Can someone convince me on the Tuff?

[Brummie]

I see the Tuff can be had for a pretty reasonable price these days. I'm tempted, but I never seem to able to convince myself to buy one because of the short - 3" - cutting edge length.

I don't mind finger choils on some small EDC knives where they provide more handle real estate and you know you don't need much blade length. I've also warmed up to the relatively short cutting edge length on some larger knives like the original PM and the Superleaf. I like these primarily as lightweight companion knives to large fixed blades and the choils give you lots of hand-hold options and a little more control for very fine work.

But if I want to carry a large folder as a do-it-all type of knife, I feel a 3" blade length is too limiting.

So can someone with experience of using the Tuff explain to me why the short edge length makes sense, or why it is more capable than the Lionspy (which gives me more edge length and roughly the same blade height in a more compact parckage - and yes, I know about the virtues of 3V but I can't think of many instances where it would be critical on a folder)? Does anyone actually find practical use for the more dynamic cutting (i.e. chopping / slashing) abilities that the length and blade angle of the Tuff provide?

 

[Jibbles]

Well, for me, the biggest factor that has kept me from buying one is the fact that I carry folders because they are convenient and comfortable cutting tools. If I needed a knife that needed to be outrageously strong and with a tough steel, I would probably opt for a small-mid size fixed blade and still have a longer cutting edge and more strength.

But, the Tuff is pretty awesome. You just have to ask yourself if you need a chunky folding knife to do a mediocre job of what an axe or large fixed blade does best? I'd rather spend the $200-$250 on something else.

 

[ShepardCC]

I love the Tuff. It was okay but them I pimped it and it became Awesome. Those dimples do nothing for the traction or the looks.

 

[steve itm]

I just got mine last week and i love it...It really doesn't feel that big to be and it carries nice in the pocket...I haven't really cut to much with it yet but its only been a week..!! Sometimes the feel of a well built/heavy duty knife is just nice and like i said this knife to me isn't bulky or on the crazy side of being over built...I think the knife is somewhere in the middle, that's what pushed me over the edge..I would have to say if your looking for someone to convince you to buy this knife then you probably shouldn't...If you want a bad ass knife.....you know what to do..!!! Good luck

 

[dogrunner]

Well, for me, the biggest factor that has kept me from buying one is the fact that I carry folders because they are convenient and comfortable cutting tools. If I needed a knife that needed to be outrageously strong and with a tough steel, I would probably opt for a small-mid size fixed blade and still have a longer cutting edge and more strength.

But, the Tuff is pretty awesome. You just have to ask yourself if you need a chunky folding knife to do a mediocre job of what an axe or large fixed blade does best? I'd rather spend the $200-$250 on something else.

I had the same view but finally got one because it is a great tool to have available when I don't want to carry a camp fixed blade but still want to have heavier duty capability than a "normal" folder. I carry folders for most cutting chores - typically delica, endura, paramil2. But the Tuff is great to have when you think you might want something sturdier, but just as compact (linear dimensions) as a folder, but don't want to carry a heavy duty fixed blade.

 

[Brummie]

Thanks for the inputs.

I don't need any new knife in the true sense of the word, and once folders get so large that they are heavier and less discrete to carry that a quality fixed blade, then there is no point to them. But I think there is a niche for large folders in terms of having something which is discrete enough for frequent carry, but which can still accomplish most of what a good 4" fixed blade can do if the need unexpectedly arises. Looks to me that the Tuff is on the right side of the line in terms of being pocketable enough, but it looks like it gives too much away in utility due to the short edge length. What I was wondering was if anyone would convince me I was wrong about the blade length - that having only 3" doesn't limit the utility.

Just for illustration, below is a ZT0200 that I did a couple of mods to. Having gotten rid of the Ken Onion nose (I hate features that add to bulk without any functional purpose), it provides a full 4" blade in a handle that is less than 5". If this was made in a framelock (to reduce handle thickness), with a tougher blade steel and no recurve, it would be just about the perfect large folder for my purposes.

ShephardCC - thanks for the pictures, but I'm afraid noone's going to sell me on the Tuff on the basis of looks. Horses for courses, but it is not my idea of a looker.

 

[steve itm]

I hear what your saying about blade length but from my experience I had absolutely NO issues using these two knives for years as work knives...I worked in a weld shop and I cut heavy gauge rubber..cardboard..plastic wrap..nylon tie down straps..zip ties..plastic hydraulic line..different types of tape...opened paint cans..at home i cut carpet..carved a walking stick and marshmallow sticks...the point is i cut a lot of shit with these blades for years and they're under 3"..and I'll be honest with ya it never crossed my mind that they where to small...so from my experience a 3" BLADE can be very useful if you want it to be..By the way your ZT looks cool

 

[CapitalizedLiving]

Brummie, I absolutely cannot convince you on the Tuff. For the overall size and weight, plus thick stubby blade, I just can't see how you're going to ever want to carry it or use it for anything. I wanted one when I first saw it, but once I got one in my hand I knew I would regret every moment it spent in my pocket.

