Folder Features: Necessity and Excess

Personally, I really like good steel in a knife that I use frequently. I don't like to spend too much time sharpening.
I really hate it when a blade goes dull in the middle of dealing with fish. This is no joke - you don't want to have to spend time sharpening a knife when cutting the heads off a load of fish - they don't want to be kept waiting.
I want something like VG10 or better in a fishing knife. My older knives in 440C just didn't "cut it."
 
Folding knife:
-Cut stuff
-fold
-have way to open the knife

Optional:
-device to prevent folding of knife until device is released
-pocket clip
-ornamentation
-exotic materials for handle or blade
 
I guess it was inevitable but the thread got way sidetracked I think.
If I am wrong Kaizen will correct me but I think his point was: Why do some (many) people rag on the hard-use folder fans when in fact everyone who has a knife that costs more than $30 is guilty of some form of 'overdoing it.'
When someone asks "Why do you need a $300 semi-indestructable tank of a folder that doesn't even cut well?" usually the same kind of question can be asked of him: "Why do you need a folder that has ZDP-189?" or some such.

The example doesn't just apply to the hard-use folder issue, I used it 'cause it was a current issue.

The moral behind it of course should be, leave each other to enjoy their hobby. If you have nothing nice to say to the other, then don't say anything at all.

All IMHO of course. :thumbup:
 
philwar said:
I guess it was inevitable but the thread got way sidetracked I think.
If I am wrong Kaizen will correct me but I think his point was: Why do some (many) people rag on the hard-use folder fans when in fact everyone who has a knife that costs more than $30 is guilty of some form of 'overdoing it.'
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Well duh, because it's fun to be exclusionary.:D
Of course I think I'm kicked out of the "Hard Use" knife fan club even though most of mine would be classified in that category.:( Woe, woe, a thousand times woe.;)
By the way, where was the sidetrack? I didn't see one.
Unless due the other thead I now constitute a sidetrack.:eek:
 
philwar said:
I guess it was inevitable but the thread got way sidetracked I think.
If I am wrong Kaizen will correct me but I think his point was: Why do some (many) people rag on the hard-use folder fans when in fact everyone who has a knife that costs more than $30 is guilty of some form of 'overdoing it.'
When someone asks "Why do you need a $300 semi-indestructable tank of a folder that doesn't even cut well?" usually the same kind of question can be asked of him: "Why do you need a folder that has ZDP-189?" or some such.

The example doesn't just apply to the hard-use folder issue, I used it 'cause it was a current issue.

The moral behind it of course should be, leave each other to enjoy their hobby. If you have nothing nice to say to the other, then don't say anything at all.

All IMHO of course. :thumbup:
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That sums it up for me:thumbup:. I wouldn't dare try to censor people from speaking their mind, regardless of how hypocritical or stupid I think the content is. But I will call them on the self-contradicting claims/statements/etc, especially if they think they're in some sort of superior position. And if they don't do it with knives. I'm sure that they do it with some other thing that they buy in their lives. They fact that they can rag on anyone on a computer concede that they don't completely and solely deal in necessity. Most people own pants that cost more than $5 and shoes that cost more than $40, etc.
 
Kaizen1 said:
I don't believe this is really counter to my main point, as illustrated by my use of the example of the caveman using a sharpened rock in the OP. However, in many areas, fixed blades are either illegal or extremely inconvenient, making folders much more practical albeit not "necessary."
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Thanks for making my point for me. There is a VERY fine line in trying to discern "necessary" from "excessive" in most
circumstances. THIS KNIFE being the exception. :D

You're asking us to provide a list of necessary vs. excessive features which will vary greatly from person to person and situation to situation.

To tell a fishmonger that they should have a thick blade useful for prying or even a folding knife at all could be argued as excessive or impractical based on their knife usage. For a firefighter an extremely thin fixed blade would be detrimental and a knife like the xm-18 might not be "excessive."

Your condition in the original post was "any reasonable knife task that we can think of." This is where you left to broad of a category to honestly be dealt with. If you want a list of "necessary" and "excessive" features to be realistic I would suggest narrowing down your usage specifications.
 
TLR said:
Thanks for making my point for me. There is a VERY fine line in trying to discern "necessary" from "excessive" in most
circumstances. THIS KNIFE being the exception. :D

You're asking us to provide a list of necessary vs. excessive features which will vary greatly from person to person and situation to situation.

