Folder design with best lateral/prying strength

Solid pivot like the Zt300 series is a big one

 

A full tang.

 

I see what you did with your user name, there. Very nice.

Welcome, by the way. Brace yourself for an impending snark storm. These kinds of questions are perilous waters.

 

I'm not at all qualified to answer this question, but this is the internet, which means I'm going to give it a shot.

Something with steel handle slabs, and a big pivot pin.

Most knives are put together pretty much the same, except for the locking mechanisms. But in the case of side-to-side forces, the lock is just along for the ride.

Off the top of my head, the Wild Steer WX is probably better than most, and I like this guy's review style. Just be aware of the cussing.



As far as I know, he's not a paying member here, and as far as I know, he's not paying me to shill for him. I pulled up a Youtube tab, this was the first video in the queue, and it does a good job of showcasing the knife.

 

Care to explain? And who is this we?

 

It's a dumb engineering problem to try and solve, that's why nobody talks about it. You should pry with a solid body, you don't pry with moving parts that are ill-suited for prying. And while you certainly can pry with a fixed blade you definitely risk snapping it, bending it, or damaging your edge.

 

Yeah, that was sort of my reasoning. The lockbar and side locking arrangement make it more skookum for resisting lateral force.

The sword at the end is from Zombie Tools. They seem like they've got good process, but then they paint over everything with a thick layer of Zurmbee Killaz, which is aimed at a demographic that probably doesn't spend much time on Bladeforums.

 

Tackle this [non]issue if you want but there is already an easy and practical solution to it.

 

I dont think its addressed because no matter how tight the tolerances of a folding knife are, they still have to move, thus there will be play.

I would say that we have to be honest with ourselves as what kind of prying we need to do with a folder. I think any solidly built folder with durable slabs for a grip will handle the lateral stresses need for prying open a cardboard box or some such daily task.

Truth be told, I dont even like prying with my fixed blades beyond duties as that are well below their mechanical thresholds, like busting open a rotten log or prying apart bones and joints when cooking. If I need to hardcore pry on something, I get one of half a dozen pry bars that i own.

I dont fault anyone for wanting to make a ridiculously solid folder that is vertical/lateral tight as a drum for academic purposes, but I see it as more of fixing a problem that most dont find exist.

 

The right tool.

 

The screwdriver blade on a SAK.

Next problem.

 

Use it all the time.

 

I think it's more of a marketing problem: a company could get a few more buyers if they can "prove" their knives are 200% more resistant to lateral force than anybody else's (because there isn't any reliable test data).

Continuing with the theme of re-framing questions, why not ask "how much cutting performance are you willing to compromise for lateral stability?"

 

Coincidentally this is exactly the same thing I thought when I read your OP.

A blade not closing on your fingers is critical design element of a folder. Prying ability isnt.

Touting lock strength and not prying ability is like touting lock strength and not touting aerodynamics.