A Knife to abUSE.

myowngod

myowngod

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So I've gone back to doing some real work after a stint in offices... and I find myself using my poor Manix2 for things it shouldn't be used for. I know "knives are for cutting/slicing" but when you are crawling under a house and you happen to have the "wrong tool" you use whatcha got... or I do atleast.

So I have an issue... or a dilemma.. I want a knife I can use however I want without worrying about it breaking or being damaged, so I'm thinking a smaller fixed blade with an awesome warranty... which makes me instantly think ESEE HEST or Izula II (have an izula, want something bigger). But I'm also interested in a few other blades with a similar warranty.... mostly the Busse SAR3 or Game Warden...

So... do you go with the cheaper blade with the awesome warranty or the tougher but twice as much blade with the same awesome warranty? Another thing I'm considering is resale, as the Busse will hold value better, but I plan to keep it. Edge retention is important since I can dull my manix darn quick.. I don't know... Opinions? other suggestions?

Sorry, ended up being longer than I intended. Thanks in advance.
 
I think you would be hard pressed to beat the Izula for value. :thumbup:
 
in your situation i would go with the HEST, it has more tools, like a prybar, wire breaker notch, bottle opener for when you are done with job ;) and it is thicker than the izula. you would be hard pressed to break one.
 
I carry a HEST every day. This sounds like the perfect tool for the uses you're describing. The prybar works great on tacks and staples and I also use it as a scraper. For it's thickness it cut's very well and to say it has a strong tip would be an understatement to say the least. Holds an edge well and sharpens in a snap. It's my everyday rough user and hasn't failed me yet.
Good luck!
 
Have you tried a good multitool, ala Victorinox or Leatherman? I've been in some places and positions where I couldn't get out/in/down/up/left/right/middle or reach my tools easily. I bought a LM Core and loved it. I stepped up to a Victorinox Spirit with its outside-opening implements and it was definitely a major help. Hey, most come with knives and excellent warranties. :)
 
You might be able to still get a swamprat howling rat. Swamprat's are a serious hard use knife.
 
yeah I'll have to second the leatherman.. love em..

I carry a HEST everyday, its a good size and has a commendable warranty..

with that said, if you want something to thrash.. dude get a BK2 ($60 Delivered) they'll stand behind any warranty out there.. there may be a few questions asked but I'm positive if you thrash it they'll replace it..

it may be to bulky, if that's the case, HEST all the way..YMMV
 
check out bark rivers awesome selection of knives. they have an awesome warrenty too. i love my bravo necker 2 and my bravo 1. i abuse them greatly and they havent failed me yet.
 
Swamp Rat HRLM all the way!! That's the Howling Rat Little Mischief. You will not be disappointed. You can get one right now from their website. It's not often they have some ready to go. Go get one.
 
Appreciate the suggestions, I think the HEST may be the one. I do want something small enough to pocket carry. I've had an HRLM, it's a little too large for me as an edc, but a great knife for camping/hiking. I ALMOST forgot the bravo necker2... hmm... I loved my past barkies..

Why must there be so many choices!?
 
Another vote for the HRLM (Howling Rat from Swamp Rat) if its not too heavy. It would take an amazing amount of abuse to damage this knife.

-- Adam
 
+ 1 on anything by ESEE. I have an Izula, but I would certainly EDC a HEST in the situations you are describing. Maybe get both and rotate them! I just want all the knives you are mentioning, but that's just me.

When you are in those situations where you have to "use the tool you got" instead of "the right tool for the job", you may wish you had the cheaper blade in case you have to do something with it that you know might damage it. You wouldn't think twice about doing that to an ESEE. If I had a Busse underneath a house and found myself in a scenario where I had to pry on the tip or something, I would probably be hesitant to do that on an expensive knife.
 
How about a Becker Necker? It's inexpensive, the warranty is functionally the same as the more expensive knives, it's beefy, has a good sized grip and is still relatively light weight. I've used mine to pry a car door open enough to pop a lock open.
 
I third the motion on the HEST, if a multitool is out of the question. Otherwise, Leatherman Wave is the way to go.
 
my favorite all purpose knife to do ANYTHING is a buck 110...i've snapped bolts with them (via hammer), batonned them with a rock, dug holes, pryed with them, stuck it in trees and hung stuff on it, stirred paint, and stabbed a madly flopping 80lb halibut with it...i've ravaged only 1 of the 6 i've bought, and i still use that one around the yard.
 
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