To tell a fishmonger that they should have a thick blade useful for prying or even a folding knife at all could be argued as excessive or impractical based on their knife usage. For a firefighter an extremely thin fixed blade would be detrimental and a knife like the xm-18 might not be "excessive."

Your condition in the original post was "any reasonable knife task that we can think of." This is where you left to broad of a category to honestly be dealt with. If you want a list of "necessary" and "excessive" features to be realistic I would suggest narrowing down your usage specifications.
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Naw, the point was we don't much more than a sharp piece of metal when it comes down to it.
 
stabman said:
Well duh, because it's fun to be exclusionary.:D
Of course I think I'm kicked out of the "Hard Use" knife fan club even though most of mine would be classified in that category.:( Woe, woe, a thousand times woe.;)
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The hard-use folder club is much like islam: you're in if you say you're in. :D
The 72 virgins are complimentary. ;)
By the way, where was the sidetrack? I didn't see one.
Unless due the other thead I now constitute a sidetrack.:eek:
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The sidetrack was that many people were just summing up what they needed or liked in a folder. I think Kaizen1's point was very good but not picked up by quite a few contributors, which is a shame.
 
philwar said:
The hard-use folder club is much like islam: you're in if you say you're in. :D
The 72 virgins are complimentary. ;)

The sidetrack was that many people were just summing up what they needed or liked in a folder. I think Kaizen1's point was very good but not picked up by quite a few contributors, which is a shame.
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Cool!:D
It is unfortunate that some would pop into the thread and not have a go at providing a list of features they think are necessary or otherwise. This thread could be fun if everyone would do so.

One hand opening is a feature I look for on all my folders.
And I like the pivot to be bigger than it needs to be for some reason I don't really explore much.
 
My bare bones requirements are:

lock back
+3 inch blade
2 mm think blade (at the spine)
finger guard
handel material with a good grip
decent blade metal
 
I concur with NeoClassic, I look for folders that are well built and would add feel good in hand, qualities that are not exclusive to customs and high end production knives. I would also add that what I consider necessary over and above these two qualities is based on the task at hand, where I intend to carry the knife, and personal biases.
 
Kaizen1 said:
Naw, the point was we don't much more than a sharp piece of metal when it comes down to it.
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Ok I was in for the discussion and list. Next time don't ask for people to contribute just make your point and leave it at that. :confused:
 
I agree with you, OP. I'm not a Ferrari man myself. (You know what they say about guys who drive fancy sports cars) :p

What is necessary for me in a folder:

Quality material (this can be 440C if well done. No need for "super" steels, though they are nice)
One hand opening
Some type of reliable locking mechanism. The simpler the better.
Comfortable, 'grippy' handle (not slick metal)
No Tanto, No Sheepsfoot
No Chisel grind!!!!!!!!!
Spine Jimping is not absolutely necessary, but strongly preferred
Weighs as little as possible
Thin blade(thanks for the last 2, NeoClassic)

I want to separate this one out: Quality in fair proportion to price! Sadly, this excludes a good 60% of the products out there, until they go on clearance for less than half of 'normal' (HA!) price!!!
 
Kaizen1 said:
Not sure if you're implying that I might be "overly sensitive" here, but if so, I would disagree with that. I enjoy debate, believe I have strong argument and am merely welcoming all challenges to my points.
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That statement was directed at no one in particular.
 
I am a member of this forum because I like nice things. I want I knife with a centered blade, even grinds, no blade play, premium materials, a good warranty, and a solid design.
 
Hahahaha, I totally get what you're trying to say Kaizen1. Recently, I find that including the term "hard use" in a thread title seems to bring out a lot of people with a lot of venom against "hard use" folders and the guys who want them.

Their objections usually revolve around need, the intelligence of "hard use" users, and what they themselves won't do with their knives.

I wonder what it is that they want? Do they want strider, cold steel, et al to stop making overbuilt folders? Do they want us to boycott these manufacturers? Do they want us to stop buying what we want? What are they trying to accomplish?
 
to be strictly objective the only real thing you need is a bar of sharpened steel & a piece of rag to carry it in.
dennis
 
TLR said:
Ok I was in for the discussion and list. Next time don't ask for people to contribute just make your point and leave it at that. :confused:
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I see, next time let others post their opinions but don't post mine. Gotcha.
 
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