I don't mind long folders or knives that weigh 4-5 oz. but if I'm gonna bulk up then the thing had better work for it. And IMO the Tuff literally can't pull its own weight. Your ZT would spank it hard, every day.

 

[CapitalizedLiving]

(I hate features that add to bulk without any functional purpose)

P.S. I think you answered your own question.

 

[steve itm]

How can you say it literally can't pull its weight after putting in your hand for the 1st time...You can just tell by putting it in your hand once..? or did you buy and carry it for awhile ...just curious . I don't own a ZT 0200 but I do own a ZT0300 and I've handled and carried them both, more then once and i don't know if I would agree with the hole spank it hard, every day thing either BUT that's just my opinion.

 

[RevDevil]

Well, the large choil and short cutting edge is basically the Shempp design. Look at some of previous designs he has created with Spyderco: Barong, Khukri, Persian. They all have rather large finger choils and shorter cutting edges. So, it's basically almost a 2/5 ratio (usable blade to overall grip area).

I like the Tuff, because it does have 3V, it has a new design based on the Integral lock. The cut out if much higher than on other frame locks. The mechanical engineering aspect of it has always been very interesting to me. The higher up the lock bar cut out is, the stronger the lock appears to be (when comparing the Tuff with say a Sebenza or ZT). Also, the Tuff is Spyderco's first foray in the hard use market (specifically designed tool for this niche). It incorporated the new spin on the lock, a specific design and grind on the blade, the fuller on the blade, and the ergonomics are excellent (on all of the Shempp designs, he knows how to design a very comfortable handle and efficient grip). If you collect or just like hard use forlers, this is a necessity for you to own I would say. It might be time to start designing knives if you see room for improvement in models. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[stabman]

the ergonomics are excellent (on all of the Shempp designs, he knows how to design a very comfortable handle and efficient grip).

This right here is what should convince the OP to buy a Tuff.

 

[AF]

It's a cool design and it's made for Spyderco in Taichung, Taiwan. That's why I bought one and why I kept it. It carries well but I haven't carried it much and don't expect to. I like fondling it though! I love the Taichung Spydies.

 

[stabman]

I carry it.
I use it.
It fits nicely in my pocket and in my hand.
It doesn't eat the seams of pockets like some knives do.

here it is with other knives:



Just buy one already!

 

[Brummie]

Came close a couple of times, but each time kept thinking "no, that monster choil is just going to end up pissing me off", so decided against it. Then today, found one for an effective price of $169 new, so WTH, I'll just get it and if it annoys me, I can probably get most of my money back.

We'll see . .

 

[Blinkknives]

I love the Tuff. It was okay but them I pimped it and it became Awesome. Those dimples do nothing for the traction or the looks.

Nice!!!

 

[rwdata]

You will not be sorry about getting the Tuff! A true beast of a knife that also has the perfect steel for a hard use folder. It's quality is first rate and is fairly easy to sharpen. I love mine. It is my most carried folder. You will have no problem selling it if it doesn't suit you.

 

[Brock O Lee]

The Tuff is pretty cool and I also want one. But to put the cost into perspective, for almost the same price you can get an ESEE 3 (same size as the Tuff) AND an ESEE Junglas...

 

[3rdGenRigger]

I see Eric already has a picture of my Schempp Tuff in this thread (He did the display scale and geared backspacer for me). The finger choil is nice if you're choking up to do some more detailed cutting or on lighter materials such as tape, or paracord, but you can get a nice full grip behind the choil for cutting things like cardboard boxes. The ergonomics are very nice, and it's a very robust knife. A fixed blade is nice for really hard chores, but it's nice to be able to fold it up and clip it on a pocket, and you can carry it a lot of places where a fixed blade is too intimidating to the sheeple (Or illegal as fixed blades may be depending on where you live). I'd never have bought it if I hadn't had a chance to hold one in my local knife store, but after holding it (And especially after owning one for a while) it's easily in my top 3 folders. I'd have a REALLY hard time selling mine because I like it so much. I also really like the looks, especially with the custom scale and backspacer, though of course all of this is subjective. If you really want to know if it will work for you or not I suggest finding a local knife store with one you can handle if it's an option. I should also add that it carries a LOT nicer in a pocket than it rightfully should given the size and weight.

 

[Brummie]

The Tuff is pretty cool and I also want one. But to put the cost into perspective, for almost the same price you can get an ESEE 3 (same size as the Tuff) AND an ESEE Junglas...

I managed to pick one up for around the same cost as a Junglas, so I think it's worth a shot. There may be some additional costs to factor in with the Junglas if you try to drop it in your pocket.