hard use folder

demko ad-10 (though its the one i havent handled)
direware solo v2 -medford knives
hinderer xm-24
chris reeve umnumzaan- strider sng,smf- arguably the zt 3-xx or 5xx
benchmade-spyderco
coldsteel

thats my list for top to bottom, im sure the codsteel and spydies do their job well but if im going to rely 100% on a folder for an extended period of time and abuse i feel better with one of the upper choices for sure. there are a few customs that im sure slide into one of these levels on my pyramid that i left out. good luck with the hunt.


luke-
 
Allen R. said:
Not true all emersons have a Chisel grind, as in sharpened on one side only, some have a double grind, which looks like the knife is sharpened on both sides , BUT every emerson knife only has one bevel....
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My CQC8 had a 60/40 v-grind. The bevel on the back side was small, but definitely there. That was about 8 years ago.
 
I have had lots of folders over the years and I have lots of folders with that locks failed. Knives that I currently own that I trust their locks are the Camillus Max frame lock, Benchmade AFCK axis lock, and the Cold Steel Spartan and Rajah, I also have an older Cold Steel Voyager going back the plastic clip days and it too locks up solid after years and years of daily use. For those Cold Steel bashing, I will say this I have had nicer knives (better handle material, better steel) and manufactured by "better brands" and a couple of those better knives I sold off because their tactical liner locks...flexed far too much for my liking. Anyone who hasn't picked up a Cold Steel with a Tri-ad lock needs to check them out both the Rajah and Spartan lock up with authority. Personally, for what they are defense style knives AUS 8 is fine, I can get a razors edge on the things, no it will not stay as long as some D2 or BG42 blades I have but again for a defensive knife the steel is fine. I would like to see Cold Steel offer some of their models with the same great lock but better materials and in doing so make them here in the USA. Personally, with their lock design and better materials they could give some of the "higher end" brands a real run for the money.
 
Maddogg774 said:
Top of the heap...Andrew Demko Custom. Wait list two years. You choose your materials. My Ad-10 coming with carbonfiber Ti handles and M4 blade. $600
"lower tier" ZT 030x blem from kershaw Guy.com you can absolutely bet your life on. I sent a 0300 to Afghanistan with my S-I-L on a combat tour. He loved it and testified of it's reliability. For $175 it's a hard to beat deal.
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I second that on the Ad-10. Mines coming in february with carbon fiber scales and backspacer, ti liners, m390 blade. Cant wait its my grail. In the meantime i rely on an xm-24 spanto flipper. Great knife. Try to find a buddy whos a leo or emt
 
If your wanting a fairly tactical knife that can do tough work I say look into Cold Steel's line of tri ad lock knives. The recon 1 series and the ak-47 series are both very nice. I haven't had any experience with the American Lawman series but I hear similar things about them.
 
First knife I was even given as a kid was a slipjoint and since that's the type of knife I grew up with I'm always amazed when lock strength is thought to be such a huge issue. The lock on your folder is not the only thing between your fingers and that very sharp blade...your ability to properly use said knife is.

That being said, I can't imagine (and I can imagine a lot) a ZT 0550, 030X, 056X or either a Strider SnG or SMF failing to live up to your expectations. A lot of great/tough knives have already been mentioned but these are the first to come to mind for me.
Best of luck.
 
The Andrew Demko AD10 is just plain AWESOME! If you dont want to wait as long then Design your own knife and have Alan Davis make it for you the way you want it. Also an XM18 Hinderer is another very good pick! GOOD LUCK! Kevin :D
 
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