Folder Strength. - Why? Time for Reality.

ToyKnife

ToyKnife

Joined
Nov 19, 2006
Messages
855
Why all this talk about how strong a folder is or should be?

I'm just sitting here reading about how folder X is stronger then folder Y and how folder A cuts better then B, etc.

Think about it. Has anyone been in a situation where you only have a folder and nothing else? I mean nothing! No object to use as a hammer or pry bar. Maybe you are on a island with no small branches or trees to break branches against. Or in a building with no chair or microwave to smash against the window. Or maybe you are stranded because your car breaks down or runs out of gas and all you have is your folder and the tire iron.

If you know you are going into a situation you will have a small fixed blade to aid in your quest. For example, Busse Active Duty or larger such as the SAR-4. Basically, you go prepared. Do you camp without supples or drive across country with informing someone or planning out where you are going and what equipment you will need? No, is the answer. If you do, Darwinism at its finest which equals less knuckleheads breathing good air.

Besides what in the world are you going to pry or baton with a 3.5" blade and a knife that is ~7" in total length? Be realistic; are you going to risk destroying your only knife in a "I'm on the show Lost" situation? I don't think so. If so, then refer to previous comment about Darwin.

See where I'm going with this?

What is a knife used for? Slice, cut, stab, and to scare the Sheeple.
 
People want to know what they are buying or seperate two nearly indistinguishable knives that cost enough they cant simply buy both and decide for themselves.

Just because you think its rediculous doesnt mean it doesnt affect their buying decision. Isnt it just as rediculous to order a knife site unseen on the internet because people say its good?

Because that one has actually worked out really well for me, and I dont see it being all that different. I own the benchmade 710 and the spyderco military SOLELY because of the stuff people said about them. I was all set to buy a sog twitch II or a benchmade 913 (which I did eventually) get but I was swayed into other purchases. In the end I was happy I listened to all that "hype" because there is merit in nearly all conversations where people are sharing their own experiences.

I mean, if I hadnt bought a 913 or handeled a friends sog, I probably would have had a little bit of that "what if", but at this point Im satisfied.
 
ToyKnife said:
What is a knife used for? Slice, cut, stab, and to scare the Sheeple.
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A knife is used to cut. Most people don't need to stab, and if you do need a hole in something, a knife is too big, you'll be better off with an awl.

If I was in a situation where I had to pry with my EDC knife, I'd pry with it until it broke. But the chances of that happening are slim to none, so I would never base my knife needs on how much prying I can do with it.

Self defense isn't a concern of mine and I there people around here aren't afraid of knives, so I use my knives to cut. If I need to pry, I have several different sized crowbars and other prying tools. If I need to stab a hole in something, I have drill.
 
What about a shoehorn? Have you ever needed to use your knife as a shoehorn?

It could happen.
 
Regardless of if it makes sense or not it keeps folks inventing better and better cutlery tech. That's what's important. :cool:
 
Why make cars that can do 150, 180 or 200+ mph when the speed limit is 70 mph ?

You dont NEED a knife that strong but whats the harm in having it if you just want it ?
 
I carry a folder a lot. It`s used for cutting. I carry a hatchet for "batoning", and for scaring sheeple I carry a gun. It all works for me, and has for years.
 
I'm less concerned about if someone should buy said knife or I can use my knife when I play darts but how much is enough?

Why use a knife as something is is not? Yes, it maybe an emergency but you know the knife will not cut off the hinges a car door or pry open the hatch on a yacht. So why even try. If you know it will fail then don't waste the time. Just fine something else to do the job, start to finish. I'm all for helping someone in a bad situation but there is more then one way to skin a cat. Don't destroy the tool that is suppose to be the last resort when that time has not come up.

Get creative. I'm sure there will be another object around that one can use that doesn't effect the outcome of your life or others if it doesn't work. You can't replace a with a chair or hammer.
 
I think people confuse the terms "strong" and "reliable".

If I have a locking blade, I want it to stay locked until I unlock it. It doesn't have to be horrendously strong, but it does have to be reliable.
 
Because we're knife enthusiasts and one of our jobs is to talk about all the characteristics of a knife. According to my contract this includes, but is not limited to,

size
weight
color
steel
handle material
strength (subsets to include lock, blade, overall, tip, handle)
lock type
rust resistance
political views of the company in questions' owners
the blade (shape, style, length, width, grind, thickness, coating)
country of origin
designer of
sharpness
sharpenability
cool factor
tactical skills enabled by
color coordination

But overall, who cares what people talk about and are concerned with? If you don't like it don't read it or respond to it. Which brings me to my next point.
 
Haze said:
Why make cars that can do 150, 180 or 200+ mph when the speed limit is 70 mph ?

You dont NEED a knife that strong but whats the harm in having it if you just want it ?
Click to expand...

Point exactly. Overbuilt knives are great, I'm a big fan of them. But why risk it if you can use something else? Be resourceful.
 
knarfeng said:
I think people confuse the terms "strong" and "reliable".

If I have a locking blade, I want it to stay locked until I unlock it. It doesn't have to be horrendously strong, but it does have to be reliable.
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I'm referring to strong. But reliable is changes in different situations. Reliable is an by product or effect of strong, don't you think?

spoonrobot said:
Because we're knife enthusiasts and one of our jobs is to talk about all the characteristics of a knife. According to my contract this includes, but is not limited to,

size
weight
color
steel
handle material
strength (subsets to include lock, blade, overall, tip, handle)
lock type
rust resistance
political views of the company in questions' owners
the blade (shape, style, length, width, grind, thickness, coating)
country of origin
designer of
sharpness
sharpenability
cool factor
tactical skills enabled by
color coordination

But overall, who cares what people talk about and are concerned with? If you don't like it don't read it or respond to it. Which brings me to my next point.
Click to expand...

Right, forgot this is Bladeforums.

It is not that I don't like it. It is the fact that I believe we are trying to push a tool passed the point of being useful. Or think of it this way. We are trying to make two tools out of one. But the two tools don't pair with each other. It would be like putting a toaster oven and a blender together.
 
If I am going to be using a folder for daily chores I want one that I am confident will stand up to those chores. I sometimes find myself in unforeseen circumstances and having a knife in my pocket that is capable of handling rough tasks is a lot more convenient then going to the shop and rummaging through my tools.

There is also the cool factor that some associate with heavy-duty folders. If it makes you happy and you can afford it why not have one?
 
komondor said:
What about a shoehorn? Have you ever needed to use your knife as a shoehorn?

It could happen.
Click to expand...

Actually, I have. The stainless Spyderco Police model works best for me. I suggest you leave the blade closed if you try it.
 
CarpScot said:
If I am going to be using a folder for daily chores I want one that I am confident will stand up to those chores. I sometimes find myself in unforeseen circumstances and having a knife in my pocket that is capable of handling rough tasks is a lot more convenient then going to the shop and rummaging through my tools.

There is also the cool factor that some associate with heavy-duty folders. If it makes you happy and you can afford it why not have one?
Click to expand...

In your situation you know the knife will survive. I'm find that people will just push the knife to the limit and then some. I don't see the point.

I don't think cost enters the equation.
 
yablanowitz said:
Actually, I have. The stainless Spyderco Police model works best for me. I suggest you leave the blade closed if you try it.
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I can see this working. The Police is long and smooth. I think G-10 would just grab onto the sock and stop the foot from entering the shoe. Food for thought.
 
Haze said:
What ? you dont have the new toastablend :eek:....... :p
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Sad to say, I don't have one. But there is a toaster that makes toast and cooks an egg at the same time. It helps with the morning rush. Seriously, Google it.
 
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