Best Hard Use Folder? Under $75

I don't understand why the RAT 1 qualifies as "hard use". I've had a lot of liner creep in one used only for normal EDC tasks, to the point where I retired it from service. The RAT liner lock is too thin to be considered for any kind of "hard use", regardless of how it's defined, especially on a >3.5" blade. It's a fine EDC knife for $25...but for hard use under $75? Serious?

With Cold Steel out of the picture, the next best option might be a Spyderco Endura, an H&K Axis Lock, a used Grip, a RealSteel H5 H6 or H7 or one of the beefier, older Kizer's that can be found on closeout.
 
craytab said:
Ganzo is counterfeiting the axis lock
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Yep, if foreign, it's counterfeiting, if domestic, it's inspired.

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Above knife is less than $20 at some dealers. Cheap and disposable knives are best for hard use.
 
To me(and just me) a hard use folder means a folder that can do anything or close to what a fixed blade can do, and the biggest difference between a folder and a fixed blade is obviously the lock(or sometimes the lack of). So having a strong lock for me is a prerequisite for being a hard use folder. This is why i recommended Cold Steel. Of course there are other things like blade thickness and tip strength.

Before anyone yell "why dont u just get a fixed blade" or "use a hatchet, prybar, etc etc", please, just stay on the topic.

I believe the HK Axis 14715 is really the *next* best option outside of CS knives that still barely fits OP's budget.
However just FYI, for cheaper price you can get a CS Lawman(I paid $60 for a brown one) or Code 4(average around $73 from some popular internet retailer) with stronger lock, lighter weight, thinner handle to carry and a more "premium" CTS-XHP steel.

Love all of these knives:

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Almost forgot, you can get a Manix 2 lightweight within budget. Don't let the weight fool you, it's very tough, and the CBBL is definitely shock resistant. The only problem is the FFG blade which may not be too hard use

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hkyew said:
Almost forgot, you can get a Manix 2 lightweight within budget. Don't let the weight fool you, it's very tough, and the CBBL is definitely shock resistant. The only problem is the FFG blade which may not be too hard use.
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And that is why people need to tell us what their "hard use" entails.
For quite a while it seemed that prying everything they could find to pry was constituting "hard use" to many.
Then, it seemed that resistant to spine-whacks was being put forth a lot as "hard use."
Some others want to cut miles of cardboard in-between sharpenings, and that's "hard use" to them.
 
Besides the RAT 1 in AUS-8 or D2, how about something like the Kershaw Cryo II Blackwash? It's pretty much entirely made out of steel, would be rather difficult breaking it. I've used the handle on mine to open beers and hammer in nails, worked great. The blade steel isn't fancy but is adequate for most tasks.
 
I'm no expert--been a long time since I had a job that didn't involve sitting behind a desk and/or a conference table, so my knives get used for nothing hardier than DIY projects, camping and EDC tasks--but do people really find lock strength as important as some of the posts here and the youtube spine-whacking videos suggest? Honest question from a relative n00b, no smartassery intended. I'd think that (first) really comfortable, solid, whole hand ergos and (somewhat distant second) edge retention would be much more important, at least to me.

My D2 RAT1 is all I'd ever likely need in both regards from a folder, though of course I have other more expensive knives that get used more because, hey, I paid for those toys and they're way cooler :cool: . . .
 
Kataphraktos said:
I'm no expert--been a long time since I had a job that didn't involve sitting behind a desk and/or a conference table, so my knives get used for nothing hardier than DIY projects, camping and EDC tasks--but do people really find lock strength as important as some of the posts here and the youtube spine-whacking videos suggest? Honest question from a relative n00b, no smartassery intended. I'd think that (first) really comfortable, solid, whole hand ergos and (somewhat distant second) edge retention would be much more important, at least to me.

My D2 RAT1 is all I'd ever likely need in both regards from a folder, though of course I have other more expensive knives that get used more because, hey, I paid for those toys and they're way cooler :cool: . . .
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Yes, but only because I don't like folding knives.

I use the knife in my Leatherman for folder tasks, but if I wasnt allowed to carry a fixed blade I'd carry one of them Cold Steels, which is at least aproximate.

To me the lock strength is a plus, but I also look into shape, geometry, size, weight etc... The Voyagers are excellent at almost all of this.
 
craytab said:
That is a vast and broad oversimplification but you are welcome to your opinion as is everybody.
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Indeed, on the other hand, you were very specific in your claim. Not that I'm in favor of Gunzo blatant copies, just that what's morally objectionable is not necessarily illegal (also, counterfeiting is wrong term in this case).

In order for you and I to accuse Gunzo of violating Benchmade axis lock patent rights, without committing a libel (legally and morally wrong), we would have to figure out few details.
Such as:
Is Gunzo manufacturing axis lock under license granted by Benchmade?
Is Benchmade valid patent holder in country (China) where Gunzo is manufacturing products with axis lock? If yes, is it invention, utility or design patent (20/10/10 years)?
If Benchmade didn't apply for patent in China, is China signatory of relevant IP treaties?
If answer to the above is yes, which patent law applies (China, USA)?
If China patent law applies, is the validity of patent 20 or 10 years?
If Gunzo is in clear for all of the above, are Gunzo products with axis lock sold in countries where Benchmade patent isn't expired yet?
If yes, are they sold by Gunzo directly?

And so on...

See, being outraged by cheap Chinese copies is your right, expressing that is your right too, but publicly accusing them of criminal behavior is (legally) defamation per se (you shouldn't be doing it) and very hypocritical either way you look at.
 
bghorn said:
Indeed, on the other hand, you were very specific in your claim. Not that I'm in favor of Gunzo blatant copies, just that what's morally objectionable is not necessarily illegal (also, counterfeiting is wrong term in this case).

In order for you and I to accuse Gunzo of violating Benchmade axis lock patent rights, without committing a libel (legally and morally wrong), we would have to figure out few details.
Such as:
Is Gunzo manufacturing axis lock under license granted by Benchmade?
Is Benchmade valid patent holder in country (China) where Gunzo is manufacturing products with axis lock? If yes, is it invention, utility or design patent (20/10/10 years)?
If Benchmade didn't apply for patent in China, is China signatory of relevant IP treaties?
If answer to the above is yes, which patent law applies (China, USA)?
If China patent law applies, is the validity of patent 20 or 10 years?
If Gunzo is in clear for all of the above, are Gunzo products with axis lock sold in countries where Benchmade patent isn't expired yet?
If yes, are they sold by Gunzo directly?

And so on...

See, being outraged by cheap Chinese copies is your right, expressing that is your right too, but publicly accusing them of criminal behavior is (legally) defamation per se (you shouldn't be doing it) and very hypocritical either way you look at.
Click to expand...

Like I said, you've got an opinion just like me. I won't be arguing with you about them. Btw, you might want to get the name of the counterfeiting company right :thumbup:
 
Knives are knives, buy what you like. Like the mod said, perpetual arguments about the politics/moral can happen on another thread. This is about price/quality, and Ganzo is a good knife for the price, and it's hard to deny that. Don't like the idea, dont have to buy it. People are just posting suggestions here.

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hkyew said:
Knives are knives, buy what you like. Like the mod said, perpetual arguments about the politics/moral can happen on another thread. This is about price/quality, and Ganzo is a good knife for the price, and it's hard to deny that. Don't like the idea, dont have to buy it. People are just posting suggestions here.

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Click to expand...

By the lack of side mirrors I'm guessing that is a HotWheels, but what's the G-Shock?
 
I've been using a Ganzo G710 at work as a hard use folder for 2 years now. It was cheap, so I beat this thing up for fun, but it's still kickin.
 
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