Grunt work folder

I hate to poo poo on the thread and not recommend a knife but I would suggest a key chain or pocket pry bar for twisting and prying.

If you decide to go with a knife, you might look for something like the Boker Cop tool if you are allowed to carry a fixed blade.
 
My first thought would be any number of the Cold Steel offerings. American Lawman, Recon1,Voyager or Code4 for example.

And like BigKurt, I have been known to suggest the Gayle Bradleys on occasion. Probably the GB1 for you. Or a GB2
Or a 940 for that matter. :)
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What's that Spyderco at the bottom, the one with the greenish-grayish handle?
 
you're asking for either a

CS Folder with TriAd, really tough and durable construction, sturdy handles, nice but strong tip
(AK47, Recon 1, Code 4, Voyager, Rajah III, Swift) and quality steel

Great suggestions! That Pacific Salt, in particular, is on my list; it's pretty intriguing for a number of reasons. I may answer that siren call.

Cold Steel is another I need to reconsider; it's been some time since I've had one and I do recall it being a workhorse.
 
I hate to poo poo on the thread and not recommend a knife but I would suggest a key chain or pocket pry bar for twisting and prying.

If you decide to go with a knife, you might look for something like the Boker Cop tool if you are allowed to carry a fixed blade.
Darn you bringing logic and common sense into this thread! :) Of course, you are right. In reality, the awl, mini-chisel, or screw drivers on my Swiss Champ are pretty good for the prying/twisting I may do. It's really just a basic convenience issue of desiring one-handed blade/tool deployment.

Truthfully, my Leatherman Skeletool CX has often fit this need for me. The 154cm blade is tough and small enough not to endure too much torque. Boker Cop is really interesting too.

And then there's Morakniv. My Companion of Companion HD fit the fixed blade criteria- quality price/value ratio, durability, lightweight with a lightweight sheath (which I actually love). The tip is pretty perfect too, and Moras are easily maintained and sharpened.
 
I like the Manix suggestion, but I'm super duper biased haha. Overall the shape of the Manix's blade would definitely lend itself to tougher work without sacrificing the slicing ability. The tip would without a doubt hold up to more abuse than the PM2.

I'd also say a mini/full sized grip(whichever you prefer) is a good option as well. Their "plastic" handles are tough as hell. Some can't get over the feel of them, I personally couldn't care less. My Ritter mini feels great in my hand and I don't think I'd even want to put different scales on it. I do love their G10 mini's, though. Feels incredibly silky and soft compared to the PM2's G10.
 
You seem to be considering many knives to the point of adding them to your "list". Lots of good suggestions. I have been down this road and the ultimately, a large 110 mm SAK (larger size, but not jumbo) has provided all the utility I need for day to day tasks. Yes. I have to re-sharpen it, but that doesn't take long. When I'm working and seeking something stronger, I use a large folding Razel that CRKT made and now discontinued. The Manix and Native 5 are good choices in the Spydie line.
 
Do the BM custom configuration and get a Griptilian or Mini Grip in CPM M4, or 20Cv if you need stainless. They have a thicker tip.
 
You seem to be considering many knives to the point of adding them to your "list". Lots of good suggestions. I have been down this road and the ultimately, a large 110 mm SAK (larger size, but not jumbo) has provided all the utility I need for day to day tasks. Yes. I have to re-sharpen it, but that doesn't take long. When I'm working and seeking something stronger, I use a large folding Razel that CRKT made and now discontinued. The Manix and Native 5 are good choices in the Spydie line.
Great point about the 111mm SAK. I had an Outrider but there are other options with the locking blade that make sense too.

I'm actually going through this process to narrow down my "list." I am typically a minimalist which is why I'm refocused on my Moras. I already have a bunch. But, for business travel, I still would like to consider the utility folder, so I'm mulling over all the great suggestions here. The great news is that many of the options are in a great price range.
 
Great point about the 111mm SAK. I had an Outrider but there are other options with the locking blade that make sense too.

I'm actually going through this process to narrow down my "list." I am typically a minimalist which is why I'm refocused on my Moras. I already have a bunch. But, for business travel, I still would like to consider the utility folder, so I'm mulling over all the great suggestions here. The great news is that many of the options are in a great price range.

