A Folder for the Dirt Track

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Havoc5J

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A Folder for the Dirt Track

Despite a wide collection of hallmark knives from the most well known brands I really don't have a single knife that fills my desired specifications.

The first, and most limiting requirement is local knife laws. Given that I travel across the US I need a knife that follows every conceivable knife law. Thus, a maximum of 3 inches, with a preference towards a 2 1/2 inch blade

The second is that this knife will be covered in oil, grease, dropped in the mud, and still needs to be secure in hand while the lock remains functional. A flow through construction with a simple lock that can be cleaned with a rag is ideal for continued use in filthy conditions. The ability to be disassembled for cleaning is also desired.

Thirdly, the knife needs to be easy to operate from awkward positions while laying under the car or other less than ideal positions while also not opening in the pocket.

Fourth, this knife will be a worker and treated as such. It needs to be resilient enough to withstand some lateral forces when making quick cuts in bad positions, not bust the tip when dropped from low heights or when it gets bounced against the chassis.

The primary cutting will be zip ties, duct tape, and wires. Very little if any pierce cutting is needed, but tip strength is very much desired.

Short version.
- (2 1/2 - 3 inch) blade
-Secure grip when wet or oily
-Functions well when full of dirt
-No pinned construction
-Easy opening in every position conceivable, left or right handed
-No Assisted Opening
-Sturdy blade

Price wise, I'm looking for a production model under $200, but lower is better.

The top contender right now is the Cold Steel Tuff, but I'm wary of the lockback working when it's internals get caked with filth.
 
Have a look at the Svord Mini Peasant. Think it should be small enough.
It's made from L6 steel, which is tough and holds a good edge.
Handles are plastic or wood.
Screwed together and very easy to take apart to clean or maintain.
Inexpensive - it will cost around $20
The down side: friction folders arent for everyone and you will need to do some initial work on the edge to bring it to an excellent edge.
It's worth keeping one in your tool box if nothing else
 
A.friction folder fits all except maybe operating in awkward positions. What about a spyderco techno? It would need to have the handles modded to add grip though. Grip tape is a cheap option for that.
 
I think the Svord gets my vote. On top of the ease of use/maintenance, most LEOs wouldn't bat an eye at the construction and couldn't see it as a "tacticool" kind of knife. If anything, you might get a nod in appreciation for its classic lines.
 
And for $200 you could buy 10 svord peasants and just clean them when you get home.
Personaly I dont like non locking knives tho. For ypur
use Id buy a bunch of those home depot folding utility blade holders or a fixed blade like a mora.
 
Spyderco Gayle Bradley and done! My personal pick would be an Emerson CQC7 either will do what you want but the Gayle Bradley has everything you want and will take anything you throw at it.
 
Throw in another cnote and get a Three Sisters Forge Beast with double lugs
 
Take a look at the Benchmade Mini Griptilian (2.95"). That lock will work even when junked up. Also, you can get new scales from KW and convert it to flow through design and be well under $200. The standard model has a good tip.
I would not worry too much about the Triad lock on the CS knife as it is deep enough it will probably still work. I have a CS Mini Recon 1 for a hard use folder.
I often carry a Spyderco Cat (2 1/2") around as it is flow through. But, the tip is a bit fine. You might look at a Chicago as the blade is only 2" long and legal everywhere.
 
Cryo G10...and another for when you break/lose the first one.

Is the no assisted opening your preference? Short of a handful of places, AO is not illegal almost everywhere.
 
CS Recon 1 mini. If the lock gets clogged, spray it with brake cleaner. Good to go.
 
The svord min pheasent will be a nice afordable multi-juristiction legal knife. The tuff is an exelent knife i got the mini version but i still love it, it will give you alot of service. Also just another afordable knife to throw out there the kershaw shuffle is a smaller budget knife that comes to my mind, comes in around $20 and you get different color options nice handle design built for the hand, has a lanyard hole which doubles as a standard screwdriver, and a bottle opener so you can crack open a cold one if thats your thing.
 
AntDog said:
CS Recon 1 mini. If the lock gets clogged, spray it with brake cleaner. Good to go.
Click to expand...

My choice too, tough knife for reasonable cost. If you really want 2 1/2", then the Cold Steel Mini Lawman is good too, although I much prefer the 3" mini Recon. The handle of the Lawman feels long for such a short blade, but maybe that's what you want for better grip.
 
goalie39 said:
My choice too, tough knife for reasonable cost. If you really want 2 1/2", then the Cold Steel Mini Lawman is good too, although I much prefer the 3" mini Recon. The handle of the Lawman feels long for such a short blade, but maybe that's what you want for better grip.
Click to expand...

I 3rd the Cold Steel. The Recon is great but the Mini Lawman has an outstanding grip, and has the exact size blade you are looking for. Check it out below. Price is decent too (I see them for $45 all day long). Its not flow through construction but easy to take apart and reassemble. There are no steel liners to hold gunk and these handles are also the most rigidly textured G10 out of any knife I have ever held. Lastly, the Triad Lock is SUPER STRONG!

 
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+1 for the Mini - Griptilian with thumbstuds. I've used mine in water, with an oily handle and in dirt; no worries about grip or locking. I have a 440C version that takes a very sharp edge and lasts for quite a while.
 
Well for what you described I'd suggest a leatherman Charge in Ti to keep it as light as possible.
It has two blades, both are liner locks that are very solid and can be opened and closed with one hand. The main blade is S30V which is pretty tough stuff.
It has a pocket clip and carries well that way if you don't use the provided sheath.

It's stainless through and through so a clean up when you get home from the track should suffice. Mine has been in the nastiest weather the deer woods could conjure up as far out in the mountains as my ATV will take me- plus a bit :)

It's not a flow through design but if your handy enough to keep something running on the track I'm sure you could clean it out very easily. The blades are remove able on mine with a security torque bit.

For what you give up in flow through you get a bunch of other tools that may help keep you from crawling out from under the vehicle or keep you from having to run to the pit when time matters.

And since it's a multi tool it'll be less likely to get the scrutiny of the Police.
 
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