Folding Pry-bars.

[Inazone]

I like a OBF sometimes. I have an Adamas, a Buck/Topps TSAR thing, and a couple heavyish other blades. I've never used on as a prybar. Not a chance in Hell I'm betting on that as a good plan They are nicer for cutting heavy straps and zip ties, IMHO.

While I can't conceive of anyone planning on using a folding knife (and even most fixed blades) for prying, I guess the argument could be made that if a person EDCs a knife and ends up in a situation where prying with it is unexpectedly but absolutely necessary, an overbuilt folder is about as good an option as is available. I've never been in that situation, although zip ties and assorted cables are frequent enough "targets" that I like something sturdy enough to cut through them. Most such tasks have been handled admirably by a Kershaw One Ton, which is hardly overbuilt. I carry a ZT 0566 from time to time, and that's about the most robust folder to get regular pocket time. I do have both an Adamas and a CSAR-T, and have carried each exactly once. Could I find a use for them? Sure, but probably not in my daily routine.

Now, a big folder that is easy to grip with gloves or wet hands, unobtrusive pocket carry and good slicing capability is very welcome. In my case, a $25 Coast FX350 fills that role.

 

[JR88FAN]

Not again, I don't need to spine wack my knife, have a hammer for that, I don't need to pry with my knife, have a pry bar for that. What's the fixation with this subject of needing a folding knife to do everything but cut? Oh well,

I am glad you walk around with a bag of tools and know exactlty what the day will bring......

I guess if you live in the city, and leaving your house to go for a quick hike is something that only happens on TV, then this all makes sense...

 

[JR88FAN]

Personally, I feel that the whole "folding-prybar" thing is goofy. I'm a construction worker, and there has never been a situation where I've been stuck with only my folder to pry open a manhole or something similar.

If someone likes the look of thick stock folders for aesthetical reasons, then more power to them. However, if they think that their folder will compete with a prybar, then they are foolish imo...

BB, I am guessing the kind of construction you do is not a specific trade.

Anyone that is a plumber/Carpenter/Electrician uses tools for things that they where not necessarily designed to do.

Actually, there are always those guys that will turn a 1 hour job into a 4 hour job because they are constantly running to their trucks to get the "Perfect" tool...

A good solid slotted screwdriver is; a screwdriver, a prybar, a chisel, and a punch tool.

If it can't handle that work everyday, it doesn't belong in my never-has-enough-space pouch.

When I am 25Ft up on an extension ladder, or in a attic, the last thing I want to do is go back and forth to get the "right" tool.....and in case your thinking that I should know what tools I will need before I start, you have never worked in a trade.

You think you know, but things seldom work out the way you thought they would.

^^^^This applies to a knife, or it doesn't deserve the pocket space....
I might as well just get it when I need to cut up cardboard or open the mail.
And if that's all it can do, I might as well just buy a $10 utility knife, because that cuts cardboard better than anything in our pockets right now...

 

[22-rimfire]

My "prybar" folder is a folding Razel made by CRKT. As far as I'm concerned, it's too fat and big to EDC. It's purely a work knife for me and I keep it in my field bag (usually in the truck) with a few other knives flashlights and so forth that I seldom use. Also, the amount of prying I do with a knife is very limited. I might add that my "prying" is limited to wrist type motion prying versus using the knife like a screw driver or regular prybar to where you put your whole arm into it. I have been know to pry with the can opener of my SAK, usually opening a HVAC return or popping up a panel that is not on too tight. If I break it, I buy another.

BUT, I don't think of a woods knife (folder) for prying much of anything in that environment. I might as mentioned above pry pieces of a stump loose that is rotted with a fixed blade. But I don't choose a knife for that reason.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I guess we are really discussing the blade-stock thickness...
I prefer to carry 1/8" stock blades, but am fine with 0.140...perhaps even 5/32", but that's it.
The 0.190" of my SMF does better at pushing than at slicing.
Yes, if I need to cut a car in half...then...

 

[bodog]

BB, I am guessing the kind of construction you do is not a specific trade.

Anyone that is a plumber/Carpenter/Electrician uses tools for things that they where not necessarily designed to do.

Actually, there are always those guys that will turn a 1 hour job into a 4 hour job because they are constantly running to their trucks to get the "Perfect" tool...

A good solid slotted screwdriver is; a screwdriver, a prybar, a chisel, and a punch tool.

If it can't handle that work everyday, it doesn't belong in my never-has-enough-space pouch.

