Hard use folder suggestions?

wtlj

wtlj

Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
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Hi guys, I'm rather new to the community and have purchased a few spydercos this past week. I'm looking for a decent folder for use at work that's $40 or less. I'm in the trades (electrician) and it will be used hard and thrown around. I don't want to have to worry about breaking or loosing my spydercos. I've done a little research and came up with these knives:
-Ontario Rat 1
-Ontario Rat 2
-Esee Avispa
-Esee Zanncudo

It would be great if someone does or has owned them and can compare them for me. Also other suggestions are welcome. I'm looking for an average sized medium knife, no minis or monsters.
Thanks in advance.
 
I think the Spyderco Delica can be found around that price. If you like your Spydercos, you'll love the Delica, or even the larger Endura.

The RAT 1 is an awesome little blade, totally comparable to the Tenacious, IMO. Ergos are great and the blade steel is nothing to laugh at-- Aus-8 for the RAT and 8cr13mov for the Tenacious. Both hold up well to near-abuse in my experience, are easy to sharpen and are very dependable in terms of lockup.
 
If your talking about a knife you can beat on and not worry about losing it any that you listed are perfect. Want cheap and very strong get a Cold Steel Recon 1.
 
I do like my spydercos, would like to find one in that price range. I have an endura4 combo and just don't dig the lightweight frn (feels like a toy) has no heft for such a large knife. The delica g10 is on my list but that's not one id want to lose. I'd really prefer g10 scales. Maybe the tenacious would be just the ticket. I frowned upon its made in china stamp but for all I know the Ontario and esee might be chinese also.
 
It is hard to beat a Kabar Dozier for the money at around $20. You could get 2 and have a backup. Also the Cold Steel Medium Voyager series can be bought for around the $40 area. Good Luck! Kevin :D
 
I have both the rats and they are good knives, but you said you're looking for a hard use knife. For a lot less than $40 I would highly recommend the Ontario Utilitac. For right around $40 I would very highly recommend the Cold Steel Recon 1. The recon 1 has the brute strong Tri-Ad lock, nearly indestructible G10 handle, AUS8 blade with IMO unparalleled heat treatment. The Recon 1 is light, cheap, and strong as hell. I'd go with that.
 
When I said hard use I didn't mean beating and hammering on the knife. Simply a do all knife that can get dropped in the mud, stepped on and handed to co workers. The utilitac and recon 1 look to be large toting around 60+ hours a week in and out of trenches.

Thanks for all the advice so far! I probably can't go wrong with any of these suggestions!
 
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wtlj said:
I do like my spydercos, would like to find one in that price range. I have an endura4 combo and just don't dig the lightweight frn (feels like a toy) has no heft for such a large knife. The delica g10 is on my list but that's not one id want to lose. I'd really prefer g10 scales. Maybe the tenacious would be just the ticket. I frowned upon its made in china stamp but for all I know the Ontario and esee might be chinese also.
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I highly recommend the Tenacious as a beater knife. If you're concerned over quality, just keep in mind that it's still a Spyderco product, it's their excellent quality control at work, even in China. You'll dig the g-10, it's got a nice medium intensity texture to it.
 
Ulf Krogstad said:
If your talking about a knife you can beat on and not worry about losing it any that you listed are perfect. Want cheap and very strong get a Cold Steel Recon 1.
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This. Got mine today and I would confidently chop down trees with this thing.



Also, Adamas.
 
Lots of good suggestions. My "hard use" work folder of choice is the Svord Peasant. For $40 you could get 2 or 3 : )

I also choose not to use my Spydies for sod, prying, scraping, etc...

28s6l4.jpg
 
Apophis beat me to it. The Svord Peasant isn't much to look at but is tough, easy to sharpen, takes a great edge and holds it. It's also easy to disassemble to clean if you need to. If it's too big have a look at the Mini Peasant.
 
I'll take a look at the peasant, I even like the name! I don't mind using my PM2 or sage 1 fishing, hunting, camping but can't see beating it up at work.
 
Wtlj, from one fellow (former) electrician to another, please shoot me either an email or pm with your name and address and I'll send you a new Utilitac plain edge satin blade for you to use, have and if you don't like it give it to a fellow employee/friend.

Take the $40.00 you were gonna spend on a knife and take your wife or girlfriend or both:D out for a night on the town:thumbup: or at least a good meal?
 
kda89508 said:
It is hard to beat a Kabar Dozier for the money at around $20. You could get 2 and have a backup. Also the Cold Steel Medium Voyager series can be bought for around the $40 area. Good Luck! Kevin :D
Click to expand...

Excellent suggestions. Even though my knives are getting more expensive I still carry around those damn doziers at work. Nothing fancy, just a handle, lock and sharp blade. As a straight beat up knife, I would suggest the medium clip point voyager.
 
paulhilborn said:
Wtlj, from one fellow (former) electrician to another, please shoot me either an email or pm with your name and address and I'll send you a new Utilitac plain edge satin blade for you to use, have and if you don't like it give it to a fellow employee/friend.

Take the $40.00 you were gonna spend on a knife and take your wife or girlfriend or both:D out for a night on the town:thumbup: or at least a good meal?
Click to expand...


As always Paul, you are a class act! :thumbup: Take him up on the offer, the Utilitac is a very good knife for the price.
 
Looks like paulhilborn has you covered. Props to him for his generosity.

I was going to toss out another suggestion as well... The Kershaw CQC-6K would make a fantastic hard use knife, and it seems to fit what you are looking for (G10 front handle, stainless steel frame lock, very solid/sturdy feel, great ergos, not very big/bulky in pocket, and under $40). Here it is next to the RAT 1 & 2 and Zancudo. I don't have an Avispa, but based on the specs, imagine the RAT 1, but with the Zancudo's blade shape, and that's the Avispa.

CQC6K_RAT1_RAT2_Zancudo_800x450.jpg
 
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