Custom and Mid-tech "Hard-Use" Folders in the field

NjHart

NjHart

Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Messages
715
Now that I've selected my next knife, and it should be arriving tomorrow (my first Sebenza- a large 21), I've been browsing quite a few knives that are significantly out of my price range at the moment. I know I'll love my Sebenza and it'll keep me more than satisfied for a long time, so I can start slowly saving for my next purchase. I've sort of stumbled into a few more custom, super over built type folders. I'm not all that sure they are really what I want to save up for, but they are definitely interesting. After looking at some of these type knives, I'm curious if any of yall actually use such expensive folders that are designed for hard use in really hard use field situations? How have they held up and are you afraid of putting such expense to hard work?

I know everyone definition of what should fit in this category would certainly vary, but I've been looking at the Crusader Forge knives, Medford Knives, the Rassenti knives (particularly the Alphahunter), and lets throw in the Hinderer XM-18/XM-24 and a custom Strider. All of these knives would be quite expensive- ranging from 600ish on up and designed for more extreme use situations. I'd love to hear about any experiences yall have had putting these beasts to work! Also, if yall know of any other knives that sort of fit this type that I can waste time learning about, I'd love to hear about.
 
I've seen his as well. I actually think they are made pretty close to where I live (well close by rural Texas standards anyway).
 
No first hand experience, but a few names I can think of are Direware, Dervish Knives, and Yuna (Type-S)
 
I'm confident that the crusader forge knives will hold up to any hard use you put them through
And don't forget the el patron VERY tough knife
 
Most buyers I've talked to, or who have made videos, find that Medfords, Direware, etc. are just too heavy to carry around. They are great knives, but there are lighter knives that will do what most people want (cut branches, cut cardboard). Before you actually buy one of these behemoths, you should talk to a couple of owners (post on the video that they made). Of course they are great collector's pieces.

I find that the best heavy use capability vs weight knife that I carry and EDC is the XM-18. I carry the 3" the most (because my 3.5 is new and I'm having it pimped a bit). But honestly, a sebenza will do pretty much anything I want, it just doesn't have the "heavy use" look to it, which is a highly desired look these days.

Just some random thoughts.
 
Well,
I used my Medford TFF-1 at a little known survival school and I abused the hell out of it. I just got back from the field with a Crusader Forge TCFM02 and abused that thing as well... I even used my Phantom steel works PF-1 Flipper a little to do little odds and ends.
The TFF was used for everything. From skinning animals, to cutting wood and making all of the required items to build a fire with nothing. No lighter, no fire starting device. So I guess that stands for something... From prying a chunk of dead Pine core "light or not" to shaving hardwoods for my coal base. I got this knife strictly for beating it up.
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I don't buy them to look at them. I buy them to use them hard. Thankfully I have a job that lets me beat on these things very often.
 
1345, awesome pics of some nice knives that have really been used! Don't get to see many, seems like most hide in a safe. To the OP, I would get a Demko AD 10. Maybe the toughest folding knife out there and very high quality.
 
jstn said:
1345, awesome pics of some nice knives that have really been used! Don't get to see many, seems like most hide in a safe. To the OP, I would get a Demko AD 10. Maybe the toughest folding knife out there and very high quality.
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Why thank you! LoL
My two pennies on this whole thread. If your willing to wait a few months put an order in with Dalibor. From what I've seen, it's a fine tool that can and for me, will act as a pry bar when the time calls for said usage, as I finally scored one second hand. Get it built the way you want it and call it a day. At about 415 bucks for the Sirius (the smaller of the two but not by much, you are getting a tank of a knife and quality construction and materials. But I'll stand by my Medford as will Greg with his lifetime warranty.
 
I agree, dalibors Sirius is a more pocketable hard user. Same with the xm18 or 24. Plenty of strength in both.

I think you'll be surprised at how strong you're sebbie is. That thing can take some abuse and be used hard with no issues!
 
There are some very cool knives here. I have no doubt the sebenza is more than knife enough for pretty much anything (and I really like the complete transparency on prices if I do happen to in some crazy circumstance break a blade- not that I intend to) and I absolutely adore it. Even if they really aren't functional pieces for carry, I really do like the looks of feel of some of these big beasts. I think I'll probably be saving up for a Hinderer as my next knife just because its the most carry friendly of all the heavy users, but it is cool to see what some of these things can do!
 
That's a rather interesting video, and something definitely worth considering. Makes perfect sense with basic physics, and those its only ancillary to this topic the lack of damage on his edge was pretty incredible. I will always have a love of big bulky knives and the sharpened prybar mentality, but the cutting difference was more than I expected.
 
I have a Dalibor Regulus and it is a pocket tank....every bit as strong as a fixed blade but in a more compact package!! His work is beyond reproach.....strongest most overbuilt folder I own. Makes you question why you own a fixed blade quite honestly!!
 
I've beat the crap out of my sebenza's, they hold up just fine. Why don't you just use that and be happy? Those tank knives are not only horrible to carry (some weighing as much as a gun), the majority of them are quite bad at doing their first task.......... cutting.
 
Sebenzas are much tougher than they look. ...the type of screws used, the way they are used, the slightly softer blade HT, dual Ti slabs, ect. Some knives look tough while some others are tried and true. My "beater" folder is an SnG though. Not because I believe it is tougher but because if I break it under any circumstances Strider will repair or replace it free(ish). If I had to walk off the face of the earth and for whatever reason I only took one folding knife I'd choose my Seb25 though.
 
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