When I am 25Ft up on an extension ladder, or in a attic, the last thing I want to do is go back and forth to get the "right" tool.....and in case your thinking that I should know what tools I will need before I start, you have never worked in a trade.

You think you know, but things seldom work out the way you thought they would.

^^^^This applies to a knife, or it doesn't deserve the pocket space....
I might as well just get it when I need to cut up cardboard or open the mail.
And if that's all it can do, I might as well just buy a $10 utility knife, because that cuts cardboard better than anything in our pockets right now...

Agreed. I constantly find myself confronted with the unexpected and I don't have the luxury of going to get the "right" tool for the job so I make what I have on me work. In my mind the "right" tool for the job is the one I have with me that gets the job done with the least amount of work and frustration. It's amazing what I can accomplish with a good, tough knife that cuts well, a leatherman, and a steel baton. I guess I'm a little different than a tradesman in that I don't have to worry about things looking perfect when I'm done, but the concept is the same as what you mentioned.

 

[dalefuller]

Gang- Years back, I got an SnG and was really impressed but eventually sold it. I felt that it was overkill. But, after I read Duane Dwyer's philosophy behind the overbuilt folder, I got an other SnG. And now, I have a Buck 881 incoming and this knife will be in my EDC rotation. My Para1 is my mainstay EDC but I like the fact that (IF) I need to use a folder in an extreme situation, the over built folder makes sense. The over built folder is here to stay. Who thinks the same way?
rolf

Hey, Rolf...

I'm glad the D2 P1 is still working for you. My Elmax P2 still sees half or more of my day-to-day carry time. I've slanted my "family" more toward pure cutters in recent years. I still have a couple of ZTs that will be moving on soon, but just about everything else is on more of the "dedicated cutter" side of things than on the "ready for anything" side. I do have my Emersons and my Gayle Bradley, but I don't see me adding to that side of things any more.

I like the looks, design, & execution quality of some overbuilt folders and I'm glad that some folks need them, use them, and report back on how well they work here on BF. It may be that those reports go into the design improvements of all the knives that a company makes, benefitting all of us. Emerson and ZT in particular do a really nice job on that style of folder and they can stand up to some really rough use. I just don't have any use for them personally, so the new stuff I add is more in line with my current daily uses.

 

[Lycosa]

Thanks, gang. This is one reason I like BF, all these different perspectives. It keeps things interesting.
Thanks, Dale.^ Like I said, a Sodbuster is really all the knife I need but give me the modern folder any day, the pocket clip and the blade hole are hard to beat.
With the overbuilt folder concept, prying is the last thing I'd do with a knife, it's the overall overkill, that can give one peace of mind. Or, maybe is just an excuse to get one of these tank-knives.
rolf

 

[Firestrike]

I have 3 kinda OBF's..

Benchmade 610 Ruckus, which I use as a backup to a fixed blade for hunting season

Benchmade 808 Loco, have not used this one yet but it has a great feel to it and pocket carries well.

Mantis Pit Boss, its my go to for cutting carpet, lanolium, shingle felt, ect..working on my house knife.

I like me some thick bladed folders, I carry one any time I'm not carrying my Swamp Rat Rodent Solution.

 

[singularity35]

I'm sure all folders aren't built equally thick. Some are more overbuilt than others. These might be called folding prybars but are in way supposed to compete with a real prybar. They will probably handles lateral stress(prying) better than slicers.

I'm sure the OP didn't mean the term "prybar" literally.

 

[Lycosa]

This.^
Thanks, buddy.
rolf

 

[shinyedges]

Here is an aspect not brought up yet, how does the manufacturer of these OBF's feel about people using their OBF'S for prying? Seems that most discourage it at best and all together void your warranty if you use the knife for other than cutting..

If the folks who made the knife don't support their own product to pry with than it probably shouldn't be used to pry IMO

Just food for thought.

Also, I'd like to see an instance of a folder actually taking real prying with the user leveraging their body weight to dislodge or open something and see how it fairs? Probably won't take that kind of weight more than a few times before it gets damaged in some way.

So if you carry an OBF that is "capable" of prying what are you really expecting? To get one real good pry out of before it breaks in a life or death scenerio? Lol

Hmm... So you use you OBF to pry what? Lids of paint cans? Pop open small stuff? A modern steel doesn't need to be .19 in thich to do most small pry tasks.

I think it is a security blanket that makes people *feel* like they are safer or some how more able to save their own skin if need be... But in reality if your life depends on prying your folder knife will probably break and or fail and the manufacturing company will tell you your NOT supposed to use their knife for other than cutting.

 

[flipe8]

While there are knives out there that leave me laughing at their proportions, I typically like to carry a folder with a blade stock between 3-4ish mm and expect the rest of the knife to be fairly rugged in construction. I kinda think of folding knives in the same I way I think of divers' watches with extreme depth ratings. It's about being well built without being comical with their claims.

 

[singularity35]

Here is an aspect not brought up yet, how does the manufacturer of these OBF's feel about people using their OBF'S for prying? Seems that most discourage it at best and all together void your warranty if you use the knife for other than cutting..

If the folks who made the knife don't support their own product to pry with than it probably shouldn't be used to pry IMO

Just food for thought.

I wonder if makers of actual prybars warranty them...

 

[shinyedges]

Interesting, about check the one's I own and use some Google foo.

I wonder if makers of actual prybars warranty them...

 

[shinyedges]

After a short Google foo session yes reputable makers of pry bars warranty them.

I wonder if makers of actual prybars warranty them...

 

[bodog]

Here is an aspect not brought up yet, how does the manufacturer of these OBF's feel about people using their OBF'S for prying? Seems that most discourage it at best and all together void your warranty if you use the knife for other than cutting..

If the folks who made the knife don't support their own product to pry with than it probably shouldn't be used to pry IMO

Just food for thought.

I wonder if Chevrolet would do warranty work on a corvette that was wrecked while racing at 150 mph because the guy driving was going too fast for the road he was driving on. Hell, I wonder if they'd warranty the car if someone just backed into something because they were either failing to pay attention or didn't know how to drive the car.

Point is, just because a manufacturer doesn't warranty against stupidity doesn't mean they didn't design something for a specific reason.

Having said that, if a knife company produces a knife obviously meant for hard, rough use and the knife fails doing reasonable amounts of work, then yeah, it should be covered under faulty craftsmanship. If a company makes a stupid thick knife and claims it's a beast and someone uses it in accordance with the manufacturer's claims but doesn't cover the knife if it breaks, then that company probably shouldn't be in business.

At least with Busse and Esee they claim their knives are for seriously heavy duty work and will back their knives in almost every circumstance. Some knifemakers claim their knives are made for ridiculous circumstances but won't cover them if used in ridiculous circumstances and then break. That's pretty shameful and I don't get why anyone would buy something from them.

 

[singularity35]

After a short Google foo session yes reputable makers of pry bars warranty them.

Hhhmmm what kind of warranty? No questions asked warranty?

 

[shinyedges]

Your analogy is flawed, if you bought a corvette that had a buck fifty on the dash and it WOULDN'T do 150 and its brand new, yes they would warranty it. Speed is what it was made for and if it doesn't go fast and is brand new they will fix it.

Use the corvette to haul a 10000lbs load and now your using the car for unintended purposes and yes the warranty is gone.

Cars are meant drive knives are meant to cut...start using them outside of their intended purposes and crap starts breaking.

OBF are marketing successes that sell lots of knives, folders are POOR prybars and their manufacturing companies are making a killing selling people knives.

I wonder if Chevrolet would do warranty work on a corvette that was wrecked while racing at 150 mph because the guy driving was going too fast for the road he was driving on. Hell, I wonder if they'd warranty the car if someone just backed into something because they were either failing to pay attention or didn't know how to drive the car.

Point is, just because a manufacturer doesn't warranty against stupidity doesn't mean they didn't design something for a specific reason.

Having said that, if a knife company produces a knife obviously meant for hard, rough use and the knife fails doing reasonable amounts of work, then yeah, it should be covered under faulty craftsmanship. If a company makes a stupid thick knife and claims it's a beast and someone uses it in accordance with the manufacturer's claims but doesn't cover the knife if it breaks, then that company probably shouldn't be in business.

At least with Busse and Esee they claim their knives are for seriously heavy duty work and will back their knives in almost every circumstance. Some knifemakers claim their knives are made for ridiculous circumstances but won't cover them if used in ridiculous circumstances and then break. That's pretty shameful and I don't get why anyone would buy something from them.

 

[shinyedges]

In the case of snap on prybars yes it is no questions asked. Other companies also warranty against defects and failure as long as it wasn't used outside of its purpose.. So from what I gather if you break a prybar prying from a reputable maker they replace it.

Edit to add: craftsman also has the break it get a new one warranty on their prybars.. Got to love a good warranty.. Says they stand behind their product for its intended use.

Hhhmmm what kind of warranty? No questions asked warranty?