post that I'm open to a fixed option if you all give me a carry option I can tolerate! Instead of parroting what everyone else before you said, how about we give some helpful advice, eh?
 
Gosh, man, you're 18 and you're worried about your grandchildren? Live your life a little at a time. Your grandchildren will be there when you're ready for them. In the meantime, forget 'em. I have grandkids AND great-grandkids. I know what I'm talking about, because I've been there.
Buy a good knife for the woods, and another to carry to the restaurant. You'll own a hundred other knives before you're forty.
 
Sonnydaze said:
Gosh, man, you're 18 and you're worried about your grandchildren? Live your life a little at a time. Your grandchildren will be there when you're ready for them. In the meantime, forget 'em. I have grandkids AND great-grandkids. I know what I'm talking about, because I've been there.
Buy a good knife for the woods, and another to carry to the restaurant. You'll own a hundred other knives before you're forty.
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Yup, my first forever knives have long since been discarded in one way or another. Well said Sonnydaze.

Have you considered a saw? What about a brush axe? It just seems the right tool for the job is probably better in a professional environment.

For the folder the lionsteel sr-1/ lionsteel lionspy look interesting. A spyderco military would also work nicely. My personal woods knives are scandi fixed blades (mora and others) and an inexpensive spyderco cara cara 2 in g-10. Still going strong.
 
monger4142 said:
All then more reason to get a small fixed blade.. 8 days in the woods with a $650 folder? Lol
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I'm firmly in the fixed blade camp, but depending on the work you're doing a folder might be just fine. Some of the guys I work with and who also volunteer for the SAR team I work with (mounted most of the time, so weight isn't that big a problem) carry different Victorinox SAKs because the local importer sponsors us. They aren't into knives, and the SAKs do most of what they need a couple of machetes carried as group items take care of anything else.

olybears57 said:
I can't carry a machete, a chainsaw, a pick, and my food and clothes around with me for 8 days in a row in the backcountry. If you haven't done my job, don't question the validity of my tasks. I know they exist, because its the job I do 8 days at a time for 80 hour weeks. We can't carry every tool in the shed on our backs. This is another reason why I wanted folder options.
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I totally understand where you're coming from. However, I think a medium sized fixed blade might be even lighter than an overbuilt folder. Maintenance is simpler, too.

You have a nice budget to work with. So I'd recommend to look into getting a good custom fixed blade made to your specs, or find a production fixed blade you like and have a sheath made for it.

What I like to do to keep my knife handy even when wearing several layers of clothes or a backpack with waistbelt is have the sheath in my pocket with one of three "systems". The first one is to have a sheath with a strong clip that you can carry just like a folder with some of the handle sticking out (I still run a cord from my belt to the sheath in case it catches on something and falls off). The second method I use is the Scandinavian "dangler" sheath, just have a long loop of leather (or kydex, or even a carabiner or something) that allows the sheath to dangle below your waistline, stick the sheath in a pocket to keep it from moving around and that's it. The third option I use is quick and simple, just tie some paracord from my belt to the sheath and drop it in my pocket. Dangler sheaths are my favourite, most sheaths are easy to turn into a dangler with little work.

Do a quick image search on Google and you'll find examples of all three.
 
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