There have been a lot of great suggestions in this thread. I have tried the Mora's and just simply don't care for them for outdoor use. The only time I'll pack a Mora is as a backup when I know the knife is REALLY important to the trip. Typically I will have a fixed blade on me and the SAK in my pocket. Hunting, I would carry something more adept at field dressing, and have two knives in my pocket including the SAK.

I first bought and tried out a SAK because of travel. I fell in love with their functionality when you need a bottle opener, to cut something or whatever in hotels.

I always forget whether the larger SAKs are 108mm, 110, or 111mm. I use the Adventurer model as my EDC and have for years since I first discovered it at a gun show. It is essentially a 111mm Tinker model has the side lock which I have found to be very fast and sufficiently strong. It has been discontinued, but they apparently have come out with a liner lock version of the Adventurer now. I have several unused Adventurer still in the box that are there when I screw it up or loose the one in my pocket. When I saw they were being discontinued, I bought three or four as backups. That is the ONLY knife I have ever purchased a backup for. To date, I have used one of my backups as I left the original at a job site about 2 hours drive from where I live and it wasn't worth driving back for at the time and there were no guarantees it would be there at all as I left it on a windowsill at a motel.
 
I've been looking at the GB 1 and 2. Do you have a preference for the 1 vs. the 2? If so, why?
If you want a knife to do knife appropriate tasks, the Bradley 2 is great. If you want something for abusive, non-knife appropriate tasks, the much beefier construction of the one is great. See just after the 4:30 mark in the video for comparison of the liners.

Never tested it opening cans, maybe the cold steel suggestions are spot on, there. ;)
 
The Cold Steels are sturdy enough to withstand a lot of "beating". Good steel and quality construction.
 
My beater knife is the Cold Steel Pro Lite - light but durable and can take a good beating, but also hide the scratches after.
American Lawman in CTS XHP would probably be the one I would recommend, considering the budget and the requirements.
 
I'd classify my "grunt work" as pretty easy- basic "mini-prying" and twisting (opening a dog or cat food or soup can top). But again, if I go that route, and have decided not to use the awl or flat head on my SAK, it would likely fall to my Mora.

I really cannot get behind anything involving prying with a knife. It simply is the wrong tool for the job! Why not look into some of the mini prybars that can fit on your keychain? You can find a ton of cheap ones online, or ones a bit higher in price.

There's also the R.U.T., which while personally it isn't for me? It is essentially 2 slabs of titanium pinned together which hold onto a disposable razor blade. It has a pry tool at the back as well, so it meets the knife functionality and the pry functionality. I have read that the utility blade inserts inside of it rustle around a small amount, but there are alternatives to the R.U.T. which are cheaper and which have magnets in them. One that comes to mind is the T.P.T. (Titanium pocket tool).

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/RE...ol-v2-razor-blade-multi-tool-titanium-handles

Knifecenter has the R.U.T. , but not the T.P.T. , you'd have to find a dealer if you wanted that one (which is almost half the price as the R.U.T., but the T.P.T. is also 3 pieces of metal affixed together, instead of 2). Solosknifereviews on youtube did a comparison of the two if you want to see a bit more on them.

Happy hunting!
 
GB1
Manix2 Lockback
ZT0550
Native5

GB1 is my all time favorite beater. However, I have a digicamo PM2 I've been beating for years and aside from some chipping it's been more than enough for grunt work.
 
Hi.
"Travel knife"?
My EDC is a SAK, I have several or a Boker Tech-tool and when travelling anywhere for longer than a night, home or abroad, I take a Spyderco Resilience that after 5 years of ownership, I can heartily recommend. Primarily for food but it's done every other job needed including prying open locked drawers and when impromptu camping, batoning to make kindling.
It's also a great comfort in the pocket when walking in unknown places of an evening. I think it's plain appearance is a plus, the ffg cuts excellently, the spine is sharply angled for a fire steel, the steel will sharpen on a ceramic mug and 4 inches plus of blade with no annoying choil is just the right size for a work knife.

I took a recon 1 on a recent trip to Turkey to see how it would work. It was ok but too weapon-like for my taste and it just didn't perform as well. On that trip, nothing outdoorsy or hard work happened so perhaps it didn't get tested but I did miss the Resilience.
I have since purchased a Hold Out II and intend to try it out in the role. I suspect that it won't replace it in my affections.

If the Resilience is too large then perhaps a Tenacious?
 
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