Folder with .25" thick blade

Dog Man said:
Wouldn't putting an extremely thick...strong...blade on a folder be like putting a high security lock on a hollow core door? The door will break long before the lock does, and the pivot, or other part, of the folder, will fail long before the blade does.
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I'm not suggesting that a thick folder would be stronger. I just like big thick knives.

My ZT 301, at .156 inch, is as thick as I'd ever want a folder.
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I would want one thicker
 
Unbreakable said:
For the things that a pocket knife encounters... I cannot imagine where a .25" black would be lacking.
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The pocket for one thing.....don't get me wrong, I don't want to talk you out of it, I am going to buy a RAO myself and have the funds pretty much together. But to argue that it is functionally equal or superior to a more average sized folder I find quite questionable. The "thing" a "pocket knife" most commonly encounters is....the pocket. The RAO is almost exactly TWICE as heavy as a full size Manix. It is about 0.75" wider and over an inch longer. Not surprisingly, it comes with a sheath instead of a clip.

As far as cutting goes, sure you have to look at the whole geometry, but clearly, in any task in which the entire blade is inserted in the material, such as cardboard, the blade displaces a 1/4" wide section, which adds a lot more friction than an 1/8" section for example. Of course this applies only to knives that have a very similar geometry near the edge.

So what do you really need the 1/4" blade for? I buy the RAO half for kicks and giggles and half because it is an uncompromising design. But I would never argue that it makes an equal or better slicer than some other designs (even though it probably makes a decent slicer at this blade height), or that it is as comfortable to carry or as comfortable to use. Few people have hands of sufficient size to find these ultra thick and large folders comfortable, let alone to benefit from them. The other thing is that the RAO is one of the few designs where the hole package fits the blade. I am certain that I will offend some people by saying this, but to sell a Strider with a 1/4" blade but a 1/4" long, 0.050" thick cutout in the Ti frame lock lockbar (as for example shown in this thread) as a hard use folder should be an insult to common sense. My conservative guess would be that the lockstrength of the RAO is easily 4 time as high as that of the Strider framelocks and even then they felt the need for a safty pin. I wonder what a 1/4" blade is going to buy you, if the rest of the folder is not up to par? (In general, lock reliability is clearly more important than ultimate strength, but with a 1/4" thick blade you stake a certain claim on strength, that the lock should be able to back up, I think).
 
The Extreme Ratio Fulcrum II and some of their other folders have blades this thick. These are tank folders well built for heavy duty use.

The now discontinued Buck/Strider 880 and smaller model 881 both have thick arse blades too about 4.5mm thickness which is not quite as thick as you want but certainly close enough for most I think.

STR
 
but the Sog Tomcat (1 & II) have quite thick blades.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Unbreakable said:
What tasks are you refering to? If your talking about slicing deli meat paper thin then perhaps you're correct. But then again... the right tool for the right job dictates that you use a meat slicer or thing kitchen knife for such a task. If you're talking about making paper thin slices of vegetables in the kitchen... again, something only an idiot would use a folder for. Most folders are used for cutting boxes, rope, tape, plastic, rough cutting food, sometimes cleaning game or fish, gardening, bushcraft, utility type activities, and rarely but certainly not never... self-defense or self-rescue. In this world... .25" will do just as good as .125". Now no one is saying that a .25" folder will be MORE useful than a thinner one. But to say it's less useful or that it even sucks whispers of an inferiority complex in someone that feels threatened by someone who says their idea of right isn't the only idea. I defy you prove that a thicker folder can't perform just as well as a thinner one in duties performed by a folding knife. I can peel an orange with a 5/16ths thick blade as easy as with a thin little kitchen knife. Though I generally don't like my work knives touching my food since I cut lots of dirty things with my work knives and don't want it in my mouth. For the things that a pocket knife encounters... I cannot imagine where a .25" black would be lacking.
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Well said. Though I believe there are certain things a thin blade can do better then a thick blade, like my shaving razor (thats the only one I can think of at the moment)
What I really can't understand is why some people are so insistant on inserting themselves as The authority on the subject: "if you don't agree with me you are probably stupid and definitely wrong.":thumbdn::rolleyes:
The ONLY thing the OP said it that he were looking for a knife with a.25" thick blade....Thats it. He didn't say that this knife would outperform, slice, cut or anything else better then a thin bladed knife. He expressed a desire to buy a knife w/ a .25" blade. To reply to OP that what he want is no good, (when they have very clearly indicated they have never owned or used such a knife) or pointless for anyone to own, or even a stupid idea is not only counterproductive and I guess not what I though BF was about, it is exactly the type of additude that causes to much conflict in society. If you ask me the world will be a lot better if everybody could respect other people's ideas even though they may be very different then their own. Feel free to dissagree and have your own opinion:)
 
HoB said:
The pocket for one thing.....don't get me wrong, I don't want to talk you out of it, I am going to buy a RAO myself and have the funds pretty much together. But to argue that it is functionally equal or superior to a more average sized folder I find quite questionable. The "thing" a "pocket knife" most commonly encounters is....the pocket. The RAO is almost exactly TWICE as heavy as a full size Manix. It is about 0.75" wider and over an inch longer. Not surprisingly, it comes with a sheath instead of a clip.

As far as cutting goes, sure you have to look at the whole geometry, but clearly, in any task in which the entire blade is inserted in the material, such as cardboard, the blade displaces a 1/4" wide section, which adds a lot more friction than an 1/8" section for example. Of course this applies only to knives that have a very similar geometry near the edge.

So what do you really need the 1/4" blade for? I buy the RAO half for kicks and giggles and half because it is an uncompromising design. But I would never argue that it makes an equal or better slicer than some other designs (even though it probably makes a decent slicer at this blade height), or that it is as comfortable to carry or as comfortable to use. Few people have hands of sufficient size to find these ultra thick and large folders comfortable, let alone to benefit from them. The other thing is that the RAO is one of the few designs where the hole package fits the blade. I am certain that I will offend some people by saying this, but to sell a Strider with a 1/4" blade but a 1/4" long, 0.050" thick cutout in the Ti frame lock lockbar (as for example shown in this thread) as a hard use folder should be an insult to common sense. My conservative guess would be that the lockstrength of the RAO is easily 4 time as high as that of the Strider framelocks and even then they felt the need for a safty pin. I wonder what a 1/4" blade is going to buy you, if the rest of the folder is not up to par? (In general, lock reliability is clearly more important than ultimate strength, but with a 1/4" thick blade you stake a certain claim on strength, that the lock should be able to back up, I think).
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LOL, I'm a big guy... I got big pants... with big pockets. The size a weight won't be an issue. I carry a S&W 649 in my right pocket all day everyday. Wanted something nice an beefy for the left pocket. As of now it's my Severtech... but am always looking for other cool toys.
 
You could balance the load in your pants with a 640 in your other pocket. Or, maybe two 340s.
 
hardheart is right--when thinking about the strength of a folder, think in terms of 'what is the weak link?' In other words, if the knife is to break, where will it break first? The weak links of almost any folder is the tip first, and the pivot second. Look for a knife with a strong tip & strong pivot area.
 
I kind of like thick bladed folders. Among the things I like is good steel, good lock, length and the the overall look of it (not limited to what I listed). I like Dark Ops, Extrema Ratio, Striders, Cold Steel etc....

I can't say I 'don't care' (what people think) but more like I 'don't mind' that a different folder can do a better job (for example cutting) cause I have a folder for cutting. I unashamedly want a tactical folder (shameless definition ala mall ninja version) with the works. I like knowing that the steel is good, the lock is very strong, the knife can punch through walls, fill my tax forms etc... :)

When I'm young my family couldn't afford anything (toys, luxury, etc...) and now I want big man toys to make up. I don't want to think too much or delve too deep into how right or wrong is my choice. It can be described as a toy for me as well as a functional item. So I too want to know what folders are with super thick blades, super strong locks, super long blades, etc...

PS: My description or statements may not stand up to intense scrutiny and may contradict but it does not matter that much.
 
Blademan3 said:
I have been making Thick Blade folders for years, The most comman that I sell is .187 and I sell A lot of them arround hunting, It's great for hogs, elk, and deer

If I new how to post the pictures I would

So send me Your e-mail and I'll send Them

Blademan
James
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Blademan James Id like to see them but dont see a way of contacting you. Whats your email?
 
I can make any thickness blade cut well, its just a matter of making the right that is correct angles with your sharpening equipment.

I have sharpened .750 and 1/0 inch thick blades to razor sharpness. they use these for trimming books at the print shop, If you dropped one it would cut through a foot high stack of paper backs. Some of these are laminated, and the ones from germany are capable of taking and holding amazing edges, good enough for perfect edges on tabletop books after thousand of cuts.

Zamboni Blades are a half inch thick, I get them to a set edge that will shave hair with no problem.